Carl Edwards traditionally back-flips off of his car after winning a NASCAR race.
Tere was no back flip Friday night at Richmond International Raceway, but that didn’t keep Edwards from winning the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. AHN
Edwards, who continues to drive with a broken right foot after a Frisbee accident last week, qualified a disappointing 39th earlier in the day but had to start from the rear of the 43-car field after his team changed the spark plugs prior to the start of the race.
The Roush Fenway Racing driver beat Kevin Harvick out of the pits and took the lead for the first time during a caution with 24 laps to go. He held off Harvick at the finish by 1.17 seconds for his fourth victory of the season and the 24th of his Nationwide career.
“I know that was a really weak burnout, but I don’t want to tear up this [car]. It’s too good,” Edwards said.
It’s the third time this season he has won a Nationwide race after starting from the rear of the field. MiamiHerald.com
“My guys were the one [Friday night] that made this one happen,” Edwards said. “That was a great pit stop. “We’re trying to catch Kyle, and we needed a run like this to do it. [Crew chief] Dan Stillman and all these guys did it for me [Friday night].
NASCAR Nationwide Series: Richmond International Raceway - Race Results
“We were probably going to run second, but that pit stop was what got me to Victory Lane.”
“It’s not the weak link right now. It’s not holding me up any and it feels good, so it shouldn’t be an issue,” Edwards said after using crutches to get to the media center.
Second in the Nationwide standings, Edwards trimmed the lead of third-place finisher Kyle Busch to 201 points. NASCAR
Denny Hamlin started from the pole position and led the most laps (101 of the 250), but dropped from victory contention after a collision with Harvick in the 203rd lap. Both drivers continued, but Hamlin was forced to pit with damage to the left-front fender.
“I just got loose and I needed the whole race track to save it, but unfortunately Kevin (Harvick) was there,” Hamlin said. “I’m glad it didn’t ruin his night and I’m sure he didn’t need that caution at the end.”
Hamlin wound up 17th, the last driver on the lead lap in the Virginia 529 College Savings 250. USA Today
| 
|