Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards’ race-day approach usually centers on X’s and O’s. But he admits he gets a little sentimental at Michigan.
“My first Cup start was there, and to go up to the Detroit area and race in front of all the folks who work so hard at Ford and support us every week is pretty special,” Edwards said. “There is a lot of pride on the line to do well up there.”
Edwards has graced victory lane 16 times since that first run in Michigan at the GFS Market Place 400. But he’s yet to nab a win in 2010.
It would be fitting for Edwards to buck the monkey from his back at a track he’s used to resurrect his career in the past.
“I broke a 52-race winless streak there in 2007 so this would be a good time to do that as well,” he said.
Edwards has managed a ninth-place position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings, even without a signature win.
To climb further up the standings, Edwards will keep his foot firmly on the pedal to participate in the wide-open racing promoted by the drafting patterns at Michigan.
"Michigan is a fun race track,” said crew chief Bob Osborne. “It is fairly smooth and has a low banking angle, so we can be very aggressive with our setup.”
Edwards isn’t the only member of Roush Fenway who has a special place in his heart for the speedway. Jack Roush himself grew up a few hours south in Manchester, Ohio, and made his name at Ford.
“I know to win there this weekend would mean a lot to Jack too, since his hometown is just up the road,” Osborne said.
