Will Brad Keselowski (l) and Carl Edwards (r) (shown here at Bristol earlier in the year) be able shake hands and race nice against each other at Indy? Enquiring minds want to know. (Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS - Perhaps, after all, there is some benefit to this NASCAR probation concept.

In NASCAR, the concept is one of little formality. Or, conversely, it's a designation of infinite formality, a ceremonial title of disrepute.

The application for entry into the Miss Cook Islands Pageant requires contestants to sign a form with the following requirement: "I will be an outstanding ambassador for the Cook Islands and shall not engage in any activity of any nature that may bring my country or my title into disrepute."

(Isn't the Internet a magnificent source of information?)

That's pretty much the agreement under which Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski now fall. They don't have to meet regularly with a probation officer. They won't have to go to jail if they violate the terms. Strictly speaking, they don't know what the terms are. It's something along the lines of "be good boys."

NASCAR is watching them lest they bring their sport into disrepute.

These intrepid lads, Carl and Kez, have eyed the other with sinister intention for outside a year now. Three times they have been involved in controversial, spectacular crashes, none of which seemed accidental. The latest occurred last weekend at Gateway International Raceway, where Edwards won a Nationwide Series race by returning Keselowski's love tap with a haymaker.

Edwards has already served three races of probation for another overzealous impact back in the spring.

Three races indeed. Think NASCAR wishes it had rolled in the probation fog over Edwards for the rest of the season back then?

Edwards also got a fine that would be onerous for you and me ($25,000) but is chump change for a big-time athlete. Edwards, when out of a race car and in his right mind, is respectful and courteous. If Jimmy Spencer, back in his modest heyday, had received such a fine, he might've peeled off some extra bills and said, "Here, take this, too. For the next one."

That, of course, is perhaps one of the reasons why Spencer's heyday was so modest.

Why did Keselowski get probation, too? Certainly the love tap earlier on the final lap wouldn't have merited punishment from Imperial NASCAR. The Grand Sovereigns decreed earlier this year that they would chortle and be grandly amused (as sovereigns are wont to be) at boorish behavior of a gentle nature.

In their infinite wisdom, the sovereigns realized some action must be taken against Keselowski, lest he deem it acceptable to continue this escalating war with Edwards. This they may have suspected because the Destructive Duo have a history approximating that of India and Pakistan, Hatfields and McCoys, and Holmes and Moriarty.

This could only be better if Keith Jackson still announced stock car races.