Edwards sweepstakes turned out to be an easy choice (WRALSportsFan.com)

(Originally appeared on Aug. 5, 2011 at WRALSportsFan.com)

I don't want to gloat, but I told you so.

Despite all the breathless rumors that Carl Edwards was already signed, sealed and delivered to Joe Gibbs Racing, I never believed it, not for a moment.

The reasons are numerous. Let's try to recap why Edwards chose on Thursday to stay with Roush Fenway Racing, rather than accept what was supposed to be one of the biggest contract offers in NASCAR history.

First, Edwards comes from true Midwestern stock, born and raised in a solid middle class family in Columbia, Mo. And if there's one word that best describes folks from that area, it's l-o-y-a-l-t-y.

Edwards is loyal to his sponsors, his fans and most important, to team owner Jack Roush. After all, had Roush not pursued Edwards and signed him back in 2003, Cousin Carl would probably still be racing sportsman cars in Missouri and Arkansas, working as a substitute teacher and a part-time sheriff's deputy.

Everything that Edwards has become in his NASCAR career can be traced directly back to Roush. And even though Edwards and Roush have had slight differences of opinion in the past about how the team is operated or just simple philosophical differences, the main thing is RFR is a much stronger organization with Edwards in it.

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