Edwards keeps hopes alive for Nationwide Title

56 Points. That is all that separates Carl Edwards from Clint Boywer, and a shot at a second straight NASCAR Nationwide Series title. Edwards led a race-high 78 laps and held off the one last test from Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin to grab the checker flag. With the dominating win Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway, Cousin Carl was able to trim 35 points from his deficit.

An accident early on had it looking as if Bowyer’s lead would be far less. But the #2 team didn’t seem distracted by the challenge they were facing. After dropping back all the way to 30th, they rallied and were able to fight back to land a solid 4th place finish.

Bowyer heads into next weekend’s season finale at Homestead Speedway needing to finish eight or better, regardless of what Edwards does, to claim the trophy.

Can he keep the hard charging #60 team in his rearview mirror?

Edwards has been on a tear of late in both Sprint and the Nationwide series. His worst finish in NW over the last eight races was a fifth place at the Camping World RV Service 300 at California on August 30th. And by driving to victory lane the last two races in the Cup series, Carl keeps alive his hopes of becoming the first driver to win both titles in the same season.

I know there are a lot of people who don’t like seeing the “big league” drivers competing in the “developmental” division, but next week’s final race has shaped up to be an exciting conclusion to this year’s Nationwide Series.