Track Talk Rac'in Updates +NASCAR
 

[align=center]MEMBER'S[/align][align=center]GO 2 LAST POST ON THIS THREAD FOR
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[align=center]Track Talk for the weekend of February 15-17[/align][align=center][:-][/align][align=center]THE BIG STORY
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
NASCAR Nationwide Series
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Racer of the Week
Yes, He REALLY Said That
This Weekend
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[align=center]THE BIG STORY[/align]

[align=center]Ryan Newman was the surprise winner of Sunday's 50th Daytona 500, benefiting from a massive bump-draft by Penske Dodge teammate Kurt Busch on the last lap. Tony Stewart's Toyota took the white flag in front, but Newman ran the high line down the backstretch, and Busch pushed him almost into turn three. Newman took the checkered flag .092 second ahead of Busch. Stewart, Kyle Busch and Reed Sorenson completed the top five. Newman earned just over $1.5 million.[/align][align=center][:-][/align][align=center]Also: The 2009 Dakar Rally will be staged in Argentina and Chile. This year's event was canceled due to the threat of terrorism along the Portugal-to-Senegal route…[X(] John Force, Michael Andretti, Buddy Baker, Richie Ginther, Wayne Rainey, Paul Goldsmith and Betty Skelton will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America this summer… Tomas Scheckter will drive the Indy 500 and two other races for a team co-owned by Roger Penske's son, Jay… Jerry Coons Jr. (Silver Crown), Shane Cottle (sprints) and Darren Hagen (midgets) won the USAC Copper on Dirt features at Manzanita Speedway. USAC has discontinued use of the new generation Silver Crown car in favor of the traditional model. [/align][align=center][:-][/align]

[align=center]NASCAR Sprint Cup Series[/align]

[align=center][b]Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch were put on probation for the season's first six races as a result of their Budweiser Shootout practice incident. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin (first for Toyota) won Thursday's 150-mile Gatorade qualifying races. Bill Elliott, Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Carpentier, in the Valvoline Dodge, were among those who didn't advance to the 500. Owner Bill Davis said Villeneuve won't race his Dodge again until sponsorship is in place. Sunday's 50th Daytona 500 was the first CoT race at NASCAR's flagship track. Outside front-row starter Michael Waltrip led the first lap and poleman Jimmie Johnson went to the front on lap three. Jeff Gordon got first on lap 17. Sam Hornish Jr. ran in the top 10 until an unplanned pit stop on lap 60 with a tire vibration. The Toyotas of Hamlin and Kyle Busch dominated up front, leading 65 of the first 70 laps. The first yellow came on lap 80 due to debris. On lap 86, Mark Martin came in with two flat tires. Kyle Busch was the leader at halfway. With 80 laps remaining, Kurt Busch received a pit-lane speeding penalty. Hamlin fell back to around 20th place with damage to his left-rear quarter-panel. After another debris caution, Greg Biffle was the leader. The restart was with 46 laps to go and Gordon went to the garage with right-front suspension problems. The next yellow waved with 40 laps left when David Ragan went up and into teammate Matt Kenseth coming off turn four. Earnhardt Jr. went to the lead because he didn't pit. The racing got tense on a restart with 35 laps to go. Kasey Kahne led with 31 left, then Stewart picked up a lap, then Dale Jr. went back ahead.

RE: Track Talk Rac'in : )
 

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California: Odds N Ends

Written by Administrator & MCF `Space : )

Feb 22, 2008

[b]NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES

Close quarters: It's all about the competition:D

http://finallapradio.com/UserFiles/I...20TM_thumb.jpgThe new cars being used the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series continue to boost the competitive environment in a variety of ways. Start with the actual side-by-side racing.

This past Sunday's Daytona 500 also was one of the most competitive in the history of the "Great American Race."

