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HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- The Latest on NASCARs season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway (all times local):7:03 p.m.Jimmie Johnson has won his seventh NASCAR championship.The win ties Johnson with Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty in the NASCAR record books. He did it by holding off defending champion Kyle Busch and Kyle Logano on a late restart.The fourth contender in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship was Carl Edwards. His day ended with 10 laps to go after he was collected in a wreck after contact with Logano.It was also the final NASCAR race for three-time champion Tony Stewart, who is retiring.---6:25 p.m.Carl Edwards championship chances are over.Joey Logano tried to pass Edwards on a restart with 10 laps to go at the winner-take-all finale, but Edwards tried to fend off the move to maintain his position.Contact between the two sent Edwards hard into an interior wall, then all the way across the track for a second hit. He was the most dominant driver of the four Chase contenders, but was left with a wrecked race car.Jimmie Johnson benefited from the incident because he drove through the wreckage and wound up ahead of the remaining two title contenders -- Logano and Kyle Busch -- for the restart.---5:40 p.m.The championship contenders are back near the front of the field.Carl Edwards was running second with 60 laps to go at Homestead-Miami Speedway, just ahead of Joey Logano (third), Kyle Busch (fourth) and Jimmie Johnson (sixth). The four finalists were setting the NASCAR season finale up for a frantic finish.Edwards and Logano have been the best of the bunch. Busch battled back from a lap down -- he pitted out of sequence because he thought he had a flat tire -- and Johnson was penalized before the race and had to start at the back of the field. Busch and Johnson have been in the top 10, but have yet to lead a lap in the finale.Kyle Larson is leading the 400-mile race.- Mark Long.---4:55 p.m.Defending NASCAR champion Kyle Busch has dropped a lap down in the season finale, potentially damaging his title hopes.Busch felt a vibration, thought he had a flat tire and pulled down pit road on Lap 137, shortly after the halfway point in the 400-mile race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.The unscheduled pit stop left Busch a lap behind the leaders. He needs a caution to get back on the lead lap.- Mark Long---4:50 p.m.Carl Edwards is halfway to his first championship.Edwards was ahead of fellow title contenders Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson at the midway point of the 400-mile race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Whichever of the four drivers finishes highest will win the championship.Kyle Larson, using the high line to generate more speed around the 1 1/2-mile track, retook the lead from Edwards on Lap 126. Edwards was second, with Logano fourth, Busch fifth and Johnson ninth.- Mark Long---3:55 p.m.Jimmie Johnsons pre-race penalty proved to be a minor speed bump in the NASCAR finale.Johnson had to start at the back of the 40-car field after NASCAR pulled his No. 48 Chevrolet off pit road because of unapproved body modifications. Officials determined body panels had been tweaked after going through pre-race laser inspection. The car eventually made it through tech and was pushed back to the starting grid a few minutes before the green flag.Johnson needed just 47 laps to work his way into the top five. Kevin Harvick led most of the early laps, with Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch right behind. Edwards, Logano, Busch and Johnson are the championship finalists, all vying to win it all in the finale.Johnson is attempting to match Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty with a NASCAR-record seven championships.- Mark Long---3:25 p.m.NASCARs season finale is underway, with pole-sitter Kevin Harvick leading the 40-car field to the green flag.The race is scheduled for 400 miles, or 267 laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The event is filled with story lines, including Tony Stewarts final NASCAR race as well as the 2016 championship. Finalists Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano are vying for the title. Whichever of the foursome finishes highest wins it all.The 36 other drivers are expected to give them plenty of space around the track, not wanting to affect the outcome.- Mark Long---3:10 p.m.Jimmie Johnson will have to start a potential record-tying race at the back of the field.NASCAR pulled Johnsons No. 48 Chevrolet off pit road after officials decided body panels had been modified after going through pre-race laser inspection. The car eventually made it through tech and was pushed back to the starting grid a few minutes before the green flag.Johnson is attempting to match Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty with a NASCAR-record seven championships.- Mark Long--3:00 p.m.Tony Stewart has few distractions around him before his final NASCAR race.Stewarts No. 14 Chevrolet was barricaded and protected by armed police officers before the season finale. His race car was essentially sitting in Turn 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, well away from the rest of the field. A banner flew nearby to tell fans where they could get a glimpse of the three-time Cup series champion.Its time. Lets go. Im ready, Stewart said.The driver nicknamed Smoke was surrounded by team members, colleagues and friends -- a stark contrast to Jeff Gordons send-off last season. Gordon was mobbed by so many fans that he struggled to get to his car before the finale.