LOUDON, N.H. (Sept. 14, 2011) – There was no back flipping for this win, but Carl Edwards did get a New England style victory as he trapped over a dozen lobsters today in Portsmouth, N.H. It was good practice for Edwards, who hopes to hoist Loudon the Lobster in victory lane after the SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 25.
As NASCAR’s best prepare to invade “The Magic Mile,” the driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford joined local media members and fans at Geno’s Chowder and Sandwich Shop in Portsmouth, gearing them up for the excitement-packed Chase weekend. The group then hopped on a lobster boat in search for Loudon.
“I am a little nervous about the lobster,” joked Edwards. “I am from Missouri we don’t have anything like that in the Missouri River. I do hope I have to deal with it in victory lane though.”
Edwards currently sits fifth in the points standings as the Chase for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup kicks off Sunday.
“Our main goal is to win the championship,” he said. “This is the time where we have to go out there and do everything perfectly. We get 10 races to win this championship. When you think about it, as a driver it’s kind of overwhelming, to think that every lap in every race has to be perfect or your championship will be ruined.”
Jerry Gappens, the executive vice president and general manager of NHMS joined Edwards by venturing out onto the fishing boat in search of the lobster. Gappens started the tradition of giving a 20 pound lobster as a secondary trophy for all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races three years ago.
“It’s become tradition to give a little taste of New England to the drivers when they visit victory lane here at NHMS,” said Gappens. “It’s always fun to see the reactions of the drivers when they are given the lobster. I am ready to put a Carl Edwards sticker on the trophy next weekend.”
Edwards, boasts a Nationwide Series victory but will attempt to get his first ever NHMS Sprint Cup Series checkered flag in a week.
“Loudon is one of the toughest races we have,” he said. “I don’t have a win there but I hope that I get it this year. Coming to New Hampshire is an experience like no other. This area is truly a hotbed for racing. It’s full of racers. When you’re at New Hampshire in the smaller series you see people who sacrifice everything to drive a racecar for the thrill of victory and the thrill of winning. You can learn a lot from people like that.”