Early in the season, Mike Edwards and the Young Life/A.R.T. team pulled into the Atlanta event as
the defending champions and went out and picked up their first victory of the season. Now, Edwards
and the gang hope the same holds true in Memphis for the O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals, where
Edwards is the defending champion.
"That was just an awesome feeling in Atlanta, being able to come in as the defending champion and
be able to walk away with the Wally," Edwards said. "That is our plan in Memphis, and the bonus is,
if we leave again with the hardware, it will only strengthen our chance at the ultimate prize - the
NHRA Pro Stock championship."
In 2008, Edwards claimed the top prize by defeating Jason Line in the final and marked the second
time he had earned the Wally in Memphis.
"Early in my career, I thought many times of why I even made the trip to Memphis, because we never
had any luck, and then it just turned around and it has become one of my favorite facilities on the
tour," said Edwards, who did not qualify at the first three events he attended in Memphis, but has
two victories and three semifinal finishes in the eight trips since. "Now I can't wait to get there
because it is one of those places I love to race at and just enjoy everything about it."
Currently, Edwards leads the NHRA Countdown to 1 Pro Stock playoff by 65 points over Jeg Coughlin
with four races remaining. That calculates to a little better than a three round lead with a total
of 16 rounds of competition left, plus qualifying points.
"You can never be comfortable with the likes of Jeg Coughlin, Jason Line, and Greg Anderson chasing
you," Edwards admitted. "They have all been champions and understand what it takes in preparation
with the car and mentally as a driver to stand-up to the pressure. We are trying our best to keep
the focus in the right direction and just make solid runs and let that carry us forward.
"Memphis is a big race in the Countdown because when we leave, it will mark the halfway point and
will give us a good understanding of where we stand and what we need to do at the final three stops
to maybe, if God is willing, win the championship."
For First Time In Pro Stock Career, Edwards Sits Atop The NHRA Points Standings
After his victory at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals, Mike Edwards claimed the top spot in the
standings, a position he has never held in the 14 years he has been competing in Pro Stock. Then,
by reaching the semifinals in Dallas, Edwards continued to hold the spot for a second event,
something he is proud of.
"I have been doing this for so long, it is just rewarding to me to finally see my name at the top
of the points," he said. "I know the season is not over and we have a long way to go for the
championship, but I am enjoying these moments because it is what every single person out here
competing from Top Fuel down through the sportsman catergories is racing to achieve. It feels
good."
In 1981, Edwards did find out what it felt like to be on top at the end of the season when he was
crowned the NHRA Modified champion. "That was so long ago, you almost forget what it felt like, but
I have always had those moments tucked away and they have kept me working harder and harder to try
and get back to that same spot. We are close, but still have what seems like an eternity to go."
Quick Notes
Has advanced to the final at 10 events in 2009, the most in Pro Stock.
In 2009, has captured 12 No. 1 Qualifier awards, the most in Pro Stock.
Captured four wins thus far in 2009 in Atlanta, Bristol, Seattle, and the latest in Charlotte.
Has qualified in the top five positions in all 20 NHRA events in 2009, with four times earning the
No. 2 spot, and three times in the No. 4 position to go with his 12 poles and a single No. 5
qualifying effort.
Recorded his 19th career victory in Charlotte, and has reached 39 finals over his career.
Currently is first in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock point standings, leading Jeg Coughlin
by 65 points and Greg Anderson by 80 points.
Mike Edwards has grabbed either low e.t. or top speed at 17 of the 20 events in 2009. He scored
both the low e.t. and top speed of the event at seven races (Gainesville, Bristol, Topeka, Chicago,
Englishtown, Denver, Seattle, Brainerd, Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Dallas), and has left with low
e.t. two other events (Phoenix and Las Vegas), while garnering top speed at four others (Houston,
Atlanta, Norwalk, and Reading).
Television Schedule O'Reilly NHRA Mid-South Nationals ESPN2
Saturday, October 3
Qualifying
10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. (ET)
Sunday, October 4
NHRA Race Day Show
11 - 11:30 a.m. (ET)
Sunday, October 4
Eliminations
7 p.m. - 10 p.m. (ET)
Thursday, October 8
Eliminations
3:30 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. (ET)
