Edwards replaces Kyle Busch at Roush Racing

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Promising NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series newcomer Carl Edwards has been signed by Roush Racing to replace Kyle Busch, who left the organization suddenly to pursue another opportunity.

Edwards, 23, will contest the full 25-race Craftsman Truck Series season in Roush's No. 99 Ford F-150, with crew chief Doug Richert engineering the program.

Edwards, of Columbia, Mo., drove in seven Truck Series races last season for MB Motorsports. He scored a best finish of eighth at Kansas Speedway and a best start of fifth at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

He planned to contend for Rookie of the Year this season in the Mittler brothers' No. 63 Ford, but received a call from Roush Racing and a contract on his fax machine last Friday.

He immediately met with the Mittlers.

"This was sudden enough that the first inkling we had was Friday night about 5, when Carl walked in and told us he had received a call from Roush Racing," Bill Politsch of MB Motorsports said. "Our agreement with him was if he received another offer we simply needed to talk about it and we had the first opportunity to match the offer. If we couldn't, he was free to go.

"Carl was as nervous as a cat about it (but) it was a substantial financial package. He let us know late last night he had decided to accept the offer and he came by the shop today to say goodbye before he went to North Carolina."

Politsch said the Mittler Brothers, who were instrumental in getting the NASCAR careers of Jamie McMurray and the late Kenny Irwin started, would move ahead.

"We are in a driver hunt for someone that can run up front -- whether that is a veteran like a Robert Pressley or a Joe Ruttman, or the next Carl Edwards -- we're not sure," Politsch said. "Our sponsors, summerbayresort.com and Dave Porter Truck Sales, are still committed to us and we still hope to run the full season with additional marketing partners."

Truck still seeking full-time backer

Roush still does not have sponsorship for the No. 99 program but has committed, as he did to Busch, 17, that he would field the truck for the full season. The team had not planned to compete full-time until Busch turned 18 in May.

Busch, whose older brother Kurt also went from driving in the Truck Series for Roush in 2000 straight to the Winston Cup Series, where he finished third last season, made a seemingly abrupt decision to leave Roush.

"He has decided to pursue another path with his career," a Roush spokesperson said of Kyle Busch. "He wasn't under contract, since he wasn't yet 18, and he and his dad decided to do something different -- we don't know what."

Kyle Busch, who made six starts for Roush in the Truck Series in 2001, with two top-10 finishes, was unavailable for comment.

"This is a huge opportunity for me," Edwards said. "To have the resources of a team like Roush Racing is very exciting."

Little more than a year ago Edwards was sleeping in his car as he pursued a racing career in stock cars at Midwest dirt tracks, racing "Baby Grand" cars, USAC open wheel cars and picking up odd rides with the Mittlers.

"Not too long ago, I was in the Charlotte area picking up an old school bus from Ken Schrader to tow my race car," Edwards said. "As we were driving down the interstate, three of the Roush transporters passed us and I thought to myself, 'what a dream it would be to drive for a team like that?'

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime."

Although Roush is committed to run the full schedule, they are still actively seeking sponsorship for the team.

"Carl is a very talented driver and he will complement our program really well," Jack Roush said. "This is a great sponsorship opportunity for a company who is looking for a bright, young talent to represent their organization.

"Having a veteran crew chief like Doug Richert will help Carl speed up his learning curve in the series. I expect this team to really excel as the season gets underway."

Edwards will team with the No. 50 Navy Ford team of Jon Wood, which will loan the No. 99 some trucks to supplement its fleet at the beginning of the season.