Motor Sports: Roush's Recruits -- Jon Wood and Carl Edwards

Two talented kids in two high quality rides equals trouble for the competition, and that is exactly what Jack Roush's up and coming phenoms, Carl Edwards and Jon Wood, are doing to the Craftsman Truck series.

At 22 and 24 years old, respectively, Wood and Edwards are on the fast track for success at NASCAR's elite level, in fact, both drivers already have Nextel Cup rides lined up for them.

Following the completion of the Florida Dodge Dealers 250, a race that Carl Edwards won from the back of the field after an engine change, fans soon learned that Edwards is the heir apparent to Mark Martin's No. 6 Nextel Cup Ford.

Although it may be obvious, I also learned in a pre-race Roush Racing question and answer forum that Wood is the heir apparent to Ricky Rudd and his No. 21 Wood Brothers ride.

It was also announced earlier this week that Roush will promote his two drivers to the Busch Series in 2005, although both may see a limited Busch schedule later this season.

Sportingnews.com has reported that Roush Racing will hold tryouts in the near future to find drivers for his future truck series openings.

If you don't follow the Craftsman Truck Series, or just don't quite know who these two drivers are, let me tell you.

Edwards, the driver of the #99 Superchips Ford F-150, stormed onto the Craftsman Truck scene in the 2003 season as a rookie with Roush Racing.

The season did not start off well for Edwards who caught the wall while leading the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, finishing 24th.

Overheating at Darlington, Edwards sat 22nd in the points standings after just two races.

The season got much brighter from there and after finishing second to Brendan Gaughan at Texas on June 6th, and teammate Wood at Kansas Speedway on July 5th, Edwards finally stormed into victory lane at Kentucky Speedway and captivated millions of fans with his now-famous backflip.

Momentum carried Edwards to two more victories in the next five races with a worst finish of 11th, that at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Edwards finished the 2003 season eighth in points with three victories, 13 top fives, 15 top 10's, one pole and Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

He has started off the 2004 season right where he left off, scoring his fourth win with a tremendous showing at the Daytona International Speedway.

Starting from the back, working to the front, avoiding an accident by driving down pit road and merging into traffic at 180 MPH, cutting a tire, going to the back again, working his way back up to the front, and winning, Edwards displayed his talent to millions of NASCAR fans everywhere.

Wood, the driver of the #50 Pennzoil F-150, comes from one of the most historic racing families in NASCAR history.

His grandfather, Glen Wood, formed the Wood Brothers Racing Team that has now operated in NASCAR for over 50 years and has enjoyed numerous wins and championships.

Wood's father Eddie, and uncle, Len, are now leaders of the Wood Brothers management staff.

Jon decided at a young age to, rather than turn wrenches, turn a steering wheel and the rest is history.

He teamed up with Roush in 2001 for a limited schedule and showed flashes of brilliance, earning two top fives and four top 10's in just 15 starts.

Following a shaky 2002 season, Wood entered 2003 with a new teammate and friend in Edwards.

In that season, Wood finished fifth in points with two wins and no DNFs.

Both Edwards and Wood are now favorites for the Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2004 despite tougher competition and a new brand of truck (Toyota) entering the series.

Whether you root for laid back Wood, or for well-mannered Edwards, or both, you will sure see these two in victory lane a lot in the future; this year in the Craftsman Truck Series, next year in the Busch series, and one day in the Nextel Cup Series.