Avondale, Ariz. • Kasey Kahne snapped an 81-race winless streak Sunday by holding off championship contenders Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart at Phoenix International Raceway.

Stewart dominated the race, leading 160 of the 312 laps, but had to pit for gas with 18 laps remaining. He then had to work his way back to the front, and used a late pass of Jeff Burton to finish third, right behind Edwards.

The points margin didn't change, and Edwards goes into next weekend's season finale leading Stewart by three points. Edwards is going for his first Sprint Cup championship, while Stewart is a two-time champion.

"We're going to make him sweat it out," Stewart said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's a dead heat going in there. I'm pumped. I wish I was going to Homestead tomorrow."

So did Edwards, a two-time Homestead winner.

"This is going to be a battle. I truly believe it's going to be a good race," Edwards said. "That place is magical for us. I really enjoy going there. I hope it comes down to the fastest guy winning the race."

It's the closest title race since NASCAR implemented the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in 2004.

Five-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson finished 14th and was eliminated from title contention. —

Sprint Cup standings

Pts. Beh.

1. C. Edwards 2,359 —

2. T. Stewart 2,356 -3

3. K. Harvick 2,308 -51

4. B. Keselowski 2,294 -65

5. J. Johnson 2,291 -68

6. M. Kenseth 2,289 -70

7. Earnhardt Jr. 2,257 -102

8. Kurt Busch 2,252 -107

9. R. Newman 2,252 -107

10. D. Hamlin 2,249 -110

11. J. Gordon 2,247 -112

12. Kyle Busch 2,224 -135