Followup: Injury prompts changes to Edwards' schedule

BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Jul 23, 2007 - 01:54:11 pm CDT
Carl Edwards will race, as scheduled, in NASCAR Busch Series and Nextel Cup
Series events this weekend in Indianapolis.

But Edwards, who was injured Sunday during a promotional appearance at I-80
Speedway near Greenwood, has canceled all other events in what was to be a
busy week for the Columbia, Mo., driver.

Roush Fenway spokesperson LeAnne Howell said Monday that Edwards would not
be taking part in test sessions that were planned for Milwaukee on Monday
and Bristol on Tuesday.

Edwards has also cancelled a promotional appearance at a track in Pevely,
Mo., scheduled for Wednesday and has elected not to race in the USAC Silver
Crown Series race in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Roush Fenway officials plan to release more information on Edwards' injury
later Monday, Howell said. It's believed that the injury is a dislocated
thumb.

Edwards, who is currently fifth in the Nextel Cup standings and leads the
NASCAR Busch Series points, was involved in a multi-car accident early in
Sunday's super late model division A feature.

Edwards started 16th and had moved up five spots before the caution flag
waved on lap 4. On the restart, a car appeared to slow ahead of Edwards'
machine. Another car got into the backstretch wall, and Edwards was unable
to avoid it, setting off the incident that also involved Carl's brother,
Kenny.

As many as 11 of the 28 starters suffered damage in the crash. None of the
other drivers appeared to be injured.

Carl Edwards walked from his battered car on the backstretch to the infield
where he lay in his car's hauler, and was treated by track paramedics. He
emerged after several minutes with ice covering his hand.

He walked to the ambulance and later to another ambulance which transported
him to Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital, presumably to have X-rays.

Edwards walked into the emergency room still wearing his racing suit late
Sunday evening. He was treated and released early Monday morning, hospital
officials said.

Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.