Gluck: Carl Edwards responds with pure class to NASCAR title loss
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson’s seventh championship during NASCAR’s most competitive era is one of the greatest achievements in racing history.
But perhaps just as impressive is what Carl Edwards did on Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the face of a devastating defeat.
With 10 laps to go, Edwards was leading the championship but noticed competitor Joey Logano had a stellar restart and had pulled to Edwards’ inside.
So Edwards blocked Logano all the way down the track. He had to, he said later, if he wanted to win his first career title. But unfortunately for both he and Logano, the move resulted in a crash — with Edwards getting the worst of it.
Carl Edwards crashes with NASCAR championship on the line
What Edwards did next will be replayed for years — decades, maybe. And it should get the attention of the sports world beyond just NASCAR.
Instead of storming off or starting a fight or hiding or blaming someone else or pouting about what was undoubtedly one of the most disappointing moments of his life, Edwards responded with pure class.
He walked down pit road, climbed up on Logano’s pit box and shook hands with Logano crew chief Todd Gordon.
“He said, ‘Guys, that’s hard racing. I didn’t realize (Logano) was that far inside me, and your short run speed was something I needed to block,’” Gordon said. “That’s just a stand-up guy. I’ve (gained) a lot of respect for Carl today. I don’t know that there’s many guys who would do that.”
There might be only one. Edwards had already shown his grace when he had his heart broken in 2011 at the same track in the same championship situation, so this wasn't a total surprise.
But it was certainly one of the great moments of sportsmanship anyone could hope to see.
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His mother, Nancy Sterling, watched nearby as Edwards answered every question asked of him just minutes after the crash. He was accountable and made no excuses, even managing a smile when he could.
That’s exactly how it should have been, Sterling thought.
“You win some and you lose some, and when you do lose, there’s no reason to be mad at someone or upset,” she told USA TODAY Sports. “You just have to move on and hope the next time you do win.”
She was proud he shook hands with Logano’s team in a difficult moment, but she also expected it.
“If he didn’t go over and do what he did, I’d be very disappointed,” she said. “That’s just my son. Both my boys are like that, and so far, the grandkids are, too.
“That’s just the way things happened tonight. Hopefully, he’s just a real good sport about the whole thing.”
That’s putting it mildly.
It was obvious Edwards was fighting his own emotions. He silently cursed to himself after leaving the infield care center, but then regrouped to give his family a pep talk and even high-fived his group of loved ones. Before he walked off, wife Kate approached and gave him a hug.
She was proud of him, she said.
Edwards then walked to where his wrecked car was being packed up, stopping to pick up a pen dropped by an autograph seeker along the way. He shook hands with his crew members, receiving hugs and pats on the back. One even put him in a mock choke hold as they grinned.
On his way out of the garage, Edwards spotted one of his longtime fans. Rhianne Mitchell was standing silently nearby, with tears in her eyes. Edwards stopped in his tracks, turned around and returned to give her a hug. He pumped his fist at his loyal supporter, as if to try and pick up her spirits.
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This kind of exceptional conduct in the face of deep disappointment was something everyone in all walks of life should cherish. And NASCAR fans should certainly be proud Edwards is one of their own.
Even Logano, who could have been angry at Edwards, seemed to appreciate the gesture.
“That was cool,” Logano said. “Carl is a hard racer and he knows what we’re racing for. I’d like to talk to him personally, because I think it’s cool that he understands it. I don’t blame him for running a block; he has to, that’s for the championship.”
It seems both men know there are more important things in life than a trophy.
Follow Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck
