University of Missouri student Carl Edwards, 23, has joined Tina Gordon in the chase for the 2003 Raybestos Rookie-of-the Year title. Edwards will drive the #63 Mittler Bros. Machine and Tool Ford, a truck in which he gave the St. Louis-area team its first series top-10 finish last July at Kansas Speedway. Edwards recorded Sunday’s sixth-fastest speed, a lap of 179.603. “Last year, there were so many times we were doing well, like Indianapolis Raceway Park. We qualified fifth there and it really fun until the first pit stop where I made the mistake of driving past the pit stall,” said Edwards, a substitute teacher. “I think if I can keep from making those mistakes and we can continue to have the lap-by-lap success that we’ve had, I think we’re going to be all right.”(DIS PR)(1-14-2003)
