Carl Edwards knows how to maneuver amid three different banked turns and the Long Pond straightaway. Better yet, Edwards knows that strategy and his crew chief Bob Osborne helped him to his fourth victory of the year, and his 11th career win. A late pit stop, before an afternoon storm red flagged the race, may have been the call of the day for the No. 99 Roush Fenway Office Depot Ford.

For the fans, it was flippin’ fantastic. Race fans cheered the celebration efforts of Edwards, whose back flip has become a staple celebration. Edwards also flipped for Pocono in the June race of 2005. “There's nothing like winning. I remember sitting here in 2005 and just, you know, this track, it's real gratifying to win here,” Edwards continued. “You know, a lot of really great drivers have done very well here. It just means a lot to be on the list of people that have won here. “

The list of drivers that have mastered Pocono include Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin to name a few. But those names are on the same list as Bobby Allison, Tim Richmond and Richard Petty. In the long history of the track, 62 events in all, there are only 28 different winners. It is an elite group.

Elite groups and special relationships make NASCAR racing such a success. A bad crew chief-driver relationship can often be strained, but those capable of connecting on another level often succeed. There is no doubt that the reunion of Osborne and Edwards was done for that exact reason. “Personally, I feel like we have a really good relationship. We could be brutally honest with one another, and that's really valuable. There's no beating around the bush,” Edwards stated. And, even though the crew chiefs decision was arguable, both men came away smiling. If the outcome would be different, these personalities would not resort to a grudge match.

Third place finisher Jimmie Johnson congratulated Edwards in victory lane following the race. Johnson picks up another Top 10. “I am very happy with the performance we had all day long. Led laps, ran up front. Great, strong performance. Great stops,“ Johnson added giving props to his crew. “I was just happy to see at the end it didn't come down to some crazy strategy with the rain and tires and fuel and all that stuff. We were able to go race for that thing.”

And race they did. It was what the race fans paid to see, door-to-door racing, dramatic, and interesting. The fans weathered the short rain period and watched talented competitors bring new life into the competition. The changing temperature and wind directions brought new hope to the field as they went back under green.

Amongst the Chase contenders Johnson, Edwards and Kyle Busch lead with the most bonus points for races won. “Well, I don't believe in momentum so much. But I'll tell you what, you know, the confidence could lead to some momentum,” Edwards added. “Seeing how happy my guys were, to me that's the most important part. You know, 10 points at the end of the day is great. That's wonderful. But I think the championship is going to probably be settled by more than that. I feel like my guys, having that little, you know, step in their walk, is good. “

Coming on strong near the end of the race was the fan favorites Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr.. Victory has also eluded the sentimental favorite Mark Martin, when his No. 8 Chevrolet made a late race pit stop.

“After the red, it seemed like our car came into it a lot more, Stewart began. “The longer we went there, finally, we got running with the guys that ran up front all day. That's a great feeling to be doing that again,” he continued. “When you get in a slump like we've been in this year, when you have had nine years of success, it's easy to take it for granted. Days like today remind you how much you appreciate having a good day.”