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Hamlin, Keselowski a budding NASCAR feud

Give Denny Hamlin this: He is a man of his word.

Hamlin promised to get even with Brad Keselowski after the latter spun out the former at last week's Nationwide Series race in Phoenix.

In the 36th lap of Saturday's Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he followed through on the threat. Hamlin turned Keselowski off his line and sent him spinning, although both cars remained in the race. For his insolence, NASCAR parked Hamlin for a lap and told the two drivers to steer clear of each other the rest of the way. The penalty proved costly for Hamlin, who made it back to the lead lap and finished fifth. He didn't seem to care one bit.

Kyle Busch captures Nationwide Series race, title

Kyle Busch, a temperamental 24-year-old with boundless talent, slapped a bold exclamation point Saturday night on the greatest NASCAR Nationwide Series season any driver has ever enjoyed.

Denny Hamlin, an intense 29-year-old driver who also has championship ability, put his own exclamation point on the liveliest current feud in any of NASCAR's national series.

Busch staved off a daring challenge from 2008 Nationwide champion Carl Edwards entering Turn 3 on the final lap at the 1.5-mile Homestead oval to secure his ninth victory of a record-shattering championship season.

Hamlin, Keselowski rivalry is at its boiling point

The rivalry between Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski reached its apex in last Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Phoenix, and chances are the heated feud will boil over into this weekend's season finale at Homestead.

Hamlin and Keselowski's latest on-track altercation occurred on lap 158, when Keselowski spun Hamlin while the two were battling for a top-five position.

After the race, Keselowski claimed that Hamlin got into the back of him and pushed him up the track the lap prior to their incident. Hamlin saw things differently and promised retaliation at Homestead. When ESPN pit reporter Dave Burns asked Hamlin if NASCAR should intervene, he replied, "Nah, nah, I'll take care of him, it's no biggie. I got him. He'll learn the hard way."

Busch ready to wrap up the title in Homestead

Carl Edwards postponed Busch's inevitable championship by leading the most laps and winning at Phoenix. Busch, who finished ninth and surprisingly did not lead a lap, left Phoenix with a 190-point lead over Edwards. If Busch would have held an advantage of 195 points or higher, he would have clinched the title there.

Busch is expected to become the eighth different series champion in the last 10 seasons. Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. won twice during that span.

Heading into Homestead, Edwards is 60 points ahead of Brad Keselowski. If Edwards can hold on to the second spot in points, he'll finish runner-up for the second year in a row. Last year, his late-surge came up short when he finished just 21 points behind champion Clint Bowyer.

Johnson makes championship statement with Phoenix win

Jimmie Johnson is on the verge of capturing his record-setting fourth straight Sprint Cup Series championship after winning Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 in convincing style at Phoenix International Raceway.

One week after crashing in the opening laps and finishing a season-worst 38th at Texas Motor Speedway, Johnson rebounded by leading 238 of 312 laps for his fourth victory in the last five races at Phoenix. He has won the last three fall events here.

With the victory, Johnson padded his lead to 108 points over Mark Martin. If Johnson finishes 25th or better in next week's season-finale at Homestead- Miami Speedway, he will win the title, regardless of Martin's performance.