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Bowyer Takes Overall Crown

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The Associated Press

Published: November 16, 2008

HOMESTEAD - Carl Edwards won the season-ending Ford 300 on Saturday night, but he came up 21 points short in his attempt to overtake Clint Bowyer for the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship.

All Bowyer had to do to keep Edwards from winning a second straight title was finish in the top eight, and he did that easily. He grabbed fifth to stay on top of the standings, right where he had been most of the year despite winning only one of 35 races.

"We've been consistent," Bowyer said after climbing out of his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. "We did the things it takes to win championships. I want to thank Richard for giving me the opportunity.

"We've raced a long time, we're both from the Midwest and he's a good competitor," Bowyer said of Edwards. "He's last year's champion and it feels really good to beat him."

Edwards wrested the lead from Kyle Busch late in the race and stayed out front to the end of the 200-lap event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, earning his seventh Nationwide victory and keeping Busch from recording a record 11th Nationwide victory.

Edwards did all he could, other than getting the five-point bonus for leading the most laps, but it wasn't enough.

It was a disappointing finish for Edwards, who faces even bigger odds today trying to make up a 141-point deficit against Jimmie Johnson in the Sprint Cup finale. Johnson can wrap up the title by finishing 36th or better, no matter what Edwards does.

"Man, that's a great win, to be able to hold off that No. 18 Busch, as strong as that group has been," Edwards said. "It's no good to finish second, but I know Clint will be a great champion."

Both Edwards and Bowyer, another Cup star, had consistent seasons, but the difference at the end was Edwards failing to finish two races.

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