Looks like Carl got off the pot. (drivers, motor, automaker)

[PDD]

Edwards re-signs with at Roush Racing: Roush Fenway Racing announced that it has re-signed driver #99-Carl Edwards to a multi-year agreement starting in 2012. "Carl Edwards has achieved a level of success on and off track that would put him at the top of the list for any race team," said Roush Fenway co-owner Jack Roush. "Carl and the #99 team are having a terrific season again this year, and we're thrilled that our relationship will continue for many more."
"We saw great potential in Carl a decade ago, and it's been a thrill to watch him grow into one of the sports' premier drivers behind the wheel of the #99," added Roush. "We didn't take our past success for granted when we sat down with Carl to talk about his future. As an organization, we approach each week with an intense focus on being successful in the race to come. Carl's position atop the points is a testament to that diligence."
"I sincerely appreciate the amazing opportunity that Jack Roush has given me in this sport and am honored to race for him," said Edwards. "As an organization, Roush Fenway provides the resources I need to win, and as a driver, that's the most important thing. We're having a fun season on the race track as we're leading the points and in great position for the Chase. That's the result of a lot of hard work from the men and women at Roush Fenway, Ford Motor Company and Roush Yates Engines. I really enjoy competing with this group and looking forward to continuing that relationship into the future."
"Carl brings a tremendous amount to the table from both a marketing and competitive standpoint," said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. "He has one of the largest fan bases in the sport, is able accomplish so much for his sponsors and is second to none on the race track. We're proud to have Carl as part of our roster going forward, a roster that includes some of the most experienced veteran champions on the circuit, and some of the sport's most promising up-and-coming drivers."
"We are pleased with Carl's vote of confidence in Roush Fenway and Ford," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. "This signals he believes he is with the right team and the right automaker to win races and championships. Now we can continue to focus on winning the 2011 championship."(

[bluescreen73]

I'm happy for Carl but I loathe the idea of the manufacturers subsidizing driver salaries. This scenario will only widen the chasm between the haves and the have nots, and you're going to have teams where one driver is the "factory driver" and the other drivers get sloppy seconds.

Mark my word this will bite NASCAR in the ass.

[Gimme3steps]

Wonder how much money Ford had to throw at him to get him to stay.

Read somewhere JGR's offer was 8 million/year with a 10 million signing bonus.

Also read that Biffle's not too happy about the whole situation.

"And don't forget Edwards would be getting that salary at a time when most drivers are taking cuts. Greg Biffle didn't say what he got in his latest deal with RFR, but he said in February he expected drivers across the board to get 30 percent to 40 percent less.

You could hear some animosity in Biffle's voice over the Edwards situation at Indianapolis.
Edwards is media savvy. He likes to be liked. He hates it when drivers refer to him as "fake," as Kevin Harvick has, or as Eddie Haskell from "Leave It To Beaver," as Stewart has."

NASCAR -- Carl Edwards makes right decision - ESPN