With one lap to go, Keselowski bumped Edwards attempting to get the lead in Turn 1. The two raced door-to-door through Turn 3. Coming off Turn 4, it appeared that Keselowski had the edge and would take the win when Edwards made contact with Keselowski, spinning him into the outside wall.

Edwards took the win while Keselowski bounced off both walls and was hit by Shelby Howard.

As a result of the incident, Edwards has been penalized with the loss of 60 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship driver points, fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for violating Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing/ aggressive driving) of the 2010 NASCAR Rule Book. Edwards’ car owner Jack Roush lost 60 series championship owner points.

Keselowski was placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, too. The probation for both drivers applies to the Sprint Cup Series as well.

Keselowski issued a statement indicating that Penske Racing would not appeal. He said: 

The incident at the end of Saturday night’s race at Gateway was unfortunate not just for Penske Racing and the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge team, but for all of the teams that were caught up in the aftermath. There was unnecessary damage done to a lot of race cars as a result of the incident, including one of our best cars. We support NASCAR’s decision and we look forward to putting this behind us.

Roush Fenway Racing President Geoff Smith also commented, saying:

We have received notification of NASCAR’s penalties against Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Roush Fenway Racing related to Saturday night’s race at Gateway International Raceway. As with all NASCAR actions of this nature, we will internally evaluate the penalties, and the underlying explanations, prior to making any decision about next steps.

After considering the incident, I agree with NASCAR’s decision to hit Edwards with a penalty. I first thought that NASCAR should not penalize Edwards. I thought he did what he had to do to win, and that by nudging Edwards out of the way instead of passing him cleanly, Keselowski gave Edwards incentive for retaliation.

But, then, after looking at the situation again and taking into consideration Edwards’ comments after the race, I understand why NASCAR penalized him and I agree with it.

Perhaps if this were a one time occurrence, probation or a warning could have sufficed. And, I would have agreed with that. But given the fact that this is the second incident between these two drivers, NASCAR surely wanted to send a message and was right in doing so.

After the race, Edwards said the hit was to prevent Keselowski from stealing a win, which indicates that it was intentional. That is probably why NASCAR assessed a penalty. If Edwards hadn’t made that comment and instead made it seem unintentional, I believe NASCAR would have chalked it up to hard racing.

But because he hinted that it was intentional — the second intentional wrecking of Keselowski — NASCAR had to do something.

I also think that probation was the right call for Keselowski. But, I don’t believe NASCAR would have penalized another driver — someone like Jeff Burton — if it were him instead of Keselowski. I think Keselowski received probation more for his reputation and his part in the CE-BK feud, rather than this one incident. And again, I don’t have a problem with that.

History

The concept for this blog started many years before in launched. I kicked the idea around for several years, but could never come up with a niche for my blog. Should I cover NASCAR news?  How will that be unique compared to all other NASCAR coverage?

Eventually, I settled on the idea that I would feature a synopsis and analysis of the media coverage of NASCAR. But, that idea quickly evolved into what the Lead Lap has become today: a mix of news, rumors, and opinions.

I wanted to create a blog that featured current NASCAR news interjected with my thoughts and opinions. I also wanted to bring in other types of stories that were tangentally related to NASCAR — for example the economic conditions and their affect on NASCAR, and the companies involved in NASCAR.

In one year’s time, I think I have acheived those goals. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Future

In the future, I hope to continue to grow this blog, and maybe eventually expand to a full-blown website. I’m still kicking around ideas for what the website would feature and how it would fit in with other sites like Jayski and SceneDaily.

A redesign may also be coming. I’m hoping to give the Lead Lap a better look and feel.

Stats

Looking back at the last year, I’ve put together some stats I would like to share. In April 2007, the Lead Lap generated 41 views — most of those coming from my girlfriend. Since then, the Lead Lap has grown to an average of 832 views per month, with a high of 1,500 views in July of 2007.

When this blog was launched, the hottest NASCAR story was the speculation surrounding Tony Stewart’s 2009 plans. As a matter of fact, my first posting was on this very subject. At that time, it was unclear whether or not Stewart would be released from his contract.

Coincidentally, the Lead Lap’s top post by page views was the official announcement that Tony Stewart would be driving the Old Spice, Office Depot Chevy for Stewart Haas Racing. The number 2 post? Army sponsoring Ryan Newman and SHR.

Last week’s story on fans injured during Carl Edwards Talladega wreck was the most viewed non-SHR story. But, the Car and Driver hoax article story is right behind it, and is still closing the gap.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has visited, and continues to visit, this blog and those of you who share your insights and opinions via comments. I do my best to respond to each one, and will continue to do so. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank my girlfriend who helped me get this blog off the ground and, even though she is not a NASCAR fan, still continues to check it out daily. Thanks.

Blake Bobbitt was hit by a piece of sheet metal that flew into the grandstands where she and her father were seated after Carl Edwards hit the catchfence and sent debris flying into the stands after making contact with Brad Keselowski and being sent airborne by contact with Ryan Newman.

Bobbitt suffered a broken jaw. She was stabilized, and taken to the infield care center. Shortly thereafter, she was transported to the a local hospital where she underwent reconstructive surgery and inserted two plates into her jaw.

Edwards called the hospital to check on her status, and make sure she was okay.

She is expected to make a full recovery, and is expected to be released from the hospital sometime today.

I, for one, am glad to hear that.

Blake Bobbitt was hit by a piece of sheet metal that flew into the grandstands where she and her father were seated after Carl Edwards hit the catchfence and sent debris flying into the stands after making contact with Brad Keselowski and being sent airborne by contact with Ryan Newman.

Bobbitt suffered a broken jaw. She was stabilized, and taken to the infield care center. Shortly thereafter, she was transported to the a local hospital where she underwent reconstructive surgery and inserted two plates into her jaw.

Edwards called the hospital to check on her status, and make sure she was okay.

She is expected to make a full recovery, and is expected to be released from the hospital sometime today.

I, for one, am glad to hear that.