MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Carl Edwards insists he's not nervous as he races for NASCAR's top championship.

Tony Stewart believes otherwise, and is taking every chance he can to needle his competition for the Sprint Cup title.

The two championship contenders sat side-by-side Thursday trading verbal barbs in their final joint news conference before NASCAR's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Edwards goes into Sunday's race with a three-point lead over Stewart, and was adamant the two-time champion is not in his head.

But Stewart is going into the race as if he's got nothing to lose, and getting under Edwards' skin is part of his strategy.

Edwards has won a Nationwide championship, but does not have a title at NASCAR's top level.