Three Times a Champion: Tony Stewart Wins Ford 400 and Third NASCAR Title

| Written by: Rob Tiongson @ The Podium Finish

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For a NASCAR championship battle that was hyped up to be a battle between two of the Sprint Cup Series' heavyweight racers, the 2011 Chase will be one for the ages and a race that lived up to expectations.

While calling this year's title battle "the greatest of all-time" might be a bit premature, the epic struggle between Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart was ultimately decided in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway for Sunday night's Ford 400.

Edwards entered the event as the points leader, leading Stewart by a slim margin of three points. Although the Columbia, MO native held the advantage heading into the race, it was the pride of Columbus, IN whose "nothing to lose" attitude that prevailed in the end.

Stewart overcame his 15th starting position, a damaged grill, and pit road issues to win the season finale over Edwards, who led the most laps (119 of 267 laps), marching his way to Victory Lane with the race and series trophies.

With both racers tied in the final points tally, Stewart defeated Edwards by virtue of more wins this year (5 to 1).

Astonished and blown away at the 10-race title battle and what he'd accomplished this year, Stewart's emotions ran high with happiness and appreciation.

"Are you kidding me?" Stewart pondered after the race. "We said all week we’d just go out and win the race and didn’t have to worry about what (Edwards) did. If this doesn’t go down as one of the greatest championship battles in history, I don’t know what will."

As Stewart celebrated in the makeshift winner's circle along the frontstretch, Carl Edwards graciously took his defeat with grace and humility. He approached the three-time champion first as he stopped near the start/finish line, shaking his hand and fielding questions from the media near pit lane.

"This night is about Tony Stewart," Edwards said. "Those guys rose to the occasion, and they beat us fair and square. That is all I had.

"We came here and sat on the pole, led the most laps and Tony still managed. That’s it. That’s all I got at the end. That’s as hard as I can drive."

It marked the second occasion in which Edwards placed runner-up for the title battle, also coming up short in 2008 when he lost to Jimmie Johnson.

Upon reflection, Edwards added, "I told my wife, 'If I can’t win this thing, I’m going to be the best loser NASCAR has ever had.'"

Sunday night's Ford 400 featured some exciting moments despite a rain delay just past 100 laps into the event, as the two title contenders made daring three to four wide passes coming off restarts to get into the top two spots.

Starting the day under ominous gray skies, the season finale finished just before rain showers crept over the speedway, as Stewart relished his third championship with crew chief Darrien Grubb and his teammates.

Notably, Stewart's third title bookended Jimmie Johnson's five title streak, as they've become the only racers to win multiple crowns under the Chase format.

The race also marked a last for some racers and teams, like Mark Martin's final run with the No. 5 Chevy team, Kasey Kahne's swan song with the No. 4 Red Bull Toyota colors, as well as Crown Royal's last call with Matt Kenseth's No. 17 Ford crew.

Although the long winter spell starts now, there's just 98 days remaining until the 2012 Daytona 500, the season opener. Until then, the Cup racers and teams will enjoy their Thanksgiving break before the banquet at Las Vegas in two weeks.

Following some photo shoots and last minute sponsor and team negotiations, it's off to Daytona for preseason testing as the EFI technology is fully implemented with NASCAR next year.

Here's a look at the final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship standings this year: