Wild race blows championship open for Keselowski

Nov 12, 2012, 12:17 AM | Updated: 12:29 am

Arizona Sports

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A chaotic race at Phoenix blew NASCAR’s championship fight wide open Sunday, moving Brad Keselowski to the brink of a first Sprint Cup title for himself and team owner Roger Penske.

Keselowski heads into next week’s season finale with a 20-point lead over five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. His car was better than Johnson’s, but he capitalized when a tire failure caused Johnson to crash hard and finish 32nd.

But that was the least of the drama.

Kevin Harvick snapped a 44-race losing streak in a crash-marred finish, and the crews for Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer brawled in the garage after Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer on the track.

It led to a meeting between the drivers and crew chiefs in the NASCAR hauler with police officers standing guard outside.

Drivers pit during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Drives take the green flag for the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Jeff Burton (31) pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Kyle Busch (18) leads cars through the first turn during the opening lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Drivers take the green flag for the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Kasey Kahne (5), Pual Menard (27), Martin Truex Jr., (56) and Kurt Busch (78) lead a pack of cars through the first turn on the second lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Fans hold the United States flag during the national anthem prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Brad Keselowski high-fives fans prior to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Danica Patrick smiles as she high-fives fans prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Jimmie Johnson, left, talks with crew chief Chad Knaus prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Dale Earnhardt Jr., talks with a crew member prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Greg Biffle (16) pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Brad Keselowski (2) pits during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Kyle Busch (18) leads a group of cars out of the third turn during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Mike Bliss (19) crashes into the third turn during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Drivers head into the first turn during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Kevin Harvick celebrates winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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