In the world of drag racing, one would think that it would not matter what track you are at
competing because almost all facets are the same. All the races are started by a Tree, each course
is exactly 1320 feet long, and have a left and right lane. All those are a constant, so one would
assume that if a driver performs well at one track it should be obvious they will do just as well
at another.
In the real world of drag racing, that assumption is the furthest thing from the truth. And that is
the case for Mike Edwards and the annual journey to Brainerd Int'l Raceway. The Young
Life/A.R.T.-backed driver has made the trip to the state of 10,000 lakes on 10 different occasions
and has only enjoyed getting out of the first round on three of those trips, with the semifinal
finish in 2001 his best outing.
"It is the oddest thing that I just haven't found that sweet spot with Brainerd and how we run our
race car," Edwards admitted. "I love the area of upstate Minnesota, the fans are great, and we
usually have recovered from the Western Swing grind, but something just doesn't click."
The odd twist, it must have to do with the Mississippi River. Of the 24 events and 22 racing
facilities the NHRA tour visit, the three located along the Mississippi River have not always been
kind. Though Edwards has won at St. Louis and does hold a career 14-6 winning mark at Memphis in
year's past, when you combine those three tracks, they have been nine of Edwards' 45 DNQs.
"It is weird how where the Mississippi starts, it has not been pretty," he admitted. "Then it flows
down to St. Louis and it has gotten better over the years, and then just a bit further, Memphis was
dismal when I started my career and has turned around to be one of the events I enjoy attending.
Maybe some of those good fortunes have flowed north this season."
But the 2009 has been a year of lifting some of the bad vibes at a few tracks. "Our plan is to make
sure that part of the season continues of getting to finals and qualifying in the top group. I feel
it will all start in Brainerd and carry over to Reading next weekend."
Two Weeks Off Gives Team Time To Recharge For Run
After the grueling Western Swing, that went from Denver to Seattle and down to Sonoma, Calif., Mike
Edwards and the entire Young Life/A.R.T. squad took the two weeks between California and Brainerd
to get their feet back under them and take some time away for the track.
"These two weeks have been a true blessing for us," Edwards admitted. "Losing in the first round in
Sonoma kind of soured the Seattle victory, so it having that extra bit of time allowed us to get
everything back in order, take a step away from stress at the track, and refocus for the stretch
run. This little break came at a perfect time.
"It is not like the entire team went on a vacation to Hawaii or something. They were still in the
shop every day working to find ways to improve our team. I am so blessed to have guys from the
engine shop to everyone in Oklahoma, to Roger Stull, giving their blood and sweat to make us even
that much better. I couldn't ask for a better crew than I have."
With only three races remaining in the Countdown to 1 championship battle that starts in Charlotte,
Edwards and the team are looking at these events as ways to find tune the entire operation to make
sure they will be in contention for the championship.
"We have earned the spot in the playoffs, and like any team, once you have secured that first step,
you work on ways to make everything stronger because you do have that luxury of looking at the
entire operation and making some adjustments, unlike when you are in the fight and are only focused
on that first goal."
Quick Notes
Has advanced to the final at seven of the last 10 events.
In 2009, has captured seven No. 1 Qualifier awards, the most in Pro Stock.
Captured three wins thus far in 2009 in Atlanta, Bristol and the latest in Seattle.
Has qualified in the top five positions in all 15 NHRA events in 2009, with four times earning the
No. 2 spot, and three times in the No. 4 position to go with his seven poles, and a single No. 5.
Recorded his 18th career victory in Seattle.
Currently second in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock point standings, only 60 points behind
leader Jeg Coughlin.
Mike Edwards has grabbed either low e.t. or top speed at 12 of the first 15 events. He scored both
the low e.t. and top speed of the event at seven races (Gainesville, Bristol, Topeka, Chicago,
Englishtown, Denver, and Seattle), and has left with low e.t. two other events (Phoenix and Las
Vegas), while garnering top speed at three others (Houston, Atlanta, and Norwalk).
Television Schedule
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
ESPN2
Saturday, August 15
Qualifying
6 - 7 p.m. (ET)
Sunday, August 16
NHRA Race Day Show
11 - 11:30 a.m. (ET)
Sunday, August 16
Eliminations
10 p.m. - 1 a.m. (ET)
Wednesday, August 19
Repeat Eliminations
3 - 5 a.m. (ET)
