Edwards not racing full-time in Nationwide next season

Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards will trim his Nationwide Series schedule next year to spend more time with crew chief Bob Osborne and their Sprint Cup effort. The 31-year-old driver has 34 career Nationwide wins and won the 2007 title for Roush Fenway Racing. He's run the full Nationwide and Cup schedules for the past seven years, one of the most taxing schedules in NASCAR history.

"I feel there are weekends when I walk away from the Cup car and get in the Nationwide car (and) feel I'm leaving something on the table," Edwards told reporters on Friday at Pocono Raceway, scene of Sunday afternoon's Good Sam Sprint Cup 500.

"The racer in me wants to run the Truck Series, the Nationwide Series, and the Cup Series every week. But I think I've got to (cut back). (Five-time Cup champion) Jimmie Johnson doesn't run (many) Nationwide races." Edwards hasn't set his '12 schedule, but it likely will include only Nationwide companion races at Cup venues. AutoWeek