He didn't have the best of luck during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season, but Carl Edwards was a solid performer since the beginning of the season. While it would have been a great year for the average driver, expectations were high for the #99 Ford Fusion Team after Carl's runner-up 2011 championship finish in the closest Sprint Cup season points battle in the history of NASCAR combined with his incredible run of wins in 2011's Nationwide Series. Carl is our hero and, after 2011, we expected him to win every race in 2012. He didn't win any.
A salute to God and Country...
A salute to God and Country from some of the newest members of the Ford Racing team, Joey Logano and his Penske Racing crew chief Todd Gordon.
At last, the smile returns to the face of Carl Edwards as we move on to 2013. He is smiling, no grinning, after he piloted his 2013 Subway powered Ford Fusion to a dominant victory in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway on March 3rd. It certainly wasn't a solo effort, as his team managed to get Carl on and off pit road faster than all his competitors. Since Carl's Subway Fusion wasn't the fastest to hit the track on Friday morning when the Cup cars started practice, his new-for-2013 crew chief Jimmy Fennig went to work making changes on Edward's ride. This hard work, combined with great race day calls on the box, best-in-class pit stop performance and Carl's skillful driving kept his beautiful Gen-6 Fusion up front for 129 of the 316 laps in Phoenix on his way to a 1.024 second win over five-time Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson. This was Carl's 20th Sprint Cup win and the first for Ford's new 2013 Gen-6 Fusion.
Carl had a commanding lead on the field after pit stops on lap 238. The #99 Subway team was one of five that thought they could go the rest of the way on fuel. The eighth and last caution of the day came out with seven laps to go for a single car incident involving Kenny Schrader. "I thought for the last few laps it was gonna be easy and then they had that caution," said Edwards. "It was an awesome restart. Brad Keselowski pushed me and that meant a lot. He stayed in line there and he pushed and we got a Ford to Victory Lane, so I've got to thank Brad. I've got to thank my crew." Subway Restaurants definitely got a great return on their investment in Carl and in the Phoenix International Speedway. "These guys were unreal and Subway, this is the Subway Fresh Fit 500. We just won the race in the Subway Ford Fusion. This is insane, very cool," said Carl.
Carl Edwards led the most...
Carl Edwards led the most laps in the 2013 Subway Fresh Fit 500 driving his Subway Ford Fusion.
While still very early in the season, Ford is doing quite well in the Race To The 2013 Sprint Cup Championship. All of Roush Fenway's three drivers are in the top 12, both of Richard Petty Motorsports drivers are in and Brad Keslowski is also near the top of the standings. Joey Logano is the only driver from a major Ford team not in the Top 12, but we expect great things to come from his Todd Gordon led Penske Penzoil Fusion team. Carl is certainly excited to see what the 2013 season holds in store for Ford and for his Roush Fenway team. Fellow competitor Denny Hamlin may have stated it best. "Carl is relevant again."
Aric Almirola, driving his...
Aric Almirola, driving his #43 Farmland Ford Fusion out of the Richard Petty Motorsports stable finished 15th, after a strong run all day.
Edwards took the lead on lap...
Edwards took the lead on lap 146 and led the following 44 laps.
Strong pit performance and...
Strong pit performance and a great drive by Brad Keselowski are two reasons why we are glad the Blue Deuce Miller Lite Penske team is on the side of Ford Racing in 2013. Stay tuned as we will be writing about future Penske victory soon.
Greg Biffle, a mainstay up...
Greg Biffle, a mainstay up front for much of the 2012 season, led two times for 39 laps in Phoenix.
David Ragan, driving the Front...
David Ragan, driving the Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusion, met with the unforgiving Danica Patrick after she lost control of her car on lap 185.
Jimmy Fennig calls for a two...
Jimmy Fennig calls for a two left tire stop to cram the Subway full of fuel on lap 238 to take the lead for good at the Phoenix International Raceway.
While it may have the look...
While it may have the look of last year’s RFR team, the #17 Best Buy Fusion is backed by an all new team vying for the 2013 Sunoco Rookie of the Year title. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr is no stranger to these pages as he is the defending two-time NASCAR Nationwide Champion. Ricky finished 16th and was the highest finishing rookie.
Josh Wise took Blockbuster...
Josh Wise took Blockbuster with him for a second consecutive race with his Front Row Motorsports Ford Fusion.
There was a lot of Miller...
There was a lot of Miller Lite Blue in the top 5 all day as defending Sprint Cup Series Champion Brad Keselowski finished 4th in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix.
Subway driver Carl Edwards...
Subway driver Carl Edwards takes the checkered flag at the Phoenix International Raceway. This win marks Roush Fenway’s 130th Sprint Cup victory.
The Jimmy Fennig led #17 crew...
The Jimmy Fennig led #17 crew deserves the praise of winning driver Carl Edwards as they led all teams getting Edwards off pit road quickest.
After finishing his famous...
After finishing his famous victory backflip, Edwards emerges from his car in Victory Lane after taking the checkers in Phoenix.
NASCAR President Mike Helton...
NASCAR President Mike Helton congratulates Carl Edwards for breaking his 70 race winless streak by winning the 9th Annual Subway Fresh Fit 500 in Phoenix.
Jack has been in victory lane...
Jack has been in victory lane many times over the course of the year, but strategic changes in his RFR organization helped him celebrate once again with Carl Edwards again in Phoenix.
Edwards proves he used up...
Edwards proves he used up all his Sprint champagne to celebrate what he would call his most memorable win.
Smiles all around as Jack...
Smiles all around as Jack Roush takes questions during post-race interviews in Phoenix.
Jimmy Fennig snickers as Edwards...
Jimmy Fennig snickers as Edwards and Roush joke about how thankful they are that they convinced him not to retire before the 2013 season. Fennig has been a crew chief for Jack Roush since October, 1996.
It is such a relief to see...
It is such a relief to see the grin back on the face of Carl Edwards. The ego of a Cup driver is fragile, and we are glad to see that Edwards is back on form for 2013.