DAYTONA 500 PRERACE NOTES: Mike Wallace on standby for Carl Edwards; two teams land Daytona 500 sponsors
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Mike Wallace is at Daytona International Speedway ready to step in for Carl Edwards, whose wife is due Wednesday with the couple’s first baby.
Wallace practiced the Roush Fenway Racing Saturday and will step in if Edwards has to leave Daytona International Speedway to be with his wife, Kate.
Edwards went home Thursday after his qualifying race to spend some time with his wife in Missouri. He has indicated that he plans to race in the Daytona 500 today unless there’s an emergency.
“She’s been adamant, ‘Do not come home. You stay there and race,’” Edwards said Friday. “She doesn’t want to have a negative impact on all this work we’ve done. … She doesn’t need me – my part is already done. If she wants me to come home, I’m ready.”
In other developments Sunday morning:
• Two unsponsored teams have picked up sponsorship for the Daytona 500. Fireflyvodka.com will sponsor Prism Motorsports’ Michael McDowell. England Stove Works will sponsor Nemco Motorsports’ Joe Nemechek.
• Wood Brothers co-owner Glen Wood will wave the green flag today. Also in the flagstand will be Glen’s brother, Leonard, and sons Len and Eddie.
• Daytona International Speedway officials announced that there are no more grandstand seats available for the race today.
