Post by goodgrief on Aug 4, 2011 9:32:25 GMT -5
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carl Edwards has decided the best chance for him to win a Sprint Cup championship is to stay put.
The current series points leader has agreed to a new multiyear deal with Roush Fenway Racing, declining an offer to move to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2012, sources told ESPN.com.
An official announcement is expected later Thursday.
Edwards had been mulling offers between the two organizations, with several reports saying he would leave the team that gave him his NASCAR break in the Truck Series in 2002.
However, with what Ford spokesman Kevin Kennedy called an unprecedented offer by the manufacturer for Edwards to stay at RFR and other incentives, Edwards opted to stay put.
Edwards began his Cup career at RFR in 2004, replacing Jeff Burton in the No. 99 late in the season when Burton left to go to Richard Childress Racing. He won four races in 2005 and finished tied with teammate Greg Biffle for second in the final standings.
His best season came in 2008, when he won a career-high nine races and finished second to Jimmie Johnson in the Chase.
Edwards currently has an 11-point lead over Johnson as the series heads to Pocono Raceway.
The tide apparently turned for Edwards because of Ford's big push.
"We've helped out with an offer we have never done before for another driver,'' Kennedy said last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Edwards finished 14th in the Brickyard 400. "It was important enough for us that we were trying to make it unprecedented.''
Kennedy would not disclose specifics into what Ford offered, other than to say top executives in the organization were closely involved with RFR in negotiations.
"If he's around, it's something that will help him in terms of continuing to promote Ford products,'' Kennedy said of Edwards, who has become the face of Ford Racing. "We've been in racing for 110 years and I don't think we've ever done this before.''
Steve Newmark, the president of RFR, acknowledged at Indianapolis that Ford had gone above and beyond to help keep Edwards in the fold. Newmark added that the total package offered this year's top free agent shows just how important officials believe Edwards is to the future of the organization and the manufacturer.
"I hope everybody understands Roush Fenway is very intent on signing Carl,'' Newmark said. "We understand he is trying to make a decision that is best for his future.''
It appeared NASCAR's other top free agents were likely will stay put as well. Clint Bowyer, according to team owner Richard Childress, is in the final stages of working out a deal at RCR, pending sponsorship. Juan Pablo Montoya said last weekend at Indianapolis that he was working on a new deal with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Brian Vickers will have to wait to see if Red Bull Racing can restructure its organization to see if that remains an option. Mark Martin may have several options, from the new Red Bull team to a third car at Richard Petty Motorsports if sponsorship can be worked out.
Edwards will now refocus on trying to win the championship for RFR.
"I feel like no matter what happens we have a great thing going," said Edwards last weekend at Indianapolis. "Jack Roush and Ford and Aflac, that is our mission right now -- to win the championship.''
David Newton covers NASCAR for ESPN.com. He can be reached at dnewtonespn@aol.com.
The current series points leader has agreed to a new multiyear deal with Roush Fenway Racing, declining an offer to move to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2012, sources told ESPN.com.
An official announcement is expected later Thursday.
Edwards had been mulling offers between the two organizations, with several reports saying he would leave the team that gave him his NASCAR break in the Truck Series in 2002.
However, with what Ford spokesman Kevin Kennedy called an unprecedented offer by the manufacturer for Edwards to stay at RFR and other incentives, Edwards opted to stay put.
Edwards began his Cup career at RFR in 2004, replacing Jeff Burton in the No. 99 late in the season when Burton left to go to Richard Childress Racing. He won four races in 2005 and finished tied with teammate Greg Biffle for second in the final standings.
His best season came in 2008, when he won a career-high nine races and finished second to Jimmie Johnson in the Chase.
Edwards currently has an 11-point lead over Johnson as the series heads to Pocono Raceway.
The tide apparently turned for Edwards because of Ford's big push.
"We've helped out with an offer we have never done before for another driver,'' Kennedy said last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Edwards finished 14th in the Brickyard 400. "It was important enough for us that we were trying to make it unprecedented.''
Kennedy would not disclose specifics into what Ford offered, other than to say top executives in the organization were closely involved with RFR in negotiations.
"If he's around, it's something that will help him in terms of continuing to promote Ford products,'' Kennedy said of Edwards, who has become the face of Ford Racing. "We've been in racing for 110 years and I don't think we've ever done this before.''
Steve Newmark, the president of RFR, acknowledged at Indianapolis that Ford had gone above and beyond to help keep Edwards in the fold. Newmark added that the total package offered this year's top free agent shows just how important officials believe Edwards is to the future of the organization and the manufacturer.
"I hope everybody understands Roush Fenway is very intent on signing Carl,'' Newmark said. "We understand he is trying to make a decision that is best for his future.''
It appeared NASCAR's other top free agents were likely will stay put as well. Clint Bowyer, according to team owner Richard Childress, is in the final stages of working out a deal at RCR, pending sponsorship. Juan Pablo Montoya said last weekend at Indianapolis that he was working on a new deal with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Brian Vickers will have to wait to see if Red Bull Racing can restructure its organization to see if that remains an option. Mark Martin may have several options, from the new Red Bull team to a third car at Richard Petty Motorsports if sponsorship can be worked out.
Edwards will now refocus on trying to win the championship for RFR.
"I feel like no matter what happens we have a great thing going," said Edwards last weekend at Indianapolis. "Jack Roush and Ford and Aflac, that is our mission right now -- to win the championship.''
David Newton covers NASCAR for ESPN.com. He can be reached at dnewtonespn@aol.com.