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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 19: Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac Ford, climbs out of his car after qualifying for pole position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2011 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 19: Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac Ford, climbs out of his car after qualifying for pole position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 19, 2011 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher is one of the preeminent icons in the world of Motorsports. Having won a total of seven Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championships, the German stands tall among the sport’s greatest drivers. However, back in 2008, the F1 legend was defeated in a race by a NASCAR driver. Sounds weird right? Well, it did happen—at the Race of Champions at the iconic Wembley stadium.
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NASCAR driver Carl Edwards left the commentators in shock and awe as he went on to defeat Michael Schumacher in the race. The commentators had just not anticipated such an outcome. Edwards defeated the German legend by a comfortable margin of 1.74 seconds. Unfortunately, the NASCAR driver was eliminated later while racing against Formula 1’s David Coulthard in the semifinals.
December 14, 2008: Carl Edwards defeated Michael Schumacher in a head-to-head race in the Race of Champions at London's Wembley Stadium
Edwards had already beaten Jaime Alguersuari in round 1 but lost to David Coulthard in the semi-finals. pic.twitter.com/8Czq6JdCqm
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) December 14, 2022
What exactly is the Race of Champions
Race of Champions (ROC) is an international motorsport event that is held annually, usually during the racing offseason. It is the only such event where drivers across a range of motorsport disciplines race against one another, albeit in identical cars. The participants include big names from the world of F1, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, as well as NASCAR. The event has taken place at a number of prestigious sporting venues around the world.
Read More: WATCH: Carl Edwards Bumps Kyle Busch on His Way to Victory at Richmond
NASCAR fans react to Carl Edwards winning against Michael Schumacher
Recently, a clip of the race between the two was shared via Twitter. Revisiting the race from 2008, fans sensed a clear bias among the commentators in favor of Schumacher.
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Michael Schumacher, Grand Prix of Italy, Monza, 13 September 1998. (Photo by Paul-Henri Cahier/Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, the Fans could not resist mocking the commentators for downplaying Edwards’s grit and skills.
commentators were truly flabbergasted 😂😭
— DennyDeliversYT 📦 (@DennyDelivers) December 14, 2022
The purely disgusting bias these commentators had for Schumacher was unreal but hilarious that they were blown away that a mere NASCAR driver had beaten one of the greatest in F1
— NASDude (@TheNASDude) December 14, 2022
“Schumacher must have made an error somewhere” 😂
— Jason Skeen (@skejas) December 14, 2022
Maybe my favourite racing clip ever. The announcers were shocked some NASCAR driver could beat almighty Michael
— Brayden Fletcher (@BraydenFletch14) December 14, 2022
The most famous commentary bias of all time.
— Brendan (@hayategekkou) December 14, 2022
Everytime someone says nascar drivers aren’t good I’m showing them this video
— tristatephotos (@tristatephotos_) December 14, 2022
We were there cheering for Carl because we love NASCAR and the drivers get a bad rep (drivers can only turn left, that sort of thing). Everyone around us were like, WTF! We also got to meet him and he is a lovely bloke.
— 😵💫 (@mark_challiner) December 14, 2022
Edwards said, “Hold my beer” pic.twitter.com/HHYloWazbp
— Chris Blackmore 🇺🇸 (@USMC_NASCARFire) December 14, 2022
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The commentators when they realized Edwards was winning pic.twitter.com/Smar7a1oz2
— NASCAR Sh1tposter (@thats_a_nas_car) December 14, 2022
Edwards enjoyed much success through the course of his career. He was at his best during the 2008 season, scoring nine wins and one pole position. He finished the season as the runner-up. Considering this, it should not come as too big of a shock that he defeated Schumacher in a format that was relatively new for both.
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Moreover, Carl Edwards’ win on Schumacher did show the world that NASCAR drivers too are fast. Oftentimes, those who do not follow NASCAR find it easy to ridicule the drivers by overemphasizing that only left-turns are needed in the races. However, there are far more intricacies to the sport that require utmost skill and fortitude. Edward’s win helped break such stereotype and set the bar straight.
