Newman Wachs Racing news 2009-07-01

THROWING A CURVE AT THE RACE CAR DRIVER
John Edwards, NWR Driver, Feels "Out of His League" A Baseball Event

(July 1, 2009) Mundelein, IL - What makes Newman Wachs Racing driver, John Edwards, nervous these days? Edwards joined Entergy Nuclear CEO, Mike Kansler, in throwing out the first pitches at the Mississippi Braves baseball game in Jackson, Miss., at the "Nuclear Clean Air Energy" Night on June 26.

This task caused some apprehension for Edwards; the 18-year old from Cincinnati, OH, who would much rather guide his Atlantic Championship race car at nearly 170 mph than throw a baseball in front of thousands of eager fans. Fortunately, both Edwards and Kansler both made quick work out of the traditional opening act of America's pastime, and joined nearly 4,000 fans as they watched the Mississippi Braves go down to the Birmingham Barons in the closing innings.

"I'm just glad I didn't bounce the pitch on the way to home plate, and I'm proud to be here to promote a good cause- the benefits of nuclear energy," a smiling Edwards said.

It was a night of food, fun, and fireworks at Trustmark Park, home to the Mississippi Braves, a farm team of the Atlanta organization, as Edwards, team owner Eddie Wachs, and the Entergy-sponsored race car helped to spread the message about the benefits of "Nuclear Clean Air Energy" to the fans attending. The event was also an opportunity for Entergy employees at Entergy's national nuclear headquarters in Jackson and their nearby nuclear power facility, Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, to meet their driver, see the race car and enjoy the baseball game.

"We are racers in the first order but we are also nuclear energy proponents as well. Racing, clean electricity production and baseball were a great combination to promote together on this night," stated Wachs.

Entergy, the Nuclear Energy Institute, and NWR are enjoying their second year of a beneficial partnership that combines the highly visible motorsports arena and the need to promote an important message. Nuclear energy supplies electricity to one out of every five homes and businesses in the United States. The production of nuclear power produces no carbon emissions and no greenhouse gases. It accounts for 71% of America's carbon-free source generation. The importance of this message has led to the partnership between NWR and the nation's second largest nuclear fleet operator, Entergy.

Edwards drives the #36 MAZDASPEED/ Nuclear Clean Air Energy/ Entergy/ Newman Wachs Racing Swift 016 in the Atlantic Championship Series and currently sits 3rd in Championship standings. He won the season-opener in Sebring, FL and finished 2nd in Salt Lake City. Next up for Edwards and the team is Round 5 of the Championship at Lime Rock Park, CT July 18.

-credit: nwr