Carl Edwards' contract with Roush Fenway comes up for renewal this year, and if Edwards decides to test the market, he could be the most expensive free agent in NASCAR history.
Certainly, Edwards hasn't shown a public desire to cut ties with Roush; the last time he was in this position, in 2008, he struck a deal in early May and that was that. "I'd like to be able to get it done, so that we can just keep focused on winning, and that's the most important thing," he said.
Still, back in 2008 Edwards wasn't quite the driver he is now. He's finished two seasons — 2008 and 2010 — as the hottest driver on the circuit. He's media-savvy, media-friendly and well positioned to be the face of NASCAR in the twenty-teens, or whatever we're calling this decade.
However, he's not without his knocks. He ran for months — months! — leading only a handful of laps. And his angry strikebacks at Brad Keselowski in 2010 put him at odds with a huge segment of the NASCAR nation.
Even so, he'd be an appealing add to any team. So which ones fit?
Roush: Obviously, this is the odds-on favorite. He probably won't find a better deal anywhere else. But will Jack Roush pony up the cash?
Childress: Edwards is one of the few drivers that can command his own sponsorships, which would make him attractive to take the fourth spot at Childress. Certainly, he'd run better than Paul Menard will, regardless of sponsorship.
Gibbs: A possibility if Gibbs decides to go to a fourth car. That would vault Joe Gibbs Racing to the very top of the heap in NASCAR, without a doubt.
Hendrick: Replacing who? If Edwards were to take the place of a certain green 88, Hendrick would be the dominant team in the sport, but at what cost to their marketing income?
Stewart-Haas: Probably not an option without a guaranteed sponsorship in tow.
Penske: The potential dark horse.
So ... your thoughts? We place Roush as the overwhelming favorite, but you never know.
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