Cancer in the past, Edman gets a minivan makeover

As if Susan Edman wasn't getting enough grief from the kids about her minivan, now her mom-mobile is a rolling billboard for a convenient store snack food.

Unbeknownst to the 39-year-old Minnesota wife and mother of three children, husband Chris Edman hijacked the family's Pontiac Montana to be skinned like the No. 39 Tornados race car wheeled by Ryan Newman.

"When my husband pulled it in the drive way I was pretty well stunned that he had done that to the van," Susan said. "I thought to myself. 'Is it really painted like that forever? That is really bright.'"

Her next question: "Is that mine?"

She was in disbelief, but before she could figure out why her minivan was painted orange and black with the Tornados brand emblazoned down the side, Chris wrapped his arms around her and said, "Honey, we are going to Daytona."

The family was to start packing that wonderfully colored machine and travel 1,500 miles to Daytona International Speedway, where they could park in the infield and watch the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona -- a Fourth of July holiday weekend made in NASCAR heaven, according to the Edman family.

Without Susan knowing, Chris had campaigned for his wife to win a sweepstakes organized by Ruiz Foods, Newman's sponsor and makers of the taquito-like snacks. Contestants had to explain why they deserved to have their vehicle skinned or wrapped like the No. 39 car.

The Edman's story touched Stewart-Hass Racing so much that the team threw in race tickets for the weekend. Mom and Dad have been to NASCAR races, but this will be a first for their three children.

So what was so special about that Pontiac minivan?

Absolutely nothing. However, what is special is the story of the mom behind the wheel. (Continued)