Edwards' short-track improvement keeps him alive

	Carl Edwards, who finished third in points last season, currently stands 22nd in the Cup race. Doug Benc/Getty Images

Carl Edwards never expected to make a much-needed move up in the Nextel Cup standings at Bristol, where he hadn't started better than 25th or finished better than 24th in three starts.

But Mother Nature intervened, inserted him third on the grid and, presto, the value of qualifying on short tracks suddenly became evident. Edwards held his ground, brought the No. 99 Ford home in fourth and jumped from 30th to 22nd in the points.

It was only the fifth of 36 races, but Edwards was overjoyed to get his season moving in the right direction. "That's what we needed," he said. "The car is in one piece and we had a lot of fun. We want to win, but a fourth place at Bristol is fine with me."

Martinsville is next, and it's a half-mile track like Bristol, but flat and not a place Edwards has found to be friendly. He's averaged a 29.3 finish, his worst in Cup races in which he has three starts. But last week's success at Bristol has adjusted his attitude.

"You know it takes a lot for me to look forward to Martinsville, but days like Bristol are sure helping," Edwards said. "I am excited to go to Martinsville. I love racing at these short tracks. We need to have another good race like last weekend. Martinsville is probably one of the toughest tracks for me in the Cup car. If we have another good qualifying effort this weekend, I know we will run well."

Rain or snow won't save Edwards in qualifying this week. Bristol was the fifth and last race in which the starting lineup was established by last season's owners' points.

Roush Racing has provided Edwards with its latest in chassis development, designated RK-358, for Martinsville.

"We are very confident in our brand-new race car we're taking up there this weekend," crew chief Bob Osborne said. "Carl and the entire team did a great job last weekend in Bristol, and we are just looking to continue that same success. We know how important qualifying is at these short tracks, so a lot of focus this weekend will be put on a great qualifying effort."

No. 99's expectations are modest. At the big tracks, where the entire Roush team is omnipotent, they're thinking wins, top fives. For Edwards at Martinsville, the message is patience, avoiding trouble and bringing it home anywhere in the top 10.

"Martinsville is a track where we have to take our time and be there in the end," Osborne said.