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Edwards Dazzled By Kennedy Space Center

Jerry Ross and Carl Edwards pose alongside famous space shuttle. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Astronaut Jerry Ross and Carl Edwards pose alongside famous space shuttle. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Kennedy Space Center, Fla. – When Carl Edwards landed at the Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, he didn’t know what to expect but he came away dazzled with the sights and sounds of the experience. His experience took place at the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction with seven-time shuttle astronaut Jerry Ross serving as his guide.

As the Daytona 500 nears, Edwards and other NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars are crisscrossing the country as part of a promotional campaign called the Road to the Daytona 500 Tour.

Met by Ross, Edwards was provided with a detailed tour of the massive shuttle Atlantis, which is opened up for close inspection. Thereafter, the pair met with the media to discuss the shuttle program, the upcoming Daytona 500 and racing, in general.

“I am trying to take all of this in; there’s so much to make all this happen. This is spectacular,” Edwards said. “Mr. Ross has lived every kid’s dream by going into space and be a part of something like this. Driving 200 miles per hour in a race car is one thing but this is a whole another thing.”

Ross said he flies alone without traffic around, and so what Edwards does with other cars around on an enclosed track is much different. “I fly in a loop some 22,000 miles around the world, and I don’t have anyone else getting in my air space,” commented the high-flying astronaut.

Edwards, who has been flying his own plane for years, was allowed to land at the Space Center, which thrilled him, although he knew the cadre of highly-trained pilots were watching him. “I thought, man, don’t screw this up.”

In his second year with Joe Gibbs Racing, Edwards said he can’t wait for the new season to start. “When there’s something big like the Daytona 500 coming up, it is hard to sit there all winter and think about how badly I want to go drive,” he noted. “I am ready to go racing and I have more confidence going into this season than ever before. I will be happy when I can get into the car.

“Toyota is ready to go and everyone is gung-ho. Getting last year going to learn my crew and my guys, and all the different ways that JGR works was a big help to me. We should be better this year, and I am more relaxed and I don’t have to prove myself to everyone this year.”

Ross is a race fan and enjoys watching races on television and he said he bonded immediately with Edwards realizing “there’s a kinship between fighter pilots and race car drivers, and people who fly in space. There’s some part of us that are innately drawn to these types of activities.”

“Who doesn’t like adventure and competition, plus wanting to learn things,” added Edwards, who closed out the program saying, “This is by far the coolest appearance I have ever done for NASCAR.”

And the countdown to “The Great American Race” continues.

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