Won by Ryan Newman, who seized the lead on the final lap, it boasted 42 lead changes – the most since 2001 (49) and the fifth time since 1972 that a Daytona 500 had 40 or more lead changes. Also, 16 drivers led at least one lap, the second-highest leader total in Daytona 500 history. Only the 2006 race had more (18) leaders.

Also, check out this competitive balance: Seven different teams were represented in the top 10 finishing order of the 500 – Penske, Gibbs, Ganassi, Gillett Evernham, Robby Gordon, Hendrick and Roush Fenway.
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He's Back: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Re-Energizes His Fan Base :D:)[&:]:D

Fans of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver no longer have to live in the past. Dale Earnhardt Jr. clearly is a contender again. He wasted no time in tasting victory with his new race team – the No. 88 of Hendrick Motorsports. During the recently completed Speedweeks, Earnhardt won the Budweiser Shootout and also won his Gatorade Duel qualifying race. He was the top finisher for Hendrick in the Daytona 500, placing ninth.

He's Back, Too: Daytona 500 Winner Ends Long Winless Streak

Early in this decade, former open-wheel standout Ryan Newman was considered by many as an almost-certain future NASCAR champion. After solid success, including a series-high eight wins in 2003, Newman slumped slightly in recent seasons. He came into the Daytona 500 with an 81-race winless streak.

He then went out and captured NASCAR's biggest race, winning for the first time since Sept. 18, 2005 at New Hampshire.

Image Adjustment: Busch A Team Player

A driver who comes off sometimes as somewhat controversial went a long way toward boosting his image Sunday at the Daytona 500.

Kurt Busch's push of Penske Racing teammate Ryan Newman on the last lap of the 50th Daytona 500 not only guaranteed Newman's victory and Busch's runner-up finish, it showcased him as an unselfish teammate.

It's been an eventful 2008 for Busch thus far. The former (2004) series champion started the season by relinquishing his team's 2007 position (seventh) in the top-35 car owner standings to his rookie teammate Sam Hornish Jr., enabling Hornish to be "locked into" a starting position through the first five events of 2008. The top 35 teams in final ‘07 owner standings are guaranteed starting berths for this year's first five races. After five races, the current point standings determine those automatic spots.

Then came the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona where a practice session altercation with Tony Stewart resulted in Busch and Stewart receiving six-race probations from NASCAR.

Also, in last week's 150-mile qualifying race for the 500, Busch had to drop out with electrical problems. That forced him to use a "past champion's" provisional berth for the 43rd and final starting berth in the 500.

He responded with a back-to-front run capped by one of the most sportsmanlike gestures seen in years, in any sport.

Three-Peat Possibility: Kenseth Tries To Win Again At California

The 2003 NAS

RE: Track Talk Rac'in Updates +NASCAR
 

[align=center]Cup lines up by points [/align][align=center]
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Cup Qualifying was rained out at California Speedway er Auto Club Speedway, and here's how they'll line up by points and other methods on Sunday.
http://finallapradio.com/UserFiles/I...s/cup_logo.jpg[/align][align=center]1 48 Jimmie Johnson :D
2 24 Jeff Gordon [X(]
3 07 Clint Bowyer
4 17 Matt Kenseth
5 5 Casey Mears
6 20 Tony Stewart [:@]
7 77 Sam Hornish Jr.
8 31 Jeff Burton
9 99 Carl Edwards :D
10 29 Kevin Harvick
11 1 Martin Truex Jr.
12 11 Denny Hamlin
13 12 Ryan Newman :D
14 16 Greg Biffle
15 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. :eek:
16 8 Mark Martin [&:]
17 01 Regan Smith
18 26 Jamie McMurray
19 43 Bobby Labonte
20 9 Kasey Kahne[8D][/align]

