Chicagoland lap-leader still looking to lead the last one

Matt Kenseth has run into bad luck at Chicagoland Speedway. Carl Edwards hasn't had any luck at all there. Yet the two Roush Fenway Racing teammates have reason for optimism heading into this week's USG Sheetrock 400. (watch FedEx Preview)

And if their respective Fusions perform as they have in the past, one could bring Ford its first victory in the short history of the Joliet-based track.

The chassis inside the No. 17 model is the same Kenseth drove to victory last year at Fontana and Michigan. It also has run into misfortune. An early wreck this year at Michigan relegated Kenseth to a 42nd-place finish. Last year at Chicago, Kenseth was in line for his first victory there when he was spun out by eventual winner Jeff Gordon with four laps to go.

"It got beat up pretty good here last year as we took the checkered flag and then it got banged up again the last time it raced in Michigan. But, you're supposed to be able to rebuild these cars, and I think we've done a great job on this one," said Robbie Reiser, crew chief for the 17.

"It should be ready this weekend and we know how much Matt likes it, so hopefully that will translate into good things on Sunday."

Kenseth finished 22nd last year after running out of fuel. It marked Kenseth's worst finish in six career starts at Chicagoland.

"I think the whole team will go up there this time with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, but we've got to be sure to treat it like any other race," Reiser said. "This sport has a lot to do about keeping an even keel so we can't be too focused on trying to get redemption, we just have to go out there and do our jobs, which has always been this team's strength."

Kenseth has been the lap leader in the past two races at Chicago and was out front for 112 laps last year.

"We're taking the same car we raced there last year. It was really fast then and hopefully it will be this time around," said Kenseth, who has driven the race sponsor's paint scheme the past two years.

"We've come pretty close to getting them a win both times in the USG car. Hopefully we can do a little bit better this year."

Kenseth was even better in 2005 than he was last year. He led a track-best 176 laps two years ago but settled with a runner-up finish after a four-tire pit stop late in the race backfired.

"We've had a car capable of winning the past two years but for one reason or another, that just hasn't happened," Kenseth said. "Some might think that it's really frustrating, and it is, but I also think we should be proud that we've had a car capable of putting us in position to win."

Despite having completed all but one lap in his Cup Series career at Chicago, Kenseth has just two top-10 finishes. But his average finish is 11.5.

"Chicago's a great track and one I really enjoy racing at. It's wide and fast, real smooth and now that the pavement has aged, you're starting to see a wider groove," Kenseth said.

Edwards hasn't come close in his two starts at Chicago, where he has yet to lead a lap. He finished 39th in 2005 and 20th last year, but his track record on the 1.5-mile intermediates and the fact he'll be in the same car he won with earlier this year at Michigan has Edwards enthusiastic, as always.

"I am excited to race Chicago. Even though I haven't had the best finishes in the past at Chicago, I feel confident that we'll do great this weekend," Edwards said. "We are brining an amazing car. I think we have the potential to do really well."

Coverage of the USG Sheetrock 400 from Chicagoland Speedway begins at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday on NASCAR on TNT.