Wheel2Wheel: From 'Dega to Richmond

Jump in as FanHouse writers Holly Cain and Geoffrey Miller try to put a cap on the weekend that was Talladega and look ahead to the always exciting spring race in Richmond with a little thing we like to call Wheel2Wheel.

NASCAR Feuds

While Carl Edwards' wreck stole the show at Talladega, two of NASCAR's biggest stars will be thrust into the spotlight Saturday. Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. traded paint at both of last year's Richmond races. Click through to see their two dustups and other top feuds.

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Race: Crown Royal presents Dan Lowry 400 Date: May 3, 2008
Feud: Kyle Busch spins out leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. with three laps to go.
Memorable Quote: Kyle Busch: "The deal with Jr. ... man, it was racing."

Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images

Race: Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Date: Sept. 7, 2008
Feud: Dale Earnhardt spins out leader Kyle Busch on lap 212.
Memorable Quote: Dale Jr.: "I really ain

Shawn Chamberlin, AP

Race: Subway Fresh Fit 500
Feud: Dale Earnhardt Jr. crashed with 11 laps to go after he and Casey Mears made contact. Earnhardt then spun Mears on the cool-down lap and Mears retaliated by bumping into the back of Earnhardt's car on pit road.
Memorable Quote: Mears: "I guess he was a little bent out of shape about it, because he spun me out after the checkered flag."

LEFT: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images RIGHT: Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Race: Subway Fresh Fit 500
Feud: Robby Gordon, left, gets upset with Michael Waltrip after contact with Waltrip's No. 55 Toyota sends Gordon into the Phoenix International Speedway wall.
Memorable Quote: Gordon: "I

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Race: Daytona 500
Feud: Dale Earnhardt Jr's clip of Brian Vickers triggers a 9-car accident
Memorable Quote: Earnhardt: "What the hell am I supposed to do? ... If he wasn't so damn reckless, we would have never had that problem."

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Race: Gatorade Duel 150 Date: Feb. 12, 2009
Feud: Ryan Newman wrecked by David Reutimann
Memorable Quote: Newman: "Reutimann is a good name for him -- because he rooted a man right out of there and sent me up into the wall."

Steve Johnson, Orlando Sentinel / MCT

Race: Amp Energy 500 Date: Oct. 7, 2008
Feud: Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick clash four days after race
Memorable Quote: Harvick after race: "I know that [Edwards'] fans won't be very proud of him sitting back there riding around like a pansy."

Race: CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 (Nationwide) Date: May 24, 2008
Feud: Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski mix it up under a caution
Memorable Quote: Hamlin: "If he throws a rock, I'll throw a concrete block back."

Jason Smith, Getty Images

Race: Food City 500 Date: March 17, 2008
Feud: Kevin Harvick wrecks Tony Stewart with two laps left
Memorable Quote: Stewart: "I thought I left him plenty of room. I was far enough ahead of him that I didn't see where he hit me or when he hit me. But I'm sure, somehow, it's my fault."

Jason Smith, Getty Images

Q: What was your first reaction to all of the events and drama that Talladega produced this weekend?

Holly Cain: The accident began only a few yards below my seat in the Talladega press box. At most tracks, the press box is an elevator-ride atop the grandstands, but at Talladega it sits only about 15 rows up.

The last lap was sensory-overload, but that's what you expect at Talladega.

It was exciting to watch Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards making that last lap run after not being factors all day. Frankly, I had been prepared to write about Dale Earnhardt Jr. getting his first win of the year or Ryan Newman getting the first for Stewart-Haas.

Then came the huge boom of impact, followed by the sickening, helpless feeling of watching Edwards' car spin and fly out of control. I knew someone was hurt, it was just a question of whether it was Edwards or the fans - or both.

When Edwards emerged there was a huge sigh of relief, but watching the replays it was clear, some fans wouldn't be nearly as lucky. Immediately, your heart goes out to them.

Geoffrey Miller: I actually was playing in a softball game during the second part of the race, but had the DVR runnin' hot to catch the finish. I knew something was up when I had multiple phone calls and text messages absolutely amazed at the finish -- saying things like "OMG!" -- and they didn't let me down.

