Race 2 Win: Auto Club 500 Notes

Nextel Cup Series

Auto Club 500 - Carl Edwards Notes

Carl Edwards Advance
California Speedway
Auto Club 500 - Feb. 25, 2007
Fontana, Calif.

EDWARDS LOOKS FOR EXCITING WEEKEND IN CALIFORNIA

Hoping to Kick-off “Official Small Business of NASCAR” Promotion in Victory Lane…

CONCORD, N.C. (Feb. 21, 2007) - Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion has the best average finish in the Nextel Cup Series at California Speedway among active drivers. In five starts, Edwards has completed 100% of the 1255 possible laps, captured one pole, four top-five and five top-10 finishes. The only thing missing from Edwards’ impressive California Speedway resume is a win. And, a win is what he and the Office Depot team are hoping to capture this weekend in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.

However, Edwards will have more than one opportunity to visit victory lane at California Speedway as he plans “tripleheader” participation in each of NASCAR’s three national series events this weekend. Aside from his NASCAR NEXTEL Cup duties he’ll compete in Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series’ Stater Bros. 300, piloting the No. 60 World Financial Group Ford Fusion. He’ll also attempt to qualify for Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ San Bernardino County 200 in Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 50 entry.

Along with all the excitement on the track, Edwards and Office Depot are gearing up to select the “Official Small Business of NASCAR” – in a promotion that will run February 18 – March 31, for details on the promotion, please visit www.officedepot.com or www.officedepotracing.com. Look for the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion to sport the special colors of the “Official Small Business of NASCAR” this weekend at California.

Fast Facts

Carl Edwards will pull triple duty, competing in all three of NASCAR’s elite divisions, for the second weekend in a row.

Edwards holds the best average finish of all NEXTEL Cup drivers at California Speedway with a 4.4 average finish.

Edwards won his first career NEXTEL Cup pole at California Speedway in September of 2005.

In just five Nextel Cup Series races at California Speedway, Edwards boasts one pole, four top-five and five top-10 finishes.

Edwards captured his best Cup finish at California Speedway last February in the Auto Club 500 when he finished third.

The No. 99 Office Depot crew will be unloading chassis RK-270. Edwards captured wins in this car at Atlanta, Texas and Pocono in 2005.

After one race, Edwards is currently 23 in Nextel Cup driver point standings.

Carl Edwards
Team: No.99 Office Depot Ford Fusion
Crew Chief: Bob Osborne
Chassis: RK-270 Edwards raced this car to wins at Atlanta, Texas and Pocono in 2005

Edwards on racing at California Speedway:
"I just love California Speedway. I have been on the track 11 times and have come away with 10 top 10s and a Busch Series win. The Office Depot Ford Fusion should be extremely fast out there. After Daytona, it will be great to be on a two-mile track where I feel very confident. It should be lots of fun.”

Crew Chief Bob Osborne on racing at California Speedway:
"California Speedway should be a great track for the Office Depot Ford Fusion this weekend. Carl has had a great history there and has always finished well. The track compliments his driving style. It's very fast and we expect great results."