Brad Keselowski wins Chase opener

JOLIET, Ill. -- Brad Keselowski has won the opening race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, a victory that automatically advances him into the second round.

Keselowski used a three-wide pass of Kyle Larson and Kevin Harvick to snatch the lead away with 15 laps remaining at Chicagoland Speedway. As Larson and Harvick raced door-to-door, Keselowski drove through the middle to take the lead.

A caution with 10 laps remaining set up one final restart, and Keselowski easily pulled away for the win.

The Chase this year will eliminate four drivers after every third race, and a win guarantees a driver an automatic berth into the next round. Keselowski, who won last week at Richmond and has a Sprint Cup-leading five wins this season, was the top seed in the Chase.