Edwards sweepstakes turned out to be an easy choice

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.

Second, regardless of how many assurances Joe and J.D. Gibbs made, or how many comparisons were made to how all drivers at Hendrick Motorsports get along and work to help each other win races and championships, and that Edwards could expect the same at his potential new home, there simply was no way Edwards was going to be able to coexist harmoniously with Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano at JGR.

I get so ticked when I hear people say that Jimmie Johnson won his five straight Cup championships because teammates Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin helped him.

Bull.

I don't care how much love teammates have for each other, when it comes to chasing the race track and zeroing in on the checkered flag, it's every man for himself. Sure, there may be a race or two during the course of a season when a teammate may not have the best car as Johnson did and perhaps blocked or did something to keep opponents away from Johnson, but all in all, I wonder how many times Gordon, Earnhardt or Martin have privately said to themselves, "But for the grace of God, there go I" – in racing terms, of course.

"Team racing" is a misnomer. And I think that's why Edwards saw that if he joined forces with Busch, Hamlin and Logano, there would ultimately be conflict – and potentially lots of it. Look at Busch and Hamlin – they've already had a couple well-publicized run-ins over the last few years. That's not being good teammates, is it?

And given how fierce the rivalry is between Edwards and Busch right now, do you honestly think they'd drop whatever contentiousness they have for each other and make nice if they became teammates?

Wasn't going to happen.

Third, sure, Edwards has had a few run-ins over the years with teammate Matt Kenseth, but that rift has been healed. Likewise, Edwards has no problem with his other two RFR teammates, Greg Biffle and David Ragan. In fact, Edwards was one of the first people to congratulate Ragan when he earned his first career Cup win last month at Daytona.

And, Edwards knows quite clearly – as do his teammates – who is the No. 1 driver at Roush Fenway. It's the driver of the No. 99 Ford.

If he would have gone to Gibbs, however, where would Edwards ultimately have ranked with Busch and Hamlin? Would they be willing to give up their roles as the team's top two drivers and step aside to let a newcomer take their place as numero uno? Very unlikely, folks.

Edwards reportedly signed a five-year deal with RFR on Thursday. Although financial terms were not disclosed, my guess is Edwards will get as much as $50 million over the life of the contract. He was without question the most valuable free agent the sport has seen since Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced in 2007 that he was leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., for Hendrick Motorsports.

Fourth, there was a comfort and trust level that Edwards had at RFR that I honestly believe he questioned if he'd have something similar at JGR. Face it, RFR is the only racing professional organization Edwards has known.

Plus, there's the incredibly tight relationship Edwards has with crew chief Bob Osborne.

And let's not forget who's been atop the Sprint Cup points standings for much of this season?

So why would Edwards want to throw all that away and leave? What would he get at JGR that he didn't already have at RFR?

Earlier this week, when I heard Edsel Ford II and other top Ford officials personally became involved in the Edwards sweepstakes – essentially pulling out all stops to keep him – that was the final piece of the puzzle that convinced me Edwards would stay with RFR. I didn't hear anything about the chairman of Toyota getting personally involved to get Carl to sign on the bottom line.

Game, set and match. Edwards stays with Roush Fenway.

There were other incentives, I'm sure. Aflac will now likely be returning to sponsor Edwards next season – after the company hinted it would either cut back its program or leave at the end of this season. My guess is that was a ploy to keep Edwards.

I'm also pretty sure that besides Aflac, Edwards will take over the lead role as spokesman for UPS next season. Ragan has had a good run, but he has nowhere the charisma, fan following or on-track success that Edwards has – and will continue to have for many more seasons to come.

In my opinion, Edwards is on the verge of a major career breakout that will lead to him becoming one of the sport's biggest superstars ever, one day ranking him among with the legendary Pettys, Pearson's, Earnhardts and Waltrips. If Edwards wins the Cup championship this season, he not only unseats Johnson from his five-year title run, he lays the groundwork for multiple championships going forward for himself.

The future looks extremely bright for Edwards now that he's decided to stay with RFR and Ford. He's realized a dream of long-term job and financial security, remains with one of the most powerful and successful teams in the sport and one that is a legitimate threat at every track it shows up at and also gives him the best opportunity for a championship.

What more could he – or for that matter, anyone else – want?