Hamlin races way into championship field with Phoenix win

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Denny Hamlin saved his season by winning Sunday at ISM Raceway to advance into NASCAR’s title-deciding race — a victory that eliminated champion Joey Logano from the playoffs and gave Hamlin his first chance at winning the Cup since 2014.
Hamlin, the Daytona 500 winner and a favorite to win the title, had fallen below the cutline after spinning last week at Texas and came to Phoenix determined to win and claim his spot in the final four. He had the race w