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Carl Edwards enters his 2nd-full season as a member of Joe Gibbs Racing. His first ended in multiple wins and a chase birth. Despite a sluggish start, Edwards was able to end the season very strongly and I wouldn't expect the same sluggish start from the driver of the 19 car in 2016. In fact, I have pretty high standards for him this upcoming season. It almost expected that he wins multiple races again. Edwards will be his strongest on the intermediate tracks and short tracks. He will also be very solid at the short tracks and road courses. Honestly there isn't a track where, he cannot run and finish well at.
The intermediate racetracks are probably his best type of racetrack. I think JGR will be pretty stout in 2016 and the top teams usually are pretty strong at the intermediate tracks. Last season in 16 races (Minus Las Vegas - wreck), he have supported 9.1 average finish with 10.3 average running position and 100.0 driver rating. He started off the season a bit sluggish and didn't score his top 10 finish until Texas and that was 10th. I don't think he really got going until Kentucky. I think that 4th-place finish really put a fire under Edwards. He was especially strong on the 1.5 mile racetracks going forward. He finished out the season with 5 straight top 11 finishes, including 4 Top 10 finishes. I would consider Kansas, Charlotte, Darlington, Atlanta, Texas and Las Vegas as his best racetracks probably. If I had to pick two, then I would go with Charlotte and Kansas honestly. Then probably Atlanta and Darlington. Simply put, you cannot go wrong with Edwards at any intimidate track and if he have some momentum headed into the weekend, then that's just a bonus.
Short tracks is a major strength for JGR as whole and they were pretty strong last season. Last season on the short tracks (6 races), he supported 15.3 average finish with 11.5 average running position and 92.5 driver rating. Edwards was strong every time he went to a short track in 2015, however he had a misleading high teen to mid-20 finish at each track. He probably been at his best at Bristol I would say over the previous two seasons. Over the previous 4 races (2 seasons), he have supported 9.8 average finish with 7.5 average running position and 109.9 driver rating. His numbers are pretty stout here recently and they would have been better if Gordon didn't get into him last spring. Even though he have 3 Top 7 finishes in other three previous races. Including a win in spring 2014 with RFR. He also probably should have won the fall race in 2013 too. He led 119 and was leading the race when his engine went south. Overall 15 of the previous 20 Bristol races have ended inside the top 16 for Edwards (Dating back to 2006 season). Including 7 the of the previous 12 races ending inside the top 12. 6 of those race have ended inside the top 9. His second best short track is probably Richmond recently. Over the previous 2 seasons (4 races), he have supported 15.3 average finish with 16.3 average running position and 80.4 driver rating. He finished 11th and 19th. He struggled last spring at Richmond. It was a strange race, it was ran during the day instead at night (rained out on Saturday night), and finished 19th. He followed that up with 11th place finish. Looking at his stats over the years, he been pretty consistent in recent seasons. Overall he have finished 9 of his previous 12 Richmond races inside the top 11. He have posted 8 Top 10s finishes as well. At probably at his worst at Martinsville, even though he had a top 5 car last spring. Over the previous 4 Martinsville (2 seasons), he have supported 16.0 average finish with 13.5 average running position and 86.1 driver rating. Through his career Edwards have been nothing but a teen driver. In 23 career starts, he only have about 5 Top 10s finish. He have 14 finishes from 11th-20th. He have finished 8 straight races in that 11th-20th place range. Including 14th and 17th efforts last season as well. His last top 10? All the way back in 2011 (9 races ago). Prior to 2012, he reeled off 3 top 10 in a 4 race span from March 2010 to October 2011. His best finish since have been 11th place in spring 2012 race. However with JGR, I expect him to be much more competitive than he was RFR. So I think he breaks his top 10-less streak at Martinsville in 2016!
Short flat racetracks will be a strong spot for Carl Edwards and JGR in 2016! He was pretty strong at both Phoenix and New Hampshire last season. In 2015 on the short flat racetracks, he supported 9.3 average finish with 8.5 average running position and 102.2 driver rating. He been pretty equal at New Hampshire and Phoenix. Both from a career point of view and recently! At New Hampshire over the previous two seasons (4 races), he have supported 10.5 average finish with 12.0 average running position and 92.4 driver rating. He finished 5th and 7th last season with his first two races with Joe Gibbs Racing. He also have knocked off 4 Top 9 finishes over his previous 6 races at New Hampshire. Overall 8 of the previous 11 New Hampshire races have ended inside the top 13. Including 5 Top 9 finishes since the 2010 season (11 races ago). It also worth noting that Edwards swept the poles last season at New Hampshire. In 2015 at New Hampshire, he supported 6.0 average finish with 8.5 average running position and 104.8 driver rating. He always been pretty good here and I don't see that changing in 2016. He been just as good at Phoenix. Over the previous two seasons (4 races), he have supported 12.0 average finish with 10.5 average running position and 95.7 driver rating. Over that 4-race span, he have finishes that consists of 12th, 13th, 15th and 8th. He been pretty good at Phoenix dating back to the 2010 season (12 races ago). In that 12 race-span, he have reeled off 9 Top 15 finishes. 7 of those 9 Top 15 finishes ended in 12th or better. Including 5 Top 9 finishes. His latest coming in spring of 2014, when he finished 8th place.
