It was Ali-Frazier in the Garden. It was Celtics-Lakers with Bird and Magic.
It was NASCAR’s dream. Punch and counterpunch—the top two drivers in the Chase for the Sprint Cup trading shots in Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Yes, Kasey Kahne won the race—his first victory of the season and the 12th of his career—but Edwards and Stewart dominated the action as their battle for the 2011 championship remained as close as it was at the start of the day.
In a race between the only two drivers mathematically alive for the Cup championship, Edwards finished second and Stewart third, but Stewart led the most laps for the second consecutive week and leaves Phoenix just three points behind Edwards as the drivers prepare to settle the issue in the season finale next Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR.com
“We just made the right adjustments,” Kahne said. “The first wasn’t the right way ... we figured it out. I thought Friday we were one of the best cars.”
But on Sunday, he said, “Carl was coming.”
“It was just a hard-fought day,” Kahne said. “The team did a great job with pit stops to get us back to the front and in position.”
The race, the first since PIR officials repaved the track and kicked out the backstretch, had drivers concerned about the lack of a second racing groove getting eliminating opportunities for side-by-side racing. Even though rains on Saturday night and Sunday morning washed what little rubber that had been put down off the track, Kahne said he still enjoyed racing on the 1-mile track that has hosted Cup races since 1988.
“It takes time to get old and gritty,” he said. “So the entry to the corners are slippery. The car slides a little bit more than you would like. That’s part of this place.
“It was actually like that with the old track, too. It’s ... somewhat of a slippery, technical track at times.
“As the rubber went onto the race track, I really think this place is cool and I think it’s only going to get better as time goes on.” Scene Daily
Jeff Burton and Stewart’s teammate, Ryan Newman, completed the top-five.
Edwards and Stewart are the only drivers who remain mathematically eligible for the series championship. Jimmie Johnson’s bid for a sixth straight title officially ended with his 14th-place finish. Johnson is now 68 points out of the lead.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a dead heat going in there,” said Stewart. “I want to go to Homestead tomorrow and start. I want tomorrow to be Friday. I’m pumped up, I’m excited about it and ready to go.”
So was Edwards.
“This is going to be a battle. I truly believe it’s going to be a good race,” Edwards said. “That place is magical for us. I really enjoy going there. I hope it comes down to the fastest guy winning the race.”
Stewart, winner of four Chase races this season, dominated Sunday at Phoenix and led 160 of the 312 laps. But he had to pit for gas with 18 laps remaining, and was forced to work his way back to the front. He needed a late pass of Jeff Burton to finish third, right behind Edwards. The Associated Press
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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix - Race Results
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