{"id":531,"date":"2016-11-08T12:42:14","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T17:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonmotorsport.com\/?p=531"},"modified":"2016-11-08T12:42:14","modified_gmt":"2016-11-08T17:42:14","slug":"531","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2016\/11\/08\/531\/","title":{"rendered":"Carl Edwards Punches His Ticket to Homestead with Texas Win"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2011, Carl Edwards<\/strong> and Tony Stewart<\/strong> tied with 2,403 points following the finale race at Homestead-Miami Speedway<\/strong>. Edwards lost out on the championship because of a tie-breaker and has failed to finish in the top 4 since.<\/p>\n

That won\u2019t be a problem for him this year.<\/p>\n

Carl Edwards Punches His Ticket to Homestead<\/h2>\n

The Columbia, Missouri native took the victory in Sunday Night\u2019s, rain-shortened AAA Texas 500<\/strong> thanks to a pit stop that put him ahead of Martin Truex Jr.<\/strong> The win sealed him a spot in the Championship 4<\/strong> for the first time since the new playoff format was introduced.<\/p>\n

Edwards will join Jimmie Johnson<\/strong>, who is also participating in his first career Championship 4, trying to earn his first championship.<\/p>\n

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?<\/p>\n

He just has to cross the line at Homestead first.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Following those four, is Kevin Harvick (-18) and Kurt Busch<\/strong> (-33). Although Busch only has one win at Phoenix, Harvick is a force to be reckoned with at the track.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Semifinal race at Phoenix will start at 2:30pm CT and will be broadcasted by NBC.<\/p>\n

Chase Standings<\/strong>
\nJimmie Johnson (1 Win)
\nCarl Edwards (1 Win)
\n_________________
\nLocked In<\/em>
\nJoey Logano +1
\nKyle Busch +1
\n__________________
\nMatt Kenseth -1
\nDenny Hamlin -2
\nKevin Harvick -18
\nKurt Busch -33<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n