In 2010, the biggest cheerleader for any organization has got to be Carl Edwards. He wasn’t ignorant to the challenges that Roush Fenway Racing was going through but he saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
His season started off with a ninth place finish at Daytona but then in the next 10 races he went on to score five finishes 13th or worse.
This included a 39th place finish at Atalanta after he took pay back into his own hands and took out Brad Keselowski. NASCAR parked Edwards who was unapologetic toward Keselowski after the race.
“At the end of the day, we're out here to race and people have to have respect for one another and I have a lot of respect for people's safety. I wish it wouldn't have gone like it did, but I'm glad he's OK and we'll just go on and race some more and maybe him and I won't get in any more incidents together. That would be the best thing."
Edwards began developing a pattern this season, they would score a couple top 10’s and top five finishes but then go on to score multiple finishes outside the 10.
Edwards knew their lack of speed hurt them but don’t tell Edwards that following a solid run in July at Daytona. Heading into Ford’s backyard in Michigan, Edwards was riding a five race top 10 streak.
Prior to the race Edwards spoke about his recent run; "It's wild how much things have changed in a short amount of time. I don't want to jinx it, but it feels like it's headed in the right direction. We're fast and if we can perform at the level we've performed the last four races, we can make the Chase," Edwards said. "And if we can get any better, we can win the championship."
Edwards went on to make the Chase after his red hot summer. In the Chase though he had no bonus points and would have to fight to make up ground.
Just like his regular season it was an up and down Chase forEdwards. He had five finishes of 11th or worse including a 34th at California.
On the flip side Edwards finished off the season in dominating fashion. While Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick were battling for the title, Edwards won the final two races.
He didn’t just win the races, he dominated them. He won the pole in Phoenix and won and at Homestead Miami Speedway, he started second and won.
Of the 579 laps run Edwards led 283 laps combined in the final two races of the year. At Homestead Edwards average running position was 1.5.
Edwards ended the season with a bang and finished fourth in the standings.
In 2010, Edwards scored nine top fives, 19 top 10’s along with his two wins. His average start was 15.2 and his average finish is 11.8.
While 2010 ended red hot for Edwards and his team, can they put it all together from start to finish in 2011?
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