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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
Are you kidding, of course it's payback time. But I think the payback will be more suttle. The car that will be the hardest for Tony to pass will be the 99. I'm not saying Carl would wreck Tony on purpose, but he will make it as hard as possable. Side by side racing will certainly help Carl to hold back Tony. DID YOU SAY ANGER MANAGEMENT? #16???
Posted by: 328 | Sep 9, 2006 8:21:34 AM
I don't think it's Carl Edwards that will be thinking about putting the bumper to someone tonight. He's under NASCAR's microscope at the moment, and probably in Jack Rousch's doghouse. Ask anyone, Jack's doghouse is not a good place to be. As much as Carl would like to take care of business with Tony Stewart, there's too many folks in his ear saying, "Don't even think about it."
Nope, if there's anyone I'm watching for payback, it's Matt Kenseth. Matt's locked in with nothing to lose, not under the microscope, and not in Jack's doghouse.
If I were Jeff Gordon, I'd be having nightmare's about it. The only thing stopping Matt is his own sense of decency and fairplay, but Jeff has been pushing his luck where Matt is concerned. If Jeff doesn't mind his p's an q's around Matt tonight, look for an ever so slight bump to send Gordon spinning, and spiraling right out of the chase...making room for a different Jeff...Burton, Matt's good buddy.
Posted by: Marysafan | Sep 9, 2006 10:34:25 AM
If I was racing to-night,yes I would be watching Carl.But also watching those that
have followed "team order's" before.
Or more to the point,watching the guy who is telling one and all that his job is to
assure his 2 team mates make it into the chase.(07 Clint Boyer)
be a good race to watch and record
Can't wait till race time
Posted by: trucker | Sep 9, 2006 12:19:03 PM
I truly would not be as worried about Carl taking out Tony as I would be with Clint. Carl caused some of his own problems and is on probation. Probation alone should stop Carl from retaliation. His team needs time to prepare for next season.
Clint, on the other hand, has nothing to lose and has had so many wrecks not of his doing. This has to spill over eventually.
I agree with you trucker, can wait until race time!
Posted by: KS 24-48 | Sep 9, 2006 1:22:20 PM
marysafan,
Jack's doghouse probably has more sq.ft. than my humble abode. If it gets close with his #6 car, might we not see some not so subtle assistance from the non-chase Roushettes?
Posted by: Keith | Sep 9, 2006 2:00:27 PM
If I WHERE racin'...my car has a "Bumper" and I KNOW how to use it!...THATS why it IS called a "BUMPER"!...otherwise it just the front end!...You KNOW what would make the Monte Carlo SS better?...ME :P
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 9, 2006 5:54:19 PM
#5,
It's the red pill in the morning.
The white pill in the afternoon.
And, the blue pill when the Mrs's winks in your direction...LOL, get'em straight next time!
Posted by: Keith | Sep 9, 2006 6:32:44 PM
Wow! I am in shock. I can not believe that Tony is not in the Chase. What a race!
Posted by: Michelle | Sep 10, 2006 12:21:59 AM
Michelle
I am not holding my breath but lets wait
till Nascar has sung on tuesday
Posted by: trucker | Sep 10, 2006 12:46:57 AM
Tony needs to find him a crew chief who can make a right adjustment during a race . How many times do you see Jimmie Johnson start like garbage and end up in the top 5 or in Victory lane thanks to adjustments from Kanus . With Stewart he either starts out strong an dleads a ton of laps and hopes to hang on for a win , or starts like shit and never ends up much better , which is exactly what happened tonight .
Posted by: Eric | Sep 10, 2006 3:23:10 AM
Oh Eric I wouldn't have OPENED that can of worms!!!
Posted by: Tbfka#5 | Sep 10, 2006 10:51:52 AM
Geez Eric...kinda rough on the crew chief for last year's champion aren't you? I think Zippy's one of the best. He just didn't find it last night. Happens to the best.
Posted by: Kurt Smith | Sep 10, 2006 10:09:04 PM
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