A bull in a china shop would have been less conspicuous than the domination Mike Edwards displayed this past weekend.

Edwards left no doubt that he was the man to beat at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Pro Stock title from day one when he moved to the top of the qualifying order in the first session. He then solidified his hold on the top spot in the second qualifying session. On the final day of qualifying, when he couldn’t improve on his Friday effort, he was still the quickest each time down the track.

On Sunday he saved the best for last as he not only established low elapsed time for the event, set a new track ET record and scored his second NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock victory of the 2009 season.

A bull in a china shop would have been less conspicuous than the domination Mike Edwards displayed this past weekend.

Edwards left no doubt that he was the man to beat at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Pro Stock title from day one when he moved to the top of the qualifying order in the first session. He then solidified his hold on the top spot in the second qualifying session. On the final day of qualifying, when he couldn’t improve on his Friday effort, he was still the quickest each time down the track.

On Sunday he saved the best for last as he not only established low elapsed time for the event, set a new track ET record and scored his second NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock victory of the 2009 season.

Whatever has ailed the former sportsman world champion from Coweta, Ok., on race day in the past clearly appears to be gone. Edwards was flawless as he beat Greg Anderson in the final round of eliminations.

Edwards held a sign that read “I’m the man” as he conducted his post-run interview. The modest Edwards didn’t write the sign but he sure epitomized its words.

“I don’t know if I am … but we ran so good,” Edwards said. “Every run we got just a little bit better each time. I can’t believe we ran as well as we did.”

The victory moved Edwards into the top ten amongst the all-time Pro Stock winners.

Edwards has consistently credited his new in-house engine program for his recent success, outside of his Christian faith.

“Roger Stull, my long time friend and business partner, we made the decision that we were going to make one last attempt to do this the right way, or at least in the way we believed was right,” Edwards said. “We lowered the boom, stepped out into the water and the Lord met us halfway.”

Edward greatly resembled the legendary basketball star Michael Jordan with his latest victory. Against logic, Jordan would loft a ball and it would miraculously find the net. Then he would shrug his shoulders in disbelief.

Edwards exhibited the same facial mannerisms with each winning round.

He made it look effortless. It wasn't, a point Edwards is quick to make.

“I don’t think anyone outside of those who run in this class know just how hard it really is to win one of these races,” Edwards explained. “When you have the caliber of competition that we have in this class they inspire you to be the best. You want to beat them. When you can beat the legends in this class like we have been able to do, it’s as if you’re living a dream. This goes beyond an awesome feeling." 

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