COLUMN: Edwards makes the best of a losing proposition

            HOMESTEAD, Fla. - What does it say about the state of NASCAR that, twice in the final three races, the fastest car had to go slow in order to win?

            It says that small fuel tanks, generic cars and "aero push" are changing the face of stock-car racing and making strategy, not speed, the most important aspect of races.

            Among Carl Edwards' nine victories were similarly unconventional triumphs at Texas and Homestead at season's end.

            Both tracks were a mile and a half in length. In both races, Edwards' Ford was the fastest car for much of the night. In both cases, Edwards wouldn't have won had he not been able to squeeze more fuel mileage out of his car than anyone else. In both cases, the race ended, essentially, with the slowest car on the track taking the checkered flag.

            A championship is probably in Edwards' future. If anyone can figure out a way to beat Jimmie Johnson in the Chase, it's Edwards, particularly in tandem with crew chief Bob Osborne.

            Edwards made it 69 laps on a tank of gas at Texas and 67 at Homestead. In the final race, Edwards cooled his heels while one leader, Tony Stewart, had to pit and another, Matt Kenseth, ran out of gas.

            In terms of the championship, the die had been cast before the race even started, but Edwards showed a maturity that should bode well for his future. He didn't question Osborne, followed instructions, slowed down and made it to the end. It left other drivers, and teammate Jamie McMurray, stunned.

            A nonsensical remark by the championship crew chief, Chad Knaus, was telling.

"This track is great for racing," he said, "but it's bad if you're trying to pass."

Hmm. How can a track be great for racing but bad for passing?

It wasn't Homestead-Miami Speedway's fault. When Edwards was out front, he sped away all race long. When he found himself mired in traffic, Edwards languished. He was trapped. He had to do something drastic.

He won on fuel.

It's interesting if, every once in a while, the tortoise beats the hare.

Now, though, it's as if the cars are all tortoises.

            You can reach Monte Dutton at mdutton@gastongazette.com.