Homestead, FL -- (Sports Network) - Kyle Busch wrapped up his sensational season in the Nationwide Series by winning the Ford 300 after already clinching the championship when the green flag waved.

Busch held off a hard-charging Carl Edwards in the last laps of a fitting conclusion, as the top two drivers in points finished first and second, respectively, in the season-ending race.

"It was a little nervy," Busch said of his battle with Edwards for the lead in the closing laps. "I knew Carl was coming on fresh tires, because he was really fast. I was hoping Jeff Burton could hold him up long enough in order to help burn his tires off a little bit before he got free and then chased me down."

During the sixth caution for an incident involving Erik Darnell, Busch and Burton pitted, while Edwards remained on the track and took the lead. When the race resumed, Busch knifed his way through the field and then grabbed the top position from Edwards with 36 laps remaining. Burton had moved up to the second spot several laps later.

Jason Leffler scraped the wall to bring out the seventh caution flag with 16 laps to go. Edwards pitted for new tires and dropped to eighth. After the final restart, he quickly moved up to second and then reeled in Busch. Edwards made an attempt to move around Busch between turns three and four on the last lap, but could not make the pass.

"I just didn't have it in my heart at the end there to just spear him in turn three," Edwards said. "I just wanted to get a look at it to see how far I could go and see if I could get to him. I was on the fence. I know it's not right to hit somebody to win a race, but I wanted to win this race badly."

Busch capped off his championship year with his series-leading ninth victory of the season and the 30th of his career. He also became the first champion in NASCAR's second-tier series to win the season-finale since Sam Ard did it in 1983. Busch, who only needed to start the 300-mile race at Homestead to capture the title, concluded the season with a 210-point margin over Edwards.

"My brother [Kurt Busch] came up to me before the race, knowing all we had to do is take the green flag," Busch said. "I wish I could have been with Kurt in 2004 when he won the championship."

Kurt Busch won the inaugural "Chase for the Cup" championship at Homestead in '04.

While Kyle Busch drove on to his first title in a NASCAR national touring series, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski added more drama to their on-going feud.

On lap 35, Hamlin intentionally bumped into the back of Keselowski, who was running eighth at the time. Keselowski managed to save his car from hitting the wall. NASCAR slapped Hamlin with a one-lap penalty for aggressive driving, as well as warned both drivers to cease their on-track altercations.

"I kind of laughed in the car; I thought it was kind of funny," Keselowski said. "I really don't hold any grudges, and I'm ready to move on. Hell, I've already moved on. Hopefully, he feels the same way."

Hamlin promised retaliation against Keselowski after Keselowski spun him in the closing laps of last week's race at Phoenix.

"I feel great right now," Hamlin said. "It was well worth it."

Burton finished third, while Joey Logano and Hamlin rounded out the top-five. Keselowski ended up in 12th.