So, after 35 Sprint Cup races this season, including nine in the Chase, it all comes down to thisCarl Edwards and Tony Stewart for all the marbles next weekend in Florida.
Stewart dominated much of Sunday’s race in Avondale, Ariz., which was won by Kasey Kahne. Stewart led 160 of the 312 laps but settled for a third-place finish. Edwards finished second, so the points margin didn’t change, and Edwards goes into next weekend’s season finale leading Stewart by three points.
“We’re going to make him sweat it out,” Stewart said in a postrace news conference. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a dead heat going in there. I’m pumped. I wish I was going to Homestead (the site of Sunday’s race) tomorrow.”
So did Edwards, a two-time Homestead winner.
“This is going to be a battle. I truly believe it’s going to be a good race,” he said. “I hope it comes down to the fastest guy winning the race.”
It’s the closest title race since NASCAR implemented the 10-race Chase for the championship in 2004.
Five-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson finished 14th and was officially eliminated from title contention.
