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Jeff Wolf
Edwards continues to act like bully
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JOE SEBO/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Carl Edwards, left, nudges Brad Keselowski, causing him to crash late in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Updated: Mar. 12, 2010 | 9:11 a.m.
Carl Edwards is lauded by fans for removing his sunglasses when he does television interviews.
If he's smart, he'll start keeping them on to hide the viciousness that lies within.
His premeditated attack on Brad Keselowski in Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway is the latest indiscretion to illustrate that Edwards has the personality of a high school jock who doubles as a bully.
Think back to 2007, when Edwards confronted teammate Matt Kenseth on pit road while Kenseth was being interviewed on the Speed network. Edwards grabbed Kenseth and, after a heated exchange, drew back as if he was going to punch his mild-mannered teammate.
The year before that, Edwards retaliated for an on-track incident by spinning Tony Stewart on pit road. A few races later, Edwards rammed Dale Earnhardt Jr. on pit road for a similar reason.
Edwards' fans and some NASCAR media hacks endearingly call him "Cousin Carl," but his boorish behavior and assault Sunday make Edwards unfit for any respectable racing family.
After winning a Cup series-best nine races in 2008, Edwards was dubbed the heir apparent to champion Jimmie Johnson -- that would be crass dethroning class.
But maybe karma has caught up with Edwards, as he has not won in the past 40 championship races.
Edwards' retaliatory action Sunday was gutless, as was NASCAR's punishment: a three-race probation.
The only one punished was Keselowski, who was running sixth on lap 322 with three to go when Edwards, 153 laps down, hit him and sent Keselowski's car flying.
The result for Keselowski was a 36th-place finish that dropped him to 33rd in points. Had he maintained in sixth place, he would be 23rd in points.
Their feud started on the final lap of last year's spring race in Talladega, Ala., when contact initiated by Keselowski sent Edwards' car skyward.
Only safety fencing kept it from sailing into the grandstand. Parts from Edwards' car flew through the wire fence and injured seven.
Edwards was leading when Keselowski used his front bumper to move Edwards out of his way to take the win.
NASCAR wants to bring back that sort of rubbin' is racin' this season -- just without any race car acrobatics.
True, Keselowski had on-track skirmishes with Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch last year. Several drivers have said he is too aggressive.
But nothing justifies Edwards exacting revenge at 195 mph.
NASCAR probably regrets only that the Cup series is off this weekend because Edwards' assault gave racing a semblance of mystique again, the allure of danger. TV ratings would certainly see a boost if Edwards and Keselowski faced off this weekend.
What Edwards needs is some soul searching.
He should be thankful his 2-week-old daughter is too young to ask why Daddy could not control his rage.
Jeff Wolf's motor sports column is published Friday. He can be reached at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247. Visit Wolf's motor sports blog at lvrj.com/blogs/heavypedal/ throughout the week.
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David wrote on March 18, 2010 01:41 PM:
As far as those who say what should Carl have done? Well.... if something did need to be done. Then confront Brad away from the camera. I don't care if they duked out one night. But I don't want to see it on or off the track. If I want to watch wrecks, I'll turn to a demolision derby. If I want to watch a fight, I'll turn to boxing. If I want to watch children, I'll turn to Sesame Street. If I want to watch racing, I'll turn to Nascar.
