Edwards Awarded Record Prize Money For Winning Busch Title

December 7, 2007 3:36 p.m. EST

Orlando, FL (AHN) - The Performance Racing Industry convention and NASCAR Busch Series Banquet were both held this week in this attraction city, but NASCAR Busch Series champion Carl Edwards was smiling the largest of any driver.

That's because Edwards received a payout of $2,485,582, an amount that ranks fourth all-time among series title winners, for winning this year's NBS title. Edwards collected $1,241,985 in race winnings and $1,218,597 for his share of the series point fund after winning four races and scoring 21 top-10 finishes in 35 starts.

Fifteen drivers earned over $1 million in total winnings, including series regulars Jason Leffler, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Stephen Leicht, Marcos Ambrose and Mike Wallace. All, including Edwards, are expected back in the series in 2008 when the series runs under the new NASCAR Nationwide Series banner..Edwards - the 19th and final champion under the Busch brand sponsor banner - has totaled $6,139,648 in 105 career starts and this past season was the first time he has surpassed $2 million in series earnings.