Carl Edwards to Roush 99 Nextel Cup

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Taken from www.jayski.com

EDWARDS to Cup, still run CTS: Roush Racing announced today that Carl Edwards, age 24, will enter the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition as the driver of the #99 Roush Racing Ford for the remainder of the 2004 season commencing in Michigan at the GFS Marketplace 400 on Sunday, August 22. Edwards, currently third in the Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, will continue to drive the #99 Superchips F-150 in the remaining Truck Series races.(Roush Racing PR), no word if Edward's will run for 2004 Rookie of the Year honors.(8-12-2004)


Also on jayski, Burton to the #30 RCR AOL Team.
 
Jeff Burton leaving Roush, joining RCR

By DAVID POOLE

The Charlotte Observer

Jeff Burton will drive his final race for Jack Roush this weekend at Watkins Glen, N.Y., before moving to Chevrolets owned by Richard Childress.
Burton, 37, has signed a multiyear deal to drive the No. 30 car sponsored by America Online beginning with the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Dave Blaney has been driving that car after replacing Johnny Sauter in June.

Carl Edwards will replace Burton in the No. 99 Fords for the remainder of the season. Edwards will also continue to drive the No. 99 in the NASCAR Truck Series.

The move will end Burton's association with Roush that began with the start of the 1996 season. In 292 races with the team, Burton has 17 victories, 87 top-five finishes and 142 top 10s. He also has 20 career NASCAR Busch Series victories.

"Since 1996, I've enjoyed some of the greatest days of my life with the No. 99 Roush Racing team," Burton said. "I will forever be grateful to Jack Roush, my teammates and my crew."

Burton nearly made this move at the end of last season. With the No. 99 having no primary sponsor signed for 2004, Burton talked to Childress about the No. 30 ride before deciding to stay put.

"That 99 team is my team," Burton said then. "When I walk into that shop, I don't feel like an employee. I feel like I'm walking into what's mine. I don't physically own any of it, but emotionally, I own every bit of it. When I see a 99 decal on somebody's pickup that means something to me. That's my number."

Burton, the 1994 rookie of the year in the Cup series, finished in the top five in the Cup standings four straight seasons from 1997 to 2000. But he was 10th, 12th and 12th in the past three years and is 24th this year.

Burton has had only one top-five finish in 2004, a fourth at Dover, with a team that still does not have a primary sponsor after a potential deal with a liquor company was nixed by NASCAR in June.

In a statement announcing that Edwards will replace Burton, Roush said Burton chose not to execute his option to drive for the team in 2005.

Richard Childress said his interest in having Burton as a driver goes back further than last year.

"I know back in 1998 and 1999, Dale Earnhardt talked to Jeff quite a bit about driving the No. 3 car when he retired," Childress said. "I've really watched Jeff's talent and his ability to race for a championship."

Burton will join Kevin Harvick and Robby Gordon as drivers with Childress' team.

"I have always had the utmost respect for Richard Childress, and we're both dedicated to winning and running up front every week," Burton said. "This opportunity gives me a fresh start with a proven organization that is committed to success both on and off the track."

Edwards, 24, won the Truck Series races at Daytona and Kansas this year and trails Bobby Hamilton by 122 points and Dennis Setzer by 117 points in the current standings.

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime," Edwards said. "I've been watching the team and it's obvious they have turned a corner and I'm excited to have the chance to help continue that momentum.'
 
Both Carl Edwards and his former boss, Mike Mittler, will be on "Motorsports Weekly," Wed. night at 6 p.m. on KFNS 590 AM, 100.7 FM. You can also hear the show on the website, www.kfns.com.
 
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