WILEY X^® SPONSORED DRIVER CARL EDWARDS PICKS UP HIS FIRST WIN OF 2015 SEASON AND FIRST EVER ON CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY’S MILE-AND-A-HALF OVAL

Memorial Day Weekend Victory Also Marks Edward’s First As Member of Joe Gibbs Racing

Memorial Day Weekend 2015 was one of many “firsts” for Wiley X^®-sponsored NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, starting with the fact that — thanks in part to a bold call by Crew Chief Darian Grubb — he was first across the finish line at Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  It was Edward’s first win of the 2015 season and broke a winless spell dating back 31 races to his last victory at Sonoma Raceway in June 2014. 

The victory was also significant as Edward’s first ever at this renowned 1 ½-mile oval track.  In addition, the win was Edward’s first as a member of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), which he joined over the past offseason.  Fellow JGR team member and Wiley X-sponsored racer Matt Kenseth started the Coca-Cola 600 on the pole and finished fourth. 

When Denny Hamlin, another fellow JGR team member, had to pit late in the race to address a tire vibration issue, Edwards took over the lead.  His crew chief decided to keep Edwards on the track while others opted to get fuel and fresh tires for the final push.   With nine laps to go and his car running low on fuel, it was a calculated risk that paid off as Edwards held off all challengers for the checkered flag during the tense final laps.  The Charlotte win makes Edwards a likely entrant for the 10 race, end-of-the-season Sprint Cup Championship chase, where he will also likely compete against other Wiley X-sponsored drivers who are having great seasons in 2015. 

“We’re very proud of Carl and thrilled to see him get his first victory of this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway,” said Wiley X Co-Owner Myles Freeman, Jr.  “With his championship caliber experience and the strength of Joe Gibbs Racing behind him, we expect many great things to come for the remainder of this season and beyond,” added Freeman. 

There’s a good reason why Wiley X is affiliated with premier NASCAR drivers like Edwards, Kenseth, Joe Logano, Kevin Harvick^® and others.  Like these top racers, its advanced sunglasses are made to perform in extreme environments and challenging conditions.  Wiley X glasses meet demanding ANSI Z87.1 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Safety standards for true OSHA-grade protection at work, at play or on the road.   Wiley X is the only premium sunglass brand with this level of vision protection in every pair of adult glasses it makes. 

The vast majority of Wiley X eyewear models are also Rx-ready, ideal for people who need the protection of Wiley X with corrective prescription lenses.  Wiley X’s innovative DIGIFORCE™ digital Rx lens technology provides wearers with superior prescription accuracy and clarity, along with the widest possible field of vision. 

To follow the high-paced action as Wiley X’s team of sponsored NASCAR drivers chase more victories during the 2015 racing season — or learn more about the company’s full line of sunglasses providing Absolute Premium Protection on the highway, on the job or in the Great Outdoors, visit www.wileyx.com.  Or contact Wiley X at 7800 Patterson Pass Road, Livermore, CA 94550 · Telephone: (800) 776-7842.

Get social with us on FACEBOOK, FACEBOOK TACTICAL, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE, and LINKEDIN for a chance to win a free pair of shades and other cool gear.