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New surface, same result: Keselowski wins for third time at Kentucky

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Brad Keselowski was nearly out of fuel at Kentucky in the final lap of the Quaker State 400 but he held off Carl Edwards for the win.

After winning last week at Daytona, Brad Keselowski doubled up with his second consecutive victory Saturday, capturing the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, leading 75 laps in the 267-lap event.

Keselowski, who becomes the first driver to earn four wins this season (Las Vegas, Talladega 1, Daytona 2 and Kentucky), clinched a spot in the playoffs. He had just enough fuel to reach the finish line on the repaved track, holding off runner-up Carl Edwards, who was battling his own fuel issues.

“This is our best stretch (of the season), I’m really proud of it and we have to keep it going,” Keselowski said to NBCSN. “I feel terrible for the fans, I didn’t get to do a burnout because I didn’t have no gas, the car wouldn’t run but we’re in victory lane.’'

MORE: Sprint Cup results from Kentucky Speedway

MORE: Brad Keselowski closes in on Kevin Harvick’s points lead

This is Keselowski’s third win in Kentucky’s six Sprint Cup races. Keselowski’s Ford Fusion had to be pushed into victory lane after running dry.

Edwards was conciliatory to Keselowski for the win, but still was disappointed for finishing second.

“I have to give credit where credit is due, Brad did a really good job, played it perfectly,” Edwards told NBCSN. “That was really frustrating. He baited me in there, I thought he was surely out (of gas) and then he just went and blocked.”

Ryan Newman finished third, followed by Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart.

Kevin Harvick led the most laps (128), and finished ninth.

HOW KESELOWSKI WON: He slowed significantly in the final two laps to save fuel. He also snookered Carl Edwards, making it seem like he was out of gas, only to block Edwards and cross the finish line by about a car length to win.

WHO ELSE HAD A GOOD RACE: Ryan Newman had his first top-five of the season, finishing third, while Sonoma winner Tony Stewart placed fifth. Greg Biffle’s sixth-place finish was second consecutive top-10 finish.

WHO HAD A BAD RACE: Several drivers were involved in incidents, most notably Jimmie Johnson (32nd) and Joey Logano (39th). … Rookies Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney wrecked together.

NOTABLE: There have only been three Sprint Cup winners at Kentucky: Keselowski has won three times, Kyle Busch, who finished 12th in Saturday’s race, is a two-time winner there, while Matt Kenseth is the only other winner here.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Does it matter? It’s over, you know. … I’ve been passed on pit road 15 times this year the same exact way and didn’t see guys get penalized. So I guess when you’re doing it for a win, it’s different circumstances.” – 10th-place finisher Martin Truex Jr. on being penalized on pit road, which potentially cost him the win.

WHAT’S NEXT: New Hampshire 301; Sunday July 17, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; 1:30 p.m. ET, on NBCSN.

Follow @JerryBnkowski