Brad Keslowski won the final race of the 2011 Nationwide Series season by narrow margin over the 2011 series champion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Stenhouse made a late charge for the win, but wasn't able to make a move for the lead as he got sideways off of the final turn.
But Stenhouse was okay with second in the race because he got the win that really mattered. Stenhouse locked up the championship early in the race after the start and park drivers pulled off the track. The team waited until about 70 laps to go before the told Ricky over the radio.
Stenhouse had a difficult season last year, and almost lost his ride but he was still able to win Rookie of the Year last season. He followed that up this year with two wins and a championship.
The 2011 runner-up was Elliott Sadler. He finished 45 points behind Stenhouse. Sadler came into today's race knowing that he didn't have a realistic shot at the title after he suffered and accident in last week's race in Phoenix. Sadler had a very strong car and led early, but he had to battle back to the front after the crew dropped a lug nut on a pit stop. Sadler got back to the top-five, but had to go to the back again after he sped on pit road. He battled his way back again and had to settle for a sixth place finish.
The racing was frantic from start to finish, especially on restarts. Cars were three and even four-wide at times. It culminated with a three-driver battle for the win between Keselowski, Stenhouse and Carl Edwards. Edwards even bumped Keselowski in the middle of the corner with two laps to, but it ruined his momentum and cost him a second-place finish.
Top 5:
Keselowski
Stenhouse Jr
Edwards
Clint Bowyer
Denny Hamlin
Final Points Standings:
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Elliott Sadler -45
Justin Allgaier -117
Aric Almirola -127
Reed Sorenson -160
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