Have a FaceBook, Twitter, or other social networking account?

Link them to your fanatic account!

Add An Account

TAKE ME TO...
NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
SPENCER: The Right Call
I completely agree with NASCAR for deciding not to penalize Carl Edwards other than the three-race probation he received...
Jimmy Spencer  |  Posted March 09, 2010   Charlotte, NC
Jimmy Spencer calls it like he sees it on SPEED. (Photo: SPEED)
“NASCAR is a contact sport - our history is based on banging fenders.”

Brian France said so himself during the off-season when the sanctioning body promised to loosen the reins on the competitors and put racing back in their hands again.

Carl Edwards simply took them up on it Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway when he retaliated and took out Brad Keselowski. I applaud Edwards for what he did. He was fed up with Keselowski coming into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and roughing up so many drivers in such a short period of time.

And I completely agree with NASCAR for deciding not to penalize Edwards other than the three-race probation he received. There was no way in hell Edwards deserved the suspension so many people were demanding.

Keselowski had it coming and Edwards just happened to be the guy who paid him back, although there’s no doubt in my mind Edwards did not intend for Keselowski’s No. 12 Dodge to get airborne. Neither Edwards nor anyone else could have anticipated Keselowski’s car would take off like that. It was a horrible wreck and thank God neither Keselowski nor anyone in the grandstands was hurt.

Past history must be taken into consideration in situations such as these, and Edwards and Keselowski go way back in the payback department. There is an etiquette in NASCAR that says you first have to prove yourself and treat the veterans with respect before you start shoving them around. Keselowski missed that memo and has crumpled many fenders and stirred up a lot of commotion in a short period of time with seemingly little to no remorse.

Drivers tire of being pushed around and racing someone who doesn’t show them any respect. When Keselowski entered the Cup Series, he established himself as a “tough guy” but sometimes the bully needs a punch to the nose. That’s what Edwards gave Keselowski Sunday. He proved he is not weak and no longer will accept Keselowski’s antics. I’ll bet the younger driver will start showing a little more respect to his fellow competitors. He learned a valuable lesson when it comes to playing with the big boys.

And Keselowski has been playing dirty with the big boys for a while now. He spun out Joey Logano at California coming to the checkered flag in the Nationwide race for no reason. He spun out Denny Hamlin at Dover last year and said it was “just racing.” He spun out Edwards at Memphis last year in the Nationwide race and blew it off as nothing. The kid beats the hell out of drivers on the track and once the shoe is on the other foot, people start calling for Edwards’ suspension. Hell no.

There has been some discussion that Edwards should have waited until Bristol or Martinsville, short and relatively safe tracks, to exact his revenge. I disagree. Drivers should retaliate when the opportunity first presents itself and if they don’t, they have no backbone.

If Edwards had waited a few weeks until we got to Bristol or Martinsville, it would have been of no benefit to him. He robbed Keselowski of a good finish, which was his sole intention by choosing Atlanta as his stage.

Whether we agree or disagree on Keselowski’s past, Edwards’ actions or NASCAR’s decision, one thing many people will agree on is the fact the sport needs this controversy and spotlight. NASCAR needed this incident more than they realize. That wreck injected excitement and interest back into the sport, making these two guys a top story across every national newspaper, internet site and television network.

We all learned a valuable lesson Sunday at Atlanta but Keselowski learned the biggest one of all. He has tremendous potential and a bright future ahead of him as long as he heeds these not-so-subtle warnings along the way.

Jimmy Spencer calls it like he sees it on the new What’s the Deal? on Monday nights on SPEED. He retired from driving with two NASCAR Sprint Cup, 12 NASCAR Nationwide and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory, putting him in an elite group of drivers who have logged wins in all three of NASCAR’s premier divisions. In 478 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, Spencer amassed 28 top-five and 80 top-10 finishes. He won back-to-back NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships in 1986 and 1987 on the heels of 15 victories, becoming the first driver ever to earn consecutive titles in the series. He earned the nickname “Mr. Excitement” for his flamboyant and aggressive driving style early in his racing career.

Play! SPEED Fantasy Racing Cup Edition - Spring Series
jimmy_spencer's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jimmy Spencer

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2012

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.