Harvick completes desert sweep

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Kevin Harvick dominated in the desert again Saturday night, winning the Nextel Cup race for a weekend sweep at Phoenix International Raceway.

Harvick, who won the Busch Series race Friday night, passed Greg Biffle with 10 laps to go to win a Nextel race for the first time in more than a year. Once Harvick got by Biffle, it was clear sailing because the top challengers had late fuel problems.

Biffle ran out of gas, then Mark Martin’s tank went dry. It left only Tony Stewart to chase Harvick down and he never got close.

Harvick coasted to the finish line, then celebrated his victory with a smoky celebratory spin on the frontstretch.

He, too, had feared he might run out of gas, but didn’t have to push it because the competition was so far back.

“We didn’t have the best car all day, but we had the best car when it counted,” Harvick said.

Stewart was second, a remarkable feat considering he had to forfeit his qualifying spot (third) and start last in the 43-car field because of a mistake by his championship-winning crew.

Matt Kenseth finished third to take over the Nextel Cup points standings lead. Carl Edwards was fourth and Clint Bowyer, Harvick’s teammate, was fifth.

Martin, who led three times for 111 laps, wound up 11th and Biffle ended up 16th.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for Biffle, who had the car to beat for at least the third time this season, only to fall victim to yet another bad break. He did, however, gain two spots in the standings to 21st.

“I feel bad for Greg. It’s hard to look at the good side if you are him,” said Kenseth, his teammate. “He had a car good enough to win three or four times this season, and none of it’s his fault. But I have no doubt Greg is going to make the Chase.”