Carl Edwards dominated the Nationwide Series O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge from Texas Motor Speedway, but it was Trevor Bayne who got the victory. Bayne won the 2011 Daytona 500, but today he got his first ever win in the Nationwide Series.
Edwards led 157 of the 200 laps today, and looked like he had the car to beat but had to settle for a third place finish. Edwards had the lead on a late restart, but he wasn't able to hold off Bayne who only led six laps while getting the win.
Elliott Sadler had a strong car for much of the race, but faded from second to ninth in the final 20 laps. For much of the race it looked like Sadler would gain a lot of points on series leader Ricky Stenhouse Jr, but instead he actually lost points. He now sits 17 points behind Stenhouse with two races remaining. Stenhouse fought an ill-handling car much of the race, but was able to rebound and finish sixth to stretch out his points lead over Sadler.
Denny Hamlin drove the 18 car for Joe Gibbs Racing as a substitute driver because Kyle Busch was parked for today and tomorrow for intentionally wrecking Ron Hornaday under caution in last night's Camping World Truck Series race. Hamlin had to start at the back of the pack because of the driver change, but he was able to drive all the way up to a second place finish.
There were five cautions for a total of 19 laps. There was 11 lead changes among seven different drivers in today's race.
There are two races remaining for the Nationwide Series: Next week in Phoenix, AZ, and two weeks from now in Homestead, FL
Top 5:
Trevor Bayne
Denny Hamlin
Carl Edwards
Clint Bowyer
Brad Keselowski
Championship Battle:
1) Stenhouse Jr.
2) Elliott Sadler -17
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