Carl Edwards won the Nationwide Series race Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway, setting himself up for a big weekend for Roush-Fenway Racing.
Edwards dominated the Nationwide race, leading 153 of the 200 laps while beating runner-up Kevin Harvick by 5.210 seconds. He was that good despite missing the final practice on orders from team owner Jack Roush, who wanted the driver to concentrate on his Sprint Cup Series car.
Edwards will start from the pole in Sunday’s main event. He set a track record in qualifying, and was the fastest car in all three Cup practices. MiamiHerald.com
Edwards started second to Joey Logano but quickly went to the front. He led 153 of 200 laps at the one-mile track en route to his fourth victory of the season and the 29th of his career. The victory was Edwards’ fourth at Phoenix and his second consecutive in the series.
“This is the best car I’ve ever had in the Nationwide Series,” Edwards radioed to crew chief Mike Beam after the race. NASCAR.com
Kyle Busch, who perhaps would have been Edwards’ most serious challenger, lost a lap in the pits because of a flat tire during a green-flag run.
Joey Logano finished third, and Brad Keselowski, who had locked up the series championship, rallied late to finish fourth.
The first half of the race featured strong runs by Aric Almirola, Edwards and Busch.
The race’s first caution flag flew on lap 22 as Mark Green’s car sputtered smoke, bringing the leaders to the pits for the first time. FOX News
Aric Almirola was sixth, followed by Colin Braun and Justin Allgaier. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Steve Wallace completed the top 10.
Danica Patrick finished 32nd after a rough race. She had a tire problem after making contact with Tony Raines, but also bumped and banged with Alex Kennedy for several laps in the middle of the race.
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NASCAR Nationwide Series: WYPALL 200 at Phoenix - Race Results
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