NASCAR’s Edwards: Was disciplinary action fair?

March 11, 2010 By 3 Comments

It looks like NASCAR have decided to take a whole new approach to things this season, giving their drivers a bit more leeway on the track. In other words, it means that NASCAR are prepared to look the other way when it comes to the odd nudge here and spin there.

But what couldn’t have been predicted was that NASCAR would actually be put to the test on that idea, so soon into the season. And by that I mean the frightening accident that happened at Atlanta this weekend just gone, when Carl Edwards bumped Brad Keselowski.

NASCAR’s Edwards: Was disciplinary action fair?

According to usatoday.com, NASCAR found itself right in the middle of a dilemma on Monday, over what they should do with Carl Edwards, whose wrecking of Keselowski late in Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race sparked a heated debate about what’s permitted under the new policy.

The accident definitely has upset many people, but for what reason exactly. Could it be that Edwards returned to the track intent on retaliating against Keselowski with a deliberate nudge, or could it be that the high-speed contact could have caused serious injuries?

As we mentioned in a post earlier today, Edwards was immediately parked for his actions on Sunday, then he was given a three-race probation. But many fans are saying that they want him suspended, and many analysts have agreed. Do you think the disciplinary action was fair?

[poll id="186"]

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  • Chris Thompson

    Your question, was the punishment that Edwards received fair? Yes or No. I was the first to vote and voted NO because I don't think that it was fair to Keselowski, the other drivers, or the fans. Wreaks happen in racing and most are unintentional. Deliberately wreaking someone at 190 miles per hour is not only dangerous to the other driver, all of the drivers, and the fans and should be criminal. What if someone had been killed? Could Edwards have then been charged with negligent homicide? I personally think that he could have been. His punishment was nothing but a slap on the hand. He shouild have been suspended from racing for at least 5 races and we probably would not see anymore of this deliberate wreaking someone. Don't think that I am an Edwards hater. I am not and I always admired him for his driving ability but I no longer admire him at all. Would Mark Martin do this to another driver? I don't think so.
    Chris Thompson
    Lewisville, Texas

  • Paladin

    I think the 3 race probation was fair since it's a new season and NASCAR had relaxed their rules on bumping. If Edwards is involved in another incident, then I think a suspension for a race would be appropriate. If a 3rd incident, then a 5 race suppension. This cannot be allowed to escalate until someone is injured or killed, be it another driver or a fan in the stands. We fans don'r want NASCAR to implement rules that prohibit fair racing but we don't think deliberate crashes should be allowed either. Flagrant violator's being suspended would certainly be a deterrant to future deliberate crashes.

  • Dirk

    The thing that gets me is that the first accident was clearly Edwards fault anyway. No way Keselowski had time to do anything but try to lift. They are in the turn in the pack and Edwards just suddenly comes down with no warning and no reason to do so. There is no way Keselowski could have seen that bonehead move coming from a veteran driver like Edwards. I have seen that happen to other drivers like for example Mark Martin last year and every one of them except Edwards said it was their fault for thinking they were clear when they were not.