Kobalt Tools 500 starring Carl the Tool
So it appeared Kurt Busch was headed for another victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway unless Juan Pablo Montoya was able to pull off a fantastic reeling him in, but then suddenly out of nowhere....
Via RaceView I was listening to the scanner of the #33 (Clint Bowyer) when I could see that the #12 (Brad Keselowski) was fighting with another car, and figured it was a great chance to catch him. Then I could hear the discussion between Bowyer and his spotter wondering why the #99 (Carl Edwards) was battling tough with Keselowski. In fact, Bowyer's spotter, Mike Dillon (thanks Robbie for the correction, originally posted as "Matt Dillon" for some strange reason), said "I don't know what Carl's trying to prove with the 12 there." Then I saw on RaceView what could only be fully understood on the actual television screen, that Carl Edwards punted Keselowski. The #12 car the flipped into the air and hit the fence on the roof. It was a horrific accident, and maybe more words would accompany the intensity if not for Edwards' crash last year at Talladega being worse.
Normally we could chalk this up to hard racing, exactly what NASCAR wants their drivers to do. That crash at Talladega last year happened when he tangled with Keselowski, then driving the #09, who went on to win the race. A quick review of the tape shows that Edwards tried to block when he shouldn't have, which Edwards seemed to rightfully take some blame in. Also early in today's race Edwards was again in a crash where he tangled with the 12, but appeared from all replays that Keselowski had slowed up as best he could without someone running into the back of him.
So all of this would seem to explain someone getting a little pissed on the track, but there's just a few problems with this:
1) Edwards had every intent to wreck Keselowski, even missing on an attempt to do so the previous lap.
2) Edwards didn't directly admit to it, but his answer basically said he did it on purpose.
and, most importantly
3) Edwards was well over 100 laps down at the time, while Keselowski was running in the top 10.
So Edwards wasn't racing for position, made his attempt obvious to anyone with a set of eyeballs, and admitted to intent within his answer on national television.
What should NASCAR do? They should let Edwards sit out the next race, two weeks from now at Bristol.
NASCAR needs to send a message that while boys will be boys, this wasn't racing. It was a danger to the drivers, the fans, and everyone involved in the sport. You'd think Carl Edwards of all people would understand this danger.
JAGS SIGNINGS
Kassim Osgood, special teams star & WR
As reported by Michael C. Wright of the Times-Union >-link-<
First Jacksonville signed former Charger Kassim Osgood to a 3-year deal with $6.675M ($2.975 guaranteed). This is a great signing of small stature to most people, since Osgood excels mostly on special teams. It appears the ability to compete for a spot at receiver is what won him over, but he seems really excited by his tweets.
Aaron Kampman, DE
Now this was a signing that perked some ears. Michael C. Wright just tweeted the terms as 4-years at $26M with $11M guaranteed. This is a very nice signing that should improve the worst pass rush in the league. If they can also bring back Hayward it would be a good off-season, despite me coming in with no expectations other than a good draft. It appears the management understand the fans need a few splashes to know there's someone in the pool. Good reads are available from the aforementioned Michael C. Wright of the Times-Union and Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.
CAROLINA DROPS SERIES 1-2
Too upset and too soon to say much about it, but worth mentioning that Clemson pounded Carolina at home today to take the series 1-2, the first time Clemson has won the series in a bit. It was a rough game, with Carolina pitching being terrible throughout, but as my friends and I have discussed it would be nice to have a team that slumped early and came on late. That's my hope, that they will catch fire late.
CAROLINA END REGULAR SEASON WITH UPSET WIN
Gamecocks win at #19 Vandy to enter SEC Tournament on high note.
Travis Haney of the Post and Courier wraps up the impact nicely in his blog.
and now your moment of zen...
No comments:
Post a Comment