Despite the excitement, and potential high level of drama, associated with Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' finale at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, the conclusion of the 2011 Chase For The Sprint Cup Championship will actually become a case of 1-2-3.
During that Arizona weekend we witnessed a very popular driver, in the process on concluding his tenure with his present race team, return to a NASCAR Sprint Cup victory lane.
Edwards chased Kasey Kahne to the finish at Phoenix, but had to settle for the runner-up spot in the Kobalt Tools 500. Edwards remained on top in the Sprint Cup point standings and will take a three-point lead over Tony Stewart to Homestead.
With NASCAR traveling to the ‘Valley of the Sun’ for the next to the last race of the season, it was no surprise that the reconfigured race track was soaked instead with liquid sunshine.
Welcome to Homestead, Florida, and the championship edition of NASCAR's American Gladiators. With a slim three point advantage going into the final round we have from Columbia, Missouri 32-year old Carl Edwards.
Despite all the mind games being played by Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards was able to stay even with Stewart by virtue of finishing one place in front of the former champion, even if he did lead the most laps.
Realistically Jimmie Johnson’s run at a sixth straight championship ended before Phoenix but he was officially eliminated from contention on Sunday afternoon.
Kasey Kahne claimed his first victory of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season while Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart spent the afternoon in such close proximity at Phoenix International Raceway that they maintained the same three-point margin of their thrilling battle in the tightest Chase in history.
For Sam Hornish Jr. there’s just something about Phoenix. The former open wheel driver scored his first career IndyCar win at the jewel in the desert and on Saturday afternoon he did the same in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Hendrick Motorsports has piled up 135 victories including 20 in the Next Gen era. The organization leads the field in postseason wins (62) and has won at least one race in The Chase/Playoffs in 22 of 23 seasons.
Garrett Smithley is excited to announce a new partnership with ZONiE beverage which will be featured on the #0 Chevrolet for the remainder of the year.
