Carl Edwards leaving Roush Ford, likely for Gibbs Toyota

[bdegrand]

 

 

The sponsors that were on Matt Kenseth's and Carl Edwards' cars at Roush have not followed to Gibbs. In both cases, the sponsors remained at Roush with the replacement drivers. In 2012, Kenseth had sponsorship from Best Buy and Zest soap, and now the sponsors are still on the 17 car but with Ricky Stenhouse driving.

 

Matt Kenseth's sponsors at Gibbs, Home Depot and Dollar General, were already with Gibbs prior to Kenseth joining.

 

Carl Edwards' primary sponsor Fastenal has already announced they are staying with Roush in 2015, but moving to the 17 car (because 99 apparently won't be used).

 

IMO, Kenseth and Edwards are TRAITORS. Money is more important to these clowns than loyalty to Ford. Bizarre that these guys choose to drive Toyotas. I hope they enjoy racing their Camrys in the Nationwide Series against Mustangs and Camaros, LOL!

It's all about the money. I feel your pain and disappointment. I heard that Home Depot is possibly leaving sponsorship with Gibbs Toyota Team.

[Bob Rosadini]

 

Think of the casualties when you put a stock chassis nose first into a concrete wall/safer barrier at 190 mph.

No argument-and I should have clarified my point that a "stock" class would NOT be 190 capable. When you look at the wrecks these guys are in today and you hear...."has been released from the infield care center", it is amazing. Obviously the risk would be somewhat elevated if the vehicles reverted to a true "stock" configuration even with some safety mods. Kind of like playing in the NFL vs the PGA.

[akirby]

It's all about the money.

 

 

IMO, Kenseth and Edwards are TRAITORS. Money is more important to these clowns than loyalty to Ford. Bizarre that these guys choose to drive Toyotas.

 

Yeah, because I'm sure YOU guys wouldn't turn down a few million to go drive the same damn car with different stickers.

 

How do you know Roush even wanted them to stay? Maybe Roush wanted a change.

 

And exactly how much do you think they owe to Ford? What did Ford give them while they were at Roush?

 

Maybe your "loyalty" argument would hold more water if they were actually racing factory backed real Fords. Like the Multimatic guys.

[RichardJensen]

No argument-and I should have clarified my point that a "stock" class would NOT be 190 capable. When you look at the wrecks these guys are in today and you hear...."has been released from the infield care center", it is amazing. Obviously the risk would be somewhat elevated if the vehicles reverted to a true "stock" configuration even with some safety mods. Kind of like playing in the NFL vs the PGA.

 

If the *engines* were stock-derived, that would be a start

[InTheDriversSeat]

 

How do you know Roush even wanted them to stay? Maybe Roush wanted a change.

 

Quote from Jamie Allison, Ford Racing Director: We at Ford Racing did everything to facilitate keeping Carl a part of the Ford Racing & Roush Fenway family, but in the end that option did not come to fruition. While we are disappointed in his decision to leave Roush Fenway Racing, we certainly want to extend our appreciation for Carl's contributions winning races and a NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship in a Ford, and especially for his outreach to Ford fans.

 

In the case of Matt Kenseth, Roush Fenway Racing was not even given an opportunity to offer a contract extension. Kenseth went to Gibbs behind Roush's back. I remember Jack said at time that Kenseth is moving to "the dark side".

 

 

 

And exactly how much do you think they owe to Ford? What did Ford give them while they were at Roush?

 

They were both given careers in NASCAR. These 2 clowns were hired by Jack Roush when they were unknown on a national level.

[TopCat501]

"And exactly how much do you think they owe to Ford? What did Ford give them while they were at Roush?"

 

Edwards flirted with jumping to Toyota during his last contact expiration. Ford gave Edwards a sweetheart deal to stay and he did. Should that gesture buy any semblance of loyalty?

http://dining.savannahnow.com/sports/2011-07-31/despite-late-push-ford-edwards-move-jgr-appears-imminent#.U9b2UWd0yUk

 

 

To his credit, Edwards usually mentioned during his post race victory interviews how Ford really does make the best cars on the road today (On further thought, maybe that was part of his personal services contract!).

 

I'll laugh out loud if he says the same thing about Toyotas in his future victory interviews

[akirby]

They were hired by Roush. Not Ford. They worked for Roush. Not Ford. They raced spec vehicles built by Roush, not Ford.

