TONY STEWART AND CARL EDWARDS’ BATTLE FOR THE MOST CLOSELY CONTESTED CHAMPIONSHIP

IN THE 10 YEARS BEFORE NASCAR INSTITUTED ELIMINATION rounds and a single race championship for its premier series in 2014, the Cup Series champion was determined based on total points accumulated over 10 playoff races.

So, unlike today, title contenders didn’t enter the final race with the same number of points nor was the champion based simply on who among the title contenders finished best in the final event. Therefore, it was theoretically possible for the championship contenders to finish the season with the same number of points – although that had never happened in more than 60 years of NASCAR history. Against all odds, it finally did happen in 2011 when Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards came home first and second, respectively, in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, finishing the year deadlocked in points. But Stewart, who had five victories to Edwards’ one, was declared champion in a tiebreaker based on number of wins. Given that it’s no longer possible for championship contenders to finish a season tied in points, 2011 will likely forever stand as the Cup Series’ closest championship battle.

Product Spotlight

Forney Industries

For 90 years, Forney Industries has been disrupting the welding market with innovative products at competitive prices. 2023 is no exception, as the company releases several new machines for any level of metalworker.

FORNEY 180 ST + PULSE WELDER

THE FORNEY 180 ST + PULSE IS FORNEY’S FIRST MACHINE CAPABLE of pulse stick and pulse TIG welding. Powerful enough to weld up to 3/8”, but easy on thin materials; this ultra-light machine brings advanced welding to all levels of metalworkers in a variety of trades. Pulse welding alternates between the set output amperage and a reduced amperage, allowing the weld puddle to cool and solidify during each low amp cycle. With this capability, you can easily weld out of position and create more visually appealing results.

Forney 45 P Pro Plasma Cutter

THIS POWERFUL PLASMA CUTTER PROVIDES INDUSTRY-LEADING cutting performance for 45-amp machines. Ideal for professionals, this plasma cutter can clean cut 7/8” and sever cut more than 1”. Space restrictions are not a problem with the 15-foot power cable and 25-foot lead – together providing one of the largest working envelopes on the market. What’s more, the specially engineered Forney® Ignite™ plasma torch extends the life of your consumables, saving you time, money and frustration.

FORNEY® FLEX™ 30 PLASMA ST MACHINE

THE FORNEY® FLEX™ 30 PLASMA ST PROVIDES THE ABILITY TO plasma cut, stick weld and DC TIG weld-all with one machine! The Flex 30 is portable, easy to use, generator-friendly, and features top of the line inverter technology. This machine is great for DIY projects, farm and ranch, maintenance and repair, and light industrial work.

New Adf Helmet Designs

FORNEY’S LINE OF AUTO-DARKENING WELDING HELMETS has expanded with the addition of four new custom designs. These unique designs include one-of-a-kind camo, vibrant Forney green lightning, a smoking green rose and, finally, a limited-edition tribute to Forney’s 90th year of business. Forney’s family of ADF hoods are divided into three lines, The Forney Easy Weld Series, Forney Series and the Forney PRO series, making it easy to find the perfect helmet for any level of metalworker.

FORNEY 220 AC/DC TIG

FOR PROFESSIONAL GEARHEADS, having a Forney 220 AC/DC TIG in your arsenal is a must. This dual-voltage, powerful machine provides clean and strong welds, even for NASCAR chassis. This machine can take your automotive fabrication projects to the next level.

Put simply, this welder packs a punch. Capable of welding up to ½” on common and unique materials, sloppy welds and multiple passes are a thing of the past.

While welding is a great tool for automotive fabrications, it can also cause damage to a car or truck’s critical electrical components, leading to costly failures and need for further repair. The Forney 220 AC/DC TIG allows users to turn off high frequency starts for worry-free welding.

Metals such as aluminum, stainless steel or chromoly aren’t cheap. The Forney 220 AC/DC TIG features pulse welding capabilities that gives users drastically more control over heat settings, resulting in stronger welds and fewer mistakes. Who doesn’t like saving time and money?

No shop is complete without the right accessories. Extend your working envelope with Forney’s 12’ 150 AMP 17F Amptrol TIG Torch. Make safety a priority with an auto-darkening welding helmet and high-quality welding gloves. Finally, stock up on Forney’s catalog of high-quality consumables for a variety of welding and metalworking machines.