NASCAR Cup Series

Roush Fenway has no room for error

Published Jan. 27, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Jeff Hammond

Editor's note: As we get closer to the 2010 season opening Daytona 500 (Feb. 20 on FOX), FOXSports.com takes you along for the ride during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway.

From Monday through Thursday, we will provide an inside look at several NASCAR Sprint Cup teams taking part in the tour, including expert analysis from members of the NASCAR on FOX team.

Fans of Roush Fenway Racing have to be excited and looking forward to the 2011 season.

You saw the organization, in particular the No. 99 team, make a lot of noise at the end of last year. You can expect them to try and carry that momentum forward with all four teams this year. I don’t think you will see Jack Roush let things get behind the 8-ball like they did in 2010. It took until the end of the season to find Carl Edwards back in Victory Lane, both Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth more competitive and David Ragan more consistent. You can expect Jack Roush to mandate that success continues.

But there will be plenty of things to watch off the track as well for Roush.

Edwards, Biffle and Ragan will be free agents at the end of the year. Simply put, it’s time for them to step up or step out.

This pressure is not only on the drivers, but on Jack Roush’s organization as a whole. They need to give these drivers the very best in cars, people and equipment to win. If they don’t, then I can promise you that other owners will be courting Carl and Greg. Those two are winners. There are owners out there who would jump at the chance to get them under contract. There’s talent over there at Roush Fenway Racing, so they need to get the organization to match up with the talent behind the wheel.

Don’t forget that you have Kasey Kahne in one of the Red Bull cars for only 2011 before he moves to Hendrick Motorsports next season. If Kahne can help make that team better before he leaves, you just have to know that if Greg or Carl become available for 2012, Red Bull would be jumping at the chance to land them.

That’s one of the things in my book that is going to be so exciting about 2011. There’s a heck of a lot more stories to follow than just “Can Jimmie Johnson win six championships in a row?” Imagine if Edwards, Biffle or Ragan decides to leave Roush at the end of the season for greener pastures. Who takes their seat? It starts a wild domino effect.

One way or the other, Roush Fenway Racing will be a team to watch this season.

Inside Roush Fenway Racing

Team No. 6

Driver: David Ragan (Finished 24th in the 2010 Sprint Cup standings, zero career Cup wins)

Crew chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Primary Sponsor: UPS

Team No. 16

Driver: Greg Biffle (Finished sixth in the 2010 Sprint Cup standings, 16 career Cup wins)

Crew chief: Greg Erwin

Primary Sponsor: 3M (Check out their 2011 ride)

Team No. 17

Driver: Matt Kenseth (Finished fifth in the 2010 Sprint Cup standings, 18 career Cup wins)

Crew chief: Jimmy Fennig

Primary Sponsor: Crown Royal

Team No. 99

Driver: Carl Edwards (Finished fourth in the 2010 Sprint Cup standings, 18 career Cup wins)

Crew chief: Bob Osborne

Primary Sponsor: Aflac (Check out their 2011 ride)

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