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Nascar

Why Carl Edwards is 'really looking forward' to Michigan

By Chase Wilhelm FoxSports
Published | Updated
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LONG POND, PA - JULY 29: Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 Stanley Toyota, stands on the grid before qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2016 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/NASCAR via Getty Images)

After a sixth-place finish in Sunday's rain-delayed race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Carl Edwards is looking to keep building momentum this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

With three races to go before the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup cutoff, Edwards has a good shot at adding a third Michigan win to his resume in Sunday's Pure Michigan 400, which would take an opportunity away from drivers who need to win to get in.

"I am really looking forward to the Michigan race," Edwards said. "The lower downforce package should provide some great racing there, especially the second time around. There's a little more rubber on the track, and possibly some higher temperatures to widen out the groove."

Edwards, driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, finished sixth in last year's August race at MIS. He also recorded the same result at the track back in June.

Edwards also has two wins and a series-high five poles so far this season. He's also earned poles for the past two races at Watkins Glen and Bristol.

We've been having a lot of fun," Edwards said. "We've been fast, been qualifying well and racing well."

According to Edwards, winning at Michigan takes a total team effort, and he's confident his team will have his back this weekend in the Irish Hills.

"Michigan is a place that really tests every part of your team," Edwards added. "You have to have great engines, which we do. You have to have great cars and bodies, which we do. The pit crew has to be on their game. My guys have been doing great lately. You have to make good calls the whole day."

The responsibility for those good calls rests on crew chief Dave Rogers. After struggling to find the right balance in the racecar back in June, Rogers is looking forward to having another shot at Michigan.

"These are the races that we like to return to -- this team seeks the challenge of changing things up and making improvements," Rogers said. "We look forward to building on what we started with this low downforce aero package and are optimistic we can provide Carl with a car he can run up front with."