From NASCAR.com.

TONY STEWART AND CARL EDWARDS READY FOR FIRST NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR STARTS

LOUDON, N.H. – (July 13, 2006) Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards will be spending this coming Saturday afternoon doing some open wheel racing – NASCAR style. Both NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers have qualified for the New England 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at New Hampshire International Speedway scheduled to get the green at 1:10 p.m.

It will be the first appearance in the series for both drivers. Stewart, who will drive the Foxwoods Resort & Casino Racing Against Cancer Chevrolet has raced modifieds on several occasions. He won a Sunoco Modified race at Thompson International Speedway a few seasons ago.

“I really enjoy racing these cars,” said Stewart. “I love the part of the country that I am from, and we have great race cars but if I was from the Northeast, I would have spent a lot of time racing modifieds.”

Stewart is not only looking forward to driving the modified open-wheel cars but also competing with the drivers on the series.

“It’s a great group of drivers,” said Stewart. “The garage area is full of colorful drivers.”

Stewart has competed with some of the drivers on the series including Ted Christopher who has won the last four Whelen Modified Tour races at NHIS.

“Ted Christopher is a great driver said Stewart. “And he is certainly one of the marquee colorful drivers on that series.”

Edwards has limited experience in modifieds but is eagerly anticipating Saturday’s race driving the Bodine Bobsled Project Ford.

“These cars are unbelievable,” said Edwards. “I have always wanted to drive one here at NHIS, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity.”

Edwards, like Stewart, keeps busy driving different types of racecars.

“I enjoy the challenge of getting in a different type of car, said Edwards. “It doesn’t matter if it’s dirt or asphalt - racing is racing.

Edwards will start the New England 100 from the 14th position. Stewart qualified 21st.