Carl Edwards wins his 37th Nationwide Series race

Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

Friday night racing in Charlotte started off with a celebration of breast cancer survivor's and in remembrance of those who have lost their battles. Pink was the theme color of the night; a lot of men and women, where seen wearing pink. There were pink flags, t-shirts, hats, bracelets, fire suits and hair ribbons. The start and finish line is painted pink and white;the pace car was pink and white. Susan G. Koman partnered with Dollar General for the 300 Miles of Courage to raise awareness for breast cancer. Survivors paraded around the track during the driver introductions, from the grandstands to the front stretch.

Tonight, Paul Menard started on the pole in his No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet. He held on to the lead for the first 26 laps and held off Brad Kesolowski in his No.22 Discount Tire Dodge.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of No. 6 Angus Ford, finally caught up and on the restart after the 2nd caution, he started in the front row, alongside of Keselowski.

Keselowski held on to the lead and Stenhouse dropped back to fourth by Lap 56..

Elliott Sadler, driver of the No. 2 One Main Financial,  had moved up to second position. He's one of the drivers in the Dash 4 Cash, where he can win $100, 000 and buy his wife an in ground pool. Last July, he lost the race because of a loose race car and had to settle for buying her a plastic pool. Winning the race also means a lucky fan wins a $100,000.

Stenhouse is also racing for the $100,000 but he kept dropping in positions as the race progressed. 

By lap 158, Keselowski was still in the lead and Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 Z-Line Toyota, was right there with him; Stenhouse was fighting for second position. Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 60 Ford Fastenal, who had recovered from the crash earlier and was in fourth.

Keselowski started to lose control of his car on lap 172 and he spun out on turn four. Busch went on to lead the race from that point.

The sixth caution was because of debris in turn four and the seventh caution was thrown out on lap 193 for a an accident - Joey Logano hit the wall on turn four.

With five laps to go, it was Edwards, Busch and Trevor Bayne, who all looked to be battling for the win.

Edwards went on to win the 30th Annual Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage. This is his second Nationwide series win in Charlotte, his last win came in May of 2006. This is his eighth victory in 2011 and his 37th career win in Nationwide series alone. Edwards also has one win in the Cup series in 2011.

In second place was Busch, who wasn't very happy with his finish and didn't have much to say to the  media. His No. 18 M&M car has engine problems too, he'll have to start the Bank of America 500 in the rear instead of where he qualified in 25th position.

Trevor Bayne was happy with his finish and looks forward to racing tomorrow night in the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing.

Race Results:


1. Carl Edwards
2. Kyle Busch
3. Trevor Bayne
4. Elliott Sadler
5. Brian Scott
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Justin Allgaier
8. Paul Menard
9. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr
10. Brian Vickers
11. Jason Leffler
12  Sam Hornish, Jr
13. Steve Wallace
14. Josh Wise
15. Aric Almirola
16. Kenny Wallace
17. Michael Annett
18. Blake Koch
19. Joey Logano
20. Mike Bliss
21. Timmy Hill
22. Mike Wallace
23. T J Bell
24. Derrike Cope
25. Morgan Sheperd
26. Joey Gase
27. Kevin Lepage
28. Kasey Kahne
29. Jeremy Clements
30. Robert Richardson, Jr
31. Eric McClure
32. Reed Sorenson
33. Charles Lewandoski
34. Ryan Truex
35. Angela Cope
36. Kevin Conway
37. Joe Nemechek
38. Tim Andrews
39. Scott Riggs
40. Johnny Chapman
41. Scott Speed
42. Erik Darnell
43. Jeff Green