July 19th, 2010 
Journo “Boys, have at it” may have finally reached its limit.
In the final lap of the Nationwide race at Gateway this weekend, familiar foes Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards went at it…again. Each driver took a shot at the other, beginning with Keselowski into Edwards, and ending with Edwards into Keselowski (and Keselowski into the wall and Shelby Howard into him). The controversial end to the race is just the latest in a series of incidents since NASCAR loosened its grip on driver confrontations.
Overall, I think we can all agree the policy shift has been successful. Drivers are now settling their disputes between each other, and NASCAR is not affecting points or relationships. Like all good things though, there comes a time when too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing – we may have seen that Saturday night.
Perhaps the goal of these two is to see which can kill the other first – I don’t know. That said, I can’t necessarily blame either for their individual actions. Brad was utilizing the bump and run (it didn’t work), and Carl wasn’t happy about it (given their relationship that’s no surprise). What transpired just short of the start/finish line though should be yet another warning for all those considering ending a fellow competitors day on track.
Did you see how hard Shelby Howard hit Keselowski? The front stretch at such a small track is dangerous with the checkered flag in the air. Again, I don’t necessarily blame Carl for doing what he did, but I think we’re nearing the point when NASCAR needs to draw a line in the sand, and say “this is not acceptable.”
The problem with NASCAR issuing damaging penalties though is that it could have a chilling effect on the policy. If drivers see that there are limits, they might be more apt to keep their mouths shut and their frustration private – something NASCAR desperately wants to avoid.
NASCAR has to walk a very fine line with this (especially under the circumstances). Too much of a penalty they risk alienating a positive policy change. Not enough, they enhance the environment for something more serious to occur.
So far we’ve just seen probation given to those who have actively engaged in on-track retaliation this season. Could that change on Tuesday (NASCAR’s usual penalty announcement day)? I honestly don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised either way.
What do you think? Was the payback justified? Should Carl be penalized? What’s the limit for ‘boys, have at it’? Talk amongst yourselves.
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What Carl Edwards did Saturday night was just plain unacceptable.
There was no need to wreck him and cause damage to less fortunate teams for the situation. The racing move that Brad used on Carl was not a cheap move but just a move of a talented driver.
If you go back to the earlier race in the cup series where JJ and Kurt Busch both pulled the same move on each other to try and win the race you will find that neither one of them turned them on the straightway and nearly ended their night and the night of other unfortunate drivers
I was at the Atlanta race when Carl previously turned Brad and from where i was sitting the stands erupted with boos.
I believe Carl is losing much respect in NASCAR for his retaliation against Brad.
This is one of the sole reasons Carl is still racing Nationwide and not winning or performing that well with the bigboys in the Cup Series
uh knobcreekfan, yup you must be right,
ESPN is SOOOOOOOO embarassed by this situation … yup …. AND THAT IS WHY THEY MADE THIS COMMERCIAL??? …. eh? to quiet it all down? …. yup yup fer sur dude.
If nascar doesn’t penalize Edwards, then it’s open season! wreak everyone in front of you, it’s ok. CMON nascar, Brad’s bump and run was racing. Edwards’ move was dirty! This over reaction from edwards is not the first time, nor will it be the last time he puts live’s in danger if something isn’t done!