Defending champ Matt Kenseth has been eliminated from Cup contention. Credit: Credit: Autostock

Blown engine ends shot at repeat title for Kenseth

Chase hasn't been kind to champ, whose average finish is 21st

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Fifty-one weeks after winning his first NASCAR championship, Matt Kenseth's chances for a second title went up in smoke -- literally.

The engine on Kenseth's No. 17 Ford expired on Lap 283 of Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, leading to Kenseth's second consecutive DNF.

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Kenseth had little to say Sunday about his latest misfortune.

"We just broke," Kenseth said. "We just broke something in the motor."

The mishap also mathematically eliminated Kenseth from the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Kenseth ended Sunday 336 points behind leader Kurt Busch. As long as Busch starts each of the last two races, the most Kenseth could gain is 312.

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The Chase has not been kind to Kenseth. In the eight Chase races thus far, Kenseth has one top-10 finish, a second-place effort at New Hampshire in the opening race of NASCAR's 10-race playoff. Even with the runner-up effort in the opener, Kenseth's average Chase finish is 21st.

Kenseth was in contention for the win Sunday. He led four laps and spent 154 of the races 312 laps in the top 10.

Kenseth also blew a motor last weekend at Atlanta. That problem was blamed on a race-morning gear selection. On Sunday, Kenseth wasn't sure what happened.

"I don't know why or what, we just broke something."

Matt Kenseth was a force during part of Sunday's race before finishing 36th. Credit: Autostock

Sunday's incident marks the third blown engine Kenseth has suffered this season. He finished 42nd after an expiration at Talladega in the spring.

Kenseth wasn't the only driver to experience engine trouble while in contention. Robby Gordon's engine gave up on Lap 308, ending a day that saw the No. 31 Chevrolet spend 168 laps in the top 10.

"This is kind of how our year has gone all year," Gordon said. "We've got a great race team here with RCR and I've had a great time driving for them for the past three and a half years, but I can't wait to get to next year."