Columbia native Carl Edwards led the most laps at Miami-Homestead, 119 of the 267, but he wasn’t leading when it mattered most. Trailing Tony Stewart by one second for the final 40 laps, Edwards was unable to catch Stewart who won the race and tie-breaker giving him the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship.

Carl Edwards talks to his crew (:19)

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Columbia native Carl Edwards is leading Tony Stewart by three points heading into next weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup finale at Homestead after finishing in second behind Kasey Kahne in Phoenix.

Stewart finished third and at one point was leading the race and had a two point lead over Edwards for the overall standings. Edwards finishes the day with 2,359 points total.

Edwards is looking for his first Sprint Cup Championship. It will also end Jimmie Johnson’s reign of five straight championships.

Through his radio at the conclusion of the Dover race, Columbia native Carl Edwards predicted a win for his crew at Kansas Speedway, which he considers his home track. After Sunday’s fifth place finish, Edwards was just happy they finished on the lead lap and thrilled they got a top five.

“I feel like I won,” Edwards said of his comeback. “We were very fortunate. I do not deserve to be sitting up here,” Edwards said. “We’ve messed-up enough in the past that I’m proud of our ability to keep plugging along. Maybe it’s a test to see if anyone melts down.”

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Columbia, MO. native Carl Edwards sped through the pits and was assessed a penalty and was thankful that a caution allowed him to move back up near the top. His third place finish was good enough to keep in a tie atop the Cup standings with seven races to go after a stop in Dover.

Kurt Busch benefitted from not only Edwards’ mistake but also Jimmie Johnson to win and move up five spots to fourth, just nine points behind Harvick and Edwards. Tony Stewart is also nine back. With two bad restarts, Johnson let Busch grab and then hold onto the lead for the final 42 laps.

Edwards was leading for 116 laps and he was issued a speeding penalty after a green-flag stop on Lap 245. Edwards spun his tires shifting from first to second gear and, sped up as he exited pit road, but NASCAR nailed him. It too 55 laps, when on 300, J.J. Yeley hit the wall bringing out a caution, allwoing Edwards to get a free pass back to the lead lap.

Carl Edwards on his penalty and his season

Columbia native and NASCAR star Carl Edwards will re-sign with Roush Fenway Racing, inking a multi-year deal beginning in 2012.

Team owner Jack Roush released this statement: “We saw great potential in Carl a decade ago, and it’s been a thrill to watch him grow into one of the sports’ premier drivers behind the wheel of the No. 99,” added Roush. “We didn’t take our past success for granted when we sat down with Carl to talk about his future. As an organization, we approach each week with an intense focus on being successful in the race to come. Carl’s position atop the points is a testament to that diligence.”

Edwards is the current points leader in the Sprint Cup Standings and has 19 career wins and 80 top-five finishes.

Edwards released a statement as well: “I sincerely appreciate the amazing opportunity that Jack Roush has given me in this sport and am honored to race for him,” Edwards said. “As an organization, Roush Fenway provides the resources I need to win, and as a driver, that’s the most important thing. We’re having a fun season on the race track as we’re leading the points and in great position for the Chase. That’s the result of a lot of hard work from the men and women at Roush Fenway, Ford Motor Company and Roush Yates Engines. I really enjoy competing with this group and looking forward to continuing that relationship into the future.”