Broken foot will not slow Edwards' push for Chase

CONCORD, N.C. -- Carl Edwards fractured his right foot on Wednesday but plans to drive this weekend in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races at Atlanta.

Edwards is working with doctors at the University of Missouri and they have cleared him to drive. He is currently on crutches to assist with walking.

Edwards

"I know this probably sounds ridiculous to a lot of people and I could hardly believe it myself," Edwards said in a team release. "I was playing Frisbee with a couple of buddies and we both went for the Frisbee at the same time. I put my foot on it, my friend dove for it, and the next thing you know ... we all heard a pop.

"I knew it was broken and we all kind of looked at each other in disbelief that of all things, I would break my foot playing Frisbee. I immediately went to the doctor and have been working with a great team of people at the University of Missouri who work with all the college teams here. They have me on crutches to help me walk but said I could race in both races this weekend and shouldn't have a problem using the accelerator."

Edwards is second in the Nationwide Series point standings, 192 behind Kyle Busch. In the Cup Series, Edwards is one of three drivers -- including Denny Hamlin and Kurt Busch -- who can clinch a berth in the Chase at AMS. Edwards is fifth in Cup Series points.

"I guess you never know when something is going to happen," Edwards said.

Neither series will be on the track Friday, but Saturday's schedule is packed with activity beginning at 8 a.m. ET. Each series has practice and qualifying leading up to the Nationwide race at 7 p.m. Edwards is expected to have Matt Kenseth on standby for the Nationwide race, if needed.

The Cup race is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Sporting News Wire Service contributed to this report.