Edwards takes home top-5 in Richmond, extends points lead

Richmond, Va. (April 30, 2011)  Carl Edwards tried the entire night to battle into contention for the victory in the 400-miler at Richmond, however, he could only find a fifth place finish at the .750 mile oval on Saturday.

Edwards qualified his No. 99 Scotts Ford Fusion 8th on Friday night and reported to crew chief Bob Osborne at the beginning of the race that he was battling a loose race car.  Edwards was racing in seven place when the first caution flag fell on lap 109, however, fell back to 20th after the race resumed because of contact with Jimmie Johson.  By the halfway mark in the race, Edwards had battled his way back to 14th and told crew chief Bob Osborne that the car was running pretty good, if they could just get it a little bit tighter. 

He continued to recieve adjustments on his car on every pit stop.  He came out of the pits in the top-10 on lap 236.  When much of the leaders came in, Edwards stayed out and led 11 laps of the event when he stayed on the track on lap 293.  He lost the top position when the next yellow flew on lap 302, as he and crew chief Bob Osborne decided to come down pit road for the final time.  The driver predicted that the race would not have another caution through the final run.

The green flag fell on lap 315 with the No. 99 positioned in 12th place.  He was in 10th by lap 319, and had moved into fifth with just 16 laps remaining in the race.  He was running faster lap times than his teammate David Ragan who came home 4th.  Edwards would settle for 5th place, his best finish at Richmond. 

“That was a lot of work,” Edwards said.  “I really appreciate the fans coming out here. It is neat to look up in the grandstands and see them packed with NASCAR fans. We were hoping we were in the right position there. David Ragan took fuel, we had fuel. I thought those guys were going to run out. I didn’t think they would be able to make it but that is the way it goes. We are still leading the points and we have stretched it out a little bit which is great. We will go to Darlington and race hard there for 500 miles. I think that feeling of fifth here tonight will be replaced with the points lead feeling in a little bit and that will feel better. I had a fun night though.”

The Sprint Cup Series go to Darlington on Mother’s Day weekend this coming week as Edwards holds a 9 point edge in the standings over Jimmie Johnson.