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Edwards Earns First Career Atlantic Pole Position At Autobahn


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Joliet, July 24, 2009: Just 60 miles away from the Newman Wachs Racing workshop in Mundelein, driver John Edwards earned his first Atlantic Championship pole position at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet. This is the team’s second pole position, the first of which was earned by teammate Jonathan Summerton. Summerton will start 3rd for tomorrow’s race at the Harrah’s Autobahn Grand Prix Presented by Mazda. It is a double-header weekend for the Atlantic Championship with a race on both Saturday and Sunday and can be seen live on HDNet at 2:00 CT.

Edwards, just 18, won the season-opener at Sebring International Raceway in March and has finished on the podium three out of the last five races. He was quickest in this morning’s practice and his consistency continued in this afternoon’s qualification session. Edwards is currently 2nd in the Championship, tied with teammate Summerton, but both need to close the gap to points leader Simona De Silvestro.

John Edwards, #36 MAZDASPEED/ Nuclear Clean Air Energy/ Entergy/ NEI/ Newman Wachs Racing: (P1; 2.04.600)

“We dominated the whole session and not only did we get pole but by half a second. The car is obviously good and we’re really looking forward to the race tomorrow as well as 2nd qualifying. I think we’re definitely the favorite to win tomorrow and hopefully we can make that happen.”

Summerton scored a win earlier this season at New Jersey Motorsports Park and has also finished off the podium only twice. The young driver from Kissimmee, Florida knows the importance of double-header weekends and has his sights set on the Championship. Summerton finished 3rd for NWR in 2008 after a very close three-way battle at the season-finale.

Jonathan Summerton, #34 Nuclear Clean Air Energy/ Entergy/ NEI/ Newman Wachs Racing; (P3; 2.05.594)

“We’re still struggling a little with our pace but it’s getting there. Hopefully we can put on a good show tomorrow for all of the team’s friends and family who will be here for the race weekend.”