[InTheDriversSeat]

 

They were hired by Roush. Not Ford. They worked for Roush. Not Ford. They raced spec vehicles built by Roush, not Ford.

 

 

They were hired by both Ford and Roush. Manufacturers are involved, and they contribute to driver's salaries. With top-tier teams, joint decisions are made by the manufacturer, the race team, and sponsors.

[coupe3w]

I wish Jack Roush would leave NASCAR and get back into Road Racing and Drag racing again. As far as the drivers in NASCAR none of them have loyalty to any brand. They say they do on TV but they would jump ship to whomever pays them the most in a heartbeat.

[bifs66]

 

If the *engines* were stock-derived, that would be a start

I agree that a return to "stock" car configurations would be a start in the right direction. However, as soon as the stock Ford engine proved more capable than the stock GM engine; or the Ford body was more aero than the GM body, NASCAR would immediately make rule changes in the interest of competition. If the opposite were true, the Ford teams would just have to work harder.

[akirby]

Newer NASCAR fans go with drivers, regardless of what they're driving. While Dale Sr's fans would have taken exception to him driving anything but a Chevy, I doubt that most of Dale Jr's fans would care that much if he switched to Toyota.

[mettech]

"IMO, Kenseth and Edwards are TRAITORS. Money is more important to these clowns than loyalty to Ford. Bizarre that these guys choose to drive Toyotas. I hope they enjoy racing their Camrys in the Nationwide Series against Mustangs and Camaros, LOL! "

 

LOL.. Everything is simply business. Look at how many people that work for car companies switch to a competitor.

 

If an engineer, an executive, or even a line worker has an opportunity to further their career with a different company, they jump at the chance. And rightly so!!

 

I don't understand why anyone would subscribe to a "loyalty" concept.. to a company.? lol

[coupe3w]

Newer NASCAR fans go with drivers, regardless of what they're driving. While Dale Sr's fans would have taken exception to him driving anything but a Chevy, I doubt that most of Dale Jr's fans would care that much if he switched to Toyota.

 

I doubt Jr would drive anything but a Chevy also. I think he would start his own team before switching brands, unless the money was so good he couldn't refuse. Which would be a lot by the way.

[ZanatWork]

 

I doubt Jr would drive anything but a Chevy also. I think he would start his own team before switching brands, unless the money was so good he couldn't refuse. Which would be a lot by the way.

Jr. is kind of an extreme example, as his father was the face of Chevy racing for a long time, and GM is well aware of his popularity. I kinda doubt he's spent any of his own money on a new GM in years.

[TBirdStangSkyliner]

As a former NASCAR follower, I think the promotion for about the last ten years has became way more important than the product. This series has mostly become an odd form of redneck socialism. No one can be much better than anyone else for very long without their innovation becoming squashed, even if it is within the rules. They change the point system about every year to keep it close until the end and try to get their carefully planned result. Now you can be a poor performer nearly every week if you have one or two good Sundays and still make the grade, i.e. get in the chase. The points are reset two-thirds of the way through so no one can get too far ahead. Heck, for several years everyone had to run the same people's car of tomorrow. Even the new cars are still pretty similar. They can even throw a competition yellow flag to bunch em up if someone gets too far ahead. Can't qualify on speed, no worries there is a provisional to keep those favored by the politburo in the game. Communism in the confederacy, no matter how thinly veiled, just ain't a recipe for long term success.

Edited July 30, 2014 by TBirdStangSkyliner

[CurtisH]

Newer NASCAR fans go with drivers, regardless of what they're driving. While Dale Sr's fans would have taken exception to him driving anything but a Chevy, I doubt that most of Dale Jr's fans would care that much if he switched to Toyota.

Well, Dale Sr did drive a Ford for Bud Moore for a few years early in his career.

[coupe3w]

As a former NASCAR follower, I think the promotion for about the last ten years has became way more important than the product. This series has mostly become an odd form of redneck socialism. No one can be much better than anyone else for very long without their innovation becoming squashed, even if it is within the rules. They change the point system about every year to keep it close until the end and try to get their carefully planned result. Now you can be a poor performer nearly every week if you have one or two good Sundays and still make the grade, i.e. get in the chase. The points are reset two-thirds of the way through so no one can get too far ahead. Heck, for several years everyone had to run the same people's car of tomorrow. Even the new cars are still pretty similar. They can even throw a competition yellow flag to bunch em up if someone gets too far ahead. Can't qualify on speed, no worries there is a provisional to keep those favored by the politburo in the game. Communism in the confederacy, no matter how thinly veiled, just ain't a recipe for long term success.

