After Homestead test, Edwards plans to "dominate this race"

It also means he has to be one of the four remaining Chase drivers eligible for the title when he arrives for the Nov. 20 season finale.

The past several days have provided him great confidence his dream could come true.

Edwards finished second and led 61 laps in Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway, which has a similar configuration as Homestead. It was reminiscent of his run earlier this season at Texas, where he led 124 laps before finishing seventh.

Tuesday test

On Tuesday, Edwards was one of 11 drivers participating in a two-day test at Homestead, which he believes will continue the progress his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team has made this season on intermediate tracks. The test will conclude on Wednesday.

“At this place you drive into the corners and slide right up by the fence. I really feel like I’m driving a race car here. It’s a fun place to drive,” Edwards said Tuesday during a break in testing. “My dream is to be in that final four at Homestead-Miami Speedway, to win the race and to be the Sprint Cup Series champion.

“Things have been picking up for us. We’ve been running really well. We had a great run at Kansas. Our pit crew is doing well; we’re qualifying well; that was the best performance at a mile-and-a-half (track) since Texas.

“This test is going well so far and hopefully we can go run really well at Texas (next month) and come back here and dominate this race. That is what we’re planning on doing.”

Preparing for the finale

Edwards said his crew chief, Dave Rogers, was working on “a bunch of different things” at the test.

“This sport is always evolving. I think this is a neat opportunity, even though it’s testing conditions and a couple of teams opted not to come here,” Edwards said. “Even if we don’t gain anything huge for the car, we’re still having a good time.”

Following this Sunday’s race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, the four Chase drivers lowest in points without a win will be eliminated from further title contention as the field is cut from 12 to eight.

Chase outlook for Edwards

Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick are currently locked in the next round through wins. JGR drivers Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Edwards are the three highest drivers in points. Edwards has a 24-point cushion over ninth place in the Chase standings.

“That cushion can be erased in an instant at Talladega,” Edwards said. “So, the plan is to go there and win the race and leave no doubt. That race, so much can happen. You have to respect the place but also respect the fact any of the competitors can go out there and win the race.

“It’s unpredictable because you cannot separate yourself from the group. Everything is on edge with these cars all the time.”

In addition to Edwards the following drivers also participated in the test at Homestead: Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Ryan Blaney, Trevor Bayne, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon, Kurt Busch, Michael McDowell and David Ragan.