A Voice
for the Fans ~ Hopefully the Voice of Reason
|
I bid
you welcome gentle readers, to what is if not a sad day, at least a reflective
day for this scribe. Like many of you, I listened with great apprehension to
the hastily arranged press conference in which we already had learned that Carl
Edwards would be leaving the sport immediately. It matters little to anyone but
me, but in all my years as a race fan, only two names have ever decorated the
front of my car(s). Those names are Dale Earnhardt and Carl Edwards.
As I
waited for the conference to begin, I couldn’t help but fear the worst, having
already been through the worst 16 years ago. When it began, Carl being Carl, he
beat around the proverbial bush for some time before ever getting to the crux
of the matter, the reason why the conference was taking place. He asserted
there were three reasons, and began to list them in great detail. If “Cousin
Carl” ever wants to be a writer, I have a welcome mat out for him because this
guy can use words to build to a deafening crescendo before finally getting to
what everyone in that room and watching or listening at home was afraid to
hear.
He
breathed the single word, “Health” and the intake of collective breath across
the country was almost audible. Then, knowing he had the full attention of
everyone that could see or hear him, he went on to tell us his health was just
fine, and he wanted it to be that way 30 years from now also. Immediately, the
collective exhale incorporated into a sigh of relief was audible.
My
Twitter account lit up, especially in the Direct Messages, and my email bell
went berserk. I’m fortunate to have some very sensible friends and followers,
so most were wanting to share the relief we were all feeling that there was
nothing seriously wrong with “Cousin Carl”, and he was merely being sensible.
But
then there were the others. You know, the “No matter what he says, there must
be more to it” crowd. Those folks… the ones that know nothing and everything
all at the same time, are the reason for this writing. There will be hundreds…
perhaps even thousands of articles on Carl in a day or so. It’s January and
quite frankly many motorsports journalists have way too much time on their
hands. I don’t know what all the rest are going to say, but I do know what this
one has to say. It won’t take long, but I hope it’s decisive and impactful.
Butt
out! It’s none of your business what Carl or any other driver on the circuit
chooses to do with his or her life. I don’t want to hear it, and I know very
well that Carl doesn’t want to hear it.
“The
timing is suspicious; why would anyone retire at this time of year for no
reason?”
Excuse
me? Carl gave not one but three reasons! Is nothing good enough for you? No,
it’s not unprecedented… not one bit. You don’t have to be an old-timer to know
that Nico Rosberg, the 2016 F-1 Champion, retired shortly after the last race
last fall. To me, going out on top is far preferable to driving until one
becomes a caricature of his former self.
“But
that’s not NASCAR.” No, it’s what NASCAR aspires to be one day. It’s the top
racing circuit on the planet, and their Champion of a few days turned in his
resignation. Face it… stuff happens.
There
have been quicker resignations, retirements or whatever you care to call it, in
NASCAR. Here’s an excerpt taken from my article of May 4, 2016… Tales of the Talladega Curse… describing the strange
departure of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Isaac from his car and from NASCAR on
lap 90 of the August 12 1973 race, obviously at Talladega.
“In the August race of the
same year, Talladega claimed the life of the 1972 Rookie of the Year, Larry
Smith in a manner that seems all too familiar today. On lap 14, Smith’s car hit
the retaining wall, and though damaged, looked quite reparable. The racing
world was shocked to hear of his death from such a seemingly innocent hit. The
cause of death was listed as “Massive head injuries and a basal skull
fracture.” Later in the same race, on lap 90, Bobby Isaac, in response to a
voice in his head, radioed car owner Bud Moore and told him to find a relief
driver. CooCoo Marlin took over the wheel and finished 13th. Isaac,
on the other hand, retired from Winston Cup racing on the spot. “Something told
me to quit. I don’t know anything else to do but abide by that.””
Carl Edwards didn’t hear voices, other than his own
reasoning, and when a man feels it’s time to hang up the helmet, especially in
a sport as potentially dangerous as this one, then who are you or anyone else
to question his decision? Coach Joe had no problem understanding. When it’s
time, it’s time. The phrase we hear repeated often this year is “contact
sport.” Welcome to reality folks; racing has always been a contact sport, and
too often that contact has drastically shortened the careers and lives of some
great drivers.
This column has for a long time called for the
installation of SAFER barriers every conceivable place that a car could reach.
Some tracks have been quite compliant. Others seem to have adopted the “Surely,
you’re not talking to me” approach and want applause for adding a few feet with
miles yet unprotected. Don’t call me Shirley! We all saw the length of time
taken out of the career of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
last year due to repeated concussions.
Carl Edwards saw that too, and make no mistake, Carl
is a very reasonable and deep-thinking individual, despite the light exterior
he puts forth. He has a wife and family and probably enough in the bank to have
no need to continue driving for a living. He chooses to place his wife and
family about driving stock cars, and this ancient scribe can see no reason on
God’s green Earth for anyone to question that.
Godspeed Carl! I wish you a long life full of health
and happiness. Enjoy your children while they’re young. They’ll repay you with
grandchildren soon enough. I’ll miss you, but I’ll never question your
decision. Over the many decades I’ve been a fan, I’ve cried too often and I’m
relieved and happy to know that you have no health issues and simply want to
live out your days with your wife and kids and without scrambled brain cells.
Sorry gentle readers, but no Classic Country Closeout
this time. Instead, for those that missed it the first time around or would
like to see it again, here is Carl’s press conference from Wednesday morning at
Joe Gibbs Racing.
Be well gentle readers, and remember to keep smiling.
It looks so good on you!
~PattyKay