Sunoco Pit Move: California (cont'd)

But it was during a long green-flag run that the No. 99 crew shined brightest. Running sixth at the time, Edwards pitted on Lap 153 -- and his stop was good enough to vault him into fourth when the stops cycled around. From that point, Edwards was able to pick off Jeff Burton and Kyle Busch in the closing laps.

"At the end, it was really fun racing with Kyle," Edwards said. "We were running on the fence. One time I looked up and he looked like a dirt Late Model, he had the right-rear sparking off the fence and standing on the gas."

Edwards appeared to be gaining on eventual winner Jimmie Johnson at the end, but Johnson was able to maintain his 1.5-second advantage.

"I thought he was gonna be a sitting duck," Edwards said. "I even said to Bob on the radio. I said, 'I feel like it's me and Kyle racing for the win here.'

"You know Jimmie better than I do, but I don't think on the last green-flag run you're gonna lay back. He goes pretty hard."

Edwards finished fourth in this race last year but was eliminated from Chase consideration, as only 10 positions were in play.

Currently fourth in the standings and guaranteed a chance at the championship, Edwards said it's amazing how, as a driver, that changes your outlook on the season.

"This year is definitely different," he said. "I'm sure this week last year I didn't have a smile on my face right now, and now I do.

"That's all you can ask for is to enjoy it, but any of the drivers can tell you that you live and die by this stuff. It's tough. One week you can be a hero and the next week you're nothing."