| Interstate Batteries is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Mike Edwards Motorsports for the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock season. The partnership marks Interstate Batteries return to NHRA competition.
"Our racing organization shares Interstate Batteries core values ... and with that alliance behind our team, we believe this is will be a winning combination in 2010," 2009 NHRA PR Stock world champion Edwards said. As the predominant sponsor for the 24-race season, fans will see the distinctive Interstate Batteries logo grace the front hood of Edwards' Pontiac. The partnership will also carry outside the NHRA circle as Edwards will be part of Interstate Batteries marketing approach in other arenas. "Interstate Batteries has been a familiar brand in motorsports for almost 20 years and we're pleased to return to NHRA to be a part of Mike Edwards Motorsports continued success this season," said Interstate Batteries Chairman Norm Miller. "Mike's outrageous dependability as a competitor fits Interstate Batteries' promise to consumers. This sponsorship is also a great opportunity to build upon the excitement of the I Am Second campaign that continues to spread virally." After finishing fourth in the NHRA Pro Stock championship standings in 2008, Edwards rewrote the record book in 2009. Not only did he earn five victories, he became the first Pro Stock driver to eclipse the 212 mph barrier, set the national e.t. record at 6.509, and qualify on the pole at 16 events, including the last nine of the season. With eight wins under his belt so far this season, Edwards continues to defend his championship title during the NHRA Pro Stock finals. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2009: Won first Pro Stock world championship title; Set national elapsed time record at 6.509 seconds; Tied NHRA record for most No. 1 qualifying positions in a single season (16); Raced to five victories in 10 final rounds, both personal season-bests; Raced to playoff victories at Charlotte and Richmond; Finished the season with nine consecutive No. 1 qualifying efforts in final nine races; Earned 53 round-wins (previous best was 26 in 2008) 2008: Picked up wins in Atlanta and Memphis; Made his first appearance in the Countdown to 1 playoffs; Recorded career best time 2007: Recorded career bests in time and speed; Had three semifinal appearances (Gainesville, Richmond, Pomona 2) 2006: Broke a four-year winless streak in Houston, and added another win in St. Louis; Went 2-for-2 in final round appearances; Recorded career bests in time and speed 2005: Clocked career-best time and speed; Advanced to the semifinals in Columbus 2004: Recorded career-best numbers in time and speed 2003: Finished in the top 10 for the sixth time in his career; recorded career-best performance numbers 2002: Won two events in three final rounds; Won at least one race for the sixth consecutive season in which he competed 2001: Qualified No. 1 five times; Qualified for all 24 events; Captured two victories in three final round appearances 1999: Recorded two wins and climbed from 28th to seventh in the Pro Stock points 1998: Earned an emotional victory at Indianapolis and dedicated win to late team owner John Kight 1996: Was named NHRA co-Rookie of the Year with Pro Stock Bike rider Matt Hines 1982: Made Pro Stock debut at season-opener at Pomona Served as crew chief for David Nickens from 1989-91 1981: NHRA Modified champion 1976: Started his racing career by bracket racing at Oklahoma tracks |
