The feud between Cousin Carl and Michigan Brad extends back to last year's race at Talladega, when Carl cut down on Brad on the final lap, Brad didn't budge, the pair made contact and Edwards went flying into the catchfence -- and almost into the stands -- unfortunately injuring seven spectators.
Sunday's actions by Edwards were uncalled for. He was down by 156 laps, came up behind Keselowski, who was on the verge of a top-5 finish, and casually bumped Kes, flipping him. What, did Edwards think no one would notice his actions?
So, we ask you, race fans, should Carl Edwards be suspended by NASCAR for intentionally wrecking Keselowski, and if so, for how long?
As much as I like Edwards, he's totally wrong in this instance. At the minimum, NASCAR should sit him for at least one race, maybe as many as four, to get the point across that while it's okay to "have at it, boys," it's not okay to be blatant and deliberate. What would have happened if Keselowski sailed through the fence and into the stands? Edwards needs to sit, period, for at least one race.
Those are my thoughts, Let's see if NASCAR -- and you, the reader -- agree.
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I agree. There is plenty of time and a safe way to get your point across. We all have been there in the heat of the moment. I like Carl but he should have took into thought the circumstances that were caused and could have caused (being worse).
ReplyDeleteCarl is a douchebag, PERIOD! He "attacks" his own teamate (Matt Kenseth), a past Champion. He basically admitted on TV that he did today's wreck on purpose. And watch the video, you can see his white gloves turn into BK.
ReplyDeleteThere is a time and place for payback, say maybe Bristol or a road course, but to endanger the lives of all those fans at Atlanta, at the tri-oval no less, is just the sure sign of an idiot driver, a man behind the wheel with a five year old's mentality. Carl, you are a douche.
So, Jerry... when was the last time you were at a dirt track!? 'Have at it Boys' has been LONG GONE from NASCAR for a long time... TOO LONG and the pendulum is bound to swing the other way. But think about this... Who'd have thunk the car would go airborne!? NASCAR said they'd stopped that from happening, so who are we to judge Carl for not distrusting of NASCAR's judgement on that! If Brad had simply spun in the grass and continued on, this wouldn't be a debate because he'd get the $100k/50 point slap and you'd have nothing to write about!
ReplyDeleteThe fault here is with NASCAR for ever putting a wing on the back of a car! Takeoff speed is 160... WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!?
no one has mentioned the tape replay showing carl taking a swipe at him a lap earlier which in my opinion makes it all the more punishable maybe he needs to go back to teaching maybe those kids can teach him something about right and wrong. Brad needs to be talked to also he is not out of the woods either he needs to tone down his aggressive driving a bit and realize he has made it to the big time, but could be done in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you blaming Brad for? He's aggressive... who the heck cares! NASCAR needs someone who's going to call out the 'princes' for their entitled attitudes. Brad didn't seem to move an inch into Carl in that early scuff and I think Cuz Carl was just looking for a reason to 'get him back' for 'Dega... Are you honestly telling me, in 150 laps sitting in the garage, he DIDN'T look at the tape of that first crash and see that it really was 'just a racing thing'?
ReplyDeleteanon@7:24 said (in part): "Who'd have thunk the car would go airborne!?" just a guess but i'm thinking edwards got a good, first-hand answer to that question at 'dega, doncha think?
ReplyDeleteanons@7:34 and 7:38: great points. he had plenty of time to review the first accident & see what happened. and, according to kezelowski and some replays i've watched, edwards tried to slam kezelowski three times prior to finally wrecking him.
i'm not comfortable with edwards' escalation of aggressive behavior toward his colleagues. his behavior in the incidents with kenseth, earnhardt jr and harvick were ALL off track and after the fact. today, he had 150 laps to calm down and do what was right by his team. he chose not to do that.
i'm also intrigued that edwards avoided the traditional media and opted instead to post his response on facebook. i think if i were a nascar journalist, i'd be a lot less than thrilled with that strategy. as a fan, i think his decision to go to a sympathetic audience to explain his actions was less than forthright.
i've done my usual "replace your driver with in this case, edwards, and how would you feel about it all" test and i've come to this: i'd want him seriously fined, both $ and points, recognizing that such an action would cost him a chance at the chase. i'd also want him on probation for the balance of the year. finally, i'd have him sit down with an anger management team in an effort to help him control "the red mist" that seems to come over him well after an incident. but i would not sit him down for a race.
