Edwards and Keselowski NASCAR Penalties

NASCAR cannot have it both ways. Either they are going to let them race or they aren’t. Which is it?

The nonsense they came out with this year - “boys, have at it” apparently was nothing but public relations to try to raise fan interest. NASCAR has chickened out on that stated policy. The incident at the end of the July 17th Nationwide race at Madison has resulted in a $25,000 fine, loss of 60 points and probation for Carl Edwards, and probation for Brad Keselowski.

I do not like to see incidents like the one at Madison where a driver’s well being is put in such jeopardy. When Carl turned Brad at Atlanta it was even more frightening. But, NASCAR has a habit of not being consistent. They just cannot seem to determine whether they are willing to take risks or not.

NASCAR has said many times over the years that they will let the drivers settle it on the last lap. Well, they have to be consistent on that or, once again, lose credibility with fans. Do you remember the Bristol night race in August, 1999 when Dale Earnhardt Sr. turned Terry Labonte on the last lap and went on to win? Dale “just wanted to rattle his cage”. No penalties resulted. Sure, some fans booed, but NASCAR knew that it was good for the sport.

What is the difference between that incident and the one between Edwards and Keselowski? Has NASCAR become so mainstream, so plain vanilla, that they will not tolerate a villain? Earnhardt Sr. was viewed by many fans as a villain. NASCAR knew that, and they knew it was good for the sport.

The incident at Madison is being interpreted as a continuation of the Edwards – Keselowski feud. It was, instead, a move by Edwards coming off the final turn of the race to win the race. It has to be treated the same way as the Earnhardt Sr. incident at Bristol in 1999.

Above all things NASCAR must be consistent. Fans see right thru it when they aren’t. And, if they want a bunch of namby-pamby drivers going around in circles, that is fine. That is not what the fans want.