Carl Edwards came to Auto Club Speedway with hopes of securing back-to-back wins after capturing the checkered in Bristol last weekend. The Roush Fenway Racing driver battled with a loose handling race car after starting the day from the ninth spot but remained solidly inside the top 20 until a blown left rear tire set him back to the 37th position at lap 117 of the 200 lap race. The No.99 team fought back to gradually make gains on the track and pit road as they rounded out the top 10 after a green-white-checkered finish ended the day.
The No. 99 Subway Ford Fusion rolled off in the ninth position when the green flag waved of the Auto Club 400. Edwards’ last win at the two-mile track came in 2008 when he began from this same spot. The car was loose on exit throughout the beginning of the day and the No.99 crew was successful in making the necessary adjustments to get up to speed and back into the top ten before a flat left rear at lap 117 sent Edwards into the grass.
The two-time NASCAR champion restarted in the 37th position, one lap back, and fought hard to move up the field to secure the lucky dog when the yellow came out on lap 140. The team continued to improve their race car and got it to a place that was very close to where it needed to be as they began to make strides against the rest of the field.
Edwards continued to wheel his No. 99 Ford Fusion up the track, and his efforts, combined with gains on pit road, placed him in the 11th spot when a caution came out just short of the finish on lap 198. After another speedy pit stop he would restart in ninth and end up in 10th, making the No. 99 team the new point’s leader.
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