Don't Count Out Carl Edwards Quite Yet.
Photo Coutesy of Joegibbsracing.com
Carl Edwards and his #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Team have their backs against the wall. His 36th place finish at Martinsville has all but forced Edwards to win one of the next two races, at Texas Motor Speedway or Phoenix International Raceway, in order to have a chance at the Sprint Cup Championship in the series’ final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. I wouldn’t count out Edwards and his team quite yet.
Sure it’s awfully difficult to win races in NASCAR especially this time of the season. Recent history of drivers who needed a win to advance have actually succeeded. There is no better than Kevin Harvick who seems to thrive in races where he seemingly needed to win to stay in. Although Edwards has never produced such a victory in that pressure packed situation, there is every reason to believe that he can.
Edwards tire problem last week at Martinsville has him 39 points outside the Chase point standings leader, Jimmie Johnson. Making matters worse Edwards sits 32 points behind the 4th and the final transfer spot, currently held by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Kyle Busch.
The two upcoming “must win” tracks, Texas and Phoenix seem to it Edwards’ racing style. This coming Sunday at Texas, Edwards will not need directions to Victory Lane. He’s visited there twice in his 24 career start there. His eight top 5’s and thirteen top 10’s are indications that he knows his way around this track.
The following weekend the Sprint Cup visits Phoenix where Edwards has also had success. In his 23 career starts at Phoenix, Edwards has taken the checkered flag three times. Seven top 5’s and twelve top 10’s are indications that he likes this track. Four DNF’s skew his average there but his average finish is still a respectable 14th. His average finish would be ridiculously higher if not for those DNF’s.
It's possible that Edwards could win either of the next two races or even both. He's as talented a driver on the circuit and Joe Gibbs has been the dominate force all season. With teammates Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin still in the hunt for the Sprint Cup Championship, the Gibbs brightest and best will be on full alert the next two weeks. You can be sure that Edwards will be given the very best equipment that Joe Gibbs Racing has.
Carl Edwards with his Midwestern "aw shucks" style and friendly easy going style is certainly easy to root for. No one has come as far as him to reach auto racing’s most competitive series. Working in his hometown of Columbia Missouri as a substitute teacher, Edwards decided to pursue racing as his career. Edwards, without a car, could be seen at local dirt tracks across the south handing out business cards that said, “Carl Edwards Race Car Driver.” Edwards also was known to put ads in various racing publications. One such add read, “Put me in your race car this weekend, have helmet will travel.”
We’ve all seen the bright welcoming smile from Edwards, win or lose. Edwards is an avid weightlifter loves to ride his motorcycle and he often visits Children’s Homes when he has spare time.
From such humble beginnings to success at NASCAR’s highest level it would be foolish to start to throw dirt on his chances just yet. I’m not going to be surprised one bit if we see that that famous celebratory back flip at one of these next two races. One thing is for sure. There’d be a ton of happy faces around NASCAR fandom if that did happen.
Thanks for reading. Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR. You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante
