Carl Edwards celebrates after winning the NASCAR Busch Series title, with an 11th-place finish in the O'Reilly Challenge auto race Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, in Fort Worth, Texas.
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Lee Spencer
FOXSports.com
Posted: 1 hour ago

With less than 40 laps remaining in the O'Reilly Challenge Saturday afternoon, Carl Edwards finally clinched the NASCAR Busch Series title at Texas Motor Speedway with two races remaining on the schedule.

Edwards, who finished 11th in the 200-lap event, took the points lead for the first time at Mexico City — the third race of the season — and extended his advantage to 852 points following the Kroger 200 at O'Reilly Raceway Park in July with a fourth-place finish. But in the last 11 events, Edwards scored just two top 10s and crashed out twice in the final four races — a streak that allowed second-place runner David Reutimann to cut the margin to 531 points heading into the Texas weekend.

To finally lock down the title in his third year on the tour was a relief for the Roush Fenway Racing driver.

"This year, especially the first half of the year, was just so spectacular. P.K. (crew chief Pierre Kuettel) and all the guys did a great job and we had luck on our side," Edwards said. "It just feels great to be the champion. I've won championships at our local dirt track — I won two. I won the Baby Grand Stock Car Racing Association championship in 2002. So it feels great."

Edwards, 28, is the second Ford driver to win the Busch title. Teammate Greg Biffle won for Roush Racing in 2002. The Columbia, Mo.-native remembers his humble racing beginnings.

"It's just amazing," Edwards said. "I've lived two completely different lives. I've been to Texas Motor Speedway. I was here with Mike Mittler in 2000, working on his truck. I drove in the right seat of the semi down here from Forstel, Missouri. I don't remember where I stayed, probably in someone's rollaway in the hotel. I came here, hung out and carried ice bags and helped out.

"So to be standing on pit road with a championship trophy in the NASCAR Busch Series is amazing. A lot of good people have helped me and I'm extremely grateful. I can't wait to start the season next year as the defending champion of the series, and hopefully do it again."

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