Hamlin holds off Harvick at Phoenix Int'l

PHOENIX, March 4 (UPI) -- Denny Hamlin seized the lead with 59 laps left and then fended off Kevin Harvick to win the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway Sunday.

Harvick's late challenge petered out when he ran out of fuel with less than two laps to go and coasted across the finish line in second place.

Hamlin had a disappointing 2011, when he finished ninth in the championship points standings following his second-place performance the previous year.

But he got 2012 off to a good start with his 18th career Sprint Cup win and his first at Phoenix.

Greg Biffle claimed third, Jimmie Johnson took the fourth spot and Brad Keselowski rounded out the Top 5.