What penalty will be dealt Edwards?

By Reid Spencer

Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

HAMPTON, Ga.

Now that the boys indeed have “had at it,” NASCAR has a problem.

In the aftermath of Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the sanctioning body must decide to what extent it will discipline driver Carl Edwards for intentionally, blatantly and unabashedly wrecking Brad Keselowski on the 323rd lap of what was supposed to be a 325-lap race.

“Boys, have at it and have fun,” vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said during the offseason, coining a phrase that quickly became the mantra of NASCAR’s new attitude toward its competitors.

Embargos against bump-drafting were lifted, holes in restrictor plates were widened to provide more horsepower at plate tracks, and drivers were encouraged to settle their differences on the asphalt. The term “self-policing” was bandied about ad nauseam.

On Sunday at Atlanta, however, to the accompaniment of an audible, collective gasp from the main grandstand, Keselowski’s No. 12 Dodge flipped over, slammed into the outside wall in the tri-oval, landed on its roof on the driver’s side, righted itself and skidded into the wall in Turn 1.

Against a backdrop where any discipline will be perceived, at least in some quarters, as backtracking from the have-at-it-boys mentality, NASCAR must determine a fair punishment for Edwards. The severity of the wreck demands it.

Here’s a suggestion: Since Keselowski was running sixth when Edwards launched him, dock Edwards the 95-point difference between sixth and 36th, where Keselowski finished. And since monetary fines in the $50,000 range aren’t that meaningful to the stars of the sport, let Roger Penske send Edwards and his car owner, Jack Roush, the bill for the wrecked racecar.

“Boys, have at it and have fun.”

Just be aware that fun can come with a hefty price tag.