Kenseth takes Phoenix race over Elliott/Final Four set for season finale

Matt Kenseth wins the Cup race at Phoenix Raceway, the 39th of his career. Kenseth passed Chase Elliott with nine laps remaining for the victory. Elliott, who had to win in Phoenix to advance to the Championship Four round of the playoffs, pushed his way to the front by an aggressive move on Denny Hamlin reminiscent of Hamlin’s move on Elliott two weeks ago in Martinsville. He was the runner-up for the seventh time in his Cup career. Brad Keselowski finished 16th – but had gathered enough points to qualify for the “final four” of the Nascar semifinals, and will join Martin Truex, Jr., Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick for the championship race this Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.