Carl Edwards joins Joe Gibbs Racing

Carl Edwards has signed a multi-year contract with Joe Gibbs Racing and will join the team beginning with the 2015 season.

The pairing has been long rumored and speculation has only increased since last month when Roush Fenway Racing said Edwards would not be with the team next season. JGR confirmed Edwards’ signing during a press conference at its headquarters Tuesday.

“This is a huge day for me,” Edwards said. “It means the world to me to have this opportunity. I am looking forward to be part of the organization and learn from Kyle, Denny and Matt.

“I couldn’t sleep last night I was so excited about this announcement ... It’s going to be a blast. I am ready to compete for championships each year.”

Already fielding cars for Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth, JGR will expand and add a fourth team for Edwards, who will drive the No. 19 Toyota. The Arris Group will provide primary sponsorship in 17 of 36 races. Additional sponsorship as well as Edwards’ crew chief will be announced at a later date.

Kenseth is a former teammate of Edwards at Roush from 2004-12. In his first season with JGR, Kenseth won a series-best seven races and finished runner-up in the championship. That success enticed Edwards, who is still in search of his first Sprint Cup championship. Edwards has 23 career wins and twice finished second in points.

When Edwards was a free agent three years ago he nearly signed with JGR but elected to re-up with Roush. This time around he couldn’t say no again.

“Matt’s success over here -- that was a big eye-opener for me,” Edwards said. “It just felt like it was time to change.

“I was very fortunate in the number of teams that I talked to. I had some amazing conversations that I had to pinch myself in the middle of them. Looking across the landscape of the sport, everybody has spoken highly of Joe and I’m excited to be here.”

Since expanding to three full-time cars in 2005, team principle JGR has long been asked about adding a fourth car. But the team wanted to wait until the opportune moment with the right driver and proper sponsorship package in place.

“The media has been asking us if we’re going to a fourth car,” Gibbs said. “We’re very careful with it; we felt this is the right time and mainly, we were able to get Carl and Arris and that was the perfect fit for us. I think everybody said this would be the right time. Adding Carl in the team brings more resources and we’re competing against teams that have four cars, or more with their alliances, so it’s great to have that as we want to win races.”