Carl Edwards Delivers Drama for NASCAR, but When Is Enough, Enough?

As a former substitute school teacher, Carl Edwards knows the importance of following directions. It's the playing well with others, he's still mastering.

NASCAR told its competitors, "Boys, have at it" this season hoping a good mix of temper tantrums and crash-and-bang finishes would create more interest in the sport and boost its lagging television ratings and ticket sales.

Edwards has done his part, turning aggressive driving into an art form. He's had at it. And at it. And at it.

NASCAR, however, is still waiting on contributions like Edwards' to actually deliver more eyes on screen and fans in seats. And that's why even though they should -- don't expect NASCAR to discipline Edwards for his latest bully-behind-the-wheel move on Brad Keselowski in Saturday night's Nationwide Series race -- despite the fact it resulted in a dangerous, multi-car accident.


Edwards wrecks Keselowski on July 17 The drivers nudged each other in the final laps before Edwards decided to just plain punt Keselowski's Dodge yards before the checkered flag. As Edwards began his victory lap, Keselowski's hobbled car was getting T-boned by another car as a half-dozen drivers had to take evasive action, tearing up hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment.

Keselowski is fortunate he didn't get hurt.

Edwards is, too.

"I just thank God no one has gotten hurt, that's not what NASCAR had in mind,'' Daytona 500 and Indy 500 winning team owner Chip Ganassi said Monday of NASCAR's relaxed policing policy.

"My initial response is I'm glad those guys don't drive for me right now or I'd have a lot stronger response.

"Someone has to be the referee of this. ... I think each guy should be allowed one move, but I don't think you should be allowed to use your car as a weapon.''

Edwards received a wink-wink, three-race probation for launching Keselowski's car airborne and nearly into the Atlanta Motor Speedway front-stretch grandstands in March during a run-in between the two. So how much can NASCAR possibly react in light of Saturday's side-by-side run for the checkered?

It is the box NASCAR has put itself in. And Edwards has essentially put a nice little bow on top.


Edwards-Keselowski dust-up in March 2010 Rough driving, intense rivalries and real feuds have always been a part of NASCAR and contributed heavily to its popularity. But there is a line between dangerous retaliation and a little clean fender-banging between drivers going for a win. Even driver Denny Hamlin called the move "dirty" on his Twitter account.

But because NASCAR didn't draw the line when Edwards returned to the race track 156 laps down to angrily settle a score with Keselowski four months ago, it has little recourse in Round 2.

So no one should be surprised when drivers find their own recourse.

"I probably wouldn't have reacted as kindly as Brad did, I probably would have walked down there and punched him in the mouth,'' NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series points leader Kevin Harvick told SPEED TV this week.

Harvick is the last driver to actually be suspended (one Cup race in April 2002) because of bad behavior and his rough driving six years ago pales in comparison to Edwards' recent repertoire.

In the emotion of the moment, Keselowski's father, former NASCAR driver Bob Keselowski said he'd had enough and suggested he should dust off his own driver's suit.

With no consequences, what's to stop a start-and-park car from coming back on track 100 laps down and taking someone -- even Edwards -- out? If it's good for the goose, it's good for the gander. Or so we'll find out.

NASCAR has gotten exactly what it seems to want. Everyone is talking about the sport even during a Sprint Cup Series off-weekend. But when is enough, enough?

If not for the history between Edwards and Keselowski, the initial door-to-door contact -- the give-and-take between them on Saturday -- might have been shrugged off as "just racin' " for the win, the kind of stuff NASCAR legend is made of.

But as so many have acknowledged this week, there is more to that legend.

"I've been accused of being a racing purist, but I'd like to see more good driving, driving your car with respect, not having to crash a guy to win," Ganassi said.

"The greatest drivers in the sport were always known more for their great driving than for how many guys they took out."