Carl Edwards is hoping to have a better outcome in 2007. Credit: Autostock

After '06 disappointment, Edwards finds a coach

Fourth year star looks to stay positive, not let things get to him

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Carl Edwards, with his toothy trademark smile, generally appears to be an upbeat guy.

But there were too many times last season when Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Ford in the Nextel Cup Series, felt just plain beat up. And oftentimes it was by his own doing.

	Carl Edwards hopes his feud with Tony Stewart is a thing of the past. Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images
	Stats at a Glance Edwards' 2006 stats Wins 0 Top-5s 10 Top-10s 20 Avg. Start 19 Avg. Finish 15.2 DNF's 3

So as he approaches this season, Edwards said he is determined not to let that happen again. He even went so far as to employ a "coach" from Carmichael Training Systems, where the emphasis is placed on stressing the positive to build lasting self-confidence.

Chris Carmichael was former cycling champion Lance Armstrong's coach. He founded the company that employs Dean Golich, the man Edwards now calls his coach.

"They work a lot with elite athletes," Edwards said Monday prior to a Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder testing session at Daytona International Speedway. "A lot of the problems that come along are not just physical; they're mental. Mostly I've just learned that a lot of it is pretty much trial-and-error. If your actions aren't making you happy, then you've got to try something new."

Edwards envisions trying something new this year, as he attempts to rebound from a 2006 season that rated as a major disappointment after an outstanding season in 2005. Even though he managed 20 top-10 finishes and 10 top-fives last year, he failed to win a single race after winning four the previous year -- and worst of all, he failed to make the Chase.

"For me, I've never had a problem where I go on the racetrack and think, 'Man, I can't do this,' or whatever," Edwards said."But sometimes when the race is over and you're driving home or flying home, you're like, 'Wow, that didn't all go the way I wanted it to go.' And then you get all caught up in the things that are going on, like guys bad-mouthing you. The trick for me with that is just to let it go, and that's it."

One of the guys who has been bad-mouthing Edwards is fellow driver Tony Stewart. The two commenced some verbal mudslinging at each other following a wreck Stewart caused at Pocono last July that involved and subsequently infuriated Edwards.

In keeping with his new philosophy to stay positive, Edwards apologized Monday for his role in the dispute that escalated between the two and has since continued to simmer. He said he hasn't yet spoken directly to Stewart about it, but added he hopes his apology takes the simmering pot off the stove of controversy.

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"What I did wrong was I got out of the car and made it a personal attack, said some things I shouldn't have said," Edwards said. "Obviously, I really upset Tony. And so for that I apologize. I shouldn't have done that.

"I've learned that we're all in this together, all of us drivers. I'd do anything in the world for Tony. I think he's a good guy. I hope that we can put this behind us. I hope that's water under the bridge. If we can go into Daytona and draft together and finish one-two in the Daytona 500, that would be fine with me."

Since Edwards finished last in the 2006 Daytona 500 and has finished 33rd or worse in his last three Daytona races, that would indeed produce the backflips and smiles that were missing from his life much of last season.

If it happens, Edwards said he would owe it in large part to his new approach to life, and for that he credits not only Golich but also his younger brother Kenny, who happens to be named, according to Carl, after Nextel Cup driver Ken Schrader.

"That's one thing I've really been blessed with," Edwards said. "I have a great family and really great friends. I mean, my little brother is the best. I can call him up and say, 'Hey, what do you think?' And he'll give it to me straight. He can be like, 'Hey, man, you're being a moron.' So that's always good. He's a good kid. He's wise beyond his years."

Kenny Edwards is only 24. Carl isn't much older at 26, but is beginning to sound like it as he matures on and off the track.

"There were times last year where I thought, 'Man, what am I doing wrong here?' We had some great runs, too, where it made me feel like we were doing the right things," Edwards said. "But in general, for me, once I realized if I do everything I can and I give the best effort I can, that's enough for me to be satisfied with regardless of the result. If I blow a motor or get in a wreck or make a mistake or something, you can't dwell on that stuff. You've got to march forward and do the best that you can.

"That's why it feels so good that I'm not angry at anybody. I'm letting all that go. I want to get to the point where I just show up at the racetrack with a smile and be the best that I can be."