Roush Fenway's Carl Edwards: Drivers need to be more accessible to fans

By Jeff Owens - Executive Editor
Thursday, February 05, 2009

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Carl Edwards doesn’t mind signing autographs and doing his part to accommodate NASCAR fans, but the Roush Fenway Racing driver sure wishes the sanctioning body would find better ways to make drivers more accessible to fans.
        
While participating in NASCAR’s Preseason Thunder FanFest at Daytona International Speedway in January, Edwards said it occurred to him that there should have been a better way to reach out to fans of the sport.

“Here we are with all the drivers at Daytona …, but I thought it sure would be better use of all our time and maybe more beneficial for the fans if each driver went to their respective markets, maybe where they are from or near their home tracks or something and spent the same amount of time,” Edwards said. “Maybe we could touch more fans and give them something more.”

Edwards, tabbed by many as a favorite to win this year’s championship, is also an advocate of doing away with NASCAR’s annual awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City at the end of each season.

“Instead of going to New York and putting ourselves in tuxedos and eating $100-a-plate food and all that stuff, why don’t we just go somewhere in North Carolina, like up there to Victory Junction Gang Camp, and clear a big field and have our awards banquet out on the back of a trailer with the bands and invite the fans to camp out and maybe include them a little bit more,” he said. “I think we could probably do some things like that to where these fans feel like [we are who] we should be and maybe give them something instead of separating ourselves.

“I don’t mind them asking for my time …, but maybe there is a way to say, ‘Hey, look, we don’t have to be up here. We can come hang out and have a good time and sit whoever is champion on a dunk-tank seat for two hours.’”

Edwards said he would gladly give up the glitz and glamour of New York City if he wins his first Cup championship this year.

“I think people would enjoy it,” he said. “I think if you just said, ‘We’ve got room for 5,000 or 10,000 people, bring your tent and we’re going to have our awards ceremony on stage and afterward there will be a band,’ and that’s how we do it.”

Edwards, who recently bought a 425-acre farm in Missouri, says he would even volunteer to host the event.

“I do have a place in Missouri we can use,” he said.

Comments

18 responses to "Roush Fenway's Carl Edwards: Drivers need to be more accessible to fans". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    Brenda Loftus said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 3:33 PM

    Where can I sign up. My daughter and I would be there in a heart beat.

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  2. 2
    Howard Englishman said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 3:55 PM

    Carl idea is pretty funny at best. Theres a reason the banquet is in NY every year and its called Corporate Exposure. Most of the sponsors in this sport are Wall Street companys just like ISC and SMI and they want that exposure.Wow I could just see the CEO of SPRINT and the rest coming to a field in NC.

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  3. 3
    Robin Smith said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 4:07 PM

    I think Carl has a great idea- Those Corporate sponsors want more customers and what better way then to open the banquet up to fans. Have a huge outdoor concert would be so fun. I would uy tickets to that event.
    Good luck this season Carl- Your #1. And yes Howard I think you would see the CEO of sprint in a field in NC.

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  4. 4
    cinde trebesch said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 4:11 PM

    I LOVE it!! I would be there!! Keep NASCAR in touch with the fans!!


    GO BLUE 2

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  5. 5
    amber s said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    Thaaat would be amazing! Carl, great idea :D

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  6. 6
    Carol C said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    I love the idea, too. I think that is part of the problem, some corporate sponsors have lost touch with reality and they should realize that they are people just like you and me. If they want exposure, then let them mingle with NASCAR fans in a fun and different setting. I'd fly to Missouri, I'd fly to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, it would be

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  7. 7
    Werner Boehmert said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    there was a time when the drivers used to do alot of the local short trak appearances to race their own cars...complete with autograph sessions...Bobby Allison was a good one for this...spent time with fans in the pits, telling stories and drinking beers...but now it costs too much in appearance and insurance fees...

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  8. 8
    Steve Langley said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    That's funny coming from him, he's one of the hardest drivers out there to get close to for autographs or anything else.
    I hope he does change and start giving more back to the fans. They've got to remember, without fans they don't have the great lifestyle that they do have.

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  9. 9
    Anonymous said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 7:39 PM

    I think that Carl Edwards is the most sensible driver out there with his ideas of meeting the fans. Have a good year Carl. CAN SOMEONE tell an old man who attended his first big race at the DAYTONA 500 in 1965 how to make my name come up on the comment "Steve Carknard said" instead of anonoymus or however you spell that word ....THANKS.. at 66 years I love to see you whippersnappers talk back and forth.

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  10. 10
    Christina Ellzey said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 9:14 PM

    Great idea Carl! I would be there, and I hate to camp! And if you happen to read this, I am the fan who you waved to 2 weeks ago at Lowes when you were filming the Scotts commercial in the garage area! Made my day!

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  11. 11
    Lainie Hetrick said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 10:19 PM

    WHAT AN 'AWESOME' IDEA ! In this ecomony /recession..maybe that would be the best ..DOWN HOME idea to come along in years ! Leave it to Carl...he is SO genuine and truly thinks of the fans..and always has ! That's why we Love to see him race ! Good luck Carl ! I'll be there to help celebrate Racing at its best !

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  12. 12
    Howard Englishman said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    Steve just go to the box up in the right hand corner and creat an account with you name e-mail and zip code that simple. take care and enjoy the 500, 1965 huh it sure was different back then

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  13. 13
    Jim Bayliss said:
    Feb 5, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    Steve I got you by one year, 67. I never got to Daytona, but I did start racing myself in 1964 on dirt. Start of a fun short track career that ended in 1981. - - I think Carl's idea is great too. Sure would like to see it in Missouri, since I am from Wisconsin, then could drive down. He is more of a regular guy than most, and NOT a dirty driver like some. Look at what he has done with most of his trophies.

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  14. 14
    Bernadette Motherway said:
    Feb 6, 2009 at 12:25 AM

    Carl has a good idea, but he opened up a can of worms! If he wants volunteers to help in anyway, I am willng. I'M GOOD AT ORGANIZING BIG PARTIES, especially outdoors. I've got it down right to security. I bet most of you think I'm bragging. You won't know for sure until you see the results. Call me, Carl.

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  15. 15
    FLIPPIN' SWEET 99 said:
    Feb 6, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    Comment #8 said Carl is hard to talk to. Not true I've spoken with him many times in the garage, even right after driver introductions before he got in his car.I wished him luck, we talked, he signed my race ticket, shook my hand, and thanked me for being his fan. Once he even stopped to sign my shirt right after a spin in practice when he wasn't in a very good mood. He's very fan friendly. Good luck this year Carl !!!!

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  16. 16
    Cathy Rooks said:
    Feb 6, 2009 at 2:47 PM

    Now the drivers are listening! Lets get back to the roots of Racing! Down to earth drivers doing what they do best Racing and thinking of the fans! (FINALLY AND LONG OVER DUE)

    Good idea Cousin Carl but I bet that won't ever happen!

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  17. 17
    Jo Ray said:
    Feb 6, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    Love it. I'm not surprised it's Carl that brought it up.

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  18. 18
    Richard said:
    Feb 9, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    They could charge for it and donate the proceeds to the NASCAR Foundation.

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