Carl Edwards had to get up on the wheel to win Saturday’s inaugural event at Road America!

photo credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

“First of all, my guys built an amazing race car,” Edwards said. “That car was really, really fast. It was just a joy to drive.”

After starting from the pole and leading almost every lap throughout the first half of the race, it seemed Carl Edwards would be destined to win Saturday’s Bucyrus 200 at Road America. A multiple car accident with 21 laps to go changed the complexion of the race in a hurry shuffling Edwards back in the field when he had to pit for fuel.

“I was nervous about that,” Edwards said. “Once I got to the fast section at the back of the track, my car didn’t handle as well without fresh air on the nose. That was a little wild. I saw the race slipping away at that point. I was pretty nervous.”

Edwards took the lead back with 9 laps remaining and never looked back -- finishing 4.302 seconds ahead of road course ace Ryan Fellows.

Edwards led four times for a race high 35 laps on the way to his first win of the season and his 26th Nationwide Series victory.

On Lap 30 with 21 laps to go, a nine car accident erupted in turn 6.

Brad Keselowski didn’t lead a lap, although he flirted with the lead during the closing laps of the race. Keselowski finished fourth and retains his points lead over Carl Edwards by a whopping 237 points.

For the (unofficial) race results, click here (nascar.com)

There were 7 cautions for 14 laps and 7 lead changes among 5 drivers: C. Edwards 1-11; J. Leffler 12-14; C. Edwards 15-27; P. Long 28-29; C. Edwards 30-31; B. Coleman 32-38; J. Villeneuve 39-41; C. Edwards 42-50