NASCAR sends out mixed message with decision (cont'd)

Helton also pointed out that NASCAR had parked Edwards after the incident, a penalty rendered inconsequential by Edwards' absence from the race for more than 150 laps after contact with Keselowski's car on Lap 40 initiated a crash that crippled Edwards' Ford.

Here's a suggestion: Since Keselowski was running sixth when Edwards launched him, dock Edwards the 95-point difference between sixth and 36th, where Keselowski finished. And since monetary fines in the $50,000 range aren't that meaningful to the stars of the sport, let Roger Penske send Edwards and his car owner, Jack Roush, the bill for the wrecked race car.

NASCAR's response

NASCAR president Mike Helton talks about the punishment for Carl Edwards and his concern about Brad Keselowski's car getting airborne at Atlanta.

• NASCAR announcement
• No. 12 car goes airborne
• First incident at Atlanta
• Race Chatter: Edwards

On second thought, you can also bill Edwards and Roush for the wrecked race cars of Jamie McMurray, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, David Gilliland and Martin Truex Jr., since Edwards' retaliation against Keselowski also launched a sequence of events that extended the race 16 laps beyond its posted distance. During the first of two subsequent attempts at green-white-checkered-flag restarts, the cars of those seven drivers crashed in Turn 3.

If nothing else, NASCAR was consistent in its disposition of the Edwards/Keselowski matter, choosing to let the drivers settle their differences. One would hope, however, that viewing the severity of the No. 12 car's crash -- either first-hand or on replay -- will have a chilling effect on drivers contemplating retaliation in the future.

There are those who might say Carl is fortunate to have the last name "Edwards," rather than the last name "Long." You'll recall that NASCAR suspended Carl Long for 12 races this past May and fined his crew chief $200,000 for bringing an engine to the Sprint All-Star Race that was .17 cubic inches above the legal limit of 358.

Long was docked 200 driver points, a NASCAR record. His wife and car owner, DeeDee Long, was penalized 200 owner points -- all for an infraction that, from all indications, was unintentional.

"Just heard the news," came a tweet from Robby Gordon, who has felt the heavier side of NASCAR justice. "I wonder what would have happened to me in that situation. Hmmm, someone playing favorites?"

In fact, drivers lit up twitter.com with a broad range of opinion.

"I'm thinking about asking for a refund for all my penalties," wrote Sprint Cup points leader Kevin Harvick.

Kasey Kahne supported NASCAR's position. "Doesn't sound like favorites to me," he wrote in response to Gordon's tweet. "Airborne is the biggest and only issue. I like Helton's call."

Michael Waltrip echoed Kahne's sentiment. "Good call, NASCAR," Waltrip wrote. "You can't ask the drivers to take the gloves off one week and tell 'em to put 'em back on the next."

Whatever the case, Edwards will go to Bristol for the Nationwide/Cup weekend March 20-21 as a potential target for any other driver who wants to settle a score.

You have to wonder whether NASCAR's leniency really did Edwards any favors. The same message he received Tuesday also went to every other driver in the field.

And they're not on probation.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.