Sources: UPS would like to see Edwards wear brown

Office Depot is in the midst of an exclusive 60-day negotiating period to extend its sponsorship of Carl Edwards' No. 99 Ford, but industry sources say UPS is waiting in the wings to make a run at the hot Roush Fenway Racing driver.

Edwards, winner of a season-high three Sprint Cup races this year and one of the busiest spokesmen in NASCAR, is perhaps the sport's most-wanted free agent. Like Dale Earnhardt Jr. a year ago, Edwards' contract with his team is up at the end of this season and his next step could create ripples among potential sponsors. Most industry experts, however, expect him to stay at Roush Fenway.

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Office Depot, meanwhile, is in the final year of its three-year deal with the team.

While any prospective driver and sponsor changes on the No. 99 car won't create the shock waves felt when Earnhardt switched teams and sponsors last year, Edwards and Roush Fenway appear to be in position to push the first of many sponsor dominoes in the coming four to six weeks.

"We value our relationship with Carl, and we're working to continue that relationship," said Mindy Kramer, spokeswoman for Office Depot.

Kramer would not comment on Office Depot's negotiating window with Roush Fenway, but industry sources said that it expires in the next three weeks.

If Office Depot, which has used Edwards out front for its annual "Official Small Business of NASCAR" promotion, doesn't have a deal done by mid-May, industry sources say UPS will pursue sponsorship of Edwards' car.

UPS has been considering several options, from staying at Michael Waltrip Racing to Edwards to Jeff Burton's No. 31, which is scheduled to lose AT&T as its primary sponsor at the end of this season, but sources said Edwards has emerged as the top option.

Office Depot will launch its "Official Small Business" program later this month, and Edwards is again the face of the promotion, although it does not currently call for a TV commercial, as it has in the past. The thrust of the promotion will be carried out online at officedepotracing.com, Kramer said, in addition to radio and print advertising.

The issue between Office Depot and Roush Fenway, sources said, is the price tag for the No. 99 car has increased significantly from three years ago when Edwards was considered more of an up-and-comer than a bona fide star. He now pitches for Claritin, Dish Network and Aflac, in addition to Office Depot, and his on-track success -- 10 wins in the last three-plus seasons -- has made him a hot commodity.

The Davie Brown Index rates Edwards among the top 12 NASCAR drivers in several attribute categories among avid fans and ninth in overall appeal. Edwards does not have an agent and handles his own business affairs. (Continued)