Normally, I’d be the first person to hit some Carl Edwards back-flipping jokes, but this was one of the craziest crashes that I’ve seen in years of watching NASCAR. Edwards almost ended up in the stands and then pulled a Ricky Bobby by running across the finish line. After the roller coaster of this race, which saw two multi-car crashes that could qualify for Big One status, Michael Waltrip going Michael Waltrip, and Carl going into orbit on the final lap, I’m afraid for Brad Keselowski that his victory is going to be the last thing that any one will remember about this year’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega.
Just a note, you can check me out as a guest on the FastMachines.com podcast. They were crazy enough to ask me to come aboard and talk some NASCAR, some Dale Junior, and some fights by drivers in garages.
There is nothing quite like it when NASCAR and WWE collide. (And after seeing the above pic, maybe NASCAR does need a test for performance-enhancing drugs. I’m just playing Carl, please don’t beat me up.)
Two old-school drivers (IMO) Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick chose to discuss their disagreements about last week’s Talladega race like reasonable men. Then, when that failed, they started beating the hell out of each other. From SI.com:
Witnesses said Edwards and Harvick scuffled Thursday in the Nationwide Series garage at Lowe’s Motor Speedway after Edwards walked into Harvick’s garage stall and the two engaged in a heated argument.
Harvick appeared to try to walk away but, witnesses said, Edwards reached for his shoulder to turn him back around. Harvick then shoved Edwards, who stumbled onto the hood of Harvick’s car, and the two had to be separated.
Witnesses claimed a member of Harvick’s crew had Edwards in a headlock as numerous people tried to separate the two. (Sports Illustrated)
Well, Harvick was the most vocal driver after Talladega when it came to exhibiting his displeasure with Cousin Carl causing the big wreck that eliminated Harvick and several other Chase drivers from the race. Harvick commented after the race that Edwards had raced like a pansy by hugging the back of the line until late in the race in order to try to avoid getting knocked out early. The irony of course, is that when Edwards did decide to involve himself in the race he caused as much damage as an ex-wife at a family reunion.
So, do we now have Edwards vs Harvick as well as Edwards vs Busch? Honestly, if you had asked anyone a couple of months ago which of those feuds would be the most important to the Chase they would have overwhelmingly said the latter. However, with Carl sitting at second and Kevin holding down the sixth spot, any on-track incidents between the two of these guys could be huge in deciding who walks away with this year’s championship.
Just a hint to Carl though. I’d rather tick off ten Kyles than one Kevin Harvick. Kyle might bump into your car while you are on the track. Kevin might bump you off a bridge while you are driving home.
If it were me, Carl, I’d carpool for the next couple of days. You know, just to be on the safe side.
This isn’t the first time that either of these guys have been involved in pushy-pushy, shovy-shovies with other drivers. See the incident from last year between Carl and Matt Kenseth:
And Harvick has always been considered likes-to-fight guy. So, no one should really be surprised that this happened. I’m just surprised that it took until Thursday.
Wow, if Kyle Busch had fallen any farther back to Earth, he would have incinerated upon re-entry. Brutal race for Kurt’s little brother as he watched all of his hard work this season vaporized in the first race of the Chase. I’m sure that just breaks every one’s hearts, doesn’t it? On to the G, B, and U from the Granite State:
The Good: Good job by Greg Biffle. He’s been on the cusp of a victory all year and he finally pulled one off at Loudon. More importantly, he moved up six spots in the Chase standings into third place. Biff is a good enough driver to be a fly in the ointment during this Chase and this win should give him and his team the confidence that they can compete with the favorites. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good and the man that made the most out of Kyle Busch’s troubles was Cousin Carl Edwards, who took the lead in the points with a strong third place finish. Jimmie Johnson is still hotter than a trailer in the summertime. He sits at second in the points and had a great race Sunday, running right there with Biffle until the end. If I had to bet the truck on anyone right now it would probably be on Johnson. He’s the New England Patriots in the playoffs; he might not be the favorite, but I’ll believe he’s out of it when I see him lose.
