Photo: Getty Images

OK, I guess Kurt Busch was the biggest winner at Atlanta. And Carl Edwards was the big loser.

If Kurt's the biggest, though, honorable mention must go to Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

Had it not been for the rock 'em, sock 'em, Texas cage match between Edwards and Brad Keselowski, a Goodyear official probably would've been called upon to conduct some sort of media briefing regarding tire problems in the Kobalt Tools 500. I know requests were made. I can't be sure from my notes, but I read that at least 12 drivers had tire problems.

Goodyear brought a new compound to AMS, having tested there earlier this year. An inordinate amount of trouble befell the Hendrick Motorsports fleet, which failed to produce a single top-10 finisher after putting six in the top five (with two victories) in the season's first three races.

With five scheduled laps remaining in the race, most of the media were poised to explore a tire controversy.

Then Edwards, who had already been in one crash with Keselowski (and several notable ones in the past), returned the favor a bit crudely and Keselowski's Dodge wound up turning over and sailing through the air.

Tires were then largely forgotten.

NASCAR officials are considering disciplinary action against Edwards (likely announcement or lack of said announcement on Tuesday).

It would probably be appropriate for Goodyear to at least send Edwards a set of tires.

As a diversionary force, Edwards might as well have been the U.S. Cavalry.