All you masterminds out there that can cure the common skip in a Lawnmower motor read this because----.This might be the new crowd pleaser that Nascar is needing for filling the standsRichard Petty, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace all used their bumpers to win races.And, in the process, they all wrecked a fellow driver or two, stirring up controversy and drawing the ire of rivals who wanted revenge.And, in turn, they all found themselves on the other end of the spectrum, getting shoved into the wall while racing for a win, or in retaliation for their own aggressive actions.During the course of a friendly race , most of them wound up in heated feuds with each other Petty and Allison, Allison and Yarborough, Yarborough and Waltrip, Waltrip and Wallace, Waltrip and Earnhardt, Earnhardt and Wallace, Earnhardt and Gordon, Gordon and Wallace just to name a few.Some, like Earnhardt who always said I just wanted to rattle his cage a little, were known as much for their aggressive, roughhouse tactics as for their skill behind the wheel and their ability to win.But, in the end, they all wound up among NASCARs greatest drivers, ranking on the all-time win list.They won races and championships by racing hard, being aggressive and not worrying much about who they angered or who they shoved aside to get to the front or win a race.And, in the process, they became some of the most popular and most respected racers in NASCAR history.So why all the fuss about Brad Keselowski?Isnt he just trying to do the same thing?Isnt he showing the same spunk and aggressive nature as just about every young star that has entered the sport with great bravado and the talent to back it up?But Keselowski is quickly becoming one of the sports biggest villains, with driver after driver wanting a piece of him and fans turning against him for frequent run-ins with established stars.Many blame him for the incident that prompted Carl Edwards to retaliate at Atlanta Motor Speedway March 7 and took Edwards side when he was placed on probation for three races.But, despite the outrage and the current perception of Keselowski, hes not doing anything young, aggressive stars before him didnt do.Keselowski entered his first full season in NASCARs Sprint Cup Series this year with a ton of talent and a reputation as one of the sports most aggressive drivers, one who had already ruffled some feathers with his win-at-all-cost attitude.Though he has won six Nationwide Series races and one Cup race in the past two years, it has come with a price a bounty on his head,so does this mean that the cameras need to be set up on the backstretch to catch the newest installment on trackside discussions. Only time will tell.Denny Hamlin vowed to wreck him in retaliation for a series of run-ins in the Nationwide Series last year and he did, spinning Keselowski in the season finale at Homestead.Now Edwards, who wound up on the wrong end of Keselowskis bumper more than once last year, has gotten his revenge, sending Keselowski airborne and into the wall at Atlanta in retaliation for contact earlier in the race.Edwards sent Keselowski a clear message a message not unlike ones delivered and received by the top drivers throughout the history of the sport.The message was this: Keselowski needs to tone down his aggressiveness, learn a bit of give and take on the track and show more respect toward more experienced, established drivers.The question now is, how will Keselowski respond to the message?Will he back down and tone down his act?Or will he continue to fight tooth and nail for every position on the track and use his fender when someone blocks him, crowds him or races him hard?Will he heed the advice of Edwards and other drivers and show a bit more caution and respect on the track?Or will he be the same aggressive, stubborn driver that has gotten him into hot water with other competitors?And, in the process, will he try to get even with Edwards?Keselowski, one of the sports most cerebral drivers, doesnt seem to have revenge on his mind, but he certainly doesnt plan to back down, either.To be honest, thats probably the best revenge there is to not let it get to me one bit, to not change, Keselowski said in an interview last week with SceneDaily.com. In a way, thats a sign to [Edwards] and everyone else that thats not going to work on me.... Ill come back the next race weekend and drive just as hard just to prove a point that I wasnt wrong and I still dont feel like Im wrong.Keselowski may not go to Bristol Motor Speedway this week looking for revenge against Edwards, and he may not be laying in wait for Hamlin, but he also doesnt plan to change his aggressive style.The thought in my mind is to do absolutely nothing at all, Keselowski says, to not change, to continue to drive my cars as hard as I can and try to win races ... .Like him or not, that is a good thing. Keselowski shouldnt back down. In fact, NASCAR needs more drivers like him.Keselowski is not the first young driver to stir up controversy and ruffle feathers by entering the Cup series full of piss and vinegar and determined to challenge the sports biggest stars.So did Waltrip and Earnhardt.This may be the Old Nascar showing up to the party wearing a new suit and top hat,but waving a flag saying I'm Back Y'all
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
