Dover, Del. (June 3, 2012) – Dover is called the “Monster Mile” and it lived up to its reputation for Carl Edwards and Subway team today. Edwards had worked his way into the top five, but a flat tire before halfway sent him into the wall. He was able to finish the race but in 26th place, 82 laps down.
Edwards started 19th but worked his way up into the top 10 by lap 51. By lap 62 he was up to eighth and crew chief Bob Osborne told him he was the fastest car on the track. After a green-flag pit cycle Edwards remained in eighth on lap 75.
A caution on lap 110 brought the field to pit road and Edwards maintained his eighth-place position. When the race resumed on lap 116 he jumped two spots to sixth and looked to be a contender. The Subway Ford was a bit tight, but on lap 141 Edwards passed Roush Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth for fifth place.
Unfortunately bad luck struck about 25 laps later. While running fifth on lap 164 a problem with the right-front tire sent Edwards into the wall. The damage was extensive and the team was forced to take the car to the garage for repairs.
After significant work Edwards returned to the track on lap 247 to fight for as many positions as he could in the remaining laps. He finished the race in 26th place.
Jimmie Johnson won the race followed by Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Clint Bowyer. Aric Almirola, Martin Truex, Joey Logano, Kasey Kahne and Marcos Ambrose rounded out the top 10.
“Our front-right tire went flat,” Edwards said. “I don’t know exactly why. This is such a fun race track and the car was so good. Our whole Subway team had done a really good job so far and we were able to get back out there and get all the points we could. It is so frustrating to have that good of a car. I love racing here. We will come back and get them in the fall.”
Edwards and the No. 99 team fell to 12th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings, 96 points behind the leader, Greg Biffle. The next race will be Sunday, June 10 at Pocono Raceway. The race will begin at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on TNT.
