Kahne ends losing run
Kasey Kahne recorded his first win since August 2009 as he raced to victory at the Phoenix International Raceway.
Last Updated: 14/11/11 9:14am
Kasey Kahne recorded his first win since August 2009 as he raced to victory at the Phoenix International Raceway.
Kahne, who will swap Red Bull Racing for Hendrick Motorsports next season, held off the challenge of championship contenders Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart to end his 81-race losing streak.
Stewart had led for 160 of the 312 laps, but a pit stop with 18 laps remaining opened the door for Kahne.
Stewart eventually had to settle for third, just behind championship leader Edwards - and just three points now separate the two rivals going in to next weekend's season finale at Homestead.
"We're going to make him sweat it out," said Stewart, a two-time Sprint Cup champion.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's a dead heat going in there. I'm pumped. I wish I was going to Homestead tomorrow."
Battle
Edwards, who is chasing his first Sprint Cup championship, will go to Homestead full of confidence having twice won there in the past.
"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."
Jeff Burton and Ryan Newman had to settle for fourth and fifth respectively at Phoenix, with AJ Allmendinger, David Reutimann, Marcos Ambrose, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer rounding out the top 10.
Defending champion Jimmie Johnson was eliminated from contention after he finished 14th, while brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch finished down in 22nd and 36th places respectively.
