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September 08, 2006
Saturday night’s alright for fightin’
By Mike Harper
Imagine the ultimate payback. Could we see Carl Edwards punt Tony Stewart out of the Chase for the championship on Saturday night? I got your attention! Saturday night’s event at Richmond will be intense. For the driver’s looking to make it into the Chase, it’s stressful and towards the end of the event it becomes a panic filled pressure cooker. I’m sure Jeff Burton, Mark Martin and Tony Stewart will be racing more than the track at Richmond, they’ll be keeping their eyes on Kasey Kahne. Don’t let anyone fool you when they say it’s no big deal, because without a doubt this is why they race – to win the championship. Sure it’s fun, but at the end of the day it’s the championship that counts.
So what about this Edwards – Stewart rivalry that could escalate Saturday night? Will Edwards dish out the ultimate payback for Stewart wrecking him at Pocono? "He has jeopardized our chances for making the Chase. It's amazing! I don't even know what to say. I pulled up to Tony Stewart on pit road (at Pocono) and gestured "What was up?" and he gave me a gesture back. You can't dash my championship hopes and give me that gesture all in the same day," said Edwards after the July Pocono event. Whether you agree or disagree with paybacks, one thing is for sure, Edwards is still upset over the incident and Stewart is only 45 points over 11th place in the standings going into Richmond this weekend. You can’t tell me that Edwards won’t think about payback during the race if and or when he gets around Stewart. It’s a natural emotion. And if payback comes and Stewart misses the Chase, what will happen? Will NASCAR sit Edwards for a race or two? If they do, will Edwards care? He’s not in the chase and has nothing to lose. Well, maybe except some cash.
The floor is open for comments!
September 8, 2006 | Permalink
Comments
I saw some NASCAR show last night where they asked drivers if they watched the points and chase rivals at this stage. Some said "yes," others said "no." Funny thing - Harvick, Burton and Hamlin said "no," while most of the guys who've been through it said, "damn right we do!"
Edwards whups on Tony, Kahne gets in, and my guy Burton is in. Works for me!
Posted by: Doug | Sep 8, 2006 5:44:51 PM
Mike Harper,
I think Carl behaves or at least learns to disguise it better. I think if Carl blatently took Stewart out of the Chase, that Carl would be doing door flips off of his daddys buicks door, in the driveway, for the next 10 weeks. Because he certainly wouldn't be racing. Besides Carl, I wonder how the Mega-Team drivers, not in the Chase, will affect the races. You always like to think they all have honor and integrity, but it's not like we've never seen "Team Orders" before.
Good thoughts.
Posted by: Keith | Sep 8, 2006 5:54:22 PM
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