I caught the finish about 30 minutes after it had happened and couldn't have had my jaw drop lower. Brad freakin' Keselowski was headed to victory lane and Carl Edwards had one of the most spectacular crashes in the sport's history, but I was just worried sick about the fans sitting on the other side of the grandstands. Points and finishing order just weren't important at that point and I thought NASCAR was razor-blade close to a major calamity.

Terrifying Finish at Talladega

A push for victory takes a disastrous turn for Carl Edwards at Talladega Superspeedway. Contact from race winner Brad Keselowski on the final lap sends Edwards into a tailspin before he's lifted into the air by Ryan Newman (39). Click through to see more photos from Sunday's incredible race.

Rainier Ehrhardt, AP

Edwards' car went airborne and into the safety fence, scattering debris into the crowd and injuring multiple fans. "I'm glad the car didn't go up in the grandstands," he said. "I don't know if I could live with myself if I ended up in the grandstands."

Glenn Smith, AP

After landing back down on the track, Edwards had to climb out of his car as it sparked flames. "I just want to tell my mom, I'm OK," Edwards told the television audience. "I'm very fortunate."

Christian Petersen, Getty Image

Edwards was quick to put some blame on NASCAR's use of restrictor plates to combat the high speed of the two fastest tracks -- Talladega and Daytona. The plates keep cars packed together, and all it takes is one wrong move to trigger "The Big One," a nickname for the recurring pileups.

Jerry Markland, Getty Images

As Edwards was derailed on the final lap, Keselowski surged into the lead to win a Sprint Cup Series race for the very first time. Keselowski felt sorry for the fans who were hurt, but wasn't about to make excuses for his maneuver. "Holding your line was the way to do it," said Keselowski.

Christian Petersen, Getty Images

"Either way, it was a great show, and I hope the fans had fun with it," said Keselowski, seen here celebrating in Victory Lane. Restrictor-plate races are both loved by fans for the thrills they provide and dreaded by drivers who fear for their safety.

Rusty Jarrett,, Getty Images

Edwards' stunning flight wasn't the only major crash during the Aaron's 499. On the seventh lap, a 13-car accident caused havoc for top drivers like Mark Martin, far left, Kevin Harvick (29) and points leader Jeff Gordon (24).

Dale Davis, AP

NASCAR issued a strong warning before the race, telling the drivers to avoid aggressive driving. But that didn't prevent the mayhem from taking over Talladega again. "You expect it," said Gordon. "You just hope to survive it."

Russell Norris, AP

Like Edwards, Jeremy Mayfield also had to leave his burning vehicle after a wreck Sunday. There were four major accidents between the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide race over the weekend.

Dale Davis, AP

Edwards, who crossed the finish line on foot, said that drivers fear these type of races. "NASCAR has put us in this box and we'll race like this until we kill someone and then they'll change it."

Christian Petersen, Getty Image

Q: Where does NASCAR go from here on everything -- restrictor plates, rules, spectator safety, etc.?

GM: There's been a lot of calls this week for various changes to both the race track and the race cars. To me, though, I think its solved a whole lot easier without even changing the on-track show, but also realizing that the safety of your paying audience should be goal No. 1.

Let's mandate the catchfences at each of NASCAR's tracks be to a conforming height (I like the 20+ feet tall and a 6+ feet overhang version at Lowe's Motor Speedway) near spectator areas and reinforce the heck out of them so they aren't just a guess if they'll hold an airborne car inside. Next, print up some huge tarps with paying sponsors on them and covering any seats within 20 yards of the fence and keep fans farther away from the danger. A variance in yellow-line rules on the front stetch during the last lap at Daytona and Talladega wouldn't hurt either.

HC: NASCAR is not one to react for the sake of reacting. Even in light of Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s fatal accident in the 2001 Daytona 500, it took days, weeks and ultimately months as NASCAR rolled out various safety improvement. I expect this to be no different.

If you change the track's banking or move the start-finish line you've changed the reason you like Talladega to begin with. Changing the yellow line rule - even on the last lap - will create more chaos than it solves. Think it is dicey staying above the line, imagine what it would be like (and was) when drivers know they can fudge four and five-wide at the checkers.

The most sensible solutions would be for NASCAR to require the catch fences be a uniform height at all venues - whatever engineers or officials determine a safe height. Secondly, at Talladega, if we know the speeds are now exceeding the safety limits of the restrictor plate, then change the plate. That's easy.

