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AVONDALE, Ariz. — If Kasey Kahne had only made the Chase.

Kahne, driving for a team that might not exist after this weekend's season finale, won Sunday's race at Phoenix International Raceway.

Kahne's victory was his fifth top-five finish in nine Chase races, showing the strength of Red Bull Racing even if questions remain about the team's future with Red Bull backing away. Kahne's future is set — he'll drive at Hendrick Motorsports next year with crew chief Kenny Francis joining him there. Just as satisfying as ending an 81-race winless drought for Kahne was celebrating with his team in victory lane.

Kahne took the lead with 14 laps to go during a cycle of green-flag pit stops. He had stopped before the leaders and his quick stop put him in position to move into the lead when others pitted.

"There's been a lot of ups and downs,'' said Kahne, who is 14th in the point standings. "We were able to finally a whole race together."

JOHNSON ELIMINATED: For the first time in six years, there will be a new Cup champion.

Johnson finished 14th and was eliminated from title contention heading into this weekend's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"Even though we're not in position to win the championship now, we're going to go to Homestead and try to have our best race down there that we can and finish as high as we can in the points," said Johnson, who is fifth in the points.

"We'll definitely learn. To a certain degree being on top for as long as we have been takes a lot of effort to maintain that. It just takes a lot out of you. So this winter will be a nice winter to unplug and relax and really look internally and dissect the different areas of the race team and what we do and come back stronger."

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com