RE: Track Talk Rac'in Updates +NASCAR
 

THE BIG STORY


Scott Wimmer won Saturday's Pepsi 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. It was his first tour victory in 58 races, going back to July 2003 at Pikes Peak. Wimmer passed Clint Bowyer, his Richard Childress Chevrolet teammate, with 20 laps remaining and got to the line .578 second ahead. Carl Edwards was third in a Roush Fenway Ford. Bowyer is 11 points ahead of Edwards.
Also: JJ Yeley got a new crew chief, with Steve Boyer taking over for Brandon Thomas on the No. 96 Toyota… Red Bull has put its second Formula One team, Toro Rosso, up to sale… Jean Todt resigned as Ferrari CEO but will remain on the company's Board and its representative to the FIA World Council… Former NHRA national-event-winning Funny Car driver Al Hofmann died of a heart attack. He was 60.

Nationwide Busch Series


Sterling Marlin replaced Johnny Sauter in the No. 1 Chevrolet. Kyle Busch put the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on the pole for Saturday's race at Nashville and jumped out to a quick and comfortable lead. The handling on Clint Bowyer's Chevy improved after pit stops and he battled Busch. Coming off turn four on lap 162 of 225, Busch spun, and lost two laps. Gasoline mileage was an issue at the end but both Wimmer and Bowyer made it to the checkered flag. Wimmer averaged 134.095 mph with just three cautions for 20 laps. Chase Miller, in the No. 9 Valvoline Dodge, qualified 16th and finished 14th.

Formula One


Reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen easily won Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. His Ferrari started second, took the lead after the first round of pit stops, and finished 19.5 seconds ahead of Robert Kubica in a BMW-Sauber. Heikki Kovalainen was third in a McLaren-Mercedes. Poleman Felipe Massa, running second, spun out in his Ferrari just after the mid-race mark. Lewis Hamilton (fifth) is three points ahead of Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld (sixth). Both Hamilton and Kovalainen were penalized five starting positions for staying on the racing line during their post-qualifying slow-down laps, which blocked other drivers.
The Sport of the Rich $$$$$$$$ :D


Racer of the Week


Scott Wimmer. The part-time driver gets his first victory for Richard Childress Racing. Congrat's Scott from the MCF


Yes, He REALLY Said That


Jeff Hammond, on Darrell Waltrip's scratchy voice during the Bristol Cup telecast. "It took eight years, but I finally figured out a way to get more air time."
We wish Darrell would lose his voice every week :D

This Weekend


NASCAR has a Truck-Cup doubleheader at Martinsville.
MCF Members, get ready to Post your Top Three (3)
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IndyCars open at Homestead with the Rolex Series. NHRA hits Houston.

RE: Track Talk Rac'in Updates +NASCAR
 

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NNS Testing Richmond



Written by Administrator & Posted by MCF `Space : )

Mar 24, 2008 at 04:12 PM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 24, 2008) – The first open week of the NASCAR Nationwide Series season actually begins with some on-track activity as teams converge on Richmond International Raceway for the third scheduled test of the year – and the only one slated for a short track.

http://finallapradio.com/images/tracks/richmond_sml.jpg[/align][align=center]The .75-mile facility will host the NASCAR Nationwide Series 250 on May 2.

More than 30 drivers representing more than 20 teams are expected to participate and gather notes for the remaining three short tracks on the 2008 series schedule. Five races are left on those tracks this season.

The first short-track race of the year occurred two weeks ago at Bristol Motor Speedway where Clint Bowyer (No. 2 BB&T/Camping World Chevrolet) won the rain-shortened event. Following his runner-up finish at Nashville Superspeedway last Saturday, he’s the series points leader for the first time in his NASCAR national series career.

“Richmond is the second-to-last test scheduled for the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year and it’s our only short track test,” said series director Joe Balash. “Teams will gain valuable data that they will be using the rest of the season.”

“Richmond’s a racy little place. It’s a ‘big’ short track,” Marcos Ambrose (No. 59 Kingsford Ford) said. “We haven’t had a lot of laps this year so far (on short tracks) so this will be good for us.”

