Following the “Showtime Presents: Southern 500” at Darlington Raceway there was a lot of focus on the post race antics of Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch.
While the media focused on Busch and Harvick, Regan Smith won his first career race and Carl Edwards is showing the competition how he will be the one to beat for this title.
Edwards is now leading the points by 23 over Jimmie Johnson. His consistency this season you can compare back to 2008 when he challenged Johnson for the title.
Edwards worst finish this season was at Phoenix where he finished 28th. Since then he has one finish outside the top 10. He has seven finishes of sixth or better and one win at Las Vegas.
His strong start this season should pay off in a Chase spot but Edwards is aware that anything can happen. His one win so far also helps that if he falls outside the top 10 he could get in via wildcard.
Prior to his second place finish at Darlington on Saturday night, Edwards spoke about that.
“If there are eight guys or something that are all on equal ground, but if they got a win they would be in the chase, you’re going to see some really hardcore racing out of those guys. I hope I’m in and I hope I don’t have to be one of those guys, but I think the fans are going to benefit by that.”
His focus though is clearly on getting the best finishes he can and getting as many wins as he can.
It’s been since 2008 when Edwards was this consistent on a week to week basis. Edwards is a much different racer than he was in 2008. As his team as they have dealth with the ups and downs of racing the last two seasons.
The new engine that Ford has been working on since 2008, the FR9 has powered Edwards, Trevor Bayne and Matt Kenseth to victory lane this season.
Even though he hasn’t won multiple races early on this season don’t be too surprised if he doesn’t win more as the season wears on.
The new points system rewards consistency. The wins are rewarded in bonus points come the points reset following Ricmond.
Edwards team has been very strong on pit road and have done one of the best jobs of improving their car from start to finish.
In the beginning of the season Edwards wasn’t at the top of the list to dethrone Johnson. Now nine races into the season and Edwards is looking like he is in championship form.
With all the focus on Busch and Harvick, Edwards is more than happy to shy away from the controversy.
“No. I haven't really paid much attention to the details of everything that's going on. That's the passion of the sport. I've been involved with my fair share of that stuff. I guess I'll just sit back and watch like everybody else and see what happens.”
For his competitors if Edwards runs like this for the rest of the season they just might be doing the same exact thing at Las Vegas in December.
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