Elliott Sadler holds off Keselowski for Nationwide win at Phoenix
March 3, 2012
AVONDALE,
Ariz. -- Elliott Sadler took the lead with 25 laps left in the Bashas'
Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway and held off
hard-charging Brad Keselowski to win for the first time at PIR and the
sixth time in his Nationwide Series career.
Defending
series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. ran third, followed by rookie
Austin Dillon and Kevin Harvick, who dominated the race but fell victim
to pit strategy in the late going.
Driving
for Richard Childress Racing after selling his own team to RCR last
year, Harvick took control of the race on Lap 53, when he passed Hamlin
for the lead four circuits after a restart. He pulled away to an
advantage of more than six seconds before Kenny Wallace's crash into the
Turn 4 wall caused the second caution of the afternoon.
Hamlin,
the pole-sitter, regained the lead off pit road on Lap 105, but it
didn't last, as Harvick took over the top spot moments after the
subsequent restart on Lap 111.
Harvick
stayed out front until NASCAR called the third caution on Lap 163 for
debris in Turn 3. When the leap-lap cars pitted one circuit later,
Harvick took four tires and came out seventh, as the six drivers ahead
of him either took two tires or fuel only on their stops.
Keselowski passed Hamlin for the lead after the restart on Lap 168 but surrendered the top position to Sadler on Lap 175.
By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service
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