Edwards also is pretty solid at road courses, even though I think he is still underrated. He been a solid driver on this type racetrack and people are just now realizing it. Over the previous 2 seasons (2 races) at Sonoma, he have supported 20.5 average finish with 14.0 average running position and 95.2 driver rating. Last season he got very unlucky and got wrecked by David Ragan. In 2014, he went to victory lane after outrunning Jeff Gordon in the final few laps. Over the previous 4 seasons, he have managed 2 top 5 finishes (1st - 2014, 3rd - 2013) and 2 top finishes outside the top 20 (40th - 2015, 21st - 2012). Overall he have reeled off 5 Top 13 finishes over his previous 8 attempts (dating back to 2008). Including 3 Top 5 finishes over his previous 5 races, dating back to the 2011 season. He been just as good at WGI in my opinion. Over the previous 2 seasons (2 races), he have supported 6.5 average finish with 11.0 average running position and 97.2 driver rating. He doesn't have a win here yet, but he been pretty darn good the past two seasons. His numbers throughout his career have been impressive. By stats this is considered his best racetrack at 8.7 average finish in 11 races. He have only once finished worse than 14th and that was all way back in his debut in 2005. Overall he have reeled off 5 Top 8 finishes over his previous 7 races (dating back to 2009). Including 4 Top 5 finishes over his previous 7 races, dating back to 2009 season.
Big flat racetracks will be another type racetrack like that Edwards should have decent amount of success at, even though he have struggled at both venues (Indy and Pocono) over the years. Last season on the large flat racetracks (3 races), he supported 12.7 average finish with 8.7 average running position and 106.2 driver rating. Last season at the larger flat racetracks, he also posted impressive 3.7 average starting position. Including two poles (one at Pocono and one at Indy). Which translated into some solid results. He posted finishes of 15th (1st Pocono race), 10th (2nd Pocono race) and 13th (Indy). He didn't impress us with any top 5 finishes or anything like that, but he was pretty consistent with his finishes, all of them coming in the 10th to 15th place range. Over the previous 4 Pocono races (2 seasons), he have supported 23.8 average finish with 14.8 average running position and 83.7 driver rating. He finished 10th and 15th last season. Prior to that, he been okay at Pocono. But I wouldn't call him anything beyond a high single digit to middle teen driver though. Over his previous 13 races (dating back to 2009), he have posted 9 Top 18 finishes. Including 6 Top 11 finishes. His best finish in that span is 3rd back in 2010. Even though he have won twice before at Pocono. First time coming in his debut in 2005 and then again in June 2009. He been decent at Indy over his career, even though he have posted majority of his finishes in the teens. Over the previous two seasons (2 races), he have supported 14.0 average finish with 10.5 average running position and 97.8 driver rating. He have finished 13th or 15th over the previous three seasons, dating back to the 2013 season where he finished 13th. Overall he have finished 7 of his career 11 races in the 12th-18th place range. He have collected 3 Top 10 finishes, with his last coming in 2010 of 7th place. He also finished 29th in 2012. Overall you know what you are getting with Edwards on the big flat racetracks. He will likely be a top 10 driver that finishes in the high single digits to low or middle teens.
The restrictor plates will be where Edwards does his worst work usually. He haven't done much of anything at either racetrack. He only have two top 10 finishes in his previous 12 races (which equal to the past 3 seasons). Going back further to 2011, he only have 4 top 10 finishes in his previous 18 races at Daytona and Talladega. Not exactly something to be proud of, even at the restrictor plates. He have only finished inside the top 20 about 39% of the time. For a driver of Carl's talent, he needs to be batting .500 in my opinion. Otherwise it is pretty pointless for him to have any type of fantasy value. Considering he pretty much runs well anywhere. I personally would stay away from Edwards at both Talladega and Daytona. Right now I just don't see any value with him, and that might change in the future. But headed into the season, I think there too many other good places he can be employed at.
