Photo by: Action Sports Photography
Roush Fenway Looking for Chase Win Number 4 at Kansas
Edwards Late-Race Pass Attempt for home-track victory stands out at Kansas
CONCORD, N.C. (Oct., 7, 2011) – All three of Roush Fenway’s Sprint Cup victories at Kansas Speedway occurred during Chase races and were earned by drivers competing in the Chase at the time. Mark Martin and the No. 6 team took two tires, never looked back and ran away with the 2005 Kansas event and Greg Biffle and the No. 16 team were equally strong in his 2007 and 2010 victories. However, it is Carl Edwards’ runner-up finish at his ‘home track’ in 2008 that stands out the most in people’s minds.
With the laps winding down, Edwards seemed to find something in his No. 99 Ford and spent the last several laps chasing down leader Jimmie Johnson. Edwards attempt at the victory concluded with a last corner pass attempt that saw Edwards drive in low in the turn and pass Johnson, before moving up the track and slamming into the wall. Still, through it all he stayed on the gas holding onto second as Johnson went back around. Despite the fact he was unable to hold on for the win, Edwards settled for what is most likely the most daring runner-up finish in NASCAR history.
“I planned on hitting the wall, but I didn’t plan on the wall slowing me down that much,” said Edwards after the race.
"In video games, you can just run into the wall and run it wide open. That's what I did, but it didn't quite work out the same as the video game. I just really, really wanted to win this race,” added the Missouri native. “I feel bad for tearing up (the) car intentionally. I just want to win this race more than any race on the schedule.”
“I was so in awe of how far he drove it in,” said Johnson after the race. “I watched him pound the wall and get back in the gas and thought, ‘Man, he’s serious about this win. I’d better get back in the gas myself.’”
The day also marked a strong outing for Roush Fenway as well, with Greg Biffle winning a drag race to the finish for third over Jeff Gordon. Matt Kenseth finished fifth and David Ragan was eighth, with Roush Fenway placing four cars inside the top 10.
Roush Fenway will look to add to its Kansas legacy this Sunday, when it will seek its fourth win at the 1.5-mile track. Sunday’s race is set for 2 p.m. EST and will be televised live in ESPN.
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