Carl Edwards won his first Cup race in just his 17th start. Credit: Autostock

Actions, not words, make Edwards newest star

Silence can be most deafening. It can be awkward, troubling. It can be moving, emotional. It can be exasperating and it can be heartening.

Last week, American sports fans were subjected to the gamut of emotions invoked by speechlessness.

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First we were frustrated by Mark McGwire's unwillingness to address steroid use in major league baseball. Then, three days later, we were captivated by Carl Edwards' inability to express the exhilaration of achieving the dream as he stood in Victory Lane.

Same action. Polar-opposite reaction.

McGwire's silence was heartbreaking, indescribably disappointing. The purity of America's pastime, already questionable, took on an added level of skepticism. And sadly McGwire's legacy is now tainted, as well.

In contrast, Edwards' silence was joyous, tangible, real. His first Nextel Cup victory goes down as one of the greatest finishes in NASCAR history, and the humility he displayed afterwards was refreshing, as pure and honest as a baby's first toothless grin.

For a moment, it wasn't about roof heights or fuel cells or who is or isn't cheating. It was about a good kid, the kind everyone pulls for, winning a thriller and showing emotion so raw it needs no description.

An hour later, after the champagne shower and the hat dance and the endless stream of congratulatory handshakes, it began to sink in for Edwards. He really did sling that thing sideways exiting Turn 2. He really did pull off an outside pass on tires worn to the cords.

	Inside the Numbers Carl Edwards' career statistics   Races W T5 T10 Cup 17 1 3 7 Busch 7 1 2 5 Truck 57 6 22 33 ALSO •   Driver Page •   2005 Statistics Carl Edwards scores his first Cup win at Atlanta Edwards celebrates his Golden Corral 500 victory Edwards closes the New York Stock Exchange on Monday Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

He really did out-sprint NASCAR's most consistent driver -- for the second time in as many days.

"Was it really like a foot or something?" Edwards asked of his margin of victory over Jimmie Johnson. "I thought it was a little more than that, so that makes me more grateful."

That's the thing. The kid is genuinely appreciative, and gladly tells anyone and everyone who'll listen through a big grin and a stream of "gees" and "neats" and 15 other Beaver Cleaverisms.

He's NASCAR's newest household name. If the Busch/Cup sweep didn't seal the deal, the back-to-back backflips did. And if that didn't do it, thanking his momma certainly did.

"My mom [Nancy Sterling] and her husband, Jim Sterling, are unbelievable," Edwards said. "They've helped me so much. My mom has always been my backbone and supported me so much."

And for the record, she was the brains behind the "Hello, I'm Carl Edwards and I want to drive your racecar" business cards, too.

He went to every race he could, toting a pocketful of business cards to dole out to owners, drivers and the 14-year old high school freshman frying his funnel cake.

He sent out resumes, endlessly searching for an opportunity. Truck Series owner Mike Mittler gave him a shot. Edwards says he wasn't ready, but he took it anyway. From there it's been hammer down.

Like many drivers, Edwards' road to Nextel Cup Victory Lane was a long shot, but his propulsion into the industry's consciousness was only a matter of time.

My momma always told me good things happen to good people. Edwards is proof.

He just became NASCAR's newest star, without ever having to say a word.

Marty Smith is a senior writer for NASCAR.COM. The opinions expressed are solely of the writer or subject.