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Edwards, Keselowski Need Texas-Size Comebacks
If everything really is bigger in Texas, better include comebacks in that state motto, too.
Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski (No. 88 Degree Chevrolet), second and third in the standings, respectively, haven’t conceded the series title to Kyle Busch. And Busch hasn’t dismissed the “anything can-happen-over-the-last-three-races” mantra.
But if a last-gasp overtaking of Busch is to happen, it will be a march of historic series proportion.
The most points overcome to win the championship with three races to go is 125 by Rob Moroso in 1989. Busch has a 215-point lead over Edwards and is up by 257 over Keselowski.
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In Moroso’s comeback 20 years ago, he bypassed Tommy Houston — who was the leader with three races left — and also staved off 1988 series champion Tommy Ellis, who was second with three to go.
Moroso won at Charlotte, which was the third-to-last race of the 1989 season, wrestling the standings lead from Houston. However, Houston took back first place following the next race at North Carolina Speedway. Moroso won the title on the last day of the season at Martinsville Speedway thanks to his third-place finish versus Houston’s 24th-place result due to engine failure.
While Edwards and Keselowski are banking on a miracle, there are plenty of too-close-to-call rankings battles still being waged in the top 10 standings with fifth and 10th places the biggest prizes.
Justin Allgaier (No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge) has a hold on fifth, but Mike Bliss (No. 11 Ridemakerz Toyota) is 59 points out. Bliss is in the No. 11 again at Texas; he’s been terrific over his three races in that ride — two runner-up finishes and a fourth-place result.
Michael Annett (No. 15 Germain Racing Toyota) broke into the top 10 after the Oct. 24 race at Memphis Motorsports Park. But, the Raybestos Rookie has plenty of competition for the spot. Michael McDowell is 11th, 13 points out of 10th; Tony Raines (No. 34 Long John Silver’s Chevrolet) is 12th, 62 points from 10th and Kenny Wallace (No. 28 U.S. Border Patrol Chevrolet) is 13th, 65 points behind Annett.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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