02-17-2003

Carl Edwards Reflects On His First Race At Daytona

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The season opener for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series last Friday was a day of firsts for Carl Edwards. Not only was it the first truck race of the 2003 season, but it was also his first race with Roush Racing and his first race at Daytona International Speedway. The 23-year-old Columbia, Mo., native made quite a debut at the famed 2.5-mile oval. Although he finished 24th, he drafted with the leaders much of the race and even led a few laps himself.
 
 “The past week was just unbelievable for me,” Edwards said.
 
 “It was an incredible feeling to race in equipment that was so good. It took a little time to get used to drafting, but once I got the hang of it I really enjoyed it. I had a truck that was capable of winning, and I feel bad that we didn’t at least get a top-five finish out of it. The truck was a little loose and I wasn’t quite expecting how it would react when the air came off the back of it.”
 
 Edwards hit the wall on lap 77 while he was leading the race. The team was planning on bringing him into the pits for a routine pit stop about two laps later to correct the loose condition, but their day ended sooner than they anticipated.
 
 “I didn’t even know I was leading,” Edwards said. “There were a few trucks ahead of me that I guess had already pitted and were about to be lapped. When Doug (Richert) told me I was leading I couldn’t believe it. It was a great feeling to be up front in a Roush truck. After I hit the wall, I was worried that Jack was going to fire me, but he told me after the race that I did a good job and we were still going to Darlington next month. I’m going to make it up to the whole team with a great finish there.
 
 “The past two weeks have been a dream come true. I know we are going to win races this season, and I can’t wait to get back to the track. Now all we need to complete our team is a jackman, a gasman and more importantly a sponsor.”
 
 Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Livonia, Mich., based Roush Industries that operates nine motorsports teams; five in NASCAR Winston Cup with drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle; two in the Busch Series with Stanton Barrett and Burton; and two in the Craftsman Truck Series with drivers Jon Wood and Carl Edwards. Sponsorship inquiries should contact John Miller, Roush Racing, (704) 370-1010.