Full Throttle

SAN BERNARDINO - A few years ago, as little as five, Carl Edwards would have schemed on how to get into Orange Show Speedway and how to talk some car owner into a ride.
That certainly wasn’t the case on Saturday. Edwards, who got his racing start at tracks similar to the quarter-mile oval, was enjoying the amenities that a NASCAR Nextel Cup driver receives while filming a commerical.

Such is the life for one of NASCAR’s most personable drivers. Edwards, who finished third in the Nextel Cup points race in 2005, flew in from Charlotte, N.C., Saturday for the start of a three-week road trip that will include stops in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Mexico City before winding up in Daytona to begin preparation for the season opener.

While waiting for his call, Edwards did take time to drive a Mustang around the track, although not at speeds he is accustomed to or may have wanted to reach.

“It’s pretty awesome, if it were dirt, this would remind me of a lot of tracks,” Edwards said. “Actually, this is something I’ve never seen. A track right in the middle of town. I would love to race here.

“Maybe I can come out on Saturday night after the (September) Busch race.”

Just what Edwards needs, another race to his schedule. Last year, in addition to his stellar Cup season, he also finished third in the Busch Series despite missing a race due to his complex travel itinerary.

His dual race life has already claimed a race. He bowed out of the International Race of Champions because of a scheduling conflict.

Edwards, who won four times in Nextel competition last season and five on the Busch circuit, said he just can’t get enough of racing.

“David Ragan (Jack Roush Racing teammate) and I went and ran street stocks the other night at Volusia (Ga.),” Edwards said. “It paid $5,000 to win. There were 27 cars, only six finished. Mine broke.”

Whether it’s $5,000 or the $1 million Nextel bonus, it’s all the same for Edwards.

“I love racing. I feel like the rest of these guys that I have an amazing opportunity to drive for the best team in the world, and I can’t even describe it,” Edwards said. “I think in general that running both series helps me a ton. I can’t stand to sit around on a day and watch people race. You guys know me, I’m ready to go racing. This is going to be fun.”

In 2001, Edwards and actor Race Owen headed West from Missouri to race in the USAC Silver Crown Series. The season opener was the Copper World Classic in Phoenix, and it was Edwards’ introduction to pavement.

Following a 19th-place finish, Edwards and Owen headed to Irwindale Speedway for the second race of the season.

Five years later, both Edwards and Owen have reached the top. Following the commercial, Edwards will have a walk-on role in “The Disciple,” the first major lead for Owen. Later in the week, Edwards may have another walk-on role in an episode of the Fox series “24.”

“If I would have written down five years ago what I thought was going to do,” Edwards said, “I don’t think I would have written down any of this.”

The commercial, which will also feature Edwards’ mother, Nancy Sterling, driving a Mustang, is one of four featuring Edwards. He has also been in five photo shoots and made several appearances in support of the new Ford Fusion, which he will drive this year with Office Depot sponsorship.