Carl Edwards ended a 70-race winless drought while the NASCAR points’ race closed up setting up a Formula One-like Abu-Dhabi-like three-way finale next week in Homestead.
Hamlin’s lead over Jimmie Johnson has shrunk to 15-points and Kevin Harvick is 46-points behind.
“It’s been a long drought and difficult to keep our confidence up. It still feels like it didn’t happen,” said Carl Edwards in Victory Lane.
Carl Edwards, winner of Saturday’s Nationwide Race, who sat on the pole, which gave him the choice of the first pit box and that, may have been another key to the win.
“I felt like we had the best car then here comes Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, I thought their cars were best. The thing that saved us was the pit stall (selection). We understand that we have to qualify better,” said Edwards.
After Denny Hamlin passed Edwards for the lead on lap 66 Hamlin was set for a dominating win (he led 190 laps) extending his points lead, but, a small mistake in fuel strategy caused him to pit on lap 298, of the 312-lap race, under green flag pit stop which cost him precious positions and points. Hamlin finished 12th
Mike Ford, Hamlin’s feisty crew chief explained. “When you're leading, you're in a vulnerable situation. Our (gas) mileage was horrible today.” And that was the tale of the race.
Hamlin told how his day turned sour “knowing that we had a very, very good points lead with 15 or 20 to go, that quickly diminishes, it hurts. It hurts when you have a car that can possibly win.
So for me, I wasn't aware that anyone was going to try to stretch it and make it. Mike didn't make me aware that anyone was going to stretch it and make it so I went out there and ran as hard as I could. Unfortunately, our car didn't have as good of fuel mileage as everyone else's.”
Johnson, aiming for his fifth-straight Sprint Cup, finished fifth. Afterwards was smiling and optimistic about his Chase chances even though he’s fifteen points behind Hamlin, while Hamlin seems miserable.
Jimmie Johnson said “I hope the pressure of us being on Denny Hamlin’s heels works on him mentally this week. Those guys better be on their toes."
Meanwhile Kevin Harvick overcame a penalty for a loose lug nut and finished sixth. “We’re just lucky to be honest with you. I was pretty down thought there it went. Richard told me we could make it on gas. We dodged one for sure. Still got a chance next week.”
Even though Hamlin takes the lead to Homestead where he won last year he’s grasping at straws to restore his confidence. I'm going to move on and try how to figure out how to win next week. This is fuel for me.”
Hamlin’s lead over Jimmie Johnson has shrunk to 15-points and Kevin Harvick is 46-points behind.
“It’s been a long drought and difficult to keep our confidence up. It still feels like it didn’t happen,” said Carl Edwards in Victory Lane.
Carl Edwards, winner of Saturday’s Nationwide Race, who sat on the pole, which gave him the choice of the first pit box and that, may have been another key to the win.
“I felt like we had the best car then here comes Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, I thought their cars were best. The thing that saved us was the pit stall (selection). We understand that we have to qualify better,” said Edwards.
After Denny Hamlin passed Edwards for the lead on lap 66 Hamlin was set for a dominating win (he led 190 laps) extending his points lead, but, a small mistake in fuel strategy caused him to pit on lap 298, of the 312-lap race, under green flag pit stop which cost him precious positions and points. Hamlin finished 12th
Mike Ford, Hamlin’s feisty crew chief explained. “When you're leading, you're in a vulnerable situation. Our (gas) mileage was horrible today.” And that was the tale of the race.
Hamlin told how his day turned sour “knowing that we had a very, very good points lead with 15 or 20 to go, that quickly diminishes, it hurts. It hurts when you have a car that can possibly win.
So for me, I wasn't aware that anyone was going to try to stretch it and make it. Mike didn't make me aware that anyone was going to stretch it and make it so I went out there and ran as hard as I could. Unfortunately, our car didn't have as good of fuel mileage as everyone else's.”
Johnson, aiming for his fifth-straight Sprint Cup, finished fifth. Afterwards was smiling and optimistic about his Chase chances even though he’s fifteen points behind Hamlin, while Hamlin seems miserable.
Jimmie Johnson said “I hope the pressure of us being on Denny Hamlin’s heels works on him mentally this week. Those guys better be on their toes."
Meanwhile Kevin Harvick overcame a penalty for a loose lug nut and finished sixth. “We’re just lucky to be honest with you. I was pretty down thought there it went. Richard told me we could make it on gas. We dodged one for sure. Still got a chance next week.”
Even though Hamlin takes the lead to Homestead where he won last year he’s grasping at straws to restore his confidence. I'm going to move on and try how to figure out how to win next week. This is fuel for me.”