Roush resurgence slowed as cars struggle at Chicago (cont'd)

Rival drivers aren't surprised. "You never count those guys out," said points leader Jeff Gordon. "I mean, they're always there and fast, no matter what kind of season they're having. So I always think that they're going to be a factor."

Efforts off the track have paid dividends for the Roush team, which merged with Fenway Sports Group, the parent company of the Boston Red Sox, the week of the Daytona 500. The organization purchased a seven-post shaker rig, a $2 million piece of equipment that simulates different setups at different racetracks, and a tool rivals Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have had for years. And Roush began conducting tests other than those sanctioned by NASCAR, something other teams have also done with regularity.

"The beginning of the season we started, especially with the Car of Tomorrow being introduced because the way testing was done -- or wasn't done, on our part -- and now we're climbing back up that hill. I feel like the last five weeks, Sonoma, Michigan, New Hampshire, especially, and obviously Daytona, we've been contenders to win and we have won a couple of them. So, I feel great about it. I'm real excited about going forward here," Edwards said.

"It's not just testing, it's making sure you're testing the right things, and it's a big team effort. You know, I tell people, when it was obvious that we were pretty far behind when the Car of Tomorrow was introduced and we were pretty much lost, it was awesome to go to the Tuesday morning meetings and hear guys like [crew chief] Robbie Reiser raise their hand and say, 'Listen, whatever I've got to do, whatever my team has to do.' That's the team mentality we've got going on right now, and that's what's making it work."

Although Kenseth won at California the second week of the season, the Roush group was unusually quiet as Hendrick racked up one victory after another. Hendrick driver Jimmie Johnson isn't surprised Roush seems to be coming back, but that it was ever down to begin with.

"I can say that I've been more surprised that they've had struggles," said the reigning series champion. "Roush has a great company and great drivers, and my opinion has been like everyone else's, like, 'What's going on? Why haven't they been up front fighting for wins?' And it looks like they've got their stuff going in the right direction."

At least until Friday, when the Roush resurgence hit a road block. The Chicagoland qualifying session followed the weekend's first practice, one where all five Roush cars placed 30th or worse. This on a 1.5-mile track, the kind Roush drivers have traditionally thrived on.

"As a group, we're off a little bit," Biffle said. "Guys are beating us somehow. That's frustrating. I think we've gotten better, but we're miles off from where these other guys are."