AAA Salutes Carl Edwards for First NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Win

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22 -- "On behalf of the six AAA clubs in The Auto Club Group, I want to offer warm congratulations to Carl Edwards on the occasion of his first victory in a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race," Charles Podowski, president/CEO of The Auto Club Group said today. "Carl's dramatic finish in the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday is a tribute to his driving skill and persistence and the excellent support he receives from his Roush Racing Teammates. The Auto Club Group is proud to be one of Carl's primary sponsors for this year's NEXTEL Cup season," Podowski said.

On Saturday in Atlanta, Edwards also won the Busch Series race, the first time any driver has won both the NEXTEL and Busch events at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the same year.

The Auto Club Group has signed on to be the primary sponsor of Edwards' AAA Car #99 Ford Taurus in three NEXTEL Cup races this year and as an associate sponsor in the 35 other events. This is Edwards' first full year on the NEXTEL Cup circuit.

The Auto Club Group's participation is the first time a group of AAA clubs has sponsored a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver.

Edwards will be making his first appearance under The Auto Club Group's principal sponsorship in the June 19 NEXTEL Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. He will also compete with representatives of Michigan news media in a simulator race on Thursday, June 16, at AAA Michigan's headquarters in Dearborn.