I'm with Red on this one. I think a fine and deduction of points, as well as probation for the rest of the year, will suit the crime.
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm condoning Edwards on this one, but I get the feeling that his mentality was one of "enough is enough" i.e. this is 3 times that Brad has gotten into him and there ain't going to be a 4th time. Right or wrong, that's not for me to say, since I'm not a driver and I don't know what my reaction would be, although I'd be hard-pressed to say that I wouldn't be looking to spin a guy out if he has a history with me and the end result is always a smirk and a smug "oh well, that's driving" after he's done the deed.
I think NASCAR will look at the totality of the situation here; as in, this is the 3rd time that there has been an incident between Edwards and Keselowski, as well as the fact that Keselowski has also had issues with Denny Hamlin. I wouldn't be surprised if NASCAR tells Edwards "alright, you got your free shot in. Now we're going to put you on such a tight leash that if you even look at Keselowski the wrong way on the track you get parked".
NASCAR needs to sit Edwards for at least a race. I have followed Carl since the truck series, but his actions since have led me to lose so much respect for him. This is not the first time the agression behind the smile has showed it's face. Ask Harvick, Junior, Stewart, Kenseth, and now Keselowski. The 'dega and Atlanta incidents between Carl and Brad were no more Brad's fault then Edwards. Both times Edwards came down on Brad, and like most of Brad's incidents, he refused to give him room to come down on him. Brad is aggressive, but I do not think he wrecks people on purpose. There are tracks you get paybacks on and Atlanta is not one of them. Edwards was stupid, and irresponsible. Whether or not Brad deserved it, you don't spin somebody out at 190, He endangered not only himself and Brad, but other drivers, and most importantly the fans at the race. Edwards' agression keeps escalating. I think sitting him down a race will have the same result as when Harvick was sat down. There was a notible change in his on track aggression. But I think the 99 car's major sponsers will save him from being parked. Like everything else in NASCAR money talks, and Carl will walk.
ReplyDeleteThere is a simple solution to this complicated problem; suspension. That is the one punishment that will actually send a message to not only the 99, but to everyone. I as a fan was personally offened by the 99's lack of compassion for his actions and the damage it could have caused to not only the other driver, but to the fans, what if debris got into the stands and killed someone, someone I care about? A long suspension is the only thing that will teach him a lesson, but knowing NASCAR, they will just give him some toothless fine and put him on probation for one race.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a huge Carl Edwards fan but recently I had begun to rethink my take on him. I had begun to think of him as a better person than the guy who bullied Matt Kenseth or the guy who nearly punched Harvick. However, all bets are off now. I like rubbin'. Rubbin' IS racin' BUT wrecking and potentially killing another driver (and many fans) is not what a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver should do.
ReplyDeleteCarl has no business letting his temper outweigh his driving. He could have been INTENTIONALLY involved in a wreck today which could have killed his new daughter's father. I bet his wife reminds him of that when he gets home.
Suspend him for two races...
the roids have softened his mellon, and not only should he get parked, what he did is worthy of an a$$ whoopin. send jimmy spencer in to jerk the slack outa his chain and tenderize his roid raged noggin. always thought he was a 2 faced punk, thanks for confirming it karl. scotts should run a "I.m going to kill your lawn" commercial if thats what they stand for. in todays economics karl " went hunting and shot his dog, then went up the physco scale and rang jacks bell. talk about getting caught with your pants down, but that was more than likely to remove hid head since his glass belly button wasn't working.
