Edwards captures fifth Cup crown

Busch still series leader, but gap closing before Chase

Carl Edwards does a backflip after winning the NASCAR 3M Performance 400. Edwards won the event Sunday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

? Carl Edwards sent a not-so-subtle message to Kyle Busch Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.

“We’re winning races,” Edwards said after pulling away from runner-up Busch for his fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the season. “We’re gearing up for the Chase. I’m feeling stronger than ever. We’re here to win championships. That’s what we’re shooting for.”

With just three races remaining until the start of the 10-race Chase for the Championship, Edwards closed the gap on series leader Busch with his second victory in the last three races. Edwards also completed a rare weekend sweep on the two-mile Michigan oval, adding the win in the 3M Performance 400 to a victory Saturday in the Nationwide Series event.

While the 23-year-old Busch has had a great season, winning eight times and building a big lead in the regular-season points, Edwards, who turned 29 on Friday, has kept the youngster in sight.

When the 12-man Chase begins next month at New Hampshire, all of the eligible drivers will be seeded, with 10 bonus points added to their base total of 5,000 for each victory. Edwards lost one 10-point bonus because of a penalty early in the season, but still would be just 40 points behind Busch if the Chase began next week.

“The greatest part is we didn’t give up more bonus points to Kyle,” Edwards said. “Every time I win and he finishes second, that’s really a 20-point spread for us. That’s what we have to keep doing, is to try to win the next three events and go into this Chase on even ground.”

Busch was just ahead of Edwards when they pitted under caution on lap 180 of the 200-lap event, but Edwards won the race out of the pits.