Thursday, November 15, 2012

Carl Edwards: From nearly first to worst?

   One year ago, Carl Edwards rolled into the Sprint Cup Series season finale in a neck-and-neck battle with Tony Stewart. While Edwards won just one race last season, he and his No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing team had remarkable consistency and contended for wins on a weekly basis.

    So, what's happened?

    Edwards goes to Sunday’s season finale without a win and having failed to qualify for the Chase this season.

    He is ranked 15th in points with just three top fives and 13 top 10s. The 2012 season statistically is Edwards’ worst in his eight years as a full-time series competitor.

    Homestead-Miami Speedway, however, is a good place to kick-start 2013 and end the year on a positive note – for Edwards and RFR. RFR has won seven of 13 Homestead races – including five in a row between 2004 and 2008.

    While a victory would certainly be welcomed in the Edwards camp, it is far from the season they had envisioned.