Carl Edwards will join Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2015 season as the organization expands to four full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams. The move was announced at a press conference today at the company's headquarters, where JGR currently fields Toyota entries in the Sprint Cup Series for drivers Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth.According to NASCAR.COM, Carl Edwards pointed to many reasons for the change. "There are a number of factors; it's not just one thing," Edwards said of his decision to leave Roush Fenway Racing after a 11-year run with the organization in Sprint Cup.

"There are a lot of really, really strong teams in the sport. For me, all of my successes, all those wins, my first NASCAR championship, have all come at Roush Fenway Racing. There's nothing saying they (RFR) won't beat me like a drum next year. You just don't know.

Edwards' car will carry number 19 with primary sponsorship from ARRIS, a telecommunications technology company, for 17 races. Team owner Joe Gibbs said additional sponsorship for the remaining 19 races isn't a concern.

Edwards, 35, has 23 Sprint Cup wins in 360 career starts, all with Roush Fenway Racing. He is third on the all-time win list for the organization, trailing Mark Martin (35 wins) and Kenseth, who won 24 times while driving for RFR.

Edwards is eighth in the points standings, but with two wins (at Bristol Motor Speedway and Sonoma Raceway), he has already earned one of the 16 berths for this year's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. It will mark his eighth appearance in the 10-race battle for the title.

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