NASCAR - Phoenix: Harvick wins the Sprint, Rowdy's third consecutive Xfinity victory!
Kevin Harvick won NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway in a thrilling photo finish against Carl Edwards. Reigning Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch has won Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, scoring third in a row series victory.
Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards before one of the closest fnish ever
Banging fenders across the finish line
In an incredible finish of Good Sam 500 race, banging fenders with Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick won by 0.010sec margin (or four inches). It was the same margin as in the Hamlin – Truex Jr. duel in the season-opening Daytona 500 few weeks ago.
In the closest finish ever at Phoenix International Raceway, Harvick won for the eighth time. It’s 32nd Harvick Sprint Cup career victory. He was leading for most of the race (139 laps) and was ready for a decisive finish run when Kasey Kahne blew a tire and smacked the outside wall on Lap 305 of a scheduled 312. That brought out the fifth and final caution of the race.
Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Austin Dillon stayed out on old tires during the caution, while Edwards was among drivers who went into pits. The race re-started in Lap 312 and Edwards had moved into second place. He attacked Harvick in the last turn but missed the victory for hew inches.
Denny Hamlin finished third, followed by pole-winner Kyle Busch. Dale Earnhardt Jr fell from second to fifth after the final restart. Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon and Ryan Blaney completed the top 10.
Check out the full results of Good Sam 500 at Phoenix International Raceway
Video: The last lap of Good Sam 500 race
Kyle Busch celebrating his third consecutive Xfinity Series victory
Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing continue the domination
Kyle Busch continued his absolute dominance in the Xfinity Series. He won Saturday’s Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200 after leading 175 of 200 laps at the 1-mile race track. It was his third consecutive win this season and ninth victory in 20 starts at Phoenix International Raceway. After winning for the third straight time this season and the 79th time in his career Busch had an amazing number of 493 leading laps (of a possible 563) in three Xfinity races.
Not only Busch but the complete Joe Gibbs Racing team dominated at Phoenix. They started the race with 1-2-3 and finished with 1-2-3. Pole sitter Erik Jones finished second, 2.285sec behind Busch while Daniel Suarez finished third. To remind you, a week earlier at Las Vegas JGR also scored 1-2-3 victory. Justin Allgaier was a distant fourth in Saturday’s race, more than 14 seconds behind the winner.
Chase Elliott followed JR Motorsports teammate Allgaier in fifth, with the Dillon brothers, Ty and Austin, running sixth and seventh. Elliot Sadler finished eighth. Brad Keselowski and Brennan Poole completed the top 10.
Check out the full results of the Xfinity Series race at Phoenix
Photos: nascar.com
