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Edwards Grabs Win In Phoenix

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

AVONDALE, Ariz. - Carl Edwards improved his bid to win a championship this season, rolling to a dominating win Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway to stay in mathematical contention for the Nationwide Series title.

Edwards, the defending series champion, led a race-high 78 laps and withstood a final challenge from Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin on a late restart to win his sixth race of the season. The victory chipped into Clint Bowyer's lead - Bowyer started the race ahead by 91 points, but was in an early accident and finished fourth.

Bowyer now goes to next week's season finale at Homestead with a 56-point lead over Edwards.

"If we run like we've been running ... we can close 56 points without Clint having trouble," Edwards said.

But Bowyer can win the title next week if he finishes eighth or better, regardless of what Edwards does.

"Man, I can't handle this stuff anymore," Bowyer said. "We're still in it. We dodged a bullet, though."

Edwards refused to start thinking he had an advantage after Bowyer was stacked up.

"I thought to myself, 'as soon as I start relaxing here and counting points, it will be a wash,'" Edwards said. "I assumed with some damage, he was going to run worse than 10th. I didn't relax, I knew the same thing could happen to us."

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