ReplyDeleteOK, here's a little 'gas for the fire'... Brad's aggressive, we know that... AND, he doesn't lift for ANYONE, especially Carl.. and who knows, maybe with Carl and Denny, he actually LIFTS LESS or drives harder to 'take the spot'... SO, what's the real problem? Is Carl ENTITLED to the low line when he wants to go there? Maybe the REAL issue is that the veterans feel like the rookies should kiss their feet and let them go where they want when they want and Brad's saying, "Sorry Charlie, I'm here, keep your line and prove your'e better"... NOW That's an interesting angle!
ReplyDeletei have been waiting for Brad to get his due for his unwilling to realize he can't win a race in the first half. I do think AMS was NOT the place for this. it's way too dangerous for anything bigger than Bristol or Martinsville.
ReplyDeleteAll of these young guys need to go back and do a little research on how the Nascar greats taught lessons. It wasn't on a super speedway track going 190 miles an hour. Mr. Edwards needs to be taught a lesson of his own.
ReplyDeleteGreat Racing Debates said:
ReplyDelete"OK, here's a little 'gas for the fire'... Brad's aggressive, we know that... AND, he doesn't lift for ANYONE, especially Carl.. and who knows, maybe with Carl and Denny, he actually LIFTS LESS or drives harder to 'take the spot'... SO, what's the real problem? Is Carl ENTITLED to the low line when he wants to go there? Maybe the REAL issue is that the veterans feel like the rookies should kiss their feet and let them go where they want when they want and Brad's saying, "Sorry Charlie, I'm here, keep your line and prove your'e better"... NOW That's an interesting angle!"
Dead on IMO. Took the words right out of my head.
Dusty Duncan
Claremore, OK
Maybe Carl sold BK some Aflac Insurance and think he's covered in case of an accident...
ReplyDeleteGreat Job Carl. I(f Dale Sr. would have done it we would all celebrate. The end result was not intended and should we really hope Carl gets punished for NASCAR's mistake? They knew the wing is bad and yet they still use it, so speed up the spoiler plan boys. Keso has been driving like he is already a great one, he is not and needs to pay his dues, if this time he got a bigger lesson then so be it. If you punish one you punish both so unless Keso wants to sit out a race or two then he should shut up and take his medicine like the big boy he wants to be!!!
ReplyDeleteCarl needs a timeout. His gosh shucks golly act is wearing thin. I'd sit him and the #99 team for a week at least and put him on probation for the rest of the year. One more intentional incident and you're done for the season pal.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he'd get it through his thick skull that it isn't all about him and yes there are times when its just racin' (like Talledega).
However, yesterday's act was intentional and could have killed Keso or somebody in the stands. Wise up Carl or you'll be back racing in ASA or ARCA. I guess you could always go back to teaching.
Keselowski deserved exactly what he got. He believes that for some reason, he can enter the sport unlike the thousands of racers who came before him and show reckless disregard for the other 42 drivers in the field. Keselowski has been thrown into a car that is well above his experience and skill level and apparently needs to make up for that by crashing his way to the front. Need proof: since joining Penske Racing South, he's experienced crash damage in half of his starts.
ReplyDeleteNot only did Keselowski deserved to be crashed at Atlanta, it shouldn't end there. Denny Hamlin should wreck him at Bristol and Joey Logano—the other driver damaged by Keselowski's lack of respect last week—should take him out at Martinsville and they should do this over and over until the whelp is either fired, slinks back to the minor leagues—or God forbid, develops a little respect.
IMHO.
That said, turning someone on a mile and half track should have consequences. Edwards did what he had to do and NASCAR will do what they have to do.
NASCAR is a joke. A 3 race probation??? Helton justifies this because Edwards was parked. HE WAS 156 LAPS DOWN!!! I guess NASCAR is going to wait until somebody is seriously injured or killed before they put a stop to dangerous retaliation. Edwards has agression/anger issues and this does nothing to deter him from doing this again. I still wonder how much AFLAC/Scotts/Subway had a say in this slap on the wrist. I'm thinking NASCAR did not want to risk losing these major sponsers and keeping them out of the chase.
ReplyDelete