More On Kevin And Carl And Dale Really Shouldn’t Be Talking
Written by Rocky Kitts · October 10, 2008
I would like to thank the drivers of NASCAR for giving us a race last Sunday that has given me a plethora of new material all week. It is very appreciated. Much more appreciated than the note that Carl Edwards apparently left on Kevin Harvick’s plane. The one that said, “I was really trying to screw up every one’s day. Love, Carl.” (ESPN) Good rule of thumb Carl; the only thing less appreciated than a note on your windshield saying that some dummy bumped into your door, is a smart-aleck note put on your plane by someone who knocked you out of a major NASCAR race by causing a wreck.
That’s how noses get broken.
From this whole little incident I’ve learned one very important thing, and that is this: Kevin Harvick may be the best quote in NASCAR. What did he said this time? When asked about how the crash affects Edwards’ championship hopes, Harvick dropped the heavy lumber:
Reminded that Edwards is in the thick of the Cup race, trailing two-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson by 72 points, Harvick responded, “So are we.”
After a brief pause, Harvick, who is 171 points out of first, added, “I could give two s—- about who Carl Edwards is and what he’s in the race for.” (ESPN)
Seriously, the only way this could get any better is if the two of them agreed to settle it all inside a big blue cage after the race at Charlotte. Hell, it’s North Carolina, find Ric Flair and have him special referee the thing and give all the money to charity.
In other notes, while Kevin Harvick may be my favorite quote in the business, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. answered some questions about Talladega’s finish and in doing so, he gave some answers that he probably should have thought a little bit harder about before he let them escape his lips. When asked about the controversial call that disallowed Regan Smith’s pass of Tony Stewart; Earnhardt had this to say:
“I feel like the rule is pretty clear. What is unclear is what being forced below the yellow line is,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Friday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “In my opinion, (Smith) was forced below the yellow line.
“The two did make contact. He was on the inside of Tony. In my opinion (Smith) wins the race. I feel like Tony did what he had to do. In the car, everyone would have done what Tony did and everyone would have done what (Smith) did.
Okay, fair enough, he thinks that Regan should have won the race. He goes on to say that he had won a race previously when he was forced below the line and that’s part of why he sees Regan’s side. But, things get a little more dicey the more that Junior keeps talking:
“This is Regan Smith. If it’s a guy who’s won seven championships, maybe it’s a different discussion. This guy ain’t got a job next year as far as he knows,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He crossed the finish line thinking he won the race and he ends up finishing 18th.
“You can tell him all day long everyone in the garage knows who won that race and this that and the other to try to make him feel better, but it won’t happen. It’s tough.” (The Charlotte Observer)
Ouch. That’s not good.
For starters before any driver should comment on the finish of a race that didn’t involve them, I believe they should ask themselves the question: If I had won, would I say the same thing that I’m saying now? Of course not. Junior has his opinion and that’s fine, but if he was sitting in Tony Stewart’s seat I think that he wouldn’t be giving that victory back either.
As for the second quote? Are you stupid? Do you really want to come right out and say that the stars get the breaks and that’s just the way it is? Do you think that NASCAR really wants its most popular driver to come out and fuel the fire of conspiracy theorists everywhere? The last thing that NASCAR needs is to have its credibility brought into question by its biggest star in a year that hasn’t been one of the easiest in recent memory. Especially when you’ve just admitted that you were the beneficiary of one of those breaks.
I’m sure that was not what Junior was intending to do with this statement. I’m sure that he just wanted to stand up for a driver that he thought got wronged and that he just wanted to give an honest answer. If that’s the case he should have just told Regan himself that he was sorry about what happened and then he could have went and talked to someone in NASCAR management behind closed doors about clarifying the rule for future races. A good statement would have been something along the lines of:
“As someone that has benefited from being able to pass after being forced below the line, I think that it would be good if NASCAR clarified the rule for future races so that no one gets screwed.”
That would have been acceptable. As it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if Junior gets a good talking to and may find his wallet just a little lighter next week.
What’s also acceptable is me ensuring that there will be no confusion this week by picking Tony Stewart to win, assuring that there will be a different driver in victory lane. My absolute dream of a race for this weekend would have Harvick and Edwards running first and third with Kyle Busch between them in the second slot with two laps to the finish.
If that scenario happens, I only have one question: Who’s lucky enough to be in fourth?
Comments
5 Responses to “More On Kevin And Carl And Dale Really Shouldn’t Be Talking”
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Thats why you write and he drives , lets leave it that way!!!
It’s a good thing that drivers are speaking their mind again and as far as everyone that I know and talk to he was forced down and won the race. But 18th? Kyle Busch, Edwards and Harvick are bringing old school NASCAR to the table with their driving and telling it how it is. So NASCAR and writers should quit the whining, agree or disagree with what they say and enjoy some of the best racing we’ve seen in a while. It’s not like their a bunch of Robby Gordons and wreacking everyone because thats the only way they can gain a position.
Dale Jr is far from being my favourite driver, and I hate the way tv broadcastings are always focusing on DALE EARNHARDT JR this and DALE EARNHARDT JR that. He’s the Danica Patrick of nascar, or the other way around for all I care. But the guy is an ok driver and whenever he opens his mouth you can be sure his opinions are simply some of the best in the sport. Now, you cannot call him stupid just for disagreing with nascar on that yellow line call. The guy is just confused just like all of us, it’s not his fault nascar clarifies the rules but they apply them the way they want “in their opinion” (I wonder if that happens in places like the FIA). I dont think he just starts talking and talking about anything, looks to me there’s always reporters asking worthless and bonehead questions just to have some “work” done and look smart and you mr Rocky Kitts seem to be a master in that matter. Like PatrickJrForce just said “Thats why you write and he drives”.
Lord have mercy folks. I could care less what the guys say and I love a good quote and the return of old school racing attitude. The only thing I’m trying to say is that NASCAR probably won’t be too happy with Dale saying that the big names get the breaks and that it doesn’t help Dale to say things like that.
Works for me. Just please save the “nice” words for better deserving people or situations.