David wrote on March 18, 2010 01:37 PM: I don't like Carl. Haven't for years. And I may sit out from watching this weekends race, because I don't want it to be ruined by his childish like attitude. brenm wrote on March 16, 2010 12:44 PM: How many times was Edwards supposed to let that punk Brad wreck him before he did something about it? You think Dale or Gordon or Johnson would let the same guy wreck your car over and over again without doing something? Jeff Gordon himself pushed Matt Kenseth and did something against him. Is Jeff Gordon a bully? Brad is a moron driver that needs to learn to NOT wreck all the cars in his path. Until he does that Edwards and who ever else who wants to show Brad into the wall are not bullies IMO but trying to teach a rookie. crapshooter wrote on March 13, 2010 07:19 AM: If nothing else, Edwards should have been SUSPENDED, not put on probation, when he drove the wrong way on pit road after being black-flagged. That showed a glaring disrespect for the rest of the drivers, some of whom could have been in their pitbox. Walter wrote on March 12, 2010 09:06 PM: The Talladega wreck? NASCAR all but dictated that when they ruled that Tony Stewart didn't force Regan Smith below the yellow line at a prior Talladega race. Brad knew from that if he went below the yellow line, he would be placed at the tail end of the lead lap. Brad had little choice other than to hold his line and hope Carl wouldn't wreck. The probation is laughable considering NASCAR has said that safety is a priority. Intentionally wrecking someone at over 190mph doesn't exactly sound safe to me. Whether you intended to do something or not, you should be held accountable for the results of your actions. Carl Edwards was not held accountable. I hope no one pays a high price in the future for NASCAR's hubris. Farmboy wrote on March 12, 2010 07:13 PM: Trey said "The Intimidator" raced like that for years, bumping people and sending them into the wall at high speeds". Phil, dewiz88, Julia, remember Rockingham when Bobby Hamilton was in position to win the race and Earnhardt took him out? Remember Darlington when he took out Petty when Petty while Petty was moving to get out of his way? Only a start. Not saying what he did was right but... Farmboy wrote on March 12, 2010 06:59 PM: Where was the outrage when Kurt Busch tried to cut Jimmy Spencer's tire at Michigan? And lie about it afterwards? Edwards taps a car in the rear, it spins, message received. As Nascar correctly called it, the car flying is a separate issue. Busch tries to wreck a driver at another high speed track, but doesn't succeed. Busch tried to WRECK a car. Carl tried to SPIN a car. Go Carl! jim wrote on March 12, 2010 05:45 PM: Well we have some time before Bristol so with anything goes in mind, I think a bounty on Carl's head would be a good idea. There could be a donation location outside the track to raise the funds. If enough money is raised there could be a bonus if Carl is injured and has to air lifted from the track. There could be an additional bonus if he has to miss the next race. Ahh, the good old days, you know, when men were men and NASCAR could,'t make a correct decision if their life depended on it, you know, the good old days. KR wrote on March 12, 2010 01:20 PM: i have been around racing along time, crew man, spotter, etc. and i have never seen such a idiotic, childish, moronic, stupid move as MR ED {edwards} showed at atlanta. brad is a threat to these guys, for some reason they think he should just lay down and get out of their way. nascar is playing with fire. wait until someone gets hurt or killed, be it a driver or fan. the attorneys are just waiting for that one. and like what kirby said, would that be manslaughter or even considered murder? does nascar have a clue anymore or are they just interested in the dollar? they are inviting this sort of action to sell tickets. i was at daytone in 2001 when dale sr died, it was terrible, and also at Michigan when 3 fans were killed when a tire off a indy car flew into the stands. they covered them with sheets until the coroner could get there which did not happen until after the race was over.........we saw them laying there for a long time. is this what nascar wants? has nascar lost all sanity to have a driver over 150 laps down, have his car fixed and then go back out to take someone out and possibly kill them or others? and i am really let down by the HAT, Roush. i just would like everyone to know , if those things happen, EVERYONE, from nascar, the offending driver, the car owners, to the speedway will be lined up in front of a judge who will be asking why did you not try to stop this, instead you promoted it. i do not want to see what i have seen in the past, DO YOU OR YOUR FAMILY? its not pretty............. Lou wrote on March 12, 2010 01:06 PM: Oh my lions, tigers and bears. Get a grip this is racing. Nascar designed the flying brick. Nascar deserves the heat not Edwards. Hey Wolf you must have been the one who ran home after school because you were getting picked on by the other kids. How are you going to tell your grandkids what a wuss you are? Read More Comments |
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