You can move the seats back or sell tickets beginning with the 50th row - but there is still going to be a front row. Spectator safety is absolutely just as important as driver safety, but there has to be a little bit of common sense here. If you chose to drive a race car for a living, you realize it's a risky profession. It's absolutely not acceptable for one person to get hurt, but if you chose to attend a race and sit close to the track, you know in the back of your mind, you're taking a chance.

The sudden national attention this wreck has received this week no longer surprises me, but I am still stunned how media that have never reported on the the sport, have never watched a race and who still dismiss NASCAR with a generation-old stereotype declare it "barbaric" or suddenly think they're experts on how to "fix" the sport. I fully trust that NASCAR will come up with a thoughtful, prudent solution. They must.

Latest NASCAR Images

RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: David Gilliland, driver of the #71 American Monster Chevrolet, waits in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 1, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Gilliland

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RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 1, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Vickers

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RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: Casey Mears, driver of the #07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 1, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Casey Mears

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RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: Scott Speed, driver of the #82 Red Bull Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 1, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Scott Speed

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RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 1, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Martin Truex Jr.

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RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: David Stremme, driver of the #12 Penske Dodge, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 1, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Stremme

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RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: Michael Waltrip, driver of the #55 NAPA Toyota, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 1, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Waltrip

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RICHMOND, VA - MAY 01: Reed Sorenson, driver of the #43 McDonald's McCafe Dodge, prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on May 1, 2009 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Reed Sorenson

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Q: Brad Keselowski, who? What's this kid's realistic potential?

HC: Keselowski is considered by many in the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage to be one of the better young talents. He earned the win Sunday. He was there at the end of the race, held his line and refused to be intimidated by a veteran - traits another much more over-hyped young driver could stand to employ.

GM: The first time we really heard of this guy was his scary, fireball wreck out in California but since then, he's started to come in to his own in the NASCAR world -- and that was before he led the most memorable lap (and only, so far, Sprint Cup led lap) of his life at Talladega. It's no walk in the park to find victory lane over the Cup drivers raining on the Nationwide Series parade, and to pick up two wins there is a nice feat.

Talladega has long been a track where some drivers get their only career win thanks to its overall crapshoot effect, but I feel like Keselowski can make a name for himself -- just as long as he doesn't get shuttled into Sprint Cup at Joey Logano speed. Give the dude some time to develop.

Q: Moving ahead, the Sprint Cup returns to Richmond Saturday night to close a long week for NASCAR on many levels. What's on tap? More excitement involving Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch?

GM: NASCAR's most-loved and least-loved (I'll let you decide where I'm going with that) drivers managed to go two-for-two in spinning one another out last year at Richmond. Kyle Busch initiated the contact in May before Dale Earnhardt Jr., uh, accidentally returned the favor in the fall race. As odds go, I'll bet we won't see any repeats of those incidents this weekend, but we'll definitely see someone get mad at someone else.

Don't forget, of course, the old-fashioned whipping that Denny Hamlin was laying on the field a year ago at his hometown track before a flat tire with 20 laps to go derailed his shot at victory lane. Hamlin led 381 of the 407 laps a year ago, and you've got to know that his teeth are grinding to score that victory in the heart of Virginia.

HC: Drivers love racing at Richmond and fans love watching it. It helps to have the Kyle Busch versus Dale Earnhardt Jr. subplot, but I think neither driver can afford a tussle. They've got a championship to position themselves for and neither is currently where he would have expected to be in the points standings. Earnhardt said as much this week.

The interesting thing about Richmond is how many Talladega grudges will carry over, but now that we're almost to the mid-point of the "regular" season, it's time for many drivers - like Earnhardt, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick - to step it up. There aren't many mulligans left.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

4-30-2009 @ 1:39PM

obamaizadope said...

What about Ford, and toyota having to race against Daddy Gubment Motors?

5-01-2009 @ 2:27PM

The "Doctor" said...

Brrrrrrooooooommm, broooooooommmmmm, look everyone, I know how to drive in a perpetual left hand turn, aren't I THE athlete??? JOKE!! Want to watch a REAL SPORT?? WATCH HOCKEY!! If you think (I know that is very, very hard to do for most of you beerbrains) about ALL that goes into being able to participate in THIS SPORT (Yes, it's a REAL SPORT) and IF you claim to want to watch A REAL SPORT then THERE IS NO REASON WHY YOU WOULD INTELLIGENTLY WANT TO WATCH THIS CRAP!!
Bbbbbrrrrooooom, brrrroooomm, look at me go, around and around and around and around...

