NASCAR In Phoenix: Carl Edwards Wins On Fuel Mileage, Chase Race Tightens

Jimmie Johnson appeared loose and relaxed, joking and smiling after he finished fifth thanks to a fuel-mileage strategy at Phoenix International Raceway.

The pressure heading into Homestead, Jimmie Johnson believed, was now squarely on points leader Denny Hamlin.

About 50 yards away from Victory Lane, Denny Hamlin sat glumly on the pit wall and tossed a sports drink bottle to the ground in frustration.

“This is one of the bigger letdowns I’ve had,” he said, and it was easy to understand why.

Crew chief Gil Martin came up to Kevin Harvick and wrapped an arm around him from behind, whispering words of encouragement in his ear.

The two men exchanged pleasantries, and Harvick turned back to face reporters.

In a wild fuel-mileage finish at Phoenix, Carl Edwards snapped a 70-race winless streak as the Chase battle tightened.

Though Denny Hamlin dominated all day, his team didn’t anticipate a fuel-mileage race – and as a result, he had to pit under the green flag in the final laps.

I’m not entirely sure why Ryan Newman had a media availability on Friday along with the top 12 drivers – perhaps because the U.S. Army driver was there to discuss Veteran’s Day – but he came into the media center and put on a comedy routine for a receptive press corps.

Among his remarks, he spoke about his very-pregnant wife, Krissie, and the Jeff Gordon/Jeff Burton fight at Texas. Pretty funny stuff.

This weekend brings us one of the most important Chase races ever, with three drivers competing for the championship over the final two races.

The Chase historically hasn’t been this close heading into the final two events, and the 10-race playoff is shaping up to be as good – or better – than the first Chase in 2004.