Carl Edwards grabs Chase momentum with Richmond win (USA News)

RICHMOND, Va. — Carl Edwards seized the lead from Paul Menard with three laps remaining and won the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

The Roush Fenway Racing driver, who recently had secured a billet in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, was feeling certain about his title risks in NASCAR's head arrangement in the wake of scoring the No. 99 Ford's second triumph of the season. It earned Edwards an additional three reward focuses when the standings are reset when the Chase starts Sept. 15 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Pursue: Final compartments descend to last lap

"We're set to win the title," said Edwards, who finalized runner-up in the 10-race title run in 2008 and '11. "That is our mission. That appeared as though an insane thought a month and a half back. Everybody's aroused together, and I can't say enough about all the gentlemen at the shop. This title might mean everything to me.

"The following 10 weeks we're set to be on it hard. They're set to know we're here."

Effects: Federated Auto Parts 400

It showed up Edwards might have hopped Menard on the restart. That was an interesting issue in the drivers' gathering soon after the race, after it showed up Brad Keselowski might have bounced a restart on Brian Scott to win the Nationwide race Friday night.

BALLS AND STRIKES: NASCAR's restart strategy isn't dark and white

The restart was set up when Clint Bowyer spun to carry out the last alert. The twist was the buzz after the race as theory ran wild that Bowyer deliberately spun to help Michael Waltrip Racing buddy Martin Truex Jr. make the Chase.

Kurt Busch fulfilled second, emulated by Ryan Newman, Jamie Mcmurray and Menard.

Matt Kenseth, Truex, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. adjusted the top
The Sprint Cup Series next heads to Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 15 for the first of 10 Chase races.

NASCAR reset the focuses for the top 12 drivers Saturday night, honoring three focuses for every triumph for the top 10 drivers in the standings after Richmond:

1. Matt Kenseth 2,015 focuses; 2. Jimmie Johnson, 2,012; 3. Kyle Busch 2,012; 4. Kevin Harvick 2,006; 5. Carl Edwards 2,006; 6. Joey Logano 2,003; 7. Greg Biffle 2,003; 8. Clint Bowyer 2,000; 9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2,000. 10. Kurt Busch 2,000; 11. Kasey Kahne 2,000; 12. Martin Truex Jr. 2,000.