In the final lap of the 2010 Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway International Raceway, former NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski clashed in a dramatic on-track confrontation. The intense battle culminated in a bumping incident between the two drivers, leading to a multi-car crash and sparking a contentious rivalry that persisted well beyond the race. This confrontation and the subsequent NASCAR penalties highlighted the fierce competition between Edwards and Keselowski during the season.
Details of the Final Lap Collision and Race Outcome
Edwards, driving the #60 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, held the lead heading into the last lap when Keselowski made contact with the back of his car in Turn 1, pushing Edwards up the track. In response, Edwards then deliberately collided with Keselowski in Turn 3, sending him violently into the wall and triggering a significant wreck involving multiple vehicles. Edwards secured the race win, while Keselowski was pushed back to a 14th-place finish.
Consequences Imposed by NASCAR Following the Incident
Following the race, NASCAR took disciplinary action against both drivers, citing their aggressive conduct. Edwards was fined $25,000, received a 60-point deduction, and was placed on probation for the remainder of the 2010 Xfinity Series season, as was Keselowski. This penalty underlined the severity NASCAR assigned to their rough racing and was a rare instance of both drivers being simultaneously punished for a single incident.
Carl Edwards Defends His Aggressive Tactics
Edwards openly acknowledged the aggression displayed during the Gateway race and expressed no regret for his actions against Keselowski, emphasizing his drive to protect victories. Reflecting on his approach, he stated,
“I don’t think there one championship driver that can go along and let someone take wins away from him. I race hard and I’m not gonna let somebody take advantage of me, that’s for sure. I’ve been consistent about that and honest about it.” —Carl Edwards, Former NASCAR Driver
Edwards’ Apology to Affected Drivers and Stance on Keselowski
Though Edwards accepted responsibility and apologized to drivers impacted by the crash, he notably withheld an apology to Keselowski. He also expressed satisfaction that Keselowski faced penalties as well, indicating a sense of fairness in NASCAR’s ruling. Edwards explained,
“I sincerely apologize to the other guys who were caught up in that wreck. But I’m real happy with is that NASCAR realized Brad needed to be penalized, too. My race car could have been the one turned around instead of his.” —Carl Edwards, Former NASCAR Driver
The Lasting Impact on the Edwards-Keselowski Rivalry and Their Careers
The incident at Gateway became a defining moment in one of NASCAR’s most intense rivalries of that period. Edwards and Keselowski continued their competitive battles through the years, each carving out successful careers. Edwards retired from professional racing in 2016 and transitioned to a role as a NASCAR analyst on Prime Video. The Gateway penalty and rivalry remain significant chapters in both drivers’ legacies, illustrating the fierce emotions and high stakes that define the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Brad Keselowski Polish?
A. Facebook update: Best of luck to Brad Keselowski, a Polish-American NASCAR veteran, racing in the NASCAR Chicago this weekend.
Brad is a full-time driver for the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series.