AVONDALE, Ariz. — Carl Edwards rolled to a dominating win at Phoenix International Speedway that temporarily staved off Kyle Busch’s bid to clinch the Nationwide Series title.
Busch’s first NASCAR championship is still a near-certainty — he’s up 190 points over Edwards and only needs to start next week’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the title.
But early problems Saturday spoiled Busch’s bid to get wrap up the title. He spun his Toyota eight laps into the race, suffered heavy damage when he hit the wall and had to battle to a ninth-place finish.
It wasn’t enough, though, as Edwards picked up bonuses for leading the most laps and winning the race to put a halt to the celebration.
The race was marked by yet another run-in between rivals Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski during a late sequence of hard racing.
Both were inside the top five when Hamlin tapped into Keselowski, who retaliated by hitting Hamlin twice. The second contact caused Hamlin to spin. The feud between the two had many believing there would be post-race fireworks.
“I got out of my car as quick as I could, I thought we would see some action,” second- place finisher Kevin Harvick said.
Nothing happened as Hamlin drove by Keselowski’s parked car on pit road. But in a post-race interview, he warned he’ll be looking for Keselowski in next weekend’s finale.
“I’m just happy that I signed up for next week’s Nationwide race,” Hamlin said. “There’s a lot of guys that owe him. There’s a lot of guys that have a lot of chips that they’re going to cash in. I’m just going to be the first to the pay window.”
Hight, Edwards secure titles
POMONA, Calif. — Robert Hight wrapped up his first funny car championship, qualifying third in the season- ending Auto Club NHRA Finals to take an insurmountable 106-point lead over teammate Ashley Force Hood.
In top fuel, Tony Schumacher had the second- quickest pass in category history, a 3.772-second run at 320.58 mph, and will take a two-point lead into today’s final eliminations.
In pro stock, Mike Edwards also clinched his first season title. Pro stock motorcycle points leader Hector Arana secured his eighth No. 1 spot of the season and will take a 62-point lead into the eliminations.
The Associated Press
Today’s races
Stage: NASCAR Sprint Cup Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500.
Site: Avondale, Ariz.
TV: KMGH-7, 1:15 p.m.
Track: Phoenix International Raceway (oval, 1.0 miles).
Race distance: 312 miles, 312 laps.
Next race: Ford 400, Nov. 22, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, Fla.
On the Net:
NHRA
Stage: Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals.
Site: Pomona, Calif.
TV: ESPN2, 5 p.m. (tape)
Track: Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
On the Net:
Points standings
NASCAR Sprint Cup
1. Jimmie Johnson 6,297
2. Mark Martin 6,224
3. Jeff Gordon 6,185
4. Kurt Busch 6,126
5. Tony Stewart 6,119
6. Juan Montoya 6,061
7. Greg Biffle 6,050
8. Denny Hamlin 5,975
9. Ryan Newman 5,973
10. Kasey Kahne 5,898
11. Carl Edwards 5,857
12. Brian Vickers 5,777
NHRA
Top fuel
1. T. Schumacher 2,485
2. Larry Dixon 2,484
3. C. McClenathan 2,437
4. Antron Brown 2,405
5. B. Bernstein 2,383
Funny car
1. Robert Hight 2,485
2. A. Force Hood 2,380
3. Tony Pedregon 2,372
4. Jack Beckman 2,371
5. Ron Capps 2,358
Pro stock
1. Mike Edwards 2,594
2. Greg Anderson 2,455
3. Jason Line 2,406
4. Greg Stanfield 2,348
5. Jeg Coughlin 2,344
Pro stock motorcycle
1. Hector Arana 2,525
2. Eddie Krawiec 2,471
3. Andrew Hines 2,372
4. Matt Smith 2,334
3. Michael Phillips 2,288
