Edwards wrecks in Nationwide Series practice
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Carl Edwards’ defense of his championship in what is now the Nationwide Series began on a disjointed note Thursday at Daytona International Speedway.
Edwards was involved in a multicar crash during the final Nationwide practice, damaging the right side of his No. 60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford. But rather than going to a backup car, crew chief Pierre Kuettel decided to repair the damage.
That involved ripping off the damaged sheet metal, which ran between the wheel wells on the right side, and replacing it. The team was shaping and filling in the sheet metal and will eventually wrap it with sponsor logos and the number.
“I was following Clint Bowyer, and the car in front of him got loose and slid up and hit Kelly Bires in the 47 car,” Edwards said. “The 70 car [of Mark Green] was just sideways up above me and went straight into the right side door. It couldn't have been any more square of a hit. It just moved my car over about a foot, and I kept going straight. If he would have hit me in the front or the back, it would have wrecked us bad.
“So the crew is going to put a new side on it, and we should be fine. We were only out for about three laps before we wrecked, so it's hard to tell how the track is or will be. The car and the track felt good because it was cool, and we had a lot of grip. It should be a good race this weekend. If we can finish in the top three like we did last year, things will be great."
