Bachelor Edwards makes special wedding proposal

CONCORD, N.C. -- Wedding proposals come in all different styles and fashions; painted on banners high in the sky, projected over radio waves and even deep under the sea.

While it can be a momentous yet nerve-wracking event, delivering the proposal is paramount because the story will be told for years to come.

So when 23-year-old Phillip Pruzensky lobbied the help of NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, he knew his chances of making an impression were good.

Not that Pruzensky feels Edwards is a wedding guru or even a relationship expert. The driver's level of commitment doesn't surpass but a few years and it's contractual commitment with his boss, Jack Roush. Beyond that, he has no plans for wedded bliss.

What Edwards does have are two loyal NASCAR fans, sponsor dollars and a TV panel on the back of his No. 99 Office Depot Ford, all of which culminated into a marriage proposal made in NASCAR heaven Friday at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Pruzensky, on bended knee in front of a swarm of media, proposed to longtime girlfriend, Janice Scarfe, 21. But not before he and Edwards unveiled a special painted message on the back panel of the No. 99 car which read, "Janice, will you marry me? Phillip."

"For the three years I've spent with you, I've loved every minute," said a shaken Pruzensky who failed to fight back tears. "Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"

Scarfe, a huge fan of Edwards, managed to adjust her gaze from the No. 99 to her soon-to-be husband and answer, "yes."

The proposal was made possible through Edwards' sponsors Office Depot and Harlequin, which together organized "Say Yes to A Winning Proposal" where the couple was tasked with writing a convincing reason why they, a pair of cash-strapped college students, deserved a free trip to Sedona, Ariz., first-class treatment at this weekend's Sprint All-Star Race and even the wedding bling now on Scarfe's left hand.

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Persuaded they could use the help, Edwards commented, "I was a little nervous for Phillip and I could tell he was shaking. Janice was obviously very emotional, I'm just glad we could make this happen for them. The proposal will be on the back of the racecar all night [Saturday] unless I tear it up like I have been known to do."

This is not the first time Edwards has been a catalyst for romance in NASCAR.

The driver, known for being easy on the eyes and popular with the female fans, has a long-term partnership with Harlequin, makers of some of the country's most popular romance novels.

The publisher continues to come up with ways to offer unique opportunities for female fans from its "Win a Date with Carl" campaign to a speed-dating event with Edwards at Daytona International Speedway in 2006.

Harlequin spokesperson Michelle Renaud said the company has been writing romance novels, with the help of Edwards and NASCAR, for three years and has a new book set to be released in June featuring the No. 99 driver.

While he enjoys his role with Harlequin and its ability to reach the fans on a personal level, Edwards didn't have many details on the content of the book other than saying it's on the mild side of steamy.

"I think it's very cool for Harlequin and Office Depot to do this," Edwards said of the marriage proposal. "It's crazy that they're getting their marriage proposal on the back of a racecar at the All-Star event. It's a very, very creative promotion."

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