The media is on the Carl Edwards bandwagon this week. Although winless this season, Edwards received 14 votes in the winner's poll for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
He already has two victories at a track that has been dominated by Roush Fenway Racing over the years. Roush drivers Greg Biffle (two votes) and Matt Kenseth (one vote) also are favorites.
Edwards outpolled the field this week, and no other driver besides Biffle received more than a single vote. How's that for pressure?
Mark Beech, Sports Illustrated: CARL EDWARDS
He’s going to win sooner or later, and it may as well come at Michigan, where he has been nothing short of awesome. In nine races, he’s won twice and racked up eight top-10 finishes. His driver rating of 115.7 is also the best in the series.
Viv Bernstein, Charlotte NASCAR Examiner: RYAN NEWMAN
Rick Hendrick is going to rue the day he made Stewart-Haas Racing his most dangerous opponent. Newman already has two victories at Michigan in his career.
David Caraviello, NASCAR.com: CARL EDWARDS
Who else? The guy almost never finishes outside the top 10 at Michigan, he’s won twice there and his car owner has been to victory lane 11 times. No better place for a first backflip of the season.
Shawn Courchesne, Hartford Courant: KURT BUSCH
Michigan is Roush Fenway Racing country, but it will not be a present Roush Fenway driver celebrating Sunday but rather a former driver from the organization getting the job done with the quieter Busch brother putting Penske Racing into victory lane.
Jeremy Dunn, Atlanta NASCAR Examiner: JEFF GORDON
The Roush guys will be tough to beat, but Gordon seems to thrive on the high speed ovals in 2009.
Greg Engle, National NASCAR Examiner: CARL EDWARDS
Michigan could be renamed Jack’s playground. Roush Fenway Racing drivers have won 11 times here, tied for the all-time win record with the Wood Brothers. Roush drivers have won three of the last five races here including a win by Edwards when the series last visited in August. Edwards has won twice, as has Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Look for that tie to be broken this weekend. I’ve pulled for Carl Edwards the last two races and I”m sticking to my guns again.
David Exum, NASCAR Scene: CARL EDWARDS
This winless streak has gone on long enough! If he doesn’t win soon, he may forget how to do backflips.
Tony Fabrizio, Tampa Tribune: GREG BIFFLE
Had a chance to talk to him this week because he did a promotional stop in Tampa, and he said he has a good car for this weekend.
Jeff Gluck, NASCAR Scene: CARL EDWARDS
The backflip is back. Carl Edwards will drive to victory lane at Michigan this weekend and get his No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing team its first win of the year. Michigan is a Roush trackand Edwards is the best of the Roush cars.
Brant James, St. Petersburg Times: CARL EDWARDS
He’s won two of the last four Sprint Cup events at Michigan (finishing seventh the other two), has four top-5’s in nine starts, including a runner-up finish. In short, he’s good there, which is oh so pleasing to boss and state product Jack Roush.
Tom Jensen, SPEEDtv.com: CARL EDWARDS
While fellow Roushkateers Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle will also be threats to win at Michigan on Sunday, Edwards is on a streak, having finished seventh or better in each of the last three races. At Pocono last weekend, Cousin Carl had the fastest car and led the most laps. He will be the man to beat on Sunday.
Josh Lobdell, Detroit NASCAR Examiner: CARL EDWARDS
At some point Carl is going to win a 2009 Sprint Cup race. Since Roush cars generally run extremely well at MIS it is about time Carl returns his No. 99 to victory lane.
Dustin Long, Landmark Newspapers: KYLE BUSCH
No guitar smashing this time. He’ll just smash the hopes of fans of other drivers.
Ryan McGee, ESPN The Magazine: CARL EDWARDS
I’ll keep picking him until he finally wins! Then again, picking a Roush car at Michigan is easier money than picking the Cubs not to win the World Series.
Joe Menzer, NASCAR.com: CARL EDWARDS
After three top-seven finishes in a row, it’s time for him to start getting back to victory lane. There is still time left for him to contend for the championship many predicted for him after leading the Sprint Cup series with nine wins a year ago.
Rick Minter, RacinToday.com: CARL EDWARDS
He’s running good again and he’s overdue for a win. And Michigan has always been a good track for the Ford’s.
Mike Mulhern, MikeMulhern.net: CARL EDWARDS
I'm giving up on Dale Earnhardt Jr. for awhile until I see something changing over there.
Ralph N. Paulk, Richmond Times-Dispatch: CARL EDWARDS
If nothing else, Edwards is due to win. It helps, too, that Roush Fenway Racing has won 11 times at MIS. He’ll be challenged by his teammate, Matt Kenseth, but will prevail in a close battle.
Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Scene: GREG BIFFLE
You’ve got to go with Roush Fenway at Michigan, but just don’t think it will be Carl’s day.
Nate Ryan, USA Today: JIMMIE JOHNSON
He can be streaky with victories, and he’s overdue for a win here (0 for 14).
Jim Utter, Charlotte Observer: CARL EDWARDS
No, the Ford's didn't qualify well, but on race day at Michigan, they always seem to turn up the heat.
Ken Willis, Daytona Beach News-Journal: MATT KENSETH
Michigan often produces ho-hum action, so why not “Mr. Excitement” in victory lane?
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