MB Motorsports Rookie Driver,
Carl Edwards, Completes A Racing Double!
Twenty-two year old Carl Edwards, first year driver of
the #63 MB Motorsports Ford Truck, had a full day and night of racing on Saturday,
June 29, 2002. He competed in the “GNC Live Well 200” NASCAR Craftsman Truck
race in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then flew to Lebanon, Missouri, where he set a
new track record and won the national points race in the Baby Grand Stock Car
Series.
Driving in only his second NASCAR race at Milwaukee, Carl
qualified the #63 Ford Truck in the 15th starting position. He was
able to run with the leaders staying on the lead lap the first half of the race;
however, an engine problem shortened his day on lap 116, giving the team a 28th
place finish.
"This was an awesome day," commented Carl Edwards. "We
had a good truck at Milwaukee and we were able to run with the leaders. I learned
so much in that race. It took me several laps following the experienced drivers
to figure out the groove. When our times started to fall off, I moved
up about a ½ groove to find the rubber laid down on the track to pick up our
speed again, until the engine laid down. We were a little tight in the center
of the corners but the truck handled well. The whole team did an awesome job.
Our pit stops were great. All these guys work so hard it is unbelievable."
Prior to the truck race, Carl had made arrangements with
Ken Schrader to hitch a ride in his plane to St. Louis late that afternoon.
Carl had also arranged with a pilot friend to fly him from St. Louis to Lebanon,
Missouri. Carl arrived at Midway Speedway at 7:30 PM just in time to qualify
the Baby Grand car.
On his qualifying lap, Carl drove his Baby Grand car to
a new track record, bettering the old record by .03 seconds (15.081 seconds).
Although Carl qualified for the pole position, he had to start at the rear of
the field in 25th place, because he missed the 5:00 PM drivers meeting.
Carl wasted little time moving to the front of the field as he passed a car
per lap taking the lead on lap 26 of the 30-lap feature. This was Carl’s 8th
win out of 10 national point’s races. Carl currently leads the national point’s
race for the Baby Grand Stock Car Series.
"The Baby Grand race was wild," stated an excited Carl
Edwards." I've never worked so hard in a race to get to the front. But it was
cool and lots of fun."
The #63 MB Motorsports Ford Truck team will compete in
the NASCAR Craftsman truck race at Kansas Speedway, Saturday, July 6, 2002 at
12:00 PM (local time). The race will be broadcast live on ESPN television and
MRN Radio.
|
