Carl Edwards and the #63 Ford Team Ready for Texas
Texas Motor Speedway can be an intimidating racetrack, especially to a new
driver. Carl Edwards was in awe at the size and speeds when he first visited
the Texas racetrack in 2000. But in 2002, Carl is ready for the challenge to
run at Texas Motor Speedway.
This will be Carl’s 6th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. Over
the past 5 races Carl has proven that he can adapt to any size racetrack. He
has competed in 2002 at Memphis, Milwaukee, Kansas, Kentucky, and IRP, qualifying
as high as 5th, no less than 16th and finishing as high
as 8th, while having a lap completion of 90%. Carl quickly learned
the line around the 1.5- mile tracks at Kansas and Kentucky and is confident
he will master the 24-degree banking at Texas Motor Speedway very quickly also.
"It may sound strange," stated Carl, "but I have run a zillion laps around
Texas on my computer. It has helped me at all the other racetracks I have run
the trucks and silver crown cars, so I'm confident it will help me at Texas
too."
"The size and speeds at Texas were intimidating when I first saw the track
in 2000," continued Carl. "I was on the crew in 2000 when Tony Roper had his
accident, so I have a lot of respect for this track. I remember how excited
Tony was before the race, because he had a good handling truck and a strong
engine. This MB Motorsports team has always had good trucks and engines at Texas,
so we are looking for another good run this weekend. We especially want to do
well in memory of Tony and Dean Roper and family."
“Texas is a bittersweet racetrack for our team,” commented Mike Mittler,
owner and crew chief. “We‘ve run well at Texas, but we lost Tony Roper at this
track also. Carl Edwards has helped take our entire program to a new level.
Texas will give Carl added experience on a high speed, banked track in preparation
for Daytona in 2003. This weekend’s race, along with each race the MB Motorsports
team runs at Texas, will always be in memory of Tony and Dean Roper.”
The “Silverado 350” NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway
will be run at 8:00 PM Friday, September 13, 2002. The race will be broadcast
live on ESPN television and MRN radio.
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