Edwards trims Bowyer’s points lead at Phoenix

 Carl Edwards edged closer to a second title in the NASCAR Nationwide Series by claiming victory in Saturday’s race at Phoenix International Speedway.

The defending series champion, Edwards pulled within 56 points of series leader Clint Bowyer after winning the Hefty Odor Block 200 in Phoenix and scoring his sixth win of the season.

Bowyer, who overcame a midrace accident and finished fourth, needs to place eighth or better in Saturday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida to win his first Nationwide Series championship.

In addition to winning his second race of the past three, Edwards picked up the maximum number of points in Phoenix by leading the most laps. He has finished ahead of Bowyer in the last three races, trimming Bowyer’s lead by 60 points.

“If we run like we’ve been running and perform like we’ve been performing, we can close those 56 points,” Edwards said.  Hear what else Edwards had to say in his post-race interview.

Bowyer, who started in 23rd position, was running in seventh place when his car was damaged in a five-car crash on lap 80.

“We dodged a bullet,” said Bowyer, who has one win in this year’s series.

Denny Hamlin charged from fifth to second in the final two laps. Kevin Harvick finished third, followed by Bowyer, Kyle Busch and rookie Landon Cassill.