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