Carl Edwards remains capable of becoming the first driver to capture NASCAR’s top two circuits in the same season, and he can clinch the Busch Series title Saturday in Memphis, Tenn.
The championships, however, took a back seat to apologies
Tuesday during a national teleconference. Edwards’ opening statement was a long-
winded plea to his fans to forgive him for his Nextel Cup post-race confrontation with teammate Matt Kenseth on Sunday at Martinsville, Va.
At the same time, Edwards revealed that he and some of his four teammates at Roush Fenway Racing are unsupportive of each other. The team’s other drivers include Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray and David Ragan.
“I feel bad about what I did,” Edwards said. “I feel bad that I got sucked into that, turning into such a bad deal. I really look forward to putting my best foot in front of me and going out and doing whatever it takes to be the best teammate.”
Most teammates race each other with extreme caution. Sometimes they wreck each other by accident, no pun intended, and angry words come out of their mouths. Typically, they become friends again.
But Edwards said that’s not likely to happen between he and Kenseth and Biffle.
“It was not a one-day deal,” Edwards said. “It wasn’t just Sunday’s on-track incident where I bumped into Matt and he bumped into me harder and I got madder all day.
“You know, as a team, we need to do a better job working together. I’ve won three races this year in the Nextel Cup Series. When I win, people call and congratulate me and people are happy for me. It’s just the wrong people. I’ve got Jimmie Johnson calling me every time I win to say, ‘Good job.’ And my teammates aren’t the ones doing that.”
Edwards said he has not spoken to Kenseth since the incident. Kenseth served as the best man in Biffle’s wedding last week.
“I don’t think Matt’s voluntarily said two sentences to me in the last six months,” Edwards said. “That’s just how it is. We just don’t talk a lot. We don’t know one another well enough.”
“So if it’s irreconcilable it won’t be because I’m not trying. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to understand Matt, and be good teammates so we can enjoy the success that the (teammates) who are doing that are enjoying right now.”
Edwards used Hendrick Motorsports’ Jeff Gordon and Johnson as examples of how high-level drivers should get along. But the four-car Hendrick team also had a problem this year. Kyle Busch was unhappy with his supporting cast and decided to leave the team and make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr. next year.
Footnotes. Jeremy Mayfield was released from another full-time ride. Bill Davis Racing said Craftsman Truck Series leader Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson will share driving for the No. 36 Toyota the rest of the season. Mayfield was previously let go by Penske Racing and Evernham Motorsports. … NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow, which has been used at selected races this year, will be used in every race next year, but the car of today can’t be forgotten. The old chassis will be used for three of the final four races. … Because of extreme drought and state water restrictions, “We’ve asked the teams to not wash their rigs and their haulers when they arrive here (Hampton, Ga.) like they usually do,” track president Ed Clark said in a release.
SPOTLIGHT: JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
Colombian closing in on top rookie honors
The rookie of the year leader finished eighth Sunday for his sixth top 10 of the season, and gained two spots, to 19th, in what has been a terrific season. Chip Ganassi Racing hadn’t won a race since 2001 before Montoya won June 24 in Sonoma, Calif. Montoya also finished second at Indianapolis. He leads David Ragan, Paul Menard, David Reutimann and A.J. Allmendinger in the rookie of the year standings.
ON THE MOVE: JIMMIE JOHNSON
Second straight title in sight
Johnson won his series-high seventh race Sunday to gain 15 points on leader and teammate Jeff Gordon. Johnson, the defending champion, now trails Gordon by 53 points with four races to go. Johnson is one win shy of equaling his career high of victories in a season.
THIS WEEK’S RACE: PEP BOYS AUTO 500
Second time around in Georgia
11 a.m. MDT, Sunday, KMGH-7
Where: Atlanta Motor Speedway (oval, 1.54 miles, 24 degrees banking in turns) in Hampton, Ga.
Distance: 325 laps (500.5 miles)
Qualifying: 5 p.m. ESPN2
Last year: Tony Stewart won a year ago. Jimmie Johnson captured the race in March.
Points standings
(Driver Pts. Wins Top 5s Top 10s Winnings)
1. Jeff Gordon 6,055 6 20 26 $6,531,280
2. Jimmie Johnson 6,002 7 17 20 6,455,630
3. Clint Bowyer 5,940 1 5 16 3,831,570
4. Tony Stewart 5,806 3 10 22 5,835,280
5. Carl Edwards 5,770 3 9 13 4,063,390
6. Kyle Busch 5,765 1 10 18 4,188,320
7. Kevin Harvick 5,686 1 4 13 6,934,220
8. Denny Hamlin 5,681 1 11 17 4,441,590
9. Jeff Burton 5,646 1 8 14 5,429,230
10. Kurt Busch 5,635 2 5 11 4,598,390
11. Martin Truex Jr. 5,608 1 6 11 4,349,930
12. Matt Kenseth 5,593 1 9 18 5,409,410
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
