Edwards, Busch spice up sport

BY ALLEN GREGORY
MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE
Published: August 26, 2008

It was classic theatre. Just call it the Vegas Kid versus Concrete Carl.

With each high-speed turn, tens of thousands of fans rose to their feet in anticipation.

When the climatic move finally came, fireworks, temper tantrums and encores followed.

Welcome to Bristol Motor Speedway, the wicked short track which produces high drama.

Long after Saturday night’s Sharpie 500, fans, media members and racers were discussing the latest episode in the simmering feud between Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards.

For an amazing 415 laps, the 23-year-old Busch displayed exactly how he has turned the NASCAR world upside down.

Simply put, Busch was flawless and fearless at one of the toughest tracks in motorsports.

After his dominant victory in Wednesday’s Craftsman Truck Series race at BMS, it appeared Busch was finally winning over a large segment of the passionate NASCAR fan base.

Judging from the post-race reaction Saturday night, Busch remains public enemy No. 1.

By now, most folks realize that Edwards passed Busch on lap 470 and held on to win the Sharpie 500.

They also know that Busch didn’t like the rough manner in which he was passed. The Vegas Kid bumped the car of Concrete Carl moments after the checkered flag, then expressed his displeasure in postrace interviews.

It’s curious that Edwards came out as Mr. Nice Guy in all this, even after admitting that he punted Busch to win the race.

And it was Busch who was summoned to the NASCAR trailer for a scolding and not Edwards.

With his aw-shucks smile and upbeat personality, it’s easy to like Edwards. As many of his millionaire peers always seem to be frowning or scowling, Edwards actually seems to enjoy the weekly grind of NASCAR.

How quickly we forget that Edwards has a history of rough driving. He also had a heated confrontation with mild-mannered teammate Matt Kenseth after a race last year at Martinsville.

No matter which side you pick, it was refreshing to finally see some feuding and fighting in a sport that has grown increasingly politically correct.

And this feud is only going to escalate. Consider that Edwards and Busch have won seven of the past nine Sprint Cup races and rank 1-2 in points.

On this night, the reviews are all positive from BMS.

The sellout crowd of over 160,000 went home happy and race promoters across the land are licking their lips.

NASCAR has become wild again, finally.

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