Ryan Newman's schedule got a bit busier Monday. Credit: Autostock

Newman to step in for busy Edwards in IROC

End-of-season scheduling conflict necessitated change

TINTON FALLS, N.J. -- Crown Royal International Race of Champions officials have announced that due to schedule conflict Ryan Newman will replace Carl Edwards in the 2006 Crown Royal IROC Series representing the Nextel Cup Series.

The finale for IROC is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where the Nextel Cup Series races on Sunday, Oct. 29. Edwards is running both Nextel Cup and the Busch Series, and Busch has a race scheduled on Oct. 28 at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Thus, the change had to be made.

Newman joins five other NASCAR competitors in the 12-man IROC field: Defending IROC champion Mark Martin, Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth from Nextel Cup, 2005 Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and 2005 Craftsman Truck Series champion Ted Musgrave.

The other six competitors include ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel; World of Outlaws champ Steve Kinser; Grand-American Rolex Series co-champs Max Angelelli and Wayne Taylor, who will each run two races; fellow Grand-Am racer Max Papis; and Indy car drivers Sam Hornish Jr. and Scott Sharp.