After starting in the 14th– position Carl Edwards ran in the top 20 for much of the day at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Roush Fenway Racing driver handled a No.99 Fastenal Ford Fusion that was tight in the center but held his ground and was able to make up track position on pit road later in the day. Crew Chief Jimmy Fennig set into play a fuel strategy that would have placed Edwards in contention at the end, but a caution with about 50 laps to go forced another stop, setting Edwards back to 22nd. The No.99 Ford gained speed and stability, and Edwards was able to make his way back through the field to capture a 13th-place finish.
After narrowly missing round 2 of knockout qualifying, Edwards rolled off in the 14th-spot. He handled a tight racecar but remained solidly inside the top 20 for most of the day as the team worked to make the necessary adjustments to correct the set-up concerns.
After a caution came out with about 90 laps remaining, Fennig opted for a two-tire stop to gain track position and instructed Edwards to save fuel, enacting a strategy that he hoped would take them to the checkered. Edwards would restart from the 11th –positiont and, according to Fennig, was only a few laps short on fuel, which he could easily make up for.
The strategy was soon derailed as another yellow was waved at lap 248. Fennig did not what to risk running out of fuel and instead chose to place four fresh tires on the No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion in hopes that this would provide Edwards with an advantage as many of the contenders stayed out.
Edwards restarted in 22nd but quickly pushed forward on new tires, passing the field in front of him. Members of the lead pack began to fall short on fuel and Edwards was able to pick up a 13th-place result when the checkered waved.
Edwards will return to the track in two weeks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 27th sitting sixth in points. Coverage of the John Wayne Walding 400 begins at 1:00 pm on ESPN.
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