Fastenal To Sponsor Carl Edwards For 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races In 2012

FORT WORTH, TX - APRIL 08: Carl Edwards, driver of the #60 Fastenal Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Fastenal will continue its partnership with Carl Edwards and Roush Fenway Racing in 2012, moving this time to the Sprint Cup Series as primary sponsor of the No. 99 Ford for 17 races.

Roush Fenway Racing announced Thursday long-time partner Fastenal would become the primary sponsor on the No. 99 Ford for Carl Edwards in 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for the 2012 season, beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500.

The agreement will also include two additional Roush Fenway sponsored entries in another race yet to be determined, giving Fastenal a total of three Sprint Cup Series entries in one event.

Fastenal executive vice president, operations Cory Jansen called Edwards "a true member" of the Fastenal team and said the company was eager to join him in his quest for the championship in 2012.

"It's hard to imagine a better driver, or a better spokesperson for our company, than Carl Edwards," he said.

Edwards currently carries the Fastenal colors in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, but has been partnered with the company since his dirt track days dating back to 1999.

Thanks to four Nationwide Series wins this year with Fastenal as the sponsor, Jansen said Edwards' "phenomenal season" has led to more brand exposure for the company than they have had in the past five years combined.

"I've appreciated the long relationship that I've had with Fastenal," Edwards said. "I'm proud that they believe so strongly in our team and program that they are making the commitment to sponsor us in the Sprint Cup Series."