All-Star: Carl Edwards Showdown preview

Carl Edwards on racing at the Sprint Showdown:

"The Sprint Showdown and the All Star race are very exciting races because there are no points involved. The only things on the line are a trophy, money and bragging rights so it's a real fun race in that respect. The other thing it does is gives you a chance to run a practice race for the Coke 600, which is very helpful. To be able to race two weekends back-to-back is useful. After a race you always wish you could go back and race there again next weekend and use what you learned."

Crew Chief Bob Osborne on racing at the Sprint Showdown:

"Obviously our goal this weekend is to get into the All Star race. We've got a 20-lap sprint to make sure we finish in one of the two transfer positions so we'll have to be sure our car is good from the start. If we can make it in the All Star race the extra laps in the Showdown will be helpful to get the set up right for the big race. It's quite an honor to be included in the All Star race and we've got to work for it this year."

Fast Facts

* Carl Edwards will make his second appearance in the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. In his previous start Edwards started on the pole and finished third. He also has four starts in the All Star race with two top-five and three top-10 finishes.

* ON THE TRACK...Edwards will carry a special silver Aflac paint scheme Saturday night. The No. 99 Aflac crew will be unloading chassis RK-669 for this weekend's events. Edwards raced this Ford Fusion at California in February of this year where he finished 13th.

* Roush Fenway Racing has won three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All Star races. Mark Martin won the event in 1998 and 2005, and Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag in the 2004 running.

-source: rfr