March 15--REPORTING FROM AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Kevin Harvick extended his remarkable run in the Arizona desert with a dominant win Sunday in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.
It was the second win in as many races for Harvick -- the reigning Cup champion also won a week ago in Las Vegas -- and his seventh consecutive finish of first or second going back to last fall.
Harvick's win at the CampingWorld.com 500 also was his fifth in the last six Cup races at Phoenix International, his fourth consecutive victory in the Arizona desert and his record seventh Cup win overall here.
"I just want to thank the fans, this is a real special place," Harvick told a television audience from Victory Lane. "It's almost scary how well things are going."
He started the race as the favorite, not only because of his record at Phoenix International but because Harvick's No. 4 Chevrolet, prepared by Stewart-Haas Racing, was fast in practice and qualified on the pole position.
Jamie McMurray finished 1.2 seconds behind Harvick in second, Ryan Newman was third and Kasey Kahne was fourth.
Kurt Busch, making his first start since his three-week-old suspension was lifted, finished fifth after running strongly throughout the race.
