Harvick Wins in Phoenix, Fists Fly, and Keselowski Takes the Points Lead [VIDEO]

The big story going into the Advocare 500 at Phoenix was the tight points race between five time champion Jimmie Johnson, and Brad Keselowski, but the big story ended up being Clint Bowyer, and Jeff Gordon with fists flying.

At the beginning of the 2012 season, NASCAR officials told the drivers, "Have at it", and Sunday they finally got "at it", and the fans loved it.  Well specifically, members from Bowyer's team jumped Gordon from behind as he was getting out of his car, but his team quickly moved in, and it turned into an all out brawl... (Clint comes running along later, as if he were going to do something.)

Johnson had a six point lead in the chase for the cup at the beginning of the race, but he cut a tire, and hit the wall on lap 234, so with a 6th place finish, Keselowski was able to move back into the number one position with 21 points over second place Johnson. With all of the fuss between Clint Bowyer and Gordon, Bowyer's chances for a cup championship are pretty much shot with him now 52 points behind the leader. (...But you let the drivers get back to the show of racing like this, and NASCAR will not see as many empty seats next season.)

As for winning the race, Kevin Harvick stole it from Kyle Busch. Busch was definitely the dominated car of the day, but Harvick was able to get the victory on a green-white-checkered flag finish, breaking a 44 race winless streak.

Here's ESPN's re-cap...

The 2012 Championship will be settled next Sunday November 18, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida with the Ford EcoBoost 400. The final race of the season will air on ESPN beginning at 1:00 p.m. (cst).

Here are the current point standings heading into the 2012 Season Finale...