Nextel Cup Series
Driver #99 Ford
Roush Racing
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Nextel Cup Wins: 2
Rarely has a driver come along that represents the complete NASCAR package better than Carl Edwards. His smile lights up rooms. His “aw shucks” Midwestern attitude wins hearts in an instant. His boy next door charm appeals evenly to men, women, and corporate America. And on top of all that, the kid started winning in Nextel Cup early and often.
From his days on campus at the University of Missouri to his stint as a substitute teacher, Edwards never lost focus on his racing dreams. When he was able to find a ride at local short tracks, he ran up front. When he wasn’t able to find employment, he became a self-promoter, handing our business cards that read simply “Carl Edwards, race car driver” and taking out ads in racing trade magazines stating “Put me in your race car this weekend, have helmet will travel.”
When given a chance, he won races in bunches, catching the eye of the ever-searching car owner Jack Roush. By 2003 he was in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and by 2004 he had been named to replace Mark Martin upon his planned retirement at the end of 2005.
But when a Cup ride came open at Roush one year earlier, Edwards was in the big leagues 18 months earlier than planned.
No problem.
He won at high-speed Atlanta in just his 17th career start, edging vet Jimmie Johnson by inches and celebrating by doing a backflip off the roof of his Ford Taurus. The fans were hooked.
Off the track, Edwards spends his time in the weight room, on his motorcycle, and visiting various children’s homes across the country.
Sounds too good to be true? It isn’t. NASCAR’s next true superstar has arrived.
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