Carl Edwards takes championship loss with class and dignity

Carl Edwards knew there was a chance that it could come out like this.  He was three points ahead of Tony Stewart in the championship race before the event started, and he knew that if Stewart won the race, the title went to the driver of the 14 car.  Edwards dominated much of the race, as he led a race high 119 laps and appeared to have the best car on the track until a caution for rain made the race a little different.

Edwards came in and took two tires and fuel and it changed the outcome after Stewart had pitted a few laps before the caution and took four tires.  However, that didn’t mean the Columbia, Missouri native gave up.  Edwards and Stewart put on the best show of determination in the final 40 laps anyone could ask for.  Edwards couldn’t catch Stewart and the tie breaker was Stewart’s five wins in the Chase.  No one had ever won that many races in the ten race Chase.  I give Stewart credit for what he and his team accomplished but for those that ever criticized Carl Edwards as being classless, they were shown the real Carl Edwards tonight.  The guy that came through the racing ranks and put his business card in a racing magizine almost 11 years ago, has come along in that short time and he showed pure class in his post race interview.

“We knew all the circumstances that could happen, but this was the least probable outcome,” Edwards said. “I was prepared for anything. I told my family before the race, whatever the outcome, win, lose or draw, I want to be a good example for my kids.”

Carl Edwards is a class act for this sport, championship or not, he garnered in what he had accomplished.  He came over the radio and told his team, “Guys, keep your heads up,” Edwards said. “Bob, you’re the best crew chief out here. I appreciate everything you guys did for me this year. We will go home, work hard and beat them next year.”

And when Stewart came onto the front stretch the first man to congratulate him – Carl Edwards.  I have listened to a lot of fans sit and criticize Carl Edwards in the past for being classless, for being two-faced, and for being too aggressive.  People accuse him of telling the media what they want to hear, however, tonight came straight from the heart.  I have watch this man come from the unknown guy from Missouri to being a superstar driver.  There are fans before myself that seen this guy come from that local short tracker to the guy that everyone knows as “Cousin Carl.” 

I was on twitter when Mario Andretti gave him one of the great compliments that anyone could ask for, coming from probably the greatest race car driver “”Winning like a champion is one thing. Losing like a champion is pure class. Carl Edwards, I haven’t seen anyone take second with more class” 

When Andretti compliments you, it is sincere and honest.  He is another driver and legendary role model that took a lot of what Edwards has.  Different styles of racing, but to get a remark like that should mean a lot for fans that really don’t know Carl Edwards.  I would put money on it that Kyle Busch could not have handled himself with the integrity and dignity that Edwards did tonight, and a lot of athletes should take a lesson on the way this guy handled himself, even after finishing second.  I said this on Friday to a lot of my friends, that no matter the outcome of this race, I would still be a Carl Edwards fan and I would give the guys credit, because call it how you want, Carl Edwards had the season that would have won the title any other year, he just had a guy that was a little better this season.  So this is to Carl, Bob Osborne, Pierre Kuettel and the rest of the team, you guys are deserving to be champions, and you are “our champions.”