And don't forget the "Lucky Dog" to get your lap back. What a joke that rule is.

[coupe3w]

Well, Dale Sr did drive a Ford for Bud Moore for a few years early in his career.

That is true, forgot about that.

[akirby]

And don't forget the "Lucky Dog" to get your lap back. What a joke that rule is.

 

It's a joke the way its implemented but the theory is sound. Without it they would be racing back to the start/finish line after a caution which can be dangerous if there is a crash between the driver and the start/finish line and also you'd need to leave the lapped cars wherever they were in the restart line instead of at the back of the pack.

[Stentgraft95]

This series has mostly become an odd form of redneck socialism.

 

That line is hilarious!

[PRM]

NASCAR certainly seems to be the most managed form of "racing" I have witnessed. Is there really any point to the first half (3/4) of the race other than to create a wreck or two or fill time? They throw enough cautions, whether required or not, to ensure the field is grouped up. I'd rather they run 3 or 4 30 lap sprints for points on a race day than the current show. It's kind of like comparing the circus to Olympic gymnastics. They are both shows, but only one is really a true competition. NASCAR is the circus of auto racing. I used to be a die hard fan watching all the races, went to Richmond a few times, listened to the NASCAR channel on SIRIUS during the week. About two years ago I realized it simply was not worth my time. It is not racing, at least in the way I think of racing. F1 may not have all the lead changes, but at least I appreciate it is the result of all involved going as fast as they can for the prescribed distance and only interrupted for serious on track incidents.

[Edstock]

"NASCAR certainly seems to be the most managed form of "racing" I have witnessed."

 

Reminds me of game "management" in other sports. Compare the duration of play between the "tweet-a-minute" NHL games, and Olympic hockey games. Got to get those commercials on.

[97svtgoin05gt]

I've read this whole thread with great interest. I heard the arguments about how the cars are all the same and that why would one guy leave their great team to go drive for another etc. etc. Here are some important facts about this sport like them or not:

 

1) If you think Johnson, Gordon, Stewart, Earnhardt or Harvick would EVER EVER drive for another manufacturer beside Chevy NO MATTER THE MONEY, you're gravely mistaken. They would NEVER.

2) If you think that if Roush had their S*hit together and Edwards was WINNING with week in week out competitive cars he'd be leaving I also submit you're gravely mistaken. Edwards may be getting more money but at the end of the day Roush has severe problems

being competitive now. I was a Roush Racing fan when many people had never heard the name Roush. I stayed with them and Mark Martin year in year out and witnessed COUNTLESS disappointments dealing with Jack and his apparent issues with management. Simply stated

if Roush was winning Carl would more than likely be staying

3) The rules and money flow in NASCAR has always been and always WILL be about Chevy. The France family favors them, the rules favor them and if Ford gets an edge, they change things up immediately to keep the Chevy darlings in the winners circle.

 

There are manufacturer loyalties in this sport. Like them or not, they exist. Kyle Busch HATES Chevy and wouldn't be caught dead in a Ford. Think he'd leave to go run something beside Toyota???

[ZanatWork]

To me, NASCAR is the most valid auto racing for Ford to be invested in, at least in North America:

NHRA? A few seconds with even less-related-to-stock cars and a dwindling audience, even though the die-hards do keep supporting it. The Cobra Jet efforts and some team sponsorship is likely more than enough.

IMSA, road racing? Involvement is good, but again...much less audience. I like it for testing Mustang-related components more than anything else.

Indycar is a single-make, two-engine series right now. While I'd love to see EcoBoost involved, I'll admit that I find the cars to be visually repugnant.

Formula 1? It's a terrifying mess right now. The new "power units" have essentially guaranteed only one team is favored every weekend (despite a couple luck-outs by Red Bull/Renault), they sound pathetic, they look ridiculous, and as much as I'd absolutely sing for joy at seeing a, say, Lotus with Ford/Cosworth power or if the Haas team could run Ford/Cosworths, I know these odds for what they are.

I just feel that, in terms of audience exposure and various industry relationships, there isn't a better option to be Ford's NA autosport focus.

[RichardJensen]

Does Nascar not also have a dwindling audience?