5-01-2009 @ 2:36PM

gueetin said...

your an idiot doctor,those boys are athletes,just like any other,you hold on to a steering wheel for 500 miles at 180mph then come talk to me

5-01-2009 @ 3:28PM

Christopher said...

If you don't think these drivers are real athletes, then you don't know s**t about the sport. These drivers are in extremely good shape, and HAVE to be to do what they do. Lets see you drive around in a car in about 120-140 degrees for 4 hours with the g-forces that is there. Even racing at a short track, I used to climb out looking like I just got out of a shower, and only after about 20 minutes. You can like any sport you want, but if you don't know anything about it, why comment??

5-01-2009 @ 3:30PM

Sorry, gueetin. My last comment was supposed to be for the "Quack" doctor. You are so right!!

5-01-2009 @ 3:53PM

I wouldn't be STUPID enough to hold on to a steering wheel at any ridiculous speed. Remember one thing, which I'm sure that is ALL that you're capable of, those vehicles, and all of their parts, were built by those manufacturers who submitted the LOWEST BID!!! You probably think golf is a sport too.
And for you Christopher -- the only thing that caused you to sweat after 20 minutes is the hand action after you finished reading the latest edition of Wrestling magazine.
Finally, have someone look up the words "ATHLETE" and "SPORT" and you will NOT see anything that refers to these pinheads that drive around, and around, and around, and...

5-01-2009 @ 2:41PM

dabsme said...

Pro hockey is a joke, I think they should rename it say boxing on skates. If your team can't score just go out there and kick someones ass. Nothing to do with the game at all. I would like you to go up to Carl Edwards or any other driver and tell him he is a joke and so is his sport.
P.S. you more than likely watch Pro wrestling too.

5-01-2009 @ 2:43PM

gorjing said...

Let's go to a fight. You go to a fight and hockey game breaks out.

5-01-2009 @ 2:51PM

Jessica said...

"DOCTOR"- YOU'RE AN IDIOT!

5-01-2009 @ 2:52PM

uncle buck said...

Growing up,following "rasslin" and "stock car rice-ing" (say it out loud and you'll know why the spelling) was relegated to toothless, inbred, weed benders.NASCAR has combined the 2 and it's still like watching paint dry.

5-01-2009 @ 2:57PM

ladyfor24xx said...

HERE LET ME EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO YOU LUCY... NASCAR IS A SPORT.. IT TAKES SOMEONE THAT IS IN SHAPE TO DO THIS. YOU ARE ONE FIGHTING CENTRIFICAL FORCE. 2 YOU ARE BULLYING A CAR AROUND AT 200+ MPH. YOU HAVE TO GO 3 OR 4 HOURS AT A TIME YOU DO NOT HAVE A HALF TIME IN THIS GAME. YOU DO NOT GET A CHANCE TO REST UNLESS YOU GET A CAUTION. WHICH WITH THE COT CAR THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN AS MUCH AS IT USE TO. YOUR GOAL IS TO GET THE CAR TO THE START/FINISH LINE B4 THE OTHERS DO AFTER THE LAPS HAVE COUNTED DOWN. OK SO LAPS ARE LIKE YARDS THE CAR IS THE BALL. THE START FINISH IS THE GOAL POST. THE DRIVER IS THE QUATER BACK GET IT YET?? YES THEY GO AROUND IN A OVAL NOT A CIRCLE BUT I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR THESE GIRLS AND GUYS THAT DO THIS.TAKES BALLS. ANOTHER THING HOW MANY OF THE NASCAR DRIVERS DO YOU SEE IN THE NEWS BECAUSE OF DRUGS OR BEATING UP SOMEONE ZERO NONE NADDA BECAUSE NASCAR WATCHES THEM. NFL NBA NHL PFFFFT THESE PLAYERS ARE SO FULL OF ROIDS THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THEY ARE DOING WHEN THEY ARE PLAYING.DO NOT BASH A SPORT UNLESS YOUR MIND CAN UNDERSTAND IT.. WHICH MOST DON'T UNDERSTAND NASCAR AND IT IS SAD BECAUSE IT IS A AWESOME THING TO EXPERIENCE. AND IT IS A SPORT!!!!!

