Mike Edwards

Interstate Batteries will serve as the major sponsor for 2009 NHRA Pro Stock world champion Mike Edwards' Pontiac during the 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock season.

The partnership with Mike Edwards Motorsports marks Interstate Batteries' return to NHRA competition.

"Our racing organization shares Interstate Batteries' core values ... and with that alliance behind our team, we believe this will be a winning combination in 2010," Edwards said.

The distinctive Interstate Batteries logo will grace the front hood of Edwards' car. The partnership will also carry outside the NHRA arena as Edwards will be part of Interstate Batteries' marketing approach in other areas in 2010.

"Interstate Batteries has been a familiar brand in motorsports for almost 20 years, and we're pleased to return to NHRA to be a part of Mike Edwards Motorsports' continued success this season," said Interstate Batteries Chairman Norm Miller. "Mike's outrageous dependability as a competitor fits Interstate Batteries' promise to consumers. This sponsorship is also a great opportunity to build upon the excitement of the I Am Second campaign that continues to spread virally."

After finishing fourth in the NHRA Pro Stock world championship standings in 2008, Edwards rewrote the record book in 2009; he earned five victories, become the first Pro Stock driver to eclipse the 212-mph barrier, set the national e.t. record at 6.509, and qualified low at 16 events, including the last nine of the season. With the additional support, expect Edwards and the entire team to be in contention for the 2010 championship.

Edwards and team plan to begin preseason testing in preparation for defense of the NHRA title during this weekend's Pro Stock Shootout at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They will test additional days following the event before heading to the Kragen O'Reilly NHRA Winternationals presented by Valvoline the following weekend in Pomona.