- Mark Long---1:15 p.m.Jimmie Johnson spent time answering questions from kids Sunday before NASCARs season finale, a race that could be a record run for the six-time champion.As expected, Johnson got some odd questions, like, Can you dab? and Do you have a big house?Johnson candidly and confidently answered them all, showing why he might just be the favorite to win a record-tying seventh championship Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.Heres a look at the Q&A session:Q: Whats your best championship?A: The first one (in 2006). I had the least amount of fun because I was the most nervous, but it was the starting point. And then tying Cale (Yarborough) with three in a row was pretty awesome. But there was a lot of pressure to keep it going. And then 2013 is when I had the most fun.Q: Favorite track?A: Dover, Delaware (Johnson is a 10-time winner there).Q: How many trophies?A: Seventy-nine in the 48.Q: If you win, will you do a front flip?A: Off the car? Front flip into the pool maybe.Q: Can you dab?A: No, I cant. Ive got it all wrong (after doing Usain Bolts To The World pose).Q: How much horsepower do the cars have?A: About 900 horsepower. More than three times as much as the car you drive in.Q: Do you have a big house?A: Yes, way too big.Q: Have you ever won here?A: Not yet. Weve taken the big (championship) trophy home, but not the smaller one.Q: Favorite color?A: Blue. Its worked out well with my sponsor.Q: Do you think you can get No. 7 today?A: I feel really good about it. Id pick me.- Mark Long---1 p.m.The Tony Stewart tributes are underway at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the three-time Cup champion is preparing for his final NASCAR race.NASCARs vice chairman Mike Helton thanked Stewart for the character and passion you brought to NASCAR all throughout your career.Stewarts career was celebrated in the pre-race drivers meeting with a colorful highlight video of his biggest wins, playful banter and snippy one-liners. NASCAR drivers and crew members gave Stewart a rousing standing ovation.Stewart eventually stood and smiled, waiving in acknowledgment at the outpouring of affection.Stewart is just retiring from NASCAR driving. He has an ownership stake in Stewart-Haas Racing and will continue to race all over the country next year at the grassroots level.You understand, we still invite owners to the haulers sometimes, too, Helton quipped.The hood of Stewarts No. 14 Chevrolet is emblazoned with photos from his championship years and the slogan Always a Racer, Forever a Champion.NASCAR added a ceremonial pace lap with Stewart leading the field before the race.- Dan Gelston---12:15 p.m.Xfinity Series champion Daniel Suarez is getting a lot of attention at Homestead-Miami Speedway.Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto congratulated Suarez on Twitter after the 24-year-old Mexican became the first foreign champion in a NASCAR national series. Nieto tweeted in Spanish to Suarez, and called him a pride for Mexico and Latin America.The very first time that I was going to move to the States, a lot of people told me it was going to be difficult because I was a Mexican driver, and nobody else made it happen in the past, Suarez said. Right now, honestly, I can tell that to be a Mexican driver, Latin American driver, is something positive.Suarez thanked Nieto for the tweet. He also did interviews Sunday, met with fans and signed autographs before the Sprint Cup season finale.- Dan Gelston---11:20 a.m.NASCAR CEO Brian France says hes happy with the health of the sport. Sweating profusely while speaking at his state-of-NASCAR address, France defended sagging ratings and praised his Drive for Diversity program. Mexican driver Daniel Suarez won the Xfinity Series title Saturday night, becoming the first foreigner to win a NASCAR national series championship.France also refused to talk about President-elect Donald Trump. France endorsed Trump earlier this year and spoke at a rally for the Republican nominee.France says no one wants to hear my political views. I wont be talking about it.Speaking four hours before the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, France also wished Sprint well. The telecommunications giant is leaving NASCAR after a 13-year run as title sponsor of its top series. France acknowledged that the search for a new sponsor has taken longer than he expected, adding were in a good spot with that, I believe. Well have to see how it finally plays out.Monster Energy has most recently been mentioned as the top contender to replace Sprint.- Mark Long---11 a.m.Its NASCAR championship day!The Sprint Cup champion will be decided Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Carl Edwards are the finalists racing for the title. The best finisher among the four drivers will be the 2016 champion.Johnson is trying to match Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty with a NASCAR-record seven championships. Busch is trying to repeat following his remarkable run to the 2015 title. Logano and Edwards are chasing their first championship.Its also the final NASCAR race for three-time champion Tony Stewart, who is retiring.NASCAR CEO Brian France is set to give a state-of-the-sport address before the race. NASCAR crowned its first foreign champion Saturday night, with 24-year-old Mexican Daniel Suarez winning the second-tier Xfinity Series title.Actors Wilmer Valderrama (honorary starter) and Justin Hartley (grand marshal) are among the celebrities on hand for the finale.