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March 17, 2010

Ken de la Bastide: Edwards decision correct

I have no problem with NASCAR’s decision not to fine or penalize Carl Edwards for intentionally wrecking Brad Keselowski at Atlanta.

NASCAR basically told the drivers at the start of the season to take care of problems amongst themselves. That’s fine, and now that Cousin Carl took the first shot, NASCAR officials have squarely taken themselves out of the mix should a future incident take place.

Go to any short track in the U.S. and drivers are settling their differences on the track. You crash me, expect a payback in short order. Normally when that happens at local racing venues the guilty party is sent to the rear of the field as well as the driver for whom the wrath was aimed.

All the drivers know the rules. Spin someone out on purpose or wreck another car and you’re going to the rear of the field. No arguing about it, go to the tail.

I do believe that NASCAR should have penalized Edwards some championship points, but not for the wreck.

Published reports indicate that after the on-track incident, Edwards drove his Ford around the quarter-mile oval and then went in the wrong direction on pit road. That is where the penalty should come into play.

Officials and crew members were placed in danger by Edwards traveling the wrong way on pit road. They don’t expect a driver to be coming from the opposite direction and aren’t watching for a car.

A cardinal rule for everyone at a racetrack is never turn your back on a car, it’s a surefire way of getting hurt.

Another thing that is bothersome is that people keep referring back to the Talladega race last year when the same two drivers got together and Edwards soared into the catch-fence, injuring seven fans while Brad drove to the win.

There was no intentional contact involved in that accident. Two drivers fighting for the win, Edwards came down the track to block and Keselowski wasn’t backing off.

At Atlanta, Edwards was 156 laps down when he came back onto the track and intentionally wrecked Keselowski.

In other racing news: There was good news for late model fans with the announcement that the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway will be back in operation this summer.

With that came the announcement that the All American 400 has been scheduled for the first weekend in October with the Champion Racing Association sanctioning the super late model portion of the program.

• Anderson Speedway will again try to kick off the 2010 season this Sunday at 5 p.m. with racing in the Thunder Cars, Pure Stock, Mini Cups and Front Wheel Drive division competing on the oval and Figure-8 action.

Fans can receive a $1 discount for wearing something green to honor St. Patrick’s Day and $1 for donating a nonperishable food item to Second Harvest Food Bank.

Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454-8580 or ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com.

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