Wednesday history hit the track as Carl Edwards and NASCAR legend David Pearson took a few laps around the newly repaved Darlington Raceway.

Edwards hopped in his No. 99 Claritin Ford Fusion as Pearson stepped back in the day and climbed into the No. 21 Wood Bros. 1971 Mercury Cyclone.

Standing next to his car, Edwards seemed shocked as he looked over and said with a chuckle, “Pearson’s just going to run in his street clothes.”

Getting back behind the wheel appeared to be like slipping on an old shoe to Pearson, who looked as comfortable as ever. Legendary mechanic and team owner Leonard Wood talked things over with Pearson as the two legends prepared to get the car back on track. Recently, the ’71 Cyclone was taken back to the Wood Bros. hometown of Stuart, Virginia in order to be fully restored after 33 years of sitting in the Darlington Raceway museum.

After a rebuilt carburetor, new gaskets and a thorough cleaning of the fuel system, Leonard Wood explained the motor, “turned like I had just finished building it.”

When he learned the his old team was restoring the car for today’s event, Pearson – who last won at Darlington in 1980 – asked his old friend, “Leonard, can you cheat a little bit?”

After five laps it was Edwards who came to the checkered flag first.

“He said he’s going to do a flip,” Edwards joked with the media. The drivers took a minute to talk with each other after their exhibition. “If they had said ‘one to go’ I could have passed him,” the Silver Fox clarified.

The day’s events brought back memories for those that could remember watching Pearson behind the wheel of the famous No. 21. One of the sport’s hottest drivers, Edwards looked over at the old Mercury in amazement.

“That’s a piece of history right there,” the Roush Fenway Racing driver explained. “To see that car slide up in front of you at Darlington is really cool.”

Carl Edwards will be one of 43 drivers to hit the track when the series returns to the ‘Lady in Black’ May 10th for the Dodge Charger 500. Last year’s event was sold out and this year should be no different. For more information on tickets be sure to visit DarlingtonRaceway.com.