Bearing Up

Carl Edwards stood up and took whatever came his way.

He was ticked off, upset, unhappy and despondent, in no particular order, after losing the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup title to Tony Stewart on Sunday night, but he handled it like a man.

Once out of the car, he came over to where Stewart was sitting, in his car, and leaned in for a quick word of congratulations. That took some intenstinal fortitude, and it was the right thing to do. It was classy and it was proper and fitting for the occasion.

The two had just raced for 400 miles, hammer and tong, back and forth, and he came up on the short end. He had what he wanted, a chance to win the race at the title, and he couldn't pull it off.

It wasn't for lack of trying, it wasn't a fluke. Stewart beat him, plain and simple. When that happens, the only thing you can do is tip your hat, shake his hand and walk away.

Bravo, Carl.

He hasn't always been a paragon of virtue when it comes to controlling himself. He's had run-ins with teammates like Matt Kenseth (fake punch), he choked Kevin Harvick (at Charlotte) and he retaliated against Brad Keselowski at Atlanta and nearly sent the Dodge into the stands.

No matter. He handled himself correctly on the biggest stage of his life, and that's what folks will remember. In the heat of battle, it's easy to lose your temper. Smoke is famous for that, and for delivering swift and certain justice.

Neither one did so in this Chase, and that's why it will go down as one of, if not the greatest, championships in NASCAR history.