Brad Keselowski takes opening race to advance into 2nd round of NASCAR's Chase
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Brad Keselowski has won the opening race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, a victory that automatically advances him into the second round.
Keselowski used a three-wide pass of Kyle Larson and Kevin Harvick to snatch the lead away with 15 laps remaining at Chicagoland Speedway. As Larson and Harvick raced door-to-door, Keselowski drove through the middle to take the lead.
A caution with 10 laps remaining set up one final restart, and Keselowski easily pulled away for the win.
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The Chase this year will eliminate four drivers after every third race, and a win guarantees a driver an automatic berth into the next round. Keselowski, who won last week at Richmond and has a Sprint Cup-leading five wins this season, was the top seed in the Chase.