Edwards wins inaugural Bucyrus 200 at Road America
by Steve Ottman Review Correspondent
ELKHART LAKE – Carl Edwards pulled away from Ron Fellows on the restart with three laps to go to win the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series Bucyrus 200 at Road America Saturday.
It was Edwards’ third consecutive win in Wisconsin and first this season for his No. 60 Fastenalsponsored Ford team.
“I love racing in Wisconsin,” said Edwards in a celebratory post-race press conference.
“The fans are great here and this is beautiful road course to win the first Nationwide race at Elkhart Lake.”
Edwards celebrated with his famous back flip and cruised into victory lane where he received high fives from his teammates.
Bringing home the trophy made pulling double-duty racing worthwhile for Edwards. Moments later, Edwards received a 1200-class Harley Davidson and a 45-pound marble and steel trophy designed by Harley Davidson.
Edwards was asked if this was worth all of the work of flying back and forth from Elkhart Lake to California.
“For sure,” replied Edwards. “What else was I going to be doing this afternoon – a vineyard or something? I’d much rather be here.”
There were seven cautions that took a total of 14 laps but Edwards, who dropped back as far seventh with 13 laps to go, made a hard charge past Jacques Villeneuve with nine laps left.
Villeneuve passed Edwards earlier and Edwards used the same move to take the lead for good. Villeneuve would have engine problems on the last lap.
Fellows and third-place finisher Brendan Gaughan followed Edwards.
Gaughan added that this [Road America] is a very professional road course. “This is a man’s man road course,” related Gaughan. “This is a fun track. I would love to see the [NASCAR Sprint] Cup guys race here.”
“To be racing against Jacques Villeneuve and Ron Fellows on a road course, I was having the time of my life.”
Fellows agreed with Gaughan – stating the race is worthy for Sprint Cup drivers.
BUCYRUS 200 RESULTS
Top 10
1. # 60 Carl Edwards
2. # 88 Ron Fellows
3. # 62 Brendan Gaughan
4. # 22 Brad Keselowski
5. # 27 Owen Kelly
6. # 18 Brad Coleman
7. # 7 J.R. Fitzpatrick
8. # 38 Jason Leffler
9. # 66 Steve Wallace
10. # 99 Trevor Bayne
