Over the course of the first three stops in the Countdown to One, Mike Edwards has carted off a
victory and two semifinals finishes to build a 78-point lead in the championship race.
With the tour swinging to the East Coast and Virginia Motorsports Park, outside Richmond, Va.,
Edwards knows he needs to continue going late rounds, but feels that the only way to make sure the
championship comes back to Oklahoma, is he needs to collect the victory Wally.
"We've had a great race car for the first three events, but only have one trophy to show for that,"
Edwards reflected. "We've had our problems in the semifinals the last two stops and we just need to
get over that hump, because the only way to make sure nobody can chase you down is winning. We do
not want to leave anything to chance and rest our hopes on other people."
The Richmond stop is an intriguing one on the tour for Edwards. In the past, it seemingly is one of
the fastest Pro Stock tracks on the tour.
"If the conditions are right, Virginia Motorsports Park will let the Pro Stock field light up the
scoreboard with some big numbers," Edwards said. "Going in we know the entire field will be able to
make good runs at any moment, so we have to make every time we let out the clutch count and try to
be near the top."
Edwards has a solid record at the facility over his career, advancing past the first round five of
the six visits, and reaching the final in 1996 and the semis in 2007.
"If we make good runs and I do my job on the starting line, we have a good chance of collecting
another Wally and helping our cause," he said. "We just have to stay focused on the task at hand
and if the good Lord is willing, we will have a great weekend."
Edwards Still Holds Points Lead
After three of the six events in the NHRA Countdown to One playoff, Mike Edwards continues to hold
the top spot.
Below are the points standings at the midway point in the Countdown to One
Mike Edwards 2374
Jason Line 2296 (-78)
Greg Anderson 2293 (-81)
Jeg Coughlin 2260 (-114)
Allen Johnson 2234 (-140)
Greg Stanfield 2222 (-152)
Johnny Gray 2199 (-175)
Ron Krisher 2189 (-185)
Kurt Johnson 2145 (-229)
Rickie Jones 2020 (-354)
Quick Notes
Has advanced to the final at 10 events in 2009, the most in Pro Stock.
In 2009, has captured 13 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 21 NHRA events in 2009, with four times earning the
No. 2 spot, and three times in the No. 4 position to go with his 13 poles and a single No. 5
qualifying effort.
Recorded his 19th career victory in Charlotte, and has reached 39 finals over his career.
Mike Edwards has grabbed either low e.t. or top speed at 18 of the 21 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. three other events (Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Memphis), while garnering top speed at four others
(Houston, Atlanta, Norwalk, and Reading).
Television Schedule - Virginia NHRA Nationals
ESPN2
Saturday, October 10
Qualifying
11 p.m. - 1 a.m. (ET)
Sunday, October 11
NHRA Race Day Show
11 - 11:30 a.m. (ET)
Sunday, October 11
Eliminations
7 p.m. - 10 p.m. (ET)
Thursday, October 15
Eliminations
2 a.m. - 4 a.m. (ET)
Upcoming Events
NHRA "COUNTDOWN TO 1" PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP
Race 4
Virginia NHRA Nationals
Virginia Motorsports Park
Richmond, Va.
Oct. 9-11
Race 5
NHRA Las Vegas Nationals
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas, Nev.
Oct. 29 - Nov. 1
Race 6
Auto Club NHRA Nationals
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
Pomona, Calif.
Nov. 12-15
