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The other side of the Edwards-Keselowski Atlanta controversy: sponsors weighing in....
Carl Edwards, to meet with Brad Keselowski at Bristol (Photo: Autostock)
By Mike Mulhern
mikemulhern.net
In an unanticipated twist, Carl Edwards' NASCAR sponsor Scotts has issued a statement about Edwards' Atlanta run-in with Brad Keselowski and says it doesn't want to see any more such incidents.
"Scotts appreciates the support of NASCAR fans everywhere, and we have an excellent relationship with Carl Edwards, Jack Roush and the No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing team," the statement said.
"However, like many fans, we were very concerned about the on-track incident that occurred in Atlanta this past weekend.
"As a result, we have strongly expressed these concerns to both Carl and Jack, and we are confident that they have a clear understanding of the trust we have placed in them as ambassadors of our company, our associates and our brands.
"In addition, as a sponsor, we want to make sure that drivers, race teams and NASCAR focus on keeping these types of incidents and misjudgments from happening.
"We hope you'll continue supporting Scotts and NASCAR, and we're looking forward to the Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 20th."
The company is sponsoring Saturday's Nationwide race at Bristol.
NASCAR officials, who have put Edwards on three-race probation, expect to host a meeting between Edwards and Keselowski at Bristol.
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Good for Scotts.
Good for Scotts.
wow! I like Carl and think he
wow! I like Carl and think he is good for the sport. Nascar dropped the ball on the this big time! It is good to see someone bringing Accountability to the table.
It's sad when a sponsor is
It's sad when a sponsor is more concerned about these things than NASCAR is.
So what is the sponsor going
So what is the sponsor going to do about it? They issued a statement - so where is the substance? Are they really concerned over the crash or are they just putting out PR fires?
The substance happens behind
The substance happens behind the closed doors. I'm sure Scott's contract with Edwards and Roush has some "professional conduct" language in it. I am not a lawyer, but it would say something like "If you act like a jackass while wearing our logos, we're going to inflict pain upon you." Then it would spell out what types of remedies (read: pain) would be inflicted.
In PR terms, language like "very concerned" and "strongly expressed" is very harsh. What they are saying is that someone from Scott's ripped Carl and Jack. You can also bet, based on the "clear understanding ... as ambassadors" that both Carl and Jack were humble and contrite in their response.
Sorry, I don't buy any of
Sorry, I don't buy any of that because Edwards is not suffering any kind of loss here - no races he has to sit out, no races his TEAM has to sit out - all I'm seeing is a bunch of press releases. I'm seeing no action that can be construed as a price he has to pay.
I don't think NASCAR will
I don't think NASCAR will ever suspend a (top tier) driver. The risk of angering sponsors is too great. Espcially with multi-sponsor teams. Edwards carried the Scott's colors last race, but he might carry the Aflac colors the next race. If NASCAR suspends Edwards, Aflac gets screwed. There aren't enough top tier sponsors to go around now, so NASCAR isn't going to do anything to anger any of the ones who are currently supporting the sport.
NASCAR should have fined Edwards/Rousch big (something like $150K/150 points). However, that will also affect sponsors who pay incentives to teams based on their standings, especially if a team misses the chase because of the penalty.
When it comes to punishment, NASCAR seems to be saying: "Have at it, sponsors." So what happens to teams that don't have top tier sponsors? I guess we could ask Carl Long.
I'm not saying this is right. I think it's very wrong. I've said this over and over: NASCAR's lack of transparency and consistency in enforcing rules undermines their credibility.
Scotts is doing the
Scotts is doing the politically correct thing and the best thing for the company. Long time Nascar fans support Carl's actions for not letting Keselowski continue to wreck him.
why has everyone forgot the
why has everyone forgot the whole scenario? brad k. is just as much to blame. brad started the whole thing last year not only with edwards but many more drivers. he needs to learn his attitude is just as bad as he claims edwards' is. hopefully, with another year of growing up on brad's side, he will be more mature. yes, edwards didn't back down, but he may have saved many more incidents brad would have had with other drivers tired of him from last year. thank you for reading my opinion. donna
certainly you're right. BK
certainly you're right. BK just doesn't back down. Of course neither does Carl. I remember when Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Neil Bonnett were best buds, hunting and fishing together...and yet when they got on the track, they each did their best to aggravate the other, more than once going over the line.....this is a curious sport.....
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