Brad Keselowski used some pit strategy to out duel a dominating Jimmy Johnson, and win the first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup at Chicagoland Speedway over the weekend.  

Jimmy Johnson lead a race high 172 laps to pretty much dominate the race, but it was a late race controversial call that boosted Keselowski to the lead with 26 laps to go.  On a late caution in the race, Keselowski had moved back onto the track and was basically a lap behind the leaders when he pulled up in front of Johnson who had to check up to avoid hitting Keselowski.  Johnson said Keselowski moved onto the track too early, but NASCAR said differently.  Then, after a green flag round of pit stops, Keselowski inherited the lead with 26 to go and lead the rest of the way, eventually beating the second place car of Johnson by over 3 seconds.

The win puts Keselowski in the points lead with 9 races to go.  Here's how the rest of the top 10 finished.

Top 10 at Chicagoland

Top 10 at Chicagoland
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With 9 races to go in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, Keselowski takes the points lead by 3 points over Jimmy Johnson followed by Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Greg Biffle, Martin Truex Jr, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon.  The next race will be at New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend.

Here's a recap of the race in pictures.

Race Pictures at Chicago

Who is your favorite to win the Chase for the Sprint Cup this year?

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