The Domino Doesn't Fall

Carl Edwards today made sure that Brian Vickers, et al, will have to look elsewhere other than Roush Fenway Racing for a ride for 2012.

It was announced that he had re-signed with RFR to drive the No. 99 that he's driven for the past six season, blowing away all the speculation that he would leave the perennial title contender for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Home Depot and JGR put quite a lot in front of Edwards to get him to make the jump, but in the end, it was just leverage for Carl. Ford ponied up some big dollars and more support to keep the face of its NASCAR program, and that was what sealed the deal.

Now that all is well in Roushland, the rest of us can go back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Joey Logano and Greg Zipadelli might be a little miffed, because JGR was working so hard to get Edwards into camp. Logano, in particular, was the odd man out if it had happened. Home Depot isn't going to keep throwing money at a team in a series where its only real competitor for the nationwide market in pliers, lumber and DIY doodads has won the last five titles.

Now Edwards can put it all behind him to make sure Jimmie Johnson doesn't sell too many more windows or pushbrooms for Lowe's.