Edwards beats Harvick out of pits, on track to win Nationwide at Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. -- Carl Edwards grabbed the lead from Kevin Harvick on pit road with 24 laps to go Friday night and won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond.

The victory finished off a remarkable race for Edwards, who had to start at the back of the field after his team made adjustments to his Ford after the field was impounded.

The work and penalty were clearly worth it as Edwards steadily worked his way into contention, first challenging Denny Hamlin for the lead with 70 laps to go.

"I thought I'd lost the race," Edwards said. "I got in deep behind Denny, he checked up a lot more than I thought he was going to, I hit him and I let off and (Harvick) got by me."

Edwards faded afterward, but when a caution for debris on the track flew on the 226th lap, the leaders all headed for pit road, and Edwards beat Harvick back to the track.

"My guys are the ones that made this one happen, the guys in the pits," Edwards said.

Kyle Busch finished third.

The victory allowed Edwards to gain 20 points on Busch in the standings, but he still trails by 201 points with eight races remaining.