Bristol perfect for payback, should BK care to pursue

1. So, if you're Brad Keselowski, and you find yourself in the neighborhood of Carl Edwards on Sunday at Bristol ... do you do it?

Joe Menzer: No way. For one thing, Brad is sitting 33rd in points after the fiasco at Atlanta. I think he was projected to end up 24th had he finished where he was running at the time of the "incident." So he needs to be careful about what he does and finish the race he starts at Bristol.

David Caraviello: Maybe. You'd have to think about it, wouldn't you? I mean, the guy's Nationwide feud with Denny Hamlin stretched over what, three races late last year? And if you can do it subtly, and make it look like incidental contact ... well, again, you'd have to think about it, no matter where you are in points.

Raygan Swan: I have a funny feeling he's going to do some point-proving, but I don't think he should risk his equipment to do so. We are far enough into the season now where he needs to be careful. The feud doesn't need to go on. He's spent enough time on the front page this week. People will get Bad Brad Fatigue.

Joe Menzer: I think he has to look at the bigger picture and grow up a little. Plus, you have to figure Carl is going to pretty much give him a wide berth now. The smart thing for both of them would be to stay away from each other and out of trouble. There are plenty of races for them to mix it up down the road.

David Caraviello: Hey, I'm not inciting vehicular mayhem or anything like that. Personally, I think the whole concept of wrecking people is childish, even if fans love it and it's a long-established practice in the sport. But goodness, Bristol was made for situations like this. And if there's a way Brad can have his cake and eat it too -- wreck Carl and still post a good finish -- wouldn't he take it?

Raygan Swan: Yes, if he is going to put his money where his mouth is. He is set on proving that he is a guy not to back down, and he knows the spotlight is on him Sunday. Carl won't be the problem. It takes a lot for him to get worked up, but when he does, he explodes; but he's cooled down now, back to ground zero. He's probably over it, but will be on the lookout for the No. 12 car in his rearview mirror.

David Caraviello: I mean, it's not like Brad is on probation or anything, unless some double-secret kind was enacted that we don't know about. Understandably, Carl would have to be wary about starting anything. But Keselowski? Who knows ... unless he gets word from NASCAR that any kind of shenanigans will result in an immediate parking for the rest of the event. That would scare me straight.

The incident

• Edwards on probation
• Airborne cars a concern
• BK vows not to change
• More Smack on topic

Joe Menzer: You know as well as I do that there are very few such guarantees in this sport. If he attempts to wreck Carl and places that at the front of his priority list, he likely will risk wrecking himself, or perhaps -- if he doesn't wreck him badly enough -- further retribution from Carl after Carl's car is repaired and Carl gets back on the track. No, Brad must focus on finishing the race and securing his place inside the top 35.

Raygan Swan: What I don't want to see happen is Brad intimidated by all the veterans out there preaching the give-and-take speech. Leave the guy alone and let him learn his own way. Drivers are such hypocrites these days.

David Caraviello: Raygan, I will agree about that. There are a lot of guys who preach give-and-take only to take, take, take. There is a lot of hypocrisy in this whole situation. Remember all the complaints about Juan Montoya? Remember the year when Tony Stewart wrecked everything in sight? Remember the big wreck people accused Dale Earnhardt Jr. of starting at Daytona? This is in no way limited to Keselowski.

Joe Menzer: Listen, I'm not advocating that Brad Keselowski completely alter his hard-charging style. It's who he is as a driver. Now, there is no question he could tone it down a little bit -- much the same way a lot of the guys now criticizing him had to do when they first started. But this Sunday, because of where he is in the points, Bad Brad must be a good boy.

David Caraviello: True, the whole top 35 thing likely changes things. And I'm sure NASCAR will be watching both of these guys very, very closely. But again, it's a short track, and they've tightened things up in the corners, and they're all but asking for more contact in the event, and if these guys are in the same neighborhood ... let's just say I wouldn't be surprised. (Continued)