Kyle Busch (No. 32 ABF/Haas Avocados from Mexico/Beringer/Dollar General Toyota), who has led laps in all but one race this year – which happened to be on a short track at Bristol – has specific areas to address at Richmond.

“We had a great car at Bristol, but weren't able to showcase it, unfortunately,” said the two-time winner at Richmond. “I feel like we can go to Richmond and have a good test. I told (the team) we needed a different brake package on it from what we had at Bristol because Richmond is way harder on brakes. We'll see how that pans out and hopefully have a good test.”

Busch will be joined at the test by five other NASCAR Nationwide Series winners at Richmond – defending race winner Bowyer, four-time race winner Kevin Harvick (No 33 Camping World/RoadLoans.com Chevrolet), last year’s series champion Carl Edwards (No. 60 Scotts Ford), Jason Keller (No. 11 America’s Incredible Pizza Company Chevrolet) and Morgan Shepherd (No. 89 Victory in Jesus Dodge).

Last Updated ( Mar 24, 2008 at 04:13 PM ) [/align][align=center]



Wimmer wins Nashville [/align][align=center]
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Written by Administrator

Mar 22, 2008 at 04:44 PM


Wimmer Wins First NASCAR Nationwide Series Race In Nearly Five Years
Special to Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

http://finallapradio.com/UserFiles/I...0322ge3052.jpg[/align][align=center][b]LEBANON, Tenn. (March 22, 2008) -- Kyle Busch's loss was Scott Wimmer's
gain.

Busch dominated Saturday's Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway but lost control of his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota off Turn 4 after leading 125 of the first 162 laps.

That handed the lead to Richard Childress Racing's Clint Bowyer, but RCR teammate Wimmer passed him for the lead with 20 laps to go to notch his first win in nearly five years.

Wimmer is also the first non-NASCAR Sprint Cup driver to win a NASCAR Nationwide Series race
this season and the first since Jason Leffler won at O'Reilly Raceway Park last July.

"Stepping down and running a part

RE: Track Talk Rac'in Updates +NASCAR
 

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THE BIG STORY
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series
IndyCar Series
Rolex Sports Car Series
Racer of the Week
Yes, He REALLY Said That
Valvoline Winners Last Weekend
This Weekend



THE BIG STORY
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Denny Hamlin just held-off Jeff Gordon to take Sunday's Goody's Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Jeff Burton was third, followed by Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart. Kyle Busch had various problems and finished 38th and dropped to fifth in points. Burton leads Kevin Harvick (12th) by 39 points.
Also: Former FIA President Jean Marie Balestre died at age 86.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
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Gene Nead left as No. 21 Ford crew chief to lead R&D at Bill Davis Racing. Bobby Kennedy took over as Michael Waltrip's No. 55 crew chief and Paul Andrews will supervise Waltrip's test teams. Elliott Sadler injured his back in non-racing activities and Gillett Evernham Motorsports had Dennis Setzer as a stand-by driver. The No. 49 BAM team switched from Dodge to Toyota. Jeff Gordon won the Martinsville pole Friday with a 96.288 mph lap. Kyle Petty was among the four non-qualifiers. Rain and mist were in the cold air all day Sunday. Gordon led early while Kurt and Kyle Busch tangled to cause the first yellow. Just before the 50-lap mark, Robby Gordon and Mike Skinner got together. On that yellow, Matt Kenseth's long day took its first twist, when he and Jeff Burton hit on pit road. When Aric Almirola spun Bobby Labonte, leader Jeff Gordon got nose damage on his Chevrolet, and pitted several times for repairs. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was leading until Jimmie Johnson passed him on lap 103. By lap 295, Jeff Gordon was battling Earnhardt Jr. for the lead, then Ryan Newman and Johnson spun. After David Gilliland banged into him, Kenseth spun Gilliland, and got a two-lap penalty for aggressive driving. On a yellow just before the 100 laps-to-go mark, Burton stayed out, while Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin pitted. Hamlin passed Burton for first place with 73 laps to go. Jeff Gordon took second with six laps left, but came up .398 second short of Hamlin. Carl Edwards lost a top-five by running out of gas on the last lap and wound up ninth. The winner averaged 73.163 mph with 18 cautions for 89 laps. Earnhardt Jr. was sixth. Sadler ran the distance and finished 15th.


NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

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Dennis Setzer got his third Martinsville Speedway victory in Saturday's Kroger 250. Setzer led 126 of the 253 laps in a Bobby Hamilton Racing Dodge. On the last lap of a green-white-checker finish, Kyle Busch tagged Johnny Benson, causing both to spin and the finish under yellow. Benson had been second and Busch third, but wound up 25th and 26th, respectively. Matt Crafton was second in a Chevrolet with Rick Crawford third in a Ford. Setzer averaged 61.311 mph with 16 cautions (and a brief red) for 83 laps. Busch is 35 points up on Todd Bodine (12th).


NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series


[b]Biker-turned-dragster Antron Brown got his first Top Fuel victory in Sunday's O'Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Brown powered to a 4.605 second, 320.28 mph win over Larry Dixon's 4.621, 309.06 mph. Richard Hogan is now co-crew chief with Jon Oberhofer on Doug Kalitta's car. Tony Schumacher is eight points up on Dixon. In Funny Car, Del Worsham's Checker Schuck's Kragen Chevrolet Imp

RE: Track Talk Rac'in Updates +NASCAR
 

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mountain Dew Car [/align][align=center][:-]
[/align][align=center][align=center]Dale Earnhardt Jr. And Mountain Dew Go Retro At Darlington Raceway[/align][align=center]http://finallapradio.com/UserFiles/I...08/88_DEW2.jpg[/align][align=center]DARLINGTON, S.C. – Fans who attend the Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington Raceway will not only see some of the most exciting racing of the 2008 season, they will also see a special one-time-only throwback paint scheme on the No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP Energy/National Guard entry driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

To kick off Mountain Dew's "Old School New School" promotion, Earnhardt will pilot the No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet with a throwback paint scheme modeled after the 1981-82 entry driven by Darrell Waltrip.

"I'm so excited about this paint scheme. To run a paint scheme like the Mountain Dew one is a tribute to the history of the sport and the heritage at Darlington," said Earnhardt. "I can't wait to see how the car looks on the track because it looks awesome on paper."

"I am honored our track was chosen as the venue for this special one-time-only paint scheme," said Darlington Raceway President Chris Browning. "I know our fans will be just as excited as I am to see the famous Mountain Dew colors back at Darlington Raceway with the sports most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., behind the wheel."

Could the throwback Mountain Dew paint-scheme be a good-luck charm for Earnhardt as he chases that elusive Darlington victory? The Mountain Dew colors have certainly proven to be lucky at Darlington in the past. Mountain Dew was on the hood of Darrell Waltrip's car in 1981 when he won 12 races including the 1981 Rebel 500 at Darlington Raceway.

The folks at Mountain Dew think Darlington luck could be in Earnhardt's future, and that's why they've chosen Darlington as the race to launch the Mountain Dew and AMP Energy "Old School New School" promotion that will give consumers the chance to win "Cars, Kicks and More."

Many things that are considered old are cool again and those who participate in the Mountain Dew "Old School New School" promotion will be able to decide which "school" they prefer. Beginning May 19, winning consumers will choose between new and retro prizes like 2009 Corvette or a vintage Corvette, an arcade game or an Xbox and many other items. You can learn more about Mountain Dew "Old School New School" by going to www.oldschoolornew.com.

Fans can also add to their collection by picking up authentic die-cast replicas of the No. 88 Mountain Dew AMP Energy/National Guard from Action Racing Collectables. ARC die-cast and other "Old School New School" merchandise can be found at MA Authorized Dealers or online at GoRacing.com, NASCAR.com or rccamembers.com.

