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Edwards' Best Effort Not Enough

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By TONY FABRIZIO

afabrizio@tampatrib.com

Published: November 17, 2008

HOMESTEAD - Jimmie Johnson did what he had to do, and Carl Edwards did everything he possibly could.

When the Ford 400 was done Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the former had matched Cale Yarborough's 1976-78 record of three consecutive championships, and the latter had completed the finest season for a runner-up in 15 years.

Johnson was assured the Sprint Cup title if he finished no worse than 36th. His 15th-place finish gave him the title by 69 points after Edwards earned maximum points with his series-high ninth victory and the bonus for most laps led.

"It's unbelievable," Johnson said after a long celebration on the front stretch that began with a world-class burnout. "I just don't have words to express how proud I am of this race team and how thankful I am of this opportunity to drive for Hendrick Motorsports."

Johnson gave team owner Rick Hendrick his eighth championship in 19 years, and Chad Knaus became the first crew chief to win three in a row. When Yarborough managed his three-peat, his crew chief was Herb Nab in 1976 and '77, and Tim Brewer and Travis Carter and shared the job in 1978.

The 33-year-old Johnson won seven races, including three in the Chase. But Edwards, who also finished second in the Nationwide Series standings, had more wins, more top fives (19 to 15) and more top 10s (27 to 22).

Edwards' nine victories were the most for a Ford driver since Bill Elliott in 1985 and the most for a championship runner-up since Rusty Wallace had 10 in 1993.

Two poor finishes in the Chase doomed Edwards: a 29th at Talladega after a late-race crash that he triggered, and a 33rd at Charlotte after a rare ignition failure. But Edwards battled back with Roush-Fenway Racing, finishing with five consecutive top-four finishes, including wins in three of the final four races.

"My guys performed well enough to win a championship this season," Edwards said. "Considering how well Jimmie performed, I don't think that's a small thing."
Greg Biffle finished third in the championship, followed by Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer. Harvick finished second and Jamie McMurray third in Sunday's race, during which Edwards led five times for 157 laps.

NOTES: Tony Stewart looked like a contender to win in his last race in a 10-year run with Joe Gibbs Racing, but he had to pit for fuel late and finished ninth. ... Zephyrhills' David Reutimann led only the first lap after getting his first Sprint Cup pole, but he ran better than his 20th-place finish. A broken throttle-return spring plagued his effort. ... Tampa's Aric Almirola wound up 35th after a spin and pit road speeding penalty.

Reporter Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994.

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