Saturday, August 29, 2009

Carl Edwards Crashes Heavily In Montreal Grand Am Warm-up


SPEED came on the air at 2PM with amazing footage of Carl Edwards crashing his Grand Am car on the warm-up lap of the Saturday race in Montreal.

The race is now delayed for the cleap-up as rain threatens the area. Edwards appeared to be uninjured, but as of 2:10PM had not yet been interviewed on TV.

We will open this short thread until we get all the details of the incident and confirm that Edwards is OK.

Update 1: Edwards is uninjured and advises that his tires were cold and he was aggressive on his warm up lap. SPEED replay shows left rear tire touch a painted line on the track under power and spin the car into a barrier.

Update 2: Race is now underway on SPEED on a dreary looking day in Montreal that may again involve rain. Great coverage from SPEED of all the events happening before and during the start.

Comment on this by clicking the comment button below. Thanks.

44 comments:

Daly Planet Editor said...

2:15PM and still waiting for a update or interview with Edwards.

Race has still not started.

Labbie said...

That's too bad, I was really looking forward to watching Ambrose in the GrandAm car today.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, JD. Please keep us posted!

Labbie said...

Cold tires, a little moisture, and the one rear tire on the paint when he gave it the gas.

A prescription for disaster. ;)

Daly Planet Editor said...

Edwards said tires were cold, track was moist and he was aggressive on the warm up lap.

SPEED showed replay of Edwards left rear tire touching painted line on the track under power and spinning car into barrier.

Edwards is uninjured.

Newracefan said...

Well that certainly sucks, hopefully Carl is OK. Marcos looked disappointed. All that hype and now this. I read an Australian article that was linked from a Marcos twitter that said he was racing with Jimmie Johnson, this 48 fan is glad it wasn't JJ in that wall, guess that explains why Lowes is so picky about what they let him do.

Oh by the way I just got finished watching a rerun of the most exciting cup race on an oval- Herbie fully loaded, 1 question how did that car get past tech inspection. ;)

Daly Planet Editor said...

Grand Am race is underway in Montreal. Edwards is OK. Cars are crawling on a damp track. Good coverage from SPEED.

Bobby said...

The painted boundary lines on F1 circuits (which Montreal was) are notorious for being slippery. I wonder if "Cousin Carl" slipped on one of those F1-calibre paint.

peggyann said...

Thanks so much for your coverage of this--I'm visiting relatives who don't have SPEED. Was disappointed that I couldn't see Edwards/Ambrose in the Grand Am race. I'm sorry he crashed, but now I'm not missing anything.

Karen said...

I'm so disappointed for Marcos. I don't usually watch Grand Am but today was an exception.

Certainly hope NW quals are not rained out.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Two words...rain tires.

Jimbacca said...

The crash wasn't too severe. It's more along the lines of it takes time to get to interviews due to size of the track and they don't have piles of reporters as nascar does.
Real shame for marcos. He seemed really excited then letdown by it.

On roadcourses they should run in the rain. Sprint especially compared to Nationwide. Sprint is the more experienced. Sprint has larger bankrolls to afford the one off mods. The list goes on and on.

Great Race going on.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Jim, the crash totalled the car into a barrier. Did you see it in real time? Not quite too sure about what you are implying.

Daly Planet Editor said...

As the teams pointed out last time they ran in the rain, the interior of the cockpit has no way to prevent the moisture from building up and blocking vision of the drivers.

Like driving in the rain with your windows open.

Vicky D said...

Diffey, Fish & another guy in the booth always make the Rolex races exciting. Bummer about Carl & Marcos what a lot of work for nothing.

Jimbacca said...

Watched it live and the replays. Crushed the front clip busted the steering. The cars are incredibly well made. I'm not saying it wasn't a hard crash. Carl still seemed a little dazed. Just saying that the lack of information and interview tends more to the smaller coverage group then the total severeness of the crash.

As far as the reasons cup can't do it. Those are still relevant to the smaller nationwide. And dammit I keep typing busch. I think the racing is great in the rain. If you want to be top dog series you have to run in the rain. Unless its crazy like Suzuka that one year. That was insane.

The Loose Wheel said...

Jim, I disagree about racing in the rain. These cars aren't built for it and honestly the investment to get a car prepared/developed that can race in the rain so you can actually see where your going just isn't worth the investment for a just-in-case scenario.

