I rarely weigh in on many things NASCAR-related, but last weekend's controversy in Atlanta has held my interest. The Carl Edwards/Brad Keselowski wreck/payback/revenge/bed-wetting episode not only created quite a stir for the sport, but NASCAR's response, or lack thereof, was controversial in itself.
I am a huge fan of many televised sports - basketball, football, baseball, tennis and even golf and bowling, but I'll be honest, I've lacked much of a taste for NASCAR since the early-to-mid '90s when it took on its Hollywood persona and moved far away from its grassroots foundation. The events of last weekend, however, were alarming to me on many levels regarding the direction the sport is headed.
Off and on, I watched much of Sunday's race and actually started a trip back home from out of town with about 30 laps remaining. I did come across the race on the radio while searching for college basketball games, so I decided to tune in for the final few laps. Even on the radio, Kurt Busch's first win of the year was over-shadowed by Edwards initiating the most memorable on-track move of the weekend.
For Edwards, there are no excuses. For Keselowski, hopefully, it's a lesson learned in a very unfortunate way. At first, I was torn. Edwards did probably what most Cup drivers wish they had the nerve to do while Keselowski learned a rough lesson about the consequences of being a rough driver. My shock wasn't necessarily in the deed itself, rather the reaction it got throughout much of NASCAR-land. Almost immediately, commentators and "race experts" questioned the timing of Edwards' retaliation, going so far as to say (multiple times by numerous different "experts"), "Revenge would have been better suited for Bristol in two weeks." Really? I mean, really? Since when do we promote revenge and retaliation by use of a motor vehicle? The last I checked, that could fall under the category of attempted murder.
Even more disturbing than the immediate reaction was the thought that, had the #12 car not gotten air under it and flipped, nobody would be talking about the incident beyond the end of the race. Many were even joking that Edwards would be on the receiving end of endless high-5s in the garage area had the crash been less severe. The only question I could come up with in response to this was, "So?" So, if the man who robbed the bank had forgotten to load the gun, we wouldn't be talking about it anymore? Intended result or not, the action was wrong and the individual responsible for that action should be punished.
Even MORE disturbing than this was how NASCAR "came down" on the Edwards camp. A three-race probation? No penalty, no suspension, no fine, no loss of points, nothing. I would venture to guess that Edwards had no intention of driving as aggressively in the coming weeks anyway based on the simple fact that all eyes would be on him following his outrageous display of immaturity in Atlanta.
I don't care where Edwards planned his revenge. Yes, the timing of his retaliation put many race fans at risk, but his intent was the same. I don't care if the #12 car could have simply spun to the infield or flipped into the wall, the intent was the same. I don't care that Keselowski is a young, arrogant, rough driving, waste of talent, Edwards' intent was the same. There's no excuse for intentional rough driving and there is even less room for failing to penalize it.
The shared fault, I believe, does fall at the hands of both Keselwoski and Edwards. Simply put, both drivers should know better. As for Keselowski, he's a professional race car driver who should know better than to repeatedly take part in rough, aggressive driving that led to someone wanting to intentionally take him out; not to mention earning himself the nickname Crashalotski after such a short time on the national scene. As for Edwards, he's a veteran of the circuit and multi-time winner who had established himself as a "nice guy" in the sport, yet is a professional race car driver who should know better, especially for a new father.
The ultimate responsibility, however, falls with NASCAR. Tolerating such reckless behavior is as good as promoting it. If you don't take a firm stand, step out on that ledge and actually punish individuals for this type of behavior, it's evident that you welcome it. Unless you sideline Edwards for a few weeks AND put him on probation, you're just as despicable as the act that blackened the eye of the sport to begin with. For proof, check out the link to a feature story on NASCAR's home page called, "Executed well, retaliation creates moments for highlight reels." If that isn't proof enough, once you click on it you're taken to a story with the headline, "It's not a matter of right or wrong, but time and place." You think the powers-that-be ever considered, even for a moment, more than probation for Edwards? Absolutely not. That cash cow started mooing before the final checkered flag even waved on Sunday.
NASCAR's integrity and future lie with the direction it takes itself. It lies with NASCAR's willingness to do the right thing. It lies with the guts to ensure, as much as it can, the safety of its participants and fans. From what I've seen over the past few weeks, I have gathered just that... NASCAR lies.
But hey, Bristol is in two weeks, right? We're talking the excitement of hot tempers on a short track, right? Nothing like getting the ratings up with a huge driver controversy, right? Yep, let's all settle in for Bristol in a week-and-a-half and see, just see, who signed on to become the "Official Body Bag and Bail Bondsmen of NASCAR."
Now, where is that basketball game I was looking for on the radio?
Colby Springsteen (I.M.C.A. Late Model)
Bill Roberts (I.M.C.A. Modified)
Dustin Crear (I.M.C.A. Modified)
Brian Holmes (I.M.C.A. Stock Car)
Brodie Dopler (Hobby Stock)
Ray Raker (Hobby Stock)
Lane Kauffman (Hobby Stock)
Jay Johnson (I.M.C.A. Late Model)
Jacob Darbyshire (I.M.C.A. Late Model)
Tony Davis (305 Sprint)
Kirk Kinsley (I.M.C.A. Stock Car)
Jeff Mueller (I.M.C.A. Stock Car)
Jason Cook (I.M.C.A. Stock Car)
Brett Timmerman (I.M.C.A. Stock Car) 