Twitter - @MattAleza
Carl Edwards enters his 2nd-full season as a member of Joe Gibbs Racing. His first ended in multiple wins and a chase birth. Despite a sluggish start, Edwards was able to end the season very strongly and I wouldn't expect the same sluggish start from the driver of the 19 car in 2016. In fact, I have pretty high standards for him this upcoming season. It almost expected that he wins multiple races again. Edwards will be his strongest on the intermediate tracks and short tracks. He will also be very solid at the short tracks and road courses. Honestly there isn't a track where, he cannot run and finish well at.
The intermediate racetracks are probably his best type of racetrack. I think JGR will be pretty stout in 2016 and the top teams usually are pretty strong at the intermediate tracks. Last season in 16 races (Minus Las Vegas - wreck), he have supported 9.1 average finish with 10.3 average running position and 100.0 driver rating. He started off the season a bit sluggish and didn't score his top 10 finish until Texas and that was 10th. I don't think he really got going until Kentucky. I think that 4th-place finish really put a fire under Edwards. He was especially strong on the 1.5 mile racetracks going forward. He finished out the season with 5 straight top 11 finishes, including 4 Top 10 finishes. I would consider Kansas, Charlotte, Darlington, Atlanta, Texas and Las Vegas as his best racetracks probably. If I had to pick two, then I would go with Charlotte and Kansas honestly. Then probably Atlanta and Darlington. Simply put, you cannot go wrong with Edwards at any intimidate track and if he have some momentum headed into the weekend, then that's just a bonus.
Short tracks is a major strength for JGR as whole and they were pretty strong last season. Last season on the short tracks (6 races), he supported 15.3 average finish with 11.5 average running position and 92.5 driver rating. Edwards was strong every time he went to a short track in 2015, however he had a misleading high teen to mid-20 finish at each track. He probably been at his best at Bristol I would say over the previous two seasons. Over the previous 4 races (2 seasons), he have supported 9.8 average finish with 7.5 average running position and 109.9 driver rating. His numbers are pretty stout here recently and they would have been better if Gordon didn't get into him last spring. Even though he have 3 Top 7 finishes in other three previous races. Including a win in spring 2014 with RFR. He also probably should have won the fall race in 2013 too. He led 119 and was leading the race when his engine went south. Overall 15 of the previous 20 Bristol races have ended inside the top 16 for Edwards (Dating back to 2006 season). Including 7 the of the previous 12 races ending inside the top 12. 6 of those race have ended inside the top 9. His second best short track is probably Richmond recently. Over the previous 2 seasons (4 races), he have supported 15.3 average finish with 16.3 average running position and 80.4 driver rating. He finished 11th and 19th. He struggled last spring at Richmond. It was a strange race, it was ran during the day instead at night (rained out on Saturday night), and finished 19th. He followed that up with 11th place finish. Looking at his stats over the years, he been pretty consistent in recent seasons. Overall he have finished 9 of his previous 12 Richmond races inside the top 11. He have posted 8 Top 10s finishes as well. At probably at his worst at Martinsville, even though he had a top 5 car last spring. Over the previous 4 Martinsville (2 seasons), he have supported 16.0 average finish with 13.5 average running position and 86.1 driver rating. Through his career Edwards have been nothing but a teen driver. In 23 career starts, he only have about 5 Top 10s finish. He have 14 finishes from 11th-20th. He have finished 8 straight races in that 11th-20th place range. Including 14th and 17th efforts last season as well. His last top 10? All the way back in 2011 (9 races ago). Prior to 2012, he reeled off 3 top 10 in a 4 race span from March 2010 to October 2011. His best finish since have been 11th place in spring 2012 race. However with JGR, I expect him to be much more competitive than he was RFR. So I think he breaks his top 10-less streak at Martinsville in 2016!
Short flat racetracks will be a strong spot for Carl Edwards and JGR in 2016! He was pretty strong at both Phoenix and New Hampshire last season. In 2015 on the short flat racetracks, he supported 9.3 average finish with 8.5 average running position and 102.2 driver rating. He been pretty equal at New Hampshire and Phoenix. Both from a career point of view and recently! At New Hampshire over the previous two seasons (4 races), he have supported 10.5 average finish with 12.0 average running position and 92.4 driver rating. He finished 5th and 7th last season with his first two races with Joe Gibbs Racing. He also have knocked off 4 Top 9 finishes over his previous 6 races at New Hampshire. Overall 8 of the previous 11 New Hampshire races have ended inside the top 13. Including 5 Top 9 finishes since the 2010 season (11 races ago). It also worth noting that Edwards swept the poles last season at New Hampshire. In 2015 at New Hampshire, he supported 6.0 average finish with 8.5 average running position and 104.8 driver rating. He always been pretty good here and I don't see that changing in 2016. He been just as good at Phoenix. Over the previous two seasons (4 races), he have supported 12.0 average finish with 10.5 average running position and 95.7 driver rating. Over that 4-race span, he have finishes that consists of 12th, 13th, 15th and 8th. He been pretty good at Phoenix dating back to the 2010 season (12 races ago). In that 12 race-span, he have reeled off 9 Top 15 finishes. 7 of those 9 Top 15 finishes ended in 12th or better. Including 5 Top 9 finishes. His latest coming in spring of 2014, when he finished 8th place.
