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One of the objects getting a little closer in Kyle Busch's rearview mirror is the No. 99 car.

The driver of that Sprint Cup Series car, Carl Edwards, won for the fourth time this season. He's the only driver besides Busch with more than two wins.

Only three of Edwards' victories count toward seeding for the Chase, because he was penalized the bonus points from his win at Las Vegas in March after his car had a loose oil tank lid in post-race inspection. If the Chase started today, Edwards would be in second place, 40 points behind Busch.

It's the perfect position to pounce on the leader. And Jack Roush, Edwards' owner, said his driver is fully prepared to chase down Busch. Roush said he didn't feel Edwards was ready to win a championship until this year. He sees a maturity in Edwards honed from experience.

Edwards, who will turn 29 next week, has contended before and fallen short. He was third in points in 2005 and was ninth last season after entering the Chase fourth. Jimmie Johnson, the two-time defending champion, said that going through the rigors of the Chase – and even struggling at times – can only benefit Edwards.

"Experience is crucial," Johnson said in a conference call Tuesday. "You can take it to the next level if you've been there before, and you know what pressures are going to be there."

Johnson said losing an off-road championship by two points before he even made it to the Cup circuit made him a stronger competitor when given another chance to win a championship.

"I think Carl is going to be one of the favorites," said Johnson, who is also gaining on Busch. "He's shown strength at all forms of racetracks and shown maturity behind the wheel, and that shows. He'll be a threat."

Combine experience with comfort level, and you have the beginnings of a championship formula.

Johnson is comfortable with the 10 tracks in the Chase; so is Edwards. He has won at four of the Chase tracks – Atlanta, Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol and Dover – and has three top 9s at three other Chase tracks this season.

Edwards has always run well on the 1.5-mile ovals, and half the Chase races are contested at those tracks.

"I feel like I'm better as a racecar driver than I've ever been," Edwards told reporters after Sunday's win.

The results show that. His four wins this season ties a career high set in 2005. Now it's time to see if his experience and maturity are enough to win his first Cup championship.

Rankings include drivers from all professional racing series and are based on wins, trends, contributions to the sport and not just driving ability. (Rankings from previous week in parentheses)

1. (1) Kyle Busch (NASCAR): How will he deal with the pressure down the stretch?

2. (2) Lewis Hamilton (F1): Finished fifth in Hungary but still has points lead

3. (3) Scott Dixon (IndyCar): Has comfortable points lead with four races left

4. (4) Tony Schumacher (NHRA): Heads to Brainerd, Minn., looking for ninth win

5. (5) Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR): Rounding into championship form at the right time

6. (6) Felipe Massa (F1): Must put the ill-timed engine failure at Hungary behind him

7. (7) Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR): Nothing flashy, but he has consistent finishes

8. (NR) Carl Edwards (NASCAR): Has four wins this season, second only to Kyle Busch

9. (8) Kimi Raikkonen (F1): Finished third despite a poor car for most of the race

10. (10) Helio Castroneves (IndyCar): Needs some wins and some help to win title

Dropped out: Greg Biffle (NASCAR)

NOTE: NHRA and IndyCar did not race last weekend.

Flipper: Carl Edwards did his fourth post-victory back flip. If the Chase started today, he'd be second.

Toughness: Dallas' Ben Spies finished second twice last weekend, 10 days after surgery to remove his appendix.

Stretch: This is the time of year Jimmie Johnson gets going. He's finished in the top 3 the last three weeks.

Lady luck: She smiled on McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen, who won in Hungary after problems for drivers in front of him.

Engine: Felipe Massa's motor failed two laps from the finish at Hungary (F1) when it looked like he'd win.

Chasing: Matt Kenseth finished 11th in Pocono and still dropped to 13th and, for now, out of the Chase field.

Fill up: J.J. Yeley's tough season continued when he ran out of fuel at Pocono and finished 39th.

Back: Kyle Busch finished near the rear of the field, in 36th at Pocono, a rarity this season.