In 2011, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart tied with 2,403 points following the finale race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Edwards lost out on the championship because of a tie-breaker and has failed to finish in the top 4 since.
That won’t be a problem for him this year.
Carl Edwards Punches His Ticket to Homestead
The Columbia, Missouri native took the victory in Sunday Night’s, rain-shortened AAA Texas 500 thanks to a pit stop that put him ahead of Martin Truex Jr. The win sealed him a spot in the Championship 4 for the first time since the new playoff format was introduced.
Edwards will join Jimmie Johnson, who is also participating in his first career Championship 4, trying to earn his first championship.
He has been close to the title before though, finishing in the top-five five times in his 13 year career. Could this be the one he closes the door on?
He just has to cross the line at Homestead first.
Aside from Johnson, Edwards opponents will be as unpredictable as ever. Heading into Phoenix, the points standings feature four drivers who are within two points of the cutoff line.
Following those four, is Kevin Harvick (-18) and Kurt Busch (-33). Although Busch only has one win at Phoenix, Harvick is a force to be reckoned with at the track.
Harvick has finished in victory lane in six of the last eight races at the track, in what has been one of the most dominant streaks at a single venue in NASCAR history. It almost makes him more than likely to secure his spot in the championship than the drivers who are within two points of the cutoff.
The Semifinal race at Phoenix will start at 2:30pm CT and will be broadcasted by NBC.
Chase Standings
Jimmie Johnson (1 Win)
Carl Edwards (1 Win)
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Locked In
Joey Logano +1
Kyle Busch +1
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Matt Kenseth -1
Denny Hamlin -2
Kevin Harvick -18
Kurt Busch -33