Edwards also is pretty solid at road courses, even though I think he is still underrated. He been a solid driver on this type racetrack and people are just now realizing it. Over the previous 2 seasons (2 races) at Sonoma, he have supported 20.5 average finish with 14.0 average running position and 95.2 driver rating. Last season he got very unlucky and got wrecked by David Ragan. In 2014, he went to victory lane after outrunning Jeff Gordon in the final few laps. Over the previous 4 seasons, he have managed 2 top 5 finishes (1st - 2014, 3rd - 2013) and 2 top finishes outside the top 20 (40th - 2015, 21st - 2012). Overall he have reeled off 5 Top 13 finishes over his previous 8 attempts (dating back to 2008). Including 3 Top 5 finishes over his previous 5 races, dating back to the 2011 season. He been just as good at WGI in my opinion. Over the previous 2 seasons (2 races), he have supported 6.5 average finish with 11.0 average running position and 97.2 driver rating. He doesn't have a win here yet, but he been pretty darn good the past two seasons. His numbers throughout his career have been impressive. By stats this is considered his best racetrack at 8.7 average finish in 11 races. He have only once finished worse than 14th and that was all way back in his debut in 2005. Overall he have reeled off 5 Top 8 finishes over his previous 7 races (dating back to 2009). Including 4 Top 5 finishes over his previous 7 races, dating back to 2009 season.
Big flat racetracks will be another type racetrack like that Edwards should have decent amount of success at, even though he have struggled at both venues (Indy and Pocono) over the years. Last season on the large flat racetracks (3 races), he supported 12.7 average finish with 8.7 average running position and 106.2 driver rating. Last season at the larger flat racetracks, he also posted impressive 3.7 average starting position. Including two poles (one at Pocono and one at Indy). Which translated into some solid results. He posted finishes of 15th (1st Pocono race), 10th (2nd Pocono race) and 13th (Indy). He didn't impress us with any top 5 finishes or anything like that, but he was pretty consistent with his finishes, all of them coming in the 10th to 15th place range. Over the previous 4 Pocono races (2 seasons), he have supported 23.8 average finish with 14.8 average running position and 83.7 driver rating. He finished 10th and 15th last season. Prior to that, he been okay at Pocono. But I wouldn't call him anything beyond a high single digit to middle teen driver though. Over his previous 13 races (dating back to 2009), he have posted 9 Top 18 finishes. Including 6 Top 11 finishes. His best finish in that span is 3rd back in 2010. Even though he have won twice before at Pocono. First time coming in his debut in 2005 and then again in June 2009. He been decent at Indy over his career, even though he have posted majority of his finishes in the teens. Over the previous two seasons (2 races), he have supported 14.0 average finish with 10.5 average running position and 97.8 driver rating. He have finished 13th or 15th over the previous three seasons, dating back to the 2013 season where he finished 13th. Overall he have finished 7 of his career 11 races in the 12th-18th place range. He have collected 3 Top 10 finishes, with his last coming in 2010 of 7th place. He also finished 29th in 2012. Overall you know what you are getting with Edwards on the big flat racetracks. He will likely be a top 10 driver that finishes in the high single digits to low or middle teens.
The restrictor plates will be where Edwards does his worst work usually. He haven't done much of anything at either racetrack. He only have two top 10 finishes in his previous 12 races (which equal to the past 3 seasons). Going back further to 2011, he only have 4 top 10 finishes in his previous 18 races at Daytona and Talladega. Not exactly something to be proud of, even at the restrictor plates. He have only finished inside the top 20 about 39% of the time. For a driver of Carl's talent, he needs to be batting .500 in my opinion. Otherwise it is pretty pointless for him to have any type of fantasy value. Considering he pretty much runs well anywhere. I personally would stay away from Edwards at both Talladega and Daytona. Right now I just don't see any value with him, and that might change in the future. But headed into the season, I think there too many other good places he can be employed at.
Twitter - @MattAleza
