Racing for the win, or Have at it boys?

"Have at it boys" NASCAR's words at the beginning of the year, telling the drivers that they will be able to police themselves. Have the drivers taken it a little bit too far, perhaps?

We've seen so much hard racing this year, it seems to me like it's more that usual, even between some of the best racers in NASCAR; Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, which started at the very beginning of the season. But the most memorable rivalry/fued has been between, you guessed it, Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski. No matter whether they are racing in Cup together, or Nationwide, you can bet there will be some beatin' and bangin' between the two.

Last night at Gateway International Raceway was no different. It seemed that fuel was added to the fire when Carl and Brad were racing hard with two laps to go, and Keselowski got into Carls left rear quarterpanel, almost spinning him out. Brad was able to steal the lead from Carl, but he charged back hard coming to the finish line. Carl got right on Brads right rear quarterpanel and spun him out in front of the field. Keselowski was hit hard by another car; he was t-boned hard on the right side and his car was obliterated.

You could say that his rivalry started when he wrecked Carl goin' for the win at Talladega... and Carls car was demolished. We all saw that 3,400 pound car flying through the air like a hot wheel; like it weighed nothing. There was controversy about this incident for a while... and it seemed to have died down a little bit.

Until the Sprint Cup circuit made its way to Atlanta Motor Speedway, where the roles became reversed. Brad got behind Carl, and tried to pass (cough cough) wreck him. Well, Carl let Brad pass him, and on the next lap, spun Brad. But, did Carl intend for Brads car to fly in the air like it did? Probably not. Did Brad expect Carls car to fly through the air like it did? Maybe not.

And it all heated up again last night. So, whether you're a Edwards fan or a Keselowski fan.... i'm sure we can all agree that these two guys race hard, and they race to win. Almost everytime they have come in contact with each other, it's always a battle to get into Victory Lane.

Whose side do i take on this seemingly on-going fued? Well... i take Carl Edwards side. I have to be honest... this whole thing wouldn't have started if not for Keselowski. Keselowski wrecked him pretty hard at 'Dega. Keselowski is the one out there almost every week making enemies, not friends. I know racing isn't about who has the most friends out on the track, but you race clean, and that's how you'll get raced back. You must race your competitors with respect. Race others the way you want to be raced. Did Carl intentionally wreck Brad at Gateway? To me, yes he did. But Brad needs to give respect in order to get respect.

And another issue that needs to be discussed: Bob Keselowski. Really? You really think Carl is going to kill your son? It's all Carls fault? C'mon now... didn't you see the Talladega race last spring? Didn't you just watch the final two laps of the race you're commenting on?? And yet, NASCAR doesn't go after you for your comments, but they go after Tom Logano (Joey Logano's father) for wanting to protect Joey. They criticized him up and down pit road. Not saying that what Tom did was right, but i think Bob should be scrutinized the same way. Brad could've killed Carl at Talladega, Bob. Think about it.

NASCAR is a very passionate sport. And the moment the passion is gone, it's time to hang up the helmet. Both Carl and Brad, as they have showed over the past year and a half, show their passion each and every week.

Final thought: Is it racing for the win or have at it boys? From my perspective... it's a little bit of both.

Until next time, i'm Steph Piech for The Finish Line