NASCAR

Sprint Cup

CUP: Edwards Applauds Decision To Seek Input

NASCAR is reaching out to its drivers and Carl Edwards is all for it...

Bob Pockrass | http://www.scenedaily.com | Posted January 12, 2010 Charlotte, NC

Carl Edwards says he was pleasantly surprised that NASCAR was taking the time to solicit input from teams and drivers. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards says he’s pleased with a new outreach program that has seen NASCAR officials meeting with drivers from each organization to talk about rule changes for next season.

Carl Edwards says he was pleasantly surprised that NASCAR was taking the time to solicit input from teams and drivers. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Edwards says he’s happy about the chance to sit down with top executives such as NASCAR Chairman Brian France and NASCAR President Mike Helton.

“The economy is down, interest in all extracurricular stuff is down, and this to me is an opportunity for us to take a step back to make sure we’ve got the sport positioned so that we are something [fans] can go enjoy and we are something that people aren’t leaving but are gravitating to,” Edwards said about the meeting last week with Roush Fenway Racing drivers.

The meetings are being held at the NASCAR research and development center in North Carolina. Among the rule changes being discussed are replacing the rear wing on the Sprint Cup car with a spoiler as well as rules to give the drivers more freedom on how they race at restrictor-plate tracks.

“The bottom line of that meeting was that we’re all in this together,” Edwards said. “It’s cool to have [NASCAR executives] Brian France, Mike Helton, Steve O’Donnell sitting there saying, ‘We’re in this together. What do you guys think? How can we do this the right way? How can we deliver the best product to the fans?’

“That’s what that meeting is about, and that means a lot.”

NASCAR has an open-door policy for drivers to come and discuss issues, but bringing them in systematically to talk does not happen that often.

“I’m a little surprised but pleasantly surprised,” Edwards said. “I haven’t had very many of those meetings. It was pretty cool. They said they were always going to be the government, the police of the sport, and some people aren’t going to like that, and sometimes I definitely don’t like that. But at the same time, it’s very, very smart of them, very big of them to ask our opinions.”

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Bob Pockrass

SceneDaily.com

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