2014 Driver Reviews: No. 9 Carl Edwards

After doing exit interviews for Sprint Cup Series drivers in 2013, we’re turning the tables. We want the drivers to sell themselves. So here are the resumés for all full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers in 2014. Then, at the end, we’ll provide a summation of the driver’s season in 150 words or less.

Name: Carl Edwards

NASCAR Experience: 10 full seasons in the Sprint Cup Series. 23 wins.

Most recent team: Roush Fenway Racing

Most recent season finish: 9th

2014 accomplishments: Two wins, seven top fives, 14 top 10s. Only had four finishes of 30th or worse all season. Scored four-straight top 10s from Phoenix to Auto Club at the beginning of the season.

Most memorable moment: Rain was a good thing at Bristol after the caution lights came on accidentally after a button got hit.

Strengths: One of the most marketable drivers in the Cup Series. Has finished second in the standings with nine wins in a season and second in the standings with one win in a season.

2015 goals: The championship. Or, more realistically, do what Matt Kenseth did in 2013 at Joe Gibbs Racing.

FTM’s Take: Edwards felt he needed a change of scenery and who are we to disagree with him? Despite wins at Bristol and Sonoma, it’s evident the speed isn’t there at Roush Fenway to contend for a title in 2015 barring a ridiculous turnaround.

And so he’s now at JGR, where the four-driver lineup competes with any other team in the Cup Series. Kenseth truly is the benchmark here, because when he arrived at JGR, he was immediately fast. Even if it’s a lofty goal, it’s a realistic one.

But like Kenseth, it’s probably too much to expect a title in Edwards’ first year at Gibbs. Is it possible? Absolutely. But especially given the nature of the format, it’s not a good bet. However, we’re going to guess that Edwards has a win or two in the first 10 races of the year.

Previous reviews: No. 10 Kyle Busch, No. 11 Jimmie Johnson, No. 12 Kurt Busch, No. 13 AJ Allmendinger, No. 14 Greg Biffle, No. 15 Kasey Kahne, No. 16 Aric Almirola, No. 17 Kyle Larson, No. 18, Jamie McMurray, No. 19 Clint Bowyer, No. 20, Austin Dillon, No. 21 Paul Menard, No. 22 Brian Vickers, No. 23 Marcos Ambrose, No. 24 Martin Truex Jr., No. 25 Tony Stewart, No. 26 Casey Mears, No. 27 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 28, Danica Patrick, No. 29, Justin Allgaier, No. 30, David Gilliland, No. 31 Cole Whitt, No. 32 David Ragan, No. 33 Michael Annett, No. 34 Reed Sorenson, No. 35 Alex Bowman