Win 1 for the Flipper!

Does Carl Edwards stand the best chance of de-throning Jimmie Johnson?

First backflip of 2011 but the third backflip in the last five races!

After a strong showing in the Kobalt Tools 400 that gave Carl Edwards his first win of 2011, many believe he is poised to challenge for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title. At this point, fans are looking for someone, ANYONE, who can step up end the stranglehold that Jimmie Johnson's #48 Lowe's Team has had on the sport for the last five seasons. Edwards is showing he has the muscle to be that someone.

So far, 2011 is appearing to be a resurgence for the Ford camp as a whole. After a dismal 2010 that left Ford with only 4 wins in NASCAR's top division, the Blue Oval's have won two of the three races run this season and appear to be in contention for many more throughout the rest of the season.

Edwards is flexing his muscle early. Carl currently sits 3rd in the Sprint Cup Standings after a 2nd place finish in the Daytona 500 and his Las Vegas win. Had it not been for being caught up in a wreck at Phoenix, in a car that Edwards fully felt could've won the race, he would probably be leading the Sprint Cup Series standings.

Victory Lane in the 2011 Kobalt Tools 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

So tell me what you think: Carl Edwards, Contender or Pretender?