Successful MEMPHIS Weekend For CARL EDWARDS & the #63 FORD
Truck Team
The goals set by first time NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, and the veteran MB
Motorsports team going into the Memphis “O’Reilly Auto Parts 200” were basic
-- qualify for the race, be alert, run a smart, conservatively-aggressive race,
and be running at the end. They accomplished every goal. Carl was
10th fastest in practice, qualified 16th out of 46 trucks
and was running at the end finishing in 23rd position.
"This MB Motorsports team is great," commented Carl Edwards. "These guys gave
me a good truck, which made my first NASCAR race fun for me to drive. This was
the longest race I have ever run, but I'm ready to run another 200 laps right
now. "
"My Silver Crown experience at Richmond, Phoenix, Pikes Peak, and Indianapolis
Raceway Park helped me here at Memphis," continued Carl. "The Silver Crown cars
can be a handful sometimes compared to the trucks. I have also ran the Baby
Grand cars the past two years which helped me tremendously when it came to the
set up. Baby Grand racecars are basically a two-thirds size Winston Cup car.
They use the same shocks, springs, and suspension setup as the NASCAR Craftsman
Trucks and Cup cars."
Carl, to date in 2002, has won 7 of 9 Baby Grand races, broke several track
records, and currently leads the national Baby Grand Points. He has also qualified
and raced in two Silver Crown races at Phoenix and Pikes Peak. Just to make
sure he stays busy, Carl is a full time student at University of Missouri and
a substitute teacher in the Columbia, Missouri elementary and high school system.
Being a private pilot, he also enjoys flying whenever possible.
Owner and crew chief Mike Mittler was rightfully impressed with Carl’s debut.
“We’ve been watching Carl and testing with him over the past three years.
We had confidence Carl could handle the truck, but he exceeded our expectations.
We’re looking forward to Milwaukee next weekend. The flat track will be another
challenge for Carl, but he should be okay. It is similar to Phoenix where he
has had success in the Silver Crown cars.”
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series moves to the Milwaukee Mile this weekend
for the GNC Live Well 200. The race is Saturday, June 29 at 1:30 P.M (central
time). It will be broadcast live on ESPN television and MRN radio.
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