Answer this...

This... is Kate Downey

Katherine Downey, M.D., 28, is the wife of NASCAR driver Carl Edwards. The couple, both natives of Columbia, Missouri, were married in July 2006 after dating since fall 2006. The Edwards have one daughter, Anne Katherine, born February 24, 2010.

Dr. Kate received her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine in 2004 and in 2007 completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she served as Co-Chief Resident from 2006-2007. Currently, she is an assistant professor of Clinical PM&R working with inpatients suffering traumatic brain injuries and those requiring other general rehabilitation.

Kate is the daughter of Edward and Barbara Downey, both graduates of the University of Missouri. Dad is a lawyer who formerly served as assistant attorney general for the state of Missouri for 13 years. Mom is an assistant teaching professor at the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business. She has a younger brother, Eddie.

PHOTO GALLERY: Carl Edwards and Kate Downey

 

Associations/Awards
Member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Recipient of the Howard A. Rusk Memorial Award (2003)

Is Carl Edwards too Oedipally close to this...?

The relationship between Carl Edwards and his mother, Nancy Sterling, is a frequent topic of conversation among NASCAR fans if for no other reason than the fact that she is always around. And we mean always.

But Carl's recent declaration that he's not even thinking about marriage to girlfriend Kate Downey has raised polite conversation to a debate. Is Carl too close to his mom? Is there enough space in their relationship for Carl to have a girlfriend? Would you want Nancy Sterling for a mother-in-law?

Here's a FAQ posed by Answer this... reader Graceface:

"Does anyone else think that Carl's relationship with his mother has touched on the "creepy" side? 

"I'm not trying to take away from or downplay the fact that his mother is important and his supporter (of course there is love between them and she sacrificed for him), but it always seems a tick awkward when you see this big head of long blonde hair (attached to this middle-aged woman) moving into the car window to give him the first smooch; and then seen lurking in the background of most of his post-race interviews. Finally, on Mom's Day he made the comment about having the 'best looking mom.' 

"None of these incidents, when looked at separately, are really all that weird; but put them all together and it's borderline creep-o. I mean c'mon... with those abs, dimples and million dollar smile ... it's just odd that the main woman he's seen with and speaks of is "mama" most of the time. We just don't see this from other drivers and their moms. She kinda seems like Trey McDougall's mother from Sex and the City. Would Carl's girlfriend roll over one morning and find her in bed in between them? Is she scaring the girls away? Staking her claim? Just wondering what anyone else thinks out there."

Is Carl's mom a third wheel?


Does she keep the women in Carl's life at arm's length?

What are your thoughts on this... ?

Darlington: The eligibility FAQtors of this...