Kahne wins at Phoenix; Edwards, Stewart race to dead heat

Kahne wins at Phoenix; Edwards, Stewart race to dead heat

 

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

 

(November 13, 2011)

 

AVONDALE, Ariz.—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 NASCAR 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.

 

Edwards finished second and Stewart third, but Stewart led the most laps and leaves Phoenix three points behind Edwards as the drivers prepare to settle the issue in the season finale next Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

Jeff Burton ran fourth at Phoenix with Ryan Newman in fifth. AJ Allmendinger, David Reutimann, Marcos Ambrose, Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer completed the top 1