John Joins Newman Wachs Racing for 2009

Official Press Release
(Dec. 11, 08) Mundelein, IL – Newman Wachs Racing (NWR) is excited to announce that the 2008 Star Mazda Champion, John Edwards, will be joining the team for the 2009 Atlantic Championship and will drive the #36 MAZDASPEED/ Nuclear Clean Air Energy/ Entergy Nuclear Swift 016.

Mazda joined the Atlantic Series as a sponsor and engine supplier in 2006 and has identified the Atlantic Championship as the top rung on its MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder. As part of the program, Mazda ensures that the Star Mazda Champion receives a ride in the following season’s Atlantic Championship, which will again be the case this year with John Edwards.

Edwards claimed four victories and four pole positions on his way to capturing the 2008 Star Mazda Championship, and brings with him to the Atlantic Championship experience with the current car and knowledge of many of the courses on the 2009 schedule. Edwards drove in the Atlantic Series in 2007 with Red Bull/ Forsythe Racing, and has one podium at Toronto and one additional top-five at Long Beach to his name coming into the 2009 season. Edwards worked with engineer, Nick Harvey, in 2007, and will be re-united with him as he was just named engineer of the #36 machine last week.

Eddie Wachs, Team Owner:

“I am thrilled that John has decided to join us for next year and it is our intention to vie for the Championship. With his experience with these cars, and his relationship with Nick (Harvey), I think they will be a force to reckon with. We are also pleased to have the support of Mazda and proud to carry their banner this season.”

Jim Jordan, Alternative Marketing Manager, Mazda North American Operations:

“We’re thrilled for both the Newman Wachs team and for John Edwards. We’ve known John for several years now and he has impressed us with his on-track skills and his off-track professionalism. It’s easy to forget that he’s only 17 – his maturity is well beyond that of a typical teenager. We expect him to have a great season in the Cooper Tires Atlantic Championship with our Mazda power.”

Newman Wachs Racing heads into its fourth year of competition in the Atlantic Series and will debut their new line-up at the season opener in Savannah, GA next March.

For more information visit www.newmanwachsracing.com

John Wins $750K Star Mazda Title!

(Oct. 18, 08) Monterey CA - Qualifying P3 for this afternoon's race, 17-year-old John Edwards vowed he would play it smart and concentrate on the championship. He would hit his marks and take advantage of other's mistakes to finish the race in second place, enough to secure the Star Mazda Championship.



"This is a big day for me," commented John. "We had a good car but starting from third place, the decision was made to run a smart race and not make any mistakes.

We had the points to run there without taking any risks. There were no issues with traffic and with only two cautions, we could run our race." He continued, "Once we got past Dempsey for second, we worked to keep that position rather than fight for the lead. We had the pace to challenge, but again, we did not want to take ourselves out of the race by taking unnecessary risks."

Even though he finished in second place, John was awarded first place points as the race winner was a guest driver and not registered in the championship.

"I really have to thank Keith (Willis) and the guys on the AIM Autosport crew. They have been a driving force all season long and I could not have done this without them. They have kept me in the fight all year even though we missed that first race. These guys are awesome."

We caught up with Keith while the crew packed up for their return to Toronto. "Congratulations to John. He has put in a terrific effort all season long and he really deserves this. John and his family have been great to work with and they have supported our efforts to get this championship. We wish John well in the Atlantic Championship next year and hope we'll get the chance to work with him again in the future."

The Star Mazda Championship brings with it a fully-funded ride in the Atlantic Championship in 2009. John had raced in the Atlantic season in 2007 and he is looking forward to his return.

Plans for this Year

This is one of those times where you look for opportunities and take what comes. I had a good test with Newman Wachs and I am grateful for the opportunity. They are a really good group and I enjoyed getting to know the team. There are some sponsorship issues and for now the chance to drive for them is on hold - we'll see if that changes. In the meantime I have been contacted with regard to driving for a competitive Star Mazda team but once again, I do not yet know if that will come to fruition.

From a career perspective, and considering my age, it is true that "time is on my side". But a driver wants to drive every season, and every chance you get. In the meantime I have been working hard to complete as much of my education as possible, working out to stay fit, and putting in laps at the Cincinnati Motorsports Country Club (our local karting track).

I'll be in touch as things evolve. I am grateful to all for your interest, encouragement, and support. John

Uncertain Times for Open Wheel Racing

Anyone following open wheel racing knows that things are changing. I appreciate all who have called and expressed interest. We are hoping to have news for you soon with regard to my plans for this year. I can give you a few things that are being discussed. First, the IRL and ChampCar merger is a good thing, but the IRL has an 18 year old age limitation. We do not know if that will effect the Atlantics series and will have to wait and see.

I am waiting to hear from Newman Wachs in regard to their decision regarding the Atlantic test and they are waiting for clarification from the Atlantic sanctioning body to see how to proceed. Alot of things are on hold.

In the meantime I have been contacted by a Formula Mazda team, and am considering competing in the Sebring race during the 12 Hours of Sebring week. We should have more information for you this week.

Newman Wachs Invites John to Sebring Test

It's official. February 5th and 6th John will test for Newman Wachs Racing at the official Champcar Atlantics test at Sebring Florida. John is pleased to once again be back in the Atlantic car.