Well, I tell ya, that race back in 2005, the Golden Corral 500, it was somethin’ else. Down there in Atlanta, at that Atlanta Motor Speedway. That young fella, Carl Edwards, he was drivin’ like a bat outta, well, you know. He really wanted that win, that’s for sure.
I remember it was March, the 20th I think, and everyone was excited. These young fellas revving their cars, ready to go. That Carl Edwards, he was a young’un back then, but he sure could drive. That was his first big win, ya know? First time he won one of them NASCAR Nextel Cup races. They called it the Nextel Cup back then, I reckon.
- That was the day that Carl Edwards boy won.
- It was at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
- It was called the Golden Corral 500.
And there was this other fella, Jimmie Johnson. He was good too, real good. He was leadin’ the points, takin’ ’em from that Kurt Busch fella. He was in the lead most of the time, that Jimmie Johnson, but that Carl Edwards, he was hungry. He wanted that win somethin’ fierce. You could just see it in his eyes, ya know? It is like he is the tiger and he is hungry.
I heard some folks talkin’, sayin’ it was Mike Garvey’s first time racin’ in that kinda race. I don’t know much about him, but I reckon he was excited to be there with all them other drivers. It was a big thing for him. He must be nervous, but he is there to win. That is what all the young fellas want to do. Win the race.
Now, towards the end of the race, it was a sight to see. That Carl Edwards, he was right behind Jimmie Johnson. Neck and neck, they were. Round and round they went, faster than a greased piglet at the county fair, I tell ya! They were both pushin’ to be the first.
Then, on that last lap, that Carl Edwards, he did somethin’ crazy. He went right up alongside Jimmie Johnson, almost touchin’, they were that close. It was as if time stood still. Folks were on the edge of their seats, holdin’ their breath. You coulda heard a pin drop, it was so quiet. They did not know who will win that race.
- Jimmie Johnson was in the lead.
- Carl Edwards was right behind him.
- They were going real fast on that last lap.
Comin’ off that final turn, Carl Edwards, he made his move. He pulled ahead, just a little bit, just enough to cross that finish line first. It was a daring move, they called it. He took a risk, and it paid off. He won the race. People were yellin’ and screamin’. It was a sight.
That was the day Carl Edwards won his first big race, the Golden Corral 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. And that Jimmie Johnson, well, he was a good sport about it. He shook Carl Edwards’ hand and congratulated him. That’s what they do, these race car drivers. He will have another chance.
Heard later that Jimmie Johnson went on to do other things. Became an owner, they say, with some other fellas. Heard the name Richard Petty, “The King,” they call him. Sounds like a big shot, that Richard Petty. I think Jimmie Johnson is a big shot too. He retired from drivin’ full time in 2020. What a pity. He is a good racer.
But that day, that day belonged to Carl Edwards. It was his day to shine, and shine he did. He drove his heart out, and he won. He is the winner and he is the king of that day. He showed everyone what he was made of. It was a day to remember, that Golden Corral 500. A day that young Carl Edwards became a winner. And everyone was there to see it. What a race!
- Carl Edwards is a good boy.
- He won the Golden Corral 500.
- He beat Jimmie Johnson.
- Jimmie Johnson is a good sport.
I still remember that day as if it is yesterday. That was a really good race to watch. Carl Edwards is a good boy and he deserves the win. I wish I can go watch another race. I hope one day I can watch another race like the Golden Corral 500.
