Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Budweiser Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag as he crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 10, 2013
Photo – Christian Petersen/Getty Images

As 13 successful years with Richard Childress Racing comes to a close for Kevin Harvick, he potentially earned one last win with the team on Sunday. It was his second straight victory in the November Phoenix event and once again on Sunday, the win came with a dramatic turn of events. Harvick didn’t have the lead until the last lap, after Carl Edwards ran out of fuel just one lap short of victory.

The championship picture could have gone many ways today, but the race ended with Jimmie Johnson owning a commanding 28 point lead over Matt Kenseth. Johnson retains his spot on top of the standings for the second straight week, but this race could have easily gone wrong for the No.48 team.

It all started on the first lap when Johnson, the pole-sitter, went too high in the first corner and almost slid into Denny Hamlin. Later that lap, Johnson tried to regain traction but Joey Logano gave him a tap in turn three that almost sent Johnson into a spin. The five-time champion masterfully recovered from the incident avoiding potential disaster. After that, the race calmed down considerably for Johnson.

Harvick went to the lead for the first time on the lap 56 restart. He was out front until he pitted during a lap 100 caution. His team went on a different strategy from there and ultimately, it worked out to his benefit.

Cautions flew often over the next one hundred laps leading to more diverse strategies on pit road. Many drivers including Brad Keselowski, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, and Joey Logano took turns out front throughout that part of the race.

During the caution cycle, Jimmie Johnson found himself in another dangerous place. On lap 163. Harvick, Edwards, and Johnson went three-wide into turn one and Edwards’ car was a tad bit loose as he slid into Johnson who miraculously saved his sliding car. Johnson lost many positions, but was able to recover by the finish.

Most drivers made their last green-flag stops of the day with about 70 laps remaining. However, Harvick did not pit as his strategy continued to play out with a bigger picture in mind.

Carl Edwards found himself out front with 36 laps remaining, but needed to save fuel to have shot at the win. It looked as though Edwards was on his way to victory, but his attempt fell short to save enough fuel as he ran out coming to the white flag. Harvick took the lead and then on the next lap, the checkered flag.

This was Harvick’s fourth victory of the season. Mathematically he still has a shot at 34 points behind the points leader, but it will take a mistake by Johnson and Kenseth for the No.29 to steal the title.

Jimmie Johnson ended the race in third as Kenseth finished 23^rd. The championship race took a big swing in favor of the No.48 team Sunday afternoon as 28 points now separate the top-two Chase contenders. Kenseth wasn’t on his game, causing his title hopes to slip farther away. He still has a shot next weekend, but a bad day needs to happen for Johnson in order for him to take the crown.

The season will wrap up next weekend at Homestead-Miami as one last race awaits the championship contenders. Johnson needs to place higher than 23^rd at Homestead to earn his sixth title.

Results via ESPN.com