It’s Talladega week again, and fans are bracing for more chaos and carnage at the race tracks. Racing, being the dangerous sport that it is, has always brought some chilling visuals from across the tracks. Some of the crashes from the history books of the Talladega Superspeedway still linger fresh in the memories of the viewers. Among those unforgettable moments is the crash involving Carl Edwards—a moment that defined danger at 200 mph. And when mentioning ‘Dega, no one can miss the high-octane action that transpired in 2009 with this legend at the center of it all.
Edwards may have retired from NASCAR now, but the lore of his edge-of-your-seat moments from the races track him even now. Once the face of the sport, the driver now sits behind the desk as an analyst. So, what transpired behind the infamous 2009 crash that has carved Carl’s name in the books forever? Let’s find out.
On the morning of April 26, 2009, as excitement ran through the fans in Lincoln, Alabama, the atmosphere at Talladega Superspeedway was electric. Thousands of fans had gathered in the southern state to witness the 2009 Aaron’s 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway. The viewers had their eyes out for who would win. But they walked out with a historic story to narrate for years to come.
With the finish in sight, Carl Edwards, driving the No. 99 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, was leading the pack. Right behind him was Brad Keselowski, then a relative newcomer driving for James Finch. As this close-edge was attracting loud cheers, the two were in bite towards victory.
However, coming out of Turn 4, something changed between the two. Edwards attempted to throw a block on Keselowski, shifting down the track to defend his lead. However, Keselowski had no plans to abide by this. Thus, he held his line. And so, in a split-second decision, the drivers came in contact. And as one has seen time and again in the historic video, Edwards was turned sideways at nearly 200 mph, his car lifting off the ground like a leaf in a storm. However, this is where the horror had just begun.
With No. 99 taking flight with spins and flips, the violent way back to the ground left the Ford slamming into the catch fence in front of the grandstands. The force of the crash was such that the fence went loose, making the car hit several of the fans. And here is when Edward’s vehicle was scattered into pieces. Silence gripped the stadium for a moment that felt like an eternity.
But as the old Hollywood scripts go, Carl Edwards emerged from the fragments, much like the hero who is believed to be harmed. In a nod to Ricky Bobby, he let all of the crowd know that he was alright. With this, the legend crossed the finish line on foot, marking the final completion. But not everyone escaped unharmed. Two women were airlifted to the hospital. Talking about the crash, Edwards had said, “NASCAR puts us in this box [restrictor-plate racing] and will race this way until they kill somebody. Then they’ll change it. We’re very lucky nobody got [seriously] hurt today.”
His rival, Keselowski, said, “I don’t want to wreck anyone, but to say a no-contact sport is fun, I don’t buy that. These guys want to see contact just as much as I want to give it and take it.”
The aftermath**
Naturally, the crash exposed many loopholes in the safety system of the sport, especially when it came to the fans. It led to enhanced catch fence designs and further reinforced NASCAR’s commitment to continuous safety.
When asked about the crash on Larry King Live, Carl revealed his side of the story on the show. “That’s a little bit — a little bit wild. You know, I didn’t see it until I got out of the infield care center. And I really wasn’t sure what happened. You know, I’d been in a lot of wrecks, but not one where I saw the pavement out of the front windshield. That was wild. And then the fence posts and all that. And you know, the big thing is that nobody was hurt. That was really fortunate.”
He continued, “We were going to win. That’s why we were racing so hard. I’ve got to correct myself. I say no one was hurt. I talked to the young lady who was hurt not — and she’s doing well, that’s the good thing. But yes, I mean, we were going for the win. And that’s the thing about NASCAR. It’s hard to talk about this accident and, you know, be negative about it, because I love the sport so much. And it’s so entertaining. It’s so great. But I think NASCAR and myself both agree that we’ve got to make sure we’re safe, you know? But a wild accident.”
Now that fans are heading into the Talladega week once again, it is time to look ahead, as well as look back into the past. Because at Talladega, history doesn’t just repeat itself. What are your thoughts on the upcoming season? Share them with us in the comment box below.
The post NASCAR Throwback: Carl Edwards’ Spine Chilling Crash That Shook the Grid at Talladega appeared first on EssentiallySports.