"Dale Earnhardt Jr. has such high regard for our sports past, it's only fitting that he be the one to bring back the retro Mountain Dew paint scheme at a historic track like Darlington Raceway," said Mark Dyer, President and CEO of Motorsports Authentics. "We are pleased to partner with Dale Jr., AMP Energy/Mountain Dew and Darlington Raceway on this program by giving fans the opportunity to commemorate this event with Action Racing Collectables die-cast and other ‘Old School New School' memorabilia."[/align][/align]

RE: Track Talk Rac'in Updates +NASCAR
 

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Track Talk for the weekend of April 4-6 THE BIG STORY
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
NASCAR Nationwide Series
IndyCar Series
American Le Mans Series
Formula One
Racers of the Week
Yes, He REALLY Said That
Valvoline Winners Last Weekend
This Weekend



THE BIG STORY


Carl Edwards got his third victory of the season, and continued Roush Fenway's domination at Texas Motor Speedway, in Sunday's Samsung 500. Edwards' Aflac Ford easily held off Jimmie Johnson on a green-white-checker finish. Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin wrapped the top five. Jeff Gordon finished 43d - last - for only the second time in his Cup career. Jeff Burton (sixth) is 59 points ahead of Kevin Harvick (11th).
Also: Kyle Petty, who didn't qualify at Martinsville and is out of the top 35 in owner points, put Chad McCumbee into his No. 45 Dodge at Texas. McCumbee didn't qualify. General Mills, a Petty sponsor for nine years, announced it will go to Richard Childress Racing next season - driver for the team's fourth car to be announced... Jimmy Vasser will drive in the Champ Car finale at Long Beach... The Atlantic series will have an 11-race schedule. Return to Top


NASCAR Sprint Cup Series


Michael McDowell crashed nose-first into the turn-one wall during Friday qualifying at Texas, barrel-rolled eight times, but emerged OK and started 40th in a backup car. He finished 33d. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole with a 190.907 mph lap. Dario Franchitti was among the non-qualifiers. Junior led early but the handling on his Chevrolet went bad as the race progressed and he finished 12th. Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch were leaders after Junior. Michael Waltrip spun on lap 28. Jeff Gordon's Chevy had problems all weekend and he immediately fell off the pace. As he tried to keep from going two laps down, Gordon spun and backed into the turn-four wall on lap 108. J.J. Yeley lost control exiting turn two and hit the inside wall on lap 177. A debris caution with 40 laps to go wiped out a big Edwards' lead as everyone pitted. Edwards came out in first place, though, and stayed there. Martin Truex Jr.'s engine started smoking and his oil forced a yellow with five laps left. The top five drivers stayed out while some behind pitted for new tires. In the two-lap "overtime," that extended the distance to 339 laps, Edwards finished .399 second ahead of Jimmie Johnson. A tangle between Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer coming off the last turn put Bowyer into the wall and dropped him to 10th. With only six yellows for 27 laps, Edwards averaged 144.814 mph. Patrick Carpentier qualified 27th in the Valvoline Dodge and finished 28th.Return to Top


NASCAR Nationwide Series


After dominating some earlier races, Kyle Busch got his first series victory of the season in Saturday's O'Reilly 300 at Texas. His Toyota started 31st on points as qualifying was rained out, but Busch led 126 of the 200 laps. Others pitted during a late caution for new tires, but Busch and Jeff Burton stayed out, and Burton finished one second behind. Clint Bowyer was third. With only four cautions for 13 laps, Busch averaged a fast 151.707 mph. Bowyer is 57 points ahead of Carl Edwards (13th).Return to Top


IndyCar Series


After a crash kept him out of last weekend's season opener at Homestead, Graham Rahal won his IRL debut in Sunday's Honda Grand Prix on the streets of S