By Gary Daughtrey

Special to the News-Herald

Battling for the 2015 track championship, brothers Danny and Greg Edwards dueled to a standoff on Saturday evening, splitting the twin 65-lap events in the Late Model Stock Cars class of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at Langley Speedway.

Danny Edwards Jr. claimed the pole for the opening event, at 89.114 mph, sharing the front row with Greg, who entered the night 10 points back in the title chase. Danny Edwards Jr. grabbed the lead in Turn 1 on the first lap of the race and never looked back, showing the way to his sixth win of the season.

Meanwhile, with the exception of a short stint in the early going, Greg Edwards held down the runner-up spot throughout the contest. At the finish, Danny Edwards Jr. was the winner by four lengths over Greg Edwards. Mark Wertz, Casey Wyatt and Brenden “Butterbean” Queen completed the top five.

With their 1-2 finish in the first race, the Edwards brothers were back on the front row for the nightcap.

Under pressure from his younger sibling, Danny Edwards Jr. paced the first nine circuits of the second event before giving way to Greg Edwards on Lap 10. Danny Edwards Jr. remained on his brother’s bumper for several laps, and then Greg Edwards eased away, fashioning a four-length margin.

Caution flags on laps 34 and 41 bunched the field for the closing sprint. On the last restart, Greg Edwards bolted ahead of the pack, while Danny Edwards Jr. tussled with Hughes for second. Once clear of Hughes, Danny Edwards Jr. set sail after the leader, closing to within a car-length on Lap 51. Over the remaining circuits, though, Greg Edwards steadily eased away.

At the checkers, Greg Edwards was the winner by four lengths over his brother. Connor Hall, Hughes and Queen tailed the lead duo to the stripe.

In the division standings, Danny Edwards Jr. retained his 10-point advantage over Greg Edwards — 387-377. Only one race remains on the Late Model calendar — the Sept. 19 Subway 125 — and Danny Edwards Jr. can wrap up the 2015 championship with a Top-10 outing in that event.