Why, dear readers, do I keep picturing this?

Nelsinho’s move to NASCAR is not unexpected.  He tested a Camping World Truck Series machine in late summer, and hadn’t a hope of returning to Formula One after that business with [...]]]> Yes, hot from friend of petrolheadblog.com Nelson Piquet Jr’s official website comes news that bugger me, I’ll have to start writing about NASCAR after all.

Nelsinho’s move to NASCAR is not unexpected.  He tested a Camping World Truck Series machine in late summer, and hadn’t a hope of returning to Formula One after that business with the deliberate crashing.  Unless, that is, you’re the kind of person who merrily goes along with this kind of triple-A grade revision of history:

“I have spent the last few months carefully evaluating my options for this year. I had to choose a path and it was a difficult decision to make. Being successful in Formula 1 was always my goal but I have learnt that happiness is just as important as ambition and after my first 18 months in F1 did not go as planned I have decided to focus on something different and have chosen to take a route in America.”

You must understand, folks, that the route in America he chose to take wasn’t in any way forced upon him.  His lack of work ethic, tendency towards meek surrender, hugely questionable ethics and attitude problem had no bearing on his ability to find continued employment in Formula One.  It’s vitally important that you remember that.

The 1987 Bobby Allison wreck referenced in the [...]]]> A couple of weeks back we saw Jari-Matti Latvala roll a Ford Focus rally car into a ball and walk away from it.  Now, Carl Edwards checks out of the Aarons 499 at Talladega in another demonstration of how the tiniest misjudgements at speed can have fearful consequences:

The 1987 Bobby Allison wreck referenced in the video can be seen here.

Edwards got out unharmed, as did Ryan Newman, and while 8 spectators were injured it appears at the moment that nobody has sustained any life-threatening damage. Edwards deserves an awful lot of credit for admitting that his assailant and first-time winner Brad Keselowski wasn’t at fault, and the folks responsible for crafting such strong racing cars deserve credit for keeping Carl healthy enough to give that interview.

The petrolheads at Talladega were well aware of the risks.  They’re none of them blind to the idea that racing at 200 mph between concrete walls isn’t a completely safe way to spend an afternoon.  Carl’s crash is another reminder of what they already knew – when they print the words ‘MOTORSPORT IS DANGEROUS’ on the entry tickets, they’re not exaggerating for effect.