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HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- The Latest on NASCARs season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday (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 Joey 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 Samuel Morin Jersey . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Oskar Lindblom Flyers Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.flyersteamstoreonline.com/authentic-travis-sanheim-flyers-jersey/ . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Carter Hart Jersey . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Brian Propp Jersey . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns do not believe place-kicker Cody Parkey should take the fall for Sundays overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins.The team also has no plans to change kickers before the Browns play in Washington, coach Hue Jackson said Monday.This latest drama came after Parkey went 3-for-6 in his Browns debut. Parkeys missed 46-yard attempt on the final play of regulation led to a loss and came after Parkey was rushed onto the team over the weekend.I think its unfair just to dump it all on him, Jackson said.Parkey joined the Browns after Patrick Murray hurt his knee in practice on Friday. On the chance someone might call, Parkey kicked on his own Friday afternoon near his home in Jupiter, Florida. He heard from the Browns, then flew to Cleveland on Friday night.He went to the facility Saturday morning and had no time to practice before he got on the plane with his new teammates to play the Dolphins. ?His first warm-ups came before the game. During the game he made field goals of 46, 48 and 38 yards, but he missed kicks of 41, 42 (off the upright) and 46 yards (the potential game-winner).Everybody says Well, thats the kickers job; well, it is his job, Jackson said. But normally a guy has a job, hes been around his employer a little bit. Hes been around his teammates a little bit. So it was tough, it was tough circumstances.It was unfortunate. If he would have made it, wed be celebrating right now. But he didnt.Every one of the misses went left, which might indicate Parkey was anxious and trying too hard. After the game, he merely said, They all missed left, so ... aim right.Parkey kicked in only three games in 2015 before going on injured reserve with a groin injury. In his rookie season in 2014, he went to the Pro Bowl. When Murray was injured, the Browns had a choice of a young player like Parkey or a veteran like Robbie Gould, who was cut by the Bears before the season started.We felt good about watching [Parkey] kick on tape. We felt good about everything that he was doing, Jackson said. We felt he was the best of the group, and we all made that decision together.Jackson said any chatter that the coaching staff preferred Gould should be dismissed. The Miami Herald reported from league sources that special-teams coach Chris Tabor wanted Gould, but the front office took Parkey, in part because he cost less. Tabor was assistant special teams coach in Chicago from 2008-10, when Gould was the Bears kicker.ddddddddddddJackson said the Browns picked Parkey because he was the guy that we wanted. The team has somewhere near $50 million in salary-cap room, and it did now know what Gould would cost because it decided on Parkey. But if Gould would have signed for the veterans minimum, which seems likely, the difference between Gould and Parkey would have been less than $500,000.Any decision thats made here by the football team we make together, Jackson said. I felt very comfortable. And if theres anything that comes out of this building it should come from me, not from anybody else. If I didnt say it, I guarantee you nobody else has any right to ever say anything about we should have had this guy or somebody wished they had that guy.We took the guy that we wanted. Thats Cody Parkey. Thats the guy we put on our team and thats the guy who kicked for us.The Browns M.O. through this point of the season has been to favor younger players who can grow together under Jackson. Murray fit that mold before he was injured.Gould is 34, Parkey 24. The past two years when Parkey was in the league in Philadelphia, he made 35-of-40 kicks (87.5 percent), 4-for-4 from 50-yards plus. Gould was 42-for-51 (82.4 percent), 7-for-10 from 50 yards plus.But Gould had a stretch last season when he went 2-for-5. That included misses of 40 and 36 yards in an overtime loss to San Francisco. The 36-yard try could have won the game on the last play of regulation. The next game, against Washington, Gould missed a 50-yard kick with 1:45 left that would have tied the game. At the end of this preseason, Gould also missed two extra points in the finale against the Browns. The Bears decided to part ways with him, and Gould has not been picked up.The Browns stand by the decision to sign and keep Parkey.I challenge any of us to come in here on a flight on late Friday night, wake up and meet the coach for a second and get on another flight and head to Miami and not know really a lot of your teammates, but some, Jackson said. Walk out and kick in pregame, and then kick in a game, where you attempt five of these feel goals. Not two, not one, but five.Thats a lot of pressure. And then heres the game-winner. Hitting you right in the face. Thats a tough situation. ' ' '