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A NASCAR BLOG BY Jared Turner

Roush Fenway Racing won't let mishap at Talladega ruin season

Oct 7
How dark the halls of Roush Fenway Racing must be this week after last Sunday's showdown at Talladega Superspeedway.

Not only did the organization lose all three of its cars in NASCAR’s Chase For The Sprint Cup in a multicar crash triggered when Roush Fenway's Carl Edwards spun teammate Greg Biffle while trying to bump draft Biffle into the corner, but also Edwards, Biffle and fellow teammate Matt Kenseth, who was also swept up in the melee, lost considerable ground in the series standings.

Instead of breathing down the neck of points leader Jimmie Johnson coming into this weekend's race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Edwards’ and Biffle’s title hopes would likely be on oxygen with a bad finish at LMS. Kenseth’s championship aspirations may already be beyond the point of resuscitation.

The question now becomes how the Roush Fenway drivers will respond to adversity. The organization has not been completely immune to unrest among its drivers in the past. Remember Edwards drawing back as if he wanted to punch Kenseth last fall at Martinsville?

For the most part, however, the Roushkateers have always managed to put forth a fairly united front, even when they may not see eye to eye on the proceedings on the track. And the recent Dover race in which Biffle, Kenseth and Edwards finished 1-2-3 proved once and for all that the three can race hard for a win without incident.

It's going to take the Roush Fenway drivers working together over the final six races to beat Johnson, a paragon of poise in pressure situations.

But the Roush Fenway guys have proven this year that when they work together, they can beat almost anybody. It'll be interesting to see if that same spirit of cooperation carries over to the rest of the season after the carnage of Talladega.

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Comments

12 responses to "Roush Fenway Racing won't let mishap at Talladega ruin season"
  1. 1
    Chazzo Ozzahc said:
    Oct 7, 2008 at 10:12 AM

    It would have been all good if Mr. Ed only took out Roush cars, instead he takes out half the field including 3 other chasers. It was a dumb,impatient move and will never be forgotten in this fans eyes. Forgiven maybe,but never forgotten. I hope the other two teams that were within a reasonable shot at the championship(29 and 88), face adversity and beat the snot out of the Roush drivers.

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  2. 2
    Robin Smith said:
    Oct 7, 2008 at 11:29 AM

    The comment from "Chazzo" is stupid. Obviously this must be the first Talledega race you saw. Wrecks and mistakes happen all the time. The 88 and the 29 have had their share of stupid mistakes. Get over it. The 29 and 88 have no chance of a Championship this year. The final race will come down to the 48 and 99. I think the 99 will take the championship- Carl has shown us all some exciting racing this year.

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  3. 3
    Coco Suma said:
    Oct 7, 2008 at 12:22 PM

    I think the 16 and the 99 will continue to work well together or at least better than at Talledega LOL. The 17 and there fans need someone to blame for there woes and the 99 is the perfect target for their frustrations.

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  4. 4
    Chazzo Ozzahc said:
    Oct 7, 2008 at 1:38 PM

    Yeah,I've only seen one Talladega race, you're right. That wasnt my point, my point was it was an impatient , "rookie" like move Carl made. Had that happened with 1 to go, I have no problem with it. But, with 14 to go, its not necessary. I agree the championship is up to the 48 and 99,maybe the 16,but I'm picking Jimmy to win it.

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  5. 5
    Robin Smith said:
    Oct 7, 2008 at 1:51 PM

    Like I said before its Talledega and anything can and will happen -Sorry they didnt make you happy by waiting till the last lap-haha

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  6. 6
    bonnie lewis said:
    Oct 8, 2008 at 10:48 AM

    It wasn't Carl's "mistake" or Talladega that made that mess. It was Carl hiding out in the back like a coward (the spare ME) strategy and leaving it for the gutsy guys to put on the show....the hotdogging it up front to be a superstar and hurting Jr. and Harvick and other chasers who DID have the guts and integrity to race in a RACE. Carl showed me who he is. He owes those guys big time since it was nothing but bloated ego that made that happen.

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  7. 7
    Chazzo Ozzahc said:
    Oct 8, 2008 at 12:01 PM

    I'm starting to like you Bonnie.

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  8. 8
    Coco Suma said:
    Oct 8, 2008 at 3:36 PM

    Yeah I would be more impressed if you were correct a list of drivers who hung back Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards the 96 hmn I think that about it... Yeah see I actually paid attention to the race. It would be great if people would pay attention instead of vomiting up sounds bites and or comments they pick up over the internet.

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  9. 9
    bonnie lewis said:
    Oct 8, 2008 at 5:13 PM

    But Carl was the only one who hotdogged after hiding out for all but 20 laps....and then wrecked the guys that played full out. Was the only one who caused an accident...rest were blown tires.

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  10. 10
    Chazzo Ozzahc said:
    Oct 9, 2008 at 5:37 AM

    No one sandbagged more than Carl.Jimmy hung back and lost the draft, got lapped, then had no choice but to race with the leaders in order to get the lucky dog. Carl just hung in back all day, and I agree, so did Biff. But Biff started moving to the front with like 60 to go, not Mr. Ed, he waits until 25 to go and tries to be the hero. I like his passion,aggressiveness,and skills, but apparently he has much to learn about the draft. That was a total rookie mistake. Most of the guys he took out had been running in the pack all day, moving from the front to the back, top to bottom, driving their arses off, and Carl wrecked their day.

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  11. 11
    Coco Suma said:
    Oct 9, 2008 at 6:38 AM

    Yeah right Chazzo the 16,99 and 48 were all in the back when they made there move with about 20 to go. Really you guys didn't watch the race and its pretty obvious your not fooling anyone lots of tape the race and have raceview we know what happened. And BTW Carl like Jimmie and Greg went up to the front several times and than went to the back. Look I have no respect for people who don't even how to objectivtely observe and report. If you mad because your driver got caught up in the big one caused by Edwards just say that and move on. But making up stuff the so off the wall thats its laughable only makes you look like some stupid Nascar fan... And not real race fan! C'mon guys your better than that!

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  12. 12
    Coco Suma said:
    Oct 9, 2008 at 7:40 AM

    Hmn lets try this again the PC version LOL It’s very clear that many of you didn't watch the race or missed some very important things. Greg Biffle made his move with Carl when there were 20 or so to go. So there no way he made his move with 60 to go. That’s completely false. The strategies employed by Edwards were used by a few promenade drivers the only reason Edwards is being targeted is because he caused a wreck. Its a cheap shot taken by those who I believe have no real interest in the sport but to spout inaccurate comments to feel better. Whatever that’s the right of a sports fan I suppose. I just don't like it! Anyone who would like to confirm what really occurred during the race the staredgy the driver used etc. watch the TV replay or the Raceview replay.

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