Edwards Wins Again In Michigan

Carl Edwards may not be running for the drivers’ championship in the Nascar Nationwide Series, but he certain has been driving like it.  He posted his second win in the last five races to compliment his three runnerup finishes.  Edwards and his Roush Fenway Racing #60 Fastenal team started in the third position but by lap three he was leading the field. He held the lead after a round of green flag pit stops around lap 40, stretching it to over one second over Kyle Busch.  At lap 43 a debris caution initiated a variety of pit strategies.  The 60 team pitted for tires and fuel while Elliot Sadler and Paul Menard remained on track.  Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. moved into the lead at lap 50.  The second caution fell at lap 56, and again cars stayed on track.  But Edwards continued to run in the top five, moving steadily toward the front. At lap 85, Edwards made his move to go three-wide on the inside to regain the point.  The third caution was called at lap 93 as green flag pit stops were in progress.  Mark Martin was finishing his pit stop as the yellow flag was thrown, and was able to remain on the lead lap and move into the lead as the majority of lead lap cars pitted.  The green flag flew at lap 100, and it took Edwards one lap to move into the front once again.  From that point on, his greatest competition came from fellow RFR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  Stenhouse held the lead until lap 116 when Edwards swooped beneath the 6 car to move ahead.  Following Edwards across the line were Stenhouse, Kyle Busch, Paul Menard and fellow RFR driver Trevor Bayne.

Edwards led a total of 69 laps, the most of the field.  This is his fourth win of the 2011 season, and the #60 now leads the owners’ standings by 13 points over Joe Gibbs’ #18, and gave Jack Roush his fifth win at Michigan.

The fans were treated to Edwards’ customary backflip followed by a most energetic run into the stands.  After the race, Edwards said, “Ricky drove his heart out — that guy is unbelievable.  I didn’t think I was going to be able to get him, but it was like his car got tightened up. I didn’t think I was going to be able to catch him. His car, I don’t think, was balanced as well as mine was, and he was somehow making it go that fast. So he’s someone I’m a little nervous about for the future.”

The Nationwide Series will travel next week to Road America in Wisconsin, where Carl Edwards posted a victory last year at the inaugural event.