Mike Edwards believes one of the great things about the NHRA Winternationals is its ability for teams to see where they stack up after an off-season chock full of relentless work. The defending NHRA Pro Stock champion could only smile to see that not much has changed since the last time he raced in Pomona.

He’s still an arm and a leg ahead of the competition.

“Ran a really good run the first run today,” said Edwards, who was .013 seconds ahead of second-ranked Jeg Coughlin. “We kinda tried some things tonight but didn't feel like we got what we needed. I am just really, extremely really proud of guys and the effort they put in. It feels real good to come out here and run good starting out the year.”

Edwards is thriving already in a time when some speculated the GM teams would fall off with the manufacturer’s pullout from the class in late 2008 and limited factory parts supplies.

“I think the package Pontiac left with us is very, very good,” said an optimistic Edwards. “It's an awesome car – the GXP. It's very good in the wind. I don't know what the game plan is in a couple years for us but right now I am very pleased with our Pontiac.”

Engine blocks and cylinder heads have been the toughest items for Edwards and his fellow GM racers.

“Engine parts, there are some pieces that we're struggling to get,” he explained. “I'm thankful we're in pretty good shape. We didn't see it coming but we had enough parts to keep us going for a while. We'll just continue on with what we got and down the road if we have to do something different, we will.”