NEXTEL Cup Driver Carl Edwards Will Meet Fans at the Joliet, Ill., Fanfest Thursday, July 7

WHAT: Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 AAA Ford in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series, will participate in the Joliet Fanfest in downtown Joliet Thursday, July 7, in advance of Sunday's NEXTEL race at the Chicagoland Speedway.

WHEN: Edwards will make an appearance on the Fanfest's main stage at about 7:30 p.m. After his stage appearance, he will go to the AAA booth to sign autographs for approximately two hours.

Also at the AAA booth from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. will be a full-scale replica of the #99 AAA Ford Edwards drives in the NEXTEL races. Visitors to the booth will be able to take a free, simulated run in the car negotiating a computerized display that replicates the famous Daytona International Speedway in Florida. Everyone who does the simulated run will receive a certificate with the elapsed time recorded. All times will be entered into AAA's motorsports database, and the racers with the top 10 scores at the end of the NEXTEL season in November will receive a 1-24/scale model of the #99 AAA Ford autographed by Edwards.

WHERE: The AAA booth is located at the corner of Chicago Street and Clinton close to the Rialto Theatre. AAA's media contact on site will be Nancy Cain, Public Relations Manager. Her cell phone is 313-268-4038.

MORE: Carl Edwards also will play in the charity softball game, "Racin' the Bases," Wednesday, July 6, at Silver Cross Field. Gates will open at 4 p.m.; the game will run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.