Silly Season update: Biffle set to stay at RFR, Edwards all but gone
Roush Fenway Racing continues to be the center of attention for what little Silly Season activity there is in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage, as drivers Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle are in the final year of their respective contracts.
The latest from Sonoma:
RFR President Steve Newmark tweeted on Friday that he was working on putting a deal together for next year with the No. 16 Ford that Biffle drives. Although multiple sources said Biffle had discussions with Michael Waltrip Racing, both Biffle and sponsor 3M are expected to remain with Roush Fenway Racing next year.
It appears almost certain Edwards is heading to Joe Gibbs Racing, where he nearly signed three years ago. Historically, when a driver is leaving Roush Fenway, it is the team, not the driver, who announces the departure. That announcement could come in the next several weeks, with the Edwards-to-JGR signing becoming official much later.
In 2012, Roush Fenway announced on June 5 that Matt Kenseth would be leaving the team at the end of the season. Kenseth's signing with JGR was made official on Sept. 12, 2012. A similar timetable is likely in play for Edwards this year.
Sources said Ford Motor Co., which reportedly anted up million of dollars in stock options to retain Edwards' services in 2011, tried to steer Edwards to Team Penske. But team owner Roger Penske publicly said he had no interest in Edwards, who has had a long history of antagonism with Penske driver Brad Keselowski. Money could have been a factor, too: Sources said Penske did not want to step up to pay Edwards a salary said to be in excess of what Keselowski and teammate Joey Logano make now.
