Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski
AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Chase Elliott has become the youngest champion in NASCAR history by wrapping up the Nationwide Series title Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway.
Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship following his fifth place finish in the DAV 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 8, 2014 in Avondale, Arizona. (Image source: Jonathan Ferrey/NASCAR via Getty Images)
The 18-year-old rookie is the youngest driver to win a title in any of NASCAR's three national series.
Chase Elliott celebrates with his father, Hall of Fame driver Bill, and mother Cindy after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship following his fifth place finish in the DAV 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 8, 2014 in Avondale, Arizona. (Image source: Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)
He clinched the championship for JR Motorsports with a fifth-place finish at Phoenix. His official celebration will have to wait until next week's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Brad Keselowski won the race with a pass of Kyle Busch following a restart on the two-lap overtime sprint to the finish. Busch led 187 of the 206 laps but was denied the victory because Keselowski was given the final chance to catch him after a caution with one lap remaining in regulation.
