Matt Kenseth clinched a spot in the Chase For the Sprint Cup winning the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway holding off Kasey Kahne on the last lap for the victory.
Kahne, who had been wrecked four times by Joe Gibbs Racing cars this season - including Kenseth, tried to win the race attempting to drive past the #20 over the last twelve laps, rather than bump Kenseth out the way but falling short in the end.
"I don't know, I think at the end of the day, I just don't wreck people," said Kahne after the race. "I just didn't get it done and I'm upset with myself for not figuring out how to win."
Kahne, who is currently in eighth place in the standings after Bristol, needed a win to lock up a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup - NASCAR's version of the playoffs, finishing second to Kenseth for the third time this season.
Kahne was wrecked out the race by Kenseth, two weeks ago, during the running of the Cheez-It 355 at The Glen, and could have gained a measure of revenge on Sunday but decided to take the high road, focusing on qualifying for the Chase.
"I needed a win bad, but I also needed a finish," said Kahne. "I just basically ran as hard as I could, tried to pass him two different times and ran on his bumper and hoped he'd screw up, and he really never did."
Kenseth locked up a spot in the Chase with his fifth win of the season. With two races left before the Chase, only Kenseth, points leaders Jimmie Johnson, and Clint Boyer have berths locked up, with Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch all close to earning their spots.
Ryan Newman and Martin Truex Jr. are holding on to the two wild-card spots, given to the drivers 11th through 20th with the most wins.
Defending champion Brad Keselowski is on the verge of not qualify into the Chase, sitting in 11th place with no victories in the season, four points behind teammate Joey Logano for the last locked-in position.
"We've got two races left," said Keselowski. "We've tested at the next two tracks and we're gonna be very competitive. I feel like this is going to come down to the last lap at Richmond and I'm ready for that battle."