Brad Keselowski wins the 2014 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Speedway

In a dominating performance where he led all but 17 laps, Brad Keselowski won NASCAR’s regular season finale Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.

Never seriously challenged, Keselowski led 383 of 400 laps to take his series-best fourth victory of the season. The win gives the him the No. 1 seed in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, which begins next week. Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle raced their way into the playoffs via finishes of ninth and 19th, respectively.

“What a night,” Keselowski said. “I pulled into Victory Lane and pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I can’t imagine a better way to enter the Chase and earn the No. 1 seed. We’re ready.

“Wow, what a night.”

Jeff Gordon finished second, followed by Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick completing the top five.

Despite placing third, Bowyer missed qualifying for the Chase by seven points. He entered Richmond trailing Biffle by 23 and to make the Chase either had to win, or finish well and have Biffle struggle. For the duration of the night, Bowyer ran near the front while Biffle lagged mid-pack. But unable to keep pace with Keselowski and Gordon, Bowyer faded to third.

“I knew coming in here, it was a long shot at best,” Bowyer said. “We put it all out there. I raced as hard as we could. At our very best, we were a third-place race car tonight at my very best race track.”

As Bowyer made things interesting, Biffle languished with a car not handling to his liking. Numerous times he appeared to be on the verge of sliding out of the playoffs.

“I drove so hard and we just missed the setup,” Biffle said. “... Tonight was not pretty. I drove as hard as I could and it was enough to get us in. I knew I needed to be in the top 20 and, it was all I could do.”

Rounding out the top 10 were Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Newman and Aric Almirola.

Following the race Johnson needed medical treatment for dehydration. Johnson exited his car and laid down on pit road before being assisted by his team to a cart, which transported him to the infield care center. The defending Sprint Cup champion was experiencing cramping and dizziness and described as “very faint” by ESPN.

Johnson was released from the care center after receiving five liters of intravenous fluids. He thought an equipment failure may have contributed to his condition.

“It could have been my own nutrition plan,” said Johnson, who regularly runs and bikes. “I felt like I came in plenty hydrated. We will have to make sure that all the fans and stuff were working in the car. I was warm at the midway point and didn’t feel like my helmet fan was working. That could definitely cause an issue.”

Johnson would later tweet he was “feeling much better.”

The Chase begins Sept. 14 at Chicagoland Speedway.