- Dan Gelston---More AP auto racing: www.racing.ap.org Cheap Adidas Devils Jerseys . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. Cheap Devils Jerseys Authentic . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. http://www.cheapdevilsjerseys.com/ . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Wholesale Devils Jerseys . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Charlie Kimball is a diabetic. A condition the IndyCar driver manages with a mixture of vigilance, discipline and perspective. Kind of like the way he handles the horsepower at his fingertips. Six years after the diagnosis that changed his life and two-plus seasons into a career blossoming right under his feet, the guy who used to wonder if hed get to do this for a living is now a race winner. Kimball slipped by Simon Pagenaud with 18 laps remaining then pulled away to win the Indy 200 on Sunday at Mid-Ohio, his triumph validation that the plan team owner Chip Ganassi put in place when he hired Kimball as the third driver on his powerful team remains very much on schedule. "The last couple years, we got the experience, we built the foundation," Kimball said. "As a team were ready to win." It certainly looked like it after Kimballs crew decided to ditch the initial strategy that asked him to save as much fuel as he could with his No. 83 Honda, figuring two pit stops instead of three would be the quickest route to victory lane. After a few trips around the tricky 2.258-mile circuit, Kimball knew the only way he could win would come if he punched it. While top qualifiers Ryan Hunter-Reay, Will Power and Scott Dixon eased off the gas to stretch their mileage, Kimball pressed his foot to the floor figuring he could make up whatever precious seconds he lost by pitting three times if he just kept the hammer down. It worked better than he imagined, propelling the 28-year-old to the top of the podium and erasing any lingering doubts he had about whether he belonged in North Americas top open-wheel series. "Getting the win quiets a lot of voices for sure," Kimball said. "Especially the ones within myself." The moment when the goal Ganassi set out when he brought on Kimball three years ago happened with less than 20 laps to go. Kimball surrendered the lead to Simon Pagenaud when he ducked into the pits for the last time, then tried to erase the deficit when Pagenaud went in for his final pit stop. Pagenaud managed to exit pit lane with the lead then held off a hard-charging Kimball, sending Kimball briefly into the grass. The triumph only proved temporary. Kimball remained right in Pagenauds rearview and slipped by at the end of the long straightaway nearing Turn 4 then had little trouble the rest of the way, a move he called "50 per cent momentum and 75 per cent commitment." The remainder of the top five wasnt in sight as Kimball zipped by the finish line to continue Ganassi Racings dominance at arguably the most difficult road course on the schedule. The team has now won each of the last five visits to the 13-turn test tucked in central Ohio. Pagenaud held on foor second while Dario Franchitti took third.dddddddddddd Power was fourth followed by Hunter-Reay and series leader Helio Castroneves. Dixon, who was bidding to become the first IndyCar driver since 2006 to take the checkered flag in four straight races, never threatened and finished seventh. IndyCar lengthened the race this year hoping to avoid the kind of boring fuel mileage parades that have occasionally plagued the series. That didnt stop Hunter-Reay and Power from trying to make it happen anyway. Hunter-Reay nearly matched the track record during qualifying Saturday but settled in after the green flag dropped Sunday, hoping to only need two pit stops to cover the 203-mile race instead of three. Kimball had the same initial strategy but his team scrapped it when it became apparent going faster might be the better option. Its a move Pagenaud and Franchitti attempted to copy, though neither did it with Kimballs aplomb. "Hes a smart guy, he learns quickly," Franchitti said of Kimball. "Bit by bit you see him get rid of his weaknesses." That was never more evident on Saturday at a track where Kimball broke his hand in testing last year, knocking him out of the race. Kimball cracked up his Honda in practice, careening into a tire barrier in turn 1 when he didnt account for the damp conditions left by an overnight rain. Forced to go to a backup car, Kimball tried to help as members of each of the three Chip Ganassi Racing teams pitched in to get it ready. "After I got run over three or four times, I just got out of the way," Kimball said. "It was like watching a symphony." Castroneves, a three-time Indy 500 champion still searching for his first season title, managed to keep Dixon behind him to slightly pad his lead in the standings. The Brazilian will take a 31-point lead over Dixon heading to Sonoma on Aug. 25. Defending champion Hunter-Reay is 65 points back in third. Kimballs time as a legitimate threat to challenge for a title has yet to come. Yet in his third year with one of IndyCars finest teams, hes proving Chip Ganassi Racing is more than just a two-man show. Its a notion Kimball worried wasnt possible after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2007. Yet he keeps an eye on his diet and even monitors his glucose levels every 10-15 laps during a race to make sure hes in a good spot. The numbers on Sunday told Kimball he was "right on line" even as he navigated the physically demanding venue. "A