Just my thoughts.

Least that explains what happened to Carl. I was watching my Lions online.

Labbie said...

I didn't realize until the race was over that Brendan Gaughn was running in the GT2 class, and they came in second. Pretty good GrandAm debut for Brendan!!!

Anonymous said...

@Karen--looks..like..they're..qualifying..in..the..rain.

maxpapisWe r going to qualy in the rain so let's see what will happen first time for this one as well3 minutes ago from TwitterBerry

WickedJ said...

Qualifying isnt live? Are you serious.. theres golf on ESPN2, Bowling on ESPNC and starting at 6 Sportscenter on ESPN..heck SPEED has On The Edge at 6 which is usually a demo derby or figure 8

Daly Planet Editor said...

wicked, TD to 9PM on ESPN2.

Dot said...

Did you hear Marcos say that he was glad he wasn't the one in the car when it crashed? Brendan said pretty much the same thing. How embarrassing for Carl.

At least the crash made the decision easier for me to go to the pool.

I see that BSPN is showing the love to the fans by showing qual on tape.

Daly Planet Editor said...

Dot, he just touched a painted line with his right rear wheel in the rain and spun. First time for everything.

Dot said...

@ JD, yeah, I know. But still, the warm up lap?

Unknown said...

kinda different from Sprint/NW cars ...the Grand Ams don't take kindly to hard objects ...heard Carl was OK, but wasn't sure until I saw your pic ...it felt good to know 'House' was on hand to oversee appropriate medical care

Newracefan said...

Walter I'm pretty sure that is an old picture.

diane said...

Following the Quals on line, can't wait to see them in the rain. To bad its so delayed.

Richard in N.C. said...

I wonder whether Carl will get the same amount of criticism that Dale, Jr. got a few years ago when he wrecked in the ALMS and a fire resulted.

Daly Planet Editor said...

How about the other guys in the picture?

Unknown said...

well, maybe there's some tips to be shared from Wisteria Lane ...but I just can't put a name with the other

Anonymous said...

Hugh Laurie from 'House' is on the right side of the picture.

Anonymous said...

The one to Carl's right is Jamie Denton. Mr. Lyles from "The Pretender". Not sure what he's been in lately.

Rockin Rich said...

I thought I had seen an article in the last couple of days that quoted a NASCAR official, (R. Poston?), that while the race would be run in the wet, qualifying wouldn't. The article was discussing the lack of preparedness of some of the NW teams last year.

Does anyone else remember seeing that, or am I getting "halfheimers"? I have searched, but can't come across it. Thanks!

WickedJ said...

So, anyone watching Quals?

*hears crickets*

also, lol@my cerifcation word.. "Cootra" ..

WickedJ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Daly Planet Editor said...

Never really understood why they put them head to head with the IRL race.

WickedJ said...

IRL is on? Hmm..what channel is VS on DirecTV

WickedJ said...

Damn, never ventured this far down the dial lol

Daly Planet Editor said...

You are branching out....

The Loose Wheel said...

rich, i heard him say the same thing.

nice job ambrose in the backup after wadding up the car at the glen celebrating!

This running in the rain does nothing for me...kinda sad to see i think

Dot said...

I don't like rain qual/racing. I just hope that it's not raining tomorrow.

Vicky D said...

I had the IRL pre-race and quals shifting back and forth but once the race started we've kept it on IRL. Those cars are going so fast. I really like the pit road reporter and I didn't catch her name it might be Wendy or Lindy. She's doing a great job.

Dot said...

I'm glad Jimmy Spencer doesn't have to pronounce Jean Francois' name. Good job by Marty & AP.

Rockin Rich said...

@David:
Thanks for the response. I had written that before watching qualifying. I heard more than one reference to the fact that NASCAR had said there would be no qualifying in the rain, but changed the rules. What a surprise, eh?

That said, I enjoyed watching. The conditions certainly added an interesting twist. Having 5-6 cars on the track, and the resulting effect on faster cars' qualifying times was interesting too. I believe this procedure was also used in the Mexico City races.

Does anyone out there know if indeed Fellows is going to the back after, (or if), they repair the car's nose?

Also, wondering if Said did indeed blow an engine,and is going to the back to start.

I have really enjoyed the two preceding Montreal races despite the quality of BSPN's presentation. I just try to focus on the racing and not get worked up over TV presentation.