There was no possible way any team could come any closer to winning a championship than Roush-Fenway Racing did in 2011.
Two teams making the Chase, and one legitimately had every opportunity to win the title. It came down to a tie, with victories making the difference in who hoisted the championship at the end of the season. It was a title hunt for the ages, and with one team grabbing all the headlines, the other was left to wonder what could have been done different.
Now, it is time for a new season, a new outlook, and a fresh beginning. Roush-Fenway Racing will only field three full-time teams in 2012, as David Ragan was left on the outside looking in because of sponsorship. But, the three remaining drivers are ready to make yet another run for a title.
Here is a look at the lineup for the top Ford organization in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
CARL EDWARDS: Fastenal Ford
You cannot help but feel sorry for this man as he put up the greatest fight for a title that NASCAR has ever seen. Had it not been for just having one victory on the season, and if he finished one position higher at Homestead, that championship would be hoisted above the No. 99 Fusion.
But, that doesn't overshadow what Edwards and his team did all year long. They stayed consistent, and were always in the hunt for the victory.
With questions coming before the season began as to whether Edwards would even be in the Ford camp were a distraction even before the season began, however once he signed on to a big contract with the team, Edwards showed that he wanted to put Ford at the lead every chance he could.
Don't be surprised if an encore performance comes this season. Edwards is a heavy favorite going in, and it's a guarantee to expect more than one backflip during the season.
GREG BIFFLE: 3M Ford
The biggest surprise out of the RFR camp in 2011 was the fact that this driver missed out on the Chase. Normally, Biffle is a driver expected to win races each year, make the Chase and as was the case a few years ago, compete for a championship.
But 2011 was an off year for the team, with crew chief changes and less-than-stellar results on track, it was evident that the team wouldn't make the Chase.
A new season is a new opportunity for Biffle and the 3M team, and one that also brings high expectations. It will be an interesting season for sure.
MATT KENSETH: No. 17 Ford
The driver with the most wins for RFR in 2011 is going to be piecing together sponsorship to compete in 2012. Kenseth's lead sponsor for the last three years, Crown Royal, announced it was leaving the team at the conclusion of the year.
Despite that, sponsorship seems to be coming together for the team as Valvoline, Carheart, and Wiley X are set to be on the car for parts of the season.
Kenseth's 2011 year saw great success as he won at Texas, Dover and Charlotte, eventually finishing fourth in the final overall standings. It was a successful year, and one that led to no changes on top of the pit box or crew as crew chief Jimmy Fennig returns to the team for the new season.
The former champion got his groove back in 2011, and hopes the new season leads to exactly the same results, or even better.
The next preview will be that of the organization that hoisted the Sprint Cup trophy at the end of the season, but will also be fielding a part-time team in the new year, Stewart-Haas Racing.
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