In the closest finish in NASCAR history Tony Stewart wins the last race at Homestead Florida and in the process wins the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship. Tony and Carl Edwards actually tied in points but Tony wins the tie breaker by winning the most races in the chase.
(Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)
In the first time in NASCAR history the driver that won the final race also won the Championship. I think this race was probably the most exciting in NASCAR history. I know I was on the edge of my seat for the final 35 laps.
Tony maintained a 1 second lead over Carl Edwards for the last 35 laps and even weaving through lapped cars at the end Tony prevailed for the win. Carl being the class act he is gave Tony a handshake and a few words as Tony received the Championship flag to do his victory lap.
(Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Tony and crew chief Darian Grubb took some gamble by keeping Tony out on the track while others including Carl Edwards came to pit road. Tony admitted he was out of gas when he was leaving pit road as the gas didn’t get into the engine until their fuel pressure built up. This was a big factor in the race and one of the best calls by a crew chief that I have ever seen.
In the end it was just Tony’s day! Congrats to Tony and his crew at Stewart-Haas racing. They did an amazing job since the Race to the Chase started. Even Tony was counting himself out in the beginning but came through shining when it was all said and done.
