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TALLADEGA, Ala. — The past lurks at Talladega Superspeedway. Each driver has his own tale or event he is remembered for at this track.

Although Carl Edwards' car flew into the catchfence on the last lap in 2009, it is his run in the 2008 fall race that serves as a cautionary tale for many during this year's Sprint Cup title Chase.

Edwards spent part of that race three years ago at the back of the pack avoiding trouble before moving to the front in the late stages. He bumped Greg Biffle, triggering a multicar crash with less than 15 laps left. Edwards failed to finish that race and lost 62 points to Jimmie Johnson. Edwards lost the title to Johnson by 69 points.

As Edwards enters this weekend's race leading the points standings, he knows one mistake could cost him dearly. Edwards leads Kevin Harvick by five points, Matt Kenseth by seven points and Kyle Busch by 18 points.

With this style of racing where two cars draft together, Edwards again will partner with Biffle. Their experience together — even the times they've wrecked -- can prove helpful for Sunday's race and Edwards' title hopes.

"It's made us a stronger team," Edwards said of how well he and Biffle work together. "We talked a little bit about it (Friday morning), about the different things we had done together wrong. We're mindful of that stuff. We know intimately ... how bad it can go with just a small mistake. I think that can actually help now with our efforts."

Harvick, though, is unconcerned about Edwards' past at this track.

"I don't think any of the previous stats matter at any race track," said the Oak Ridge resident. " ... We are not worried about anybody else. We are worried about ourselves, don't care what anyone else's record is or whether it is good or bad. We just want to control what we can control."

Control is a tricky element at Talladega, where drivers have so little of it even in a two-car draft. The driver behind can't see in front of the car he's pushing. The car in front is at the mercy of the car behind.

Edwards admits that with all that's at stake and all that can happen at Talladega, "we are coming in here with our fingers and toes crossed, hoping we can have a solid race."

One unique thing about this style of racing, though, is that it's difficult for the car pushing to make a move for the win at the end. So, does that mean Biffle will just have to push Edwards to the win if they're in that situation?

"We are nothing without each other," Edwards said. "Together we have the opportunity to go win this race. We talked about it (Friday) and shook on it and said we would go out there and do the best we can for each other."

PIT STOPS: Kyle Busch had to go to a backup car after he blew a right front tire in practice Friday. A Goodyear official said Busch flat-spotted the tire on pit road and went back out and it wore through. ... Busch announced Friday that his organization will field a full-time team in the Nationwide series next season, for which he likely will drive several races. Busch already is scheduled to drive several 2012 Nationwide races for Joe Gibbs Racing. Any races he does with the team cannot conflict with that schedule, which has been set. ... NASCAR confiscated the front windshields from the cars of David Reutimann, Martin Truex Jr. and Bobby Labonte -- all three cars are prepared at Michael Waltrip Racing — and to "anticipate additional penalties" next week. ... Qualifying for Sunday's Cup race is today (noon, Speed).

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com