Roush: Edwards in line for Martin's Cup ride

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Jack Roush had a bit of present for Carl Edwards after his young driver won the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

	Carl Edwards won Friday's Florida Dodge Dealers 250. Credit: Autostock

A Nextel Cup ride.

"Carl is the heir apparent for the No. 6 car after Mark (Martin) retires," Roush said to a surprised Daytona International Speedway media contingent late Friday night.

"I hope we can get Mark to keep going in the No. 6 car until we get Carl a championship in the Truck Series, then a chance to run for a championship in the Busch Series. I'd like three years, then I think he'll be in the 6 car."

Martin helped Roush start Roush Racing's NASCAR team 16 years ago and has been in the No. 6 Ford ever since. Martin, a 33-time winner in NASCAR's premier series, turned 45 last month.

If Roush's plan works out, Edwards would take over the No. 6 in 2007. The sponsor of the car, Pfizer's Viagra, has a contract that runs through 2005.

Edwards, who joined Roush a week before the season last year, won three truck races in the No. 99 in 2003. He's 24 years old and is clearly a rising star in the sport.

	Mark Martin

When asked about the No. 6 Cup ride, Edwards said it was "just an honor."

"It just motivates me to work harder every day to be the best driver I can be so that when we do come up with a marketing partner to run in the Nextel Cup Series, in a car that I can give them the best and be the best driver I can be to win championships," Edwards said.

"The emotional part of me just can't believe it. It gives me chills to think about it. Mark Martin is someone I looked up to long before I started racing for his determination and his drive to be a very, very capable race car driver. So it's an honor."