5-01-2009 @ 4:22PM

Duuuhhhh, it's not polite to type everything in capitals but that would mean that you would have to know something about format. Now, as you open your beer with your last remaing tooth, think (yea, I know, that's a JOKE)about this: Professional hockey has the LEAST AMOUNT OF SCANDALS due to drug usage (NFL, NBA,NL/AL BASEBALL), shooting people (NFL), raping people (NBA). Finally, this joke called nascar is the BIGGEST WASTE OF MONEY AND FUEL that is in existence, mostly because those OF YOU who would rather spend your money on beer and tobacco (instead of store bought clothing, soap, and deodorant)and tickets to sit OUT IN THE BLAZING SUN (there's another reason for so much brain damage)and watch these people. Then you stagger out to your unregistered vehicles and try to out run the police as you weave all over the road.

5-01-2009 @ 7:01PM

leenicole said...

AMEN SISTER!

5-01-2009 @ 2:58PM

Connie said...

DOCTOR MY AZZ WHAT A DIP-STICK

5-01-2009 @ 2:59PM

Steve said...

Who Cares? Nascar has seen its better days. Now it's time for all the fairweather fans to move on to a new fad.

5-01-2009 @ 3:01PM

dzydean1968 said...

The fans must be moved back and up above a high wall with a safty fence on top of the wall to prevent injury and god forbid a fatality.Peices of fence and debrie flying into the crowd is an obveice safty issue.If the track owners refuse to spend and rebuild the stands its only a matter of when it happens.And it will.Race tracks have always had to improve safty issues and current events make it no diferrent.Us fans love to watch danger but nobody needs to get hurt when we see the safty issue.The united states has whole agencies to protect safty issues and the race tracks should be no different.The track owners are making money like crazy.And if they arent then they have the choice to sell the track.We need to make these events Safe to the fans.If the track cant handle the new stands then move on to ones that will.Money and greed shouldnt get in the way of being able to enjoy one of the greatest sports on earth.If you really dont watch auto racing then you dont know crap about it.I do and want to see nascar and all of auto racing thrive untill the day I die.

5-01-2009 @ 3:05PM

Well I for one HATE restrictor plates!!!!! Nascar needs to change the track configurations at both Telladega and Daytona. To hell with tradition!!! Safety of the fans AND the drivers should be of upmost importance. The problem is that all of the cars are running in one large pack. The need to be spread out. Hell as soon as Mark Martin got wrecked in last weeks race I turned the channel. Why not ask anyone out there how they feel when their driver gets taken out by a mistake by another driver. The problem at these two tracks is that the mistake does not just invole one to four drivers but twenty to thirty drivers it totaly sucks!!!! Exciting for the fans? I am not so sure about that. I think Carl was correct Nascar wont do anything until some one dies. But then again they did not do shit when Dale died for 3 months and then just what they had to. I have been watching Nascar since the late 70's it is now time to start caring about the lives of the drivers. If you do that the safety of the fans will be resolved also. How about a chicane at both tracks? They did it a Searspoint do to safety concerns. Don't the safety concerns also carry over to these two tracks? Ask the fans if they would still watch if a chicane was put in at both Talladega and Daytona.

5-01-2009 @ 3:16PM

dasme,You really need to do some home work about all this.You are on the right trac bout a little out of touch dude.

5-01-2009 @ 3:08PM

David said...

kyle bush can take all his jap crap and bury it. jo gibb can follow him.

5-01-2009 @ 3:15PM

Regarding the feuds in this page, I have to comment on Kyle Bush. He has to be the "biggest" cry baby in NASCAR today. Sure, he had a great year last year with lots of wins, but he sure whines and pouts every time he doesn't win. The perfect sponsor for Kyle would be "Pampers", or even "Huggies". He is such an "immature" little spoiled BRAT. Also, he has the ba**s to say he doesn't care about the fans. WHO do you think basically pays his checks?? It's the fans who have to watch that little brat go out and whine week after week. Maybe someday he'll grow up to respect us fans, who most can't stand the BABY now.