Carl Edwards takes on a Lobster in New Hampshire

Carl Edwards works with the Portsmouth Lobster Company to trap Loudon the Lobster on Wednesday in Portsmouth, N.H.

There was no back flipping for this win, but Carl Edwards did get a New England style victory as he trapped over a dozen lobsters on Wednesday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was good practice for Edwards, who hopes to hoist Loudon the Lobster in victory lane next weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

As NASCAR’s top drivers prepare to invade New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford joined local media members and fans at Geno’s Chowder House in Portsmouth, gearing them up for the jam-packed Chase weekend. The group then hopped on a lobster boat with Edwards in search for Loudon.

“I’m a little nervous about the lobster,” joked Edwards. “I am from Missouri we don’t have anything like that in the Missouri River. I do hope I have to deal with it in victory lane though.”

Edwards currently sits fifth in the points standings as the Chase for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup kicks off Sunday at Chicagoland in Joliet, Ill.

“Our main goal is to win the championship,” Edwards said. “This is the time where we have to go out there and do everything perfectly. We get 10 races to win this championship. When you think about it, as a driver it’s kind of overwhelming to think that every lap in every race has to be perfect or your championship will be ruined.”

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Gappens joined Edwards on the fishing boat in search of the lobster. Gappens started the tradition of giving a 20-lb. lobster as a secondary trophy for all the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races three years ago.

“It’s become a tradition to give a little taste of New England to the drivers when they visit victory lane here at NHMS,” said Gappens. “It’s always fun to see the reactions of the drivers when they are given Loudon (the lobster). I am ready to put a Carl Edwards sticker on the trophy next weekend.”

Edwards has won a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at NHMS, but never visited victory lane in a Sprint Cup car.

“Loudon is one of the toughest races we have,” he said. “I don’t have a win there but I hope that I get it this year. Coming to New Hampshire is an experience like no other. This area is truly a hotbed for racing. It’s full of racers. When you’re at New Hampshire in the smaller series you see people who sacrifice everything to drive a racecar for the thrill of victory and the thrill of winning. You can learn a lot from people like that.”

- Courtesy of New Hampshire Motor Speedway