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Congratulations, Carl Edwards

I didn't realize that Carl Edwards finally got the win monkey off his back this weekend at Michigan.  Congratulations, Carl.

Movin' On Up

Congratulations to my former student Carl Edwards for winning his Busch Series race at Dover and for his third place finish in his Nextel Cup race.  The Busch win, Carl's third of the year (to go along with three flips!) solidifies Carl's hold on first place in the race for the Busch Cup and the Nextel finish moves him to 6th place in the points standing.

It's been five years since I last talked to Carl at the gym at the University of Missouri.  Do you suppose he still remembers me?

Remembering Someone who Came In Second

Carl Edwards, many long-time readers know him as a former student of mine at Mizzou, came in second today at the Dover 400.  Carl has struggled this year, not winning any Nextel races so far.  He is out of the chase for the Nextel Cup but currently is in second in the Busch Series.  He had issues with Tony Stewart, but the biggest flap came after Dale Jr. rear-ended Carl during a race and caused Carl, who was leading the race, to spin out and all but ended his race for the chase.  Carl had a chance to be the good guy of this ugly incident, but he decided to ram Jr's car and got the bad boy tag.  That's not the Carl Edwards I remember from my Mizzou days.

I chalk this up to the sophomore slump and the frustration that comes with it.  One of his fellow racers told him after his successful first year that (paraphrased) "now it gets harder because success is expected of you."  I hope his junior season is stronger than his sophomore season.

Congrats to Carl, Again

Former student Carl Edwards won yesterday's Busch Series race at Gladeville, Tn.

A year ago, Carl Edwards skipped the Busch race in Nashville because of a rain out, ruining his chances to win a series title.

Edwards made up for it Saturday night with a dominating win in the Federated Auto Parts 300. He unofficially led 70 of the last 85 laps, and beat Clint Bowyer to the finish by .920 seconds. It was Edwards' second win in the last three Busch races.

Congratulation, Carl

Former student Carl Edwards finally got his first win of the year by taking the checkered flag at the Carquest Auto Parts 300.  It's his first victory in either a Busch Series or Nextel Series Cup race this year.

Daytona

Unlike most sports/competitive-athletic activities, NASCAR holds its biggest event at the beginning of the year:  the Daytona 500.  That race happens on Sunday.

Like last year, I'll be following the NASCAR action to see how former student and Columbia, Mo. native Carl Edwards does, not only in this race but during the Chase for the Cup.

Update:  Carl (#99) had a bit of a fender-bender (pics here, here, and here) and finished dead last.

What's a Little Wager Amongst Rivals?

If my team beats your team, you have to wear my team's colors!

Tom Long, chief marketing officer for Miller, sent a letter on Friday to Anheuser-Busch vice president of brand management Marlene Coulis offering a wager that Kurt Busch, driving the No. 2 Dodges sponsored by Miller, will finish ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet in this year's final standings.

The stakes?

The loser must change his paint scheme to the winning brand's colors for one Nextel Cup points race in 2007.

I love the beer wars!

Carl Does it Again!

For the second week in a row, former student Carl Edwards has won a NASCAR race.  It's his 4th win this season and the win puts him solidly in third place in the points standings with two races to go.

Congratulations to Carl Edwards

I send a hearty virtual handshake and congratulations to former student Carl Edwards who won last night's NASCAR Busch race at the Ameriquest 300.  That's his 4th Busch win, 11th top-5, and 16th top 10 finish.  Carl currently sits in 3rd place in the Busch standings and in 8th in the Nextel standings.

Carl Does it Again

Carl Edwards amazes me.  He went into last week leading the Busch Series in points.  But his Busch race got rained out and was rescheduled on Sunday.  But this was the same day that he was going to race at the Pocono.  So he lost his points lead in the Busch Series but, he won the Pocono race.  Last night, he wins the Meijer 300, his third Busch series win to go along with two Nextel wins, and is now in fourth place in both series.  This is not bad for a guy in his first full season racing in both series.