NASCAR’s Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer share stage with Chiefs, Royals in busy sports week

While making a promotional visit to Kauffman Stadium last April, NASCAR’s Carl Edwards invited Royals manager Ned Yost to be his guest at this weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway.

Yost, a longtime NASCAR fan, wasn’t sure he could accept.

The Royals, Yost told Edwards, could still be playing in early October.

Sure enough, the Royals could be playing this weekend in the American League Division Series while Edwards is competing in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.

And that’s just fine with Edwards.

Both Edwards, of Columbia, and fellow Sprint Cup driver Clint Bowyer, of Emporia, are delighted to be part of the biggest sports week in Kansas City history, beginning with Monday night’s Chiefs-New England Patriots game at Arrowhead Stadium and continuing with Tuesday’s Royals-Oakland Athletics American League wild-card game.

“I’d like to be a big part,” said Edwards “… the victory lane part. I don’t want to downplay any of our other races, but there’s nothing bigger than Kansas for me.

“I’ve talked to some people in Kansas City … they’ve bought their playoff tickets for the Royals, and they’re pumped. It be interesting to talk to someone who goes to all three.”

Edwards, 35, has made appearances at Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadium in the past, as well as at football and basketball games at the University of Missouri. But before throwing out the first pitch before the Royals game on April 7, Edwards made a real connection with Yost, who was a close friend and confidant of the late Dale Earnhardt.

“Ned took me in his office, and we talked for an hour,” Edwards said. “We shot the breeze, we talked about life and competition. That was really cool, to hang out in the locker room with those guys … and talk to them about what they’re doing.

“To know how well they’re doing now is really neat. It would be fun to go over there and be part of that atmosphere this week.”

Ordinarily, Bowyer would have been tempted to attend the football and baseball games before hitting the race track. But he’s been on baby-watch duty as his wife, Lorra, was due to give birth to their first child, a boy, last Friday.

“It’s awesome,” Bowyer said. “I’ve always said what a great place Kansas City would be for a Super Bowl. I’ve gone to the last four Super Bowls, and Kansas City would be a blast.”

Neither Edwards nor Bowyer has won a Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway, which frustrates them to no end. Edwards finished second in 2008 and Bowyer finished second in 2007, though each has won a NASCAR Camping World Trucks Series race at Kansas Speedway.

“No two drivers in the garage area want to win there more than us two,” Bowyer said. “We’ve gotten close, really close. Hopefully, I’ll beat him to it.”

Bowyer, 35, has been a big Chiefs, Royals and Kansas Jayhawks fan for as long as he can remember.

“Some of the most fun times of my life was working in that body shop in Emporia and getting a group of co-workers and friends together and going to those Chiefs games and tailgating and enjoying a weekend like that,” Bowyer said.

“Football games, tailgating that time of year … it’s cold outside … a small fire, making some brats and having a cold beer getting ready for the game … There’s truly nothing better in America … other than a NASCAR race.”

Though he lives in the Charlotte area, Bowyer sees evidence of the Royals’ resurgence on nearly a daily basis.

“It’s so cool to see the Royals on SportsCenter again and in the limelight,” Bowyer said. “And to see Royals hats on people … that’s one thing I took for granted sometimes, and I don’t realize. I travel all around the country all the time all year long, and I see a lot more Royals stuff than you did four or five years ago.”

While Bowyer failed to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup for just the third time in eight years, Edwards advanced to the 12-driver Contender Round of the Chase’s new format with his 11th-place finish last Sunday at Dover.

A win at Kansas, Charlotte or Talladega in the next three weeks would guarantee advancement to the Eliminator Round of eight.

It’s been a stressful year for Edwards, who last month announced he would be leaving Roush-Fenway Racing, his team of 11 years, for Joe Gibbs Racing, effective next year. But for now, all of his focus is on the No. 99 Fastenal Ford.

“For me, personally, I have resisted the urge to think about next year,” Edwards said. “Everybody at Roush has been amazing … everyone at Gibbs understands … it’s amazing how professional everyone has been.

“I drive for Jack Roush and Fastenal and Ford, and I’m going out to win this championship. Whatever happens next year, is happening next year. I’ve worked really hard at not thinking about it or discussing it because it doesn’t matter right now.”

This story was originally published September 29, 2014 at 2:40 PM with the headline "NASCAR’s Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer share stage with Chiefs, Royals in busy sports week."