Neither rain nor botched pit stops played a factor in Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

Carl Edwards took the lead late in the race and was never challenged as he notched the fifth Cup win of his young career.

Martin Truex Jr. made a run at the leader, but he had to settle for second place after scraping the wall with fewer than five laps remaining in the race.

Tony Stewart, Casey Mears and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top five finishers.

Edwards' win was only the second of the year for Ford. Chevrolets have been the dominate cars, winning the last 13 races before Michigan.

Jeff Gordon continues to lead the points chase, with Denny Hamlin moving up a position to second, 264 points behind Gordon. Jimmie Johnson is third, Matt Kenseth fourth and Jeff Burton fifth.

The Nextel Cup Series goes road racing Sunday. The 1.99- mile Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., will host the Cup drivers. Gordon won the race last year.

George times 3What a difference an owner makes. Just ask Sprint car driver Rod George.The Kittanning native registered a trifecta over the weekend, winning feature races at Lernerville Friday, Mercer Saturday and Tri-City on Sunday.Since teaming up with Dr. John Crawford III, the No. 4 Sprinter has been the car to beat at area tracks. Crawford is known for providing his drivers with the best equipment.Jimmy Hawley had success driving for Crawford for several years before parting company over a contractual problem.

Mercer Raceway ParkMercer owner Vickie Emig is rolling out the red carpet for all Butler County residents Saturday night. County residents and accompanying children will be admitted free by showing a valid ID. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., racing begins at 7.

Lernerville SpeedwayThe folks at the Action Track paid special recognition to a grand old man of racing Friday night. Jack Crowell has been involved with Western Pennsylvania race tracks for more than 25 years as a representative of No. 1 Cochran Automotive. Cochran has sponsored the Lynn Geisler Late Model car for nearly 20 years and helped to provide race fans with the annual fireworks night each year at Lernerville. Crowell retired from Cochran Automotive last week but will remain as their racing consultant.

Inside the Loops• Bob Felmlee posted his fourth Sprint feature win of the season at Sharon Speedway Saturday night, besting Ed Lynch Jr. at the wire. Jim Rasey picked up a win in the V-8 Modified A-Main.• It's official: Johnny Flinner has announced he will come out of retirement to compete in the Firecracker 100 scheduled for Lernerville Speedway June 29 and 30.He'll be joined by the Who's Who in Late Model racing in the United States. Those who have already registered to run the 100 include Tim McCreadie, Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Shannon Babb, Chris Madden, Earl Pearson Jr., Chub Frank, Rick Eckert, Steve Francis, Clint Smith and Mike Balzono. More than 100 Late Models are expected to compete for the $30,000 top prize.