KANSAS CITY, Kan.—Jimmie Johnson barely held off a strong challenge from Carl Edwards on Sunday at Kansas Speedway, winning the race and vaulting into first place in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Edwards, who overcame a poor starting position and two pit lane incidents, to catch and pass Johnson for the lead, lost the top spot to Johnson on a pit stop with 47 laps to go. Edwards finally caught him again on the last lap, shooting past Johnson on the low side of the banked 1.5-mile oval in turn three—but just a little too fast.

Edwards slid up the track and b...

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