Columbia native Carl Edwards got to do his post-victory back-flip for the second time this season after taking the checkered flag at the Pocono 500 Sunday. Edwards led 45 of the 201 laps to earn the second win of his very young career. Edwards led four times on Sunday, taking the lead back for good on lap 187.
The victory came in his first race ever at Pocono and it also marked Roush Racing’s first win at the triangular track. Edwards told reporters that he practiced on a computer game to get ready. His chances seemed even slimmer, considering he wasn’t able to get to bed until 4AM. Edwards was on a plane with team owner Jack Roush and fog made it difficult to land the plane at Scranton-Wilkes-Barre International Airport. After several missed approaches, Roush was able to land the plane.
Edwards, who also won in Atlanta back in March, moved up five spots from ninth to fourth in the points standings. He’s 303 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson. Joplin native Jamie McMurray finished 10th on Sunday and moved up one spot to 12th in the points standings. St. Louis native Rusty Wallace was 11th at Pocono and is eighth in points, moving down one spot. Ken Schrader of Fenton was 29th and St. Louis native Mike Wallace was 31st.
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