NASCAR Number

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service, as distributed by The Sports Xchange

18: The number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races since Carl Edwards last posted a top-five finish. Edwards, who is fighting for a wild-card entry into the Chase for the Sprint Cup, has but two top-fives this year, the last coming March 25 at Fontana, where he matched his best result of the season - fifth. After running sixth Sunday at Michigan- his 11th top-10 this year - Edwards is 12th in the Cup standings, 38 points behind Denny Hamlin in 10th, the last guaranteed Chase position. Realistically, Edwards must win one of the next three races to be part of NASCAR's 10-race playoff - as a wild card.