Kansas.com: Motorsports

Busch grabs victory

JENNA FRYER — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Kyle Busch raced side-by-side with Carl Edwards in the closing laps at Daytona International Speedway, each driver running wide open toward the win.

When a multicar accident brought out the caution behind them, the field was frozen and no one had any idea who won Saturday night's race. After an anxious few moments while NASCAR looked at the ending, Busch was awarded the win.

Again.

For Busch, the Sprint Cup Series points leader, it was his sixth Cup win of the year. In all, Busch has 12 victories this season spanning all three of NASCAR's top series.

"I can't believe that we're here right now," Busch said in Victory Lane. "We didn't have the best car. Luckily we were leading there when it mattered most."

81 Speedway

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Saturday's Results

Modifieds

A Feature--1. Brian Franz; 2. Ryan McAninch; 3. Marc Hurd. B Feature--1. Greg Stephens; 2. Casey McClaskey; 3. Jimmie Hobbs. C Feature--1. Jeremy Massey; 2. Jordan Whitehead; 3. Jim Johnson. Heat 1--1. Ryan McAninch; 2. Brian Powers; 3. Jimmie Hobbs. Heat 2--1. Marc Hurd; 2. Marlin Farr; 3. John Allen. Heat 3--1. Nic Baalman; 2. Allen Adams; 3. Ross Shipman. Heat 4--1. Brian Franz; 2. Brandon Morton; 3. Greg Stephens.

Rookie Modifieds

A Feature--1. Shawn Langhover Jr.; 2. James Lutkie; 3. Shawn Ridpath. Heat 1--1. Don Hodge; 2. Shawn Langhover Jr.; 3. Billy Hardin. Heat 2--1. Harley Peery; 2. Niel Dossie; 3. James Lutkie.

Dominance missing from Hendrick team

BRANT JAMES — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Jimmie Johnson, one win. Dale Earnhardt Jr., one win. Jeff Gordon and Casey Mears, winless.

Hendrick Motorsports wrapped the Sprint Cup series in an anaconda squeeze and swallowed it whole last season, winning half of the 36 races -- 10 of the first 14 -- as Johnson won his second consecutive championship. Gordon was second and Kyle Busch, who was ousted for Earnhardt Jr., was fifth. By the 2007 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, Johnson had four wins en route to a series-best 10, Gordon four of six, Busch his one victory of the season and Mears his first Cup win.

A year later, NASCAR's most successful team is a statistical shadow of its recent self, if trips to Victory Lane are the lone factor. But they're not, and Hendrick might not be much worse off than a year ago. At least its race teams are telling themselves so.

Consider: Earnhardt Jr. is third in driver points, Johnson fifth and Gordon sixth and safely ensconced in the 12-driver Chase for the Championship field that will be settled nine races from now at Richmond. Wins pay well in prestige, points and purses, but consistency wins championships. And that means Hendrick's drivers are indeed having very good seasons.

"I wouldn't say that we've got the confidence or the momentum that we had this time last year, but I feel like our teams are still really solid," Gordon said. "I just think that we've gotten a little bit behind vs. the competition competitively. That's something that we're working hard on. Last year, as strong as we were going into the Chase, you still had no guarantee once you got into the Chase what was going to happen.

Dixon shooting for Watkins win

MIKE HARRIS — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Scott Dixon came into the weekend insisting it wasn't going to be easy to make it four straight IndyCar victories at Watkins Glen International.

Looks as if he was right.

Ryan Briscoe gave Team Penske its fourth straight pole on the 3.4-mile, 11-turn circuit in upstate New York, supplanting veteran teammate Helio Castroneves. The Brazilian's string of three in a row was ended by a broken throttle cable that sent him to the rear of the 26-car field for Sunday's race.

Justin Wilson, one of the nine drivers transitioning from the defunct Champ Car World Series to the newly unified IRL IndyCar Series, will start from second, followed by Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Wilson appeared to have his first IndyCar pole wrapped up when he pitted after turning a lap of 1 minute, 29.38 seconds. But, as the Englishman sat in his car on pit road for the final moments of qualifying, Briscoe lapped the track at 1:29.34 to grab his second series pole and the 36th for Team Penske.

Hamlin races to Daytona victory

JENNA FRYER — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart or Joey Logano. It doesn't matter who's behind the wheel of the No. 20 Toyota, it always seems to end up in Victory Lane.

Hamlin held off Busch on Friday night at Daytona International Speedway to extend Joe Gibbs Racing's dominance in the Nationwide Series, driving the No. 20 to its ninth victory of the season.

The car is so stout, third-place finisher Dale Earnhardt Jr. had no idea who was behind the wheel and repeatedly congratulated Stewart on the win.

Stewart, who drove the car to a win last week in New Hampshire, took Friday night off and Earnhardt eventually figured out it was Hamlin who raced to his third series win of the season.

"You can take that several different ways," Hamlin said of Earnhardt's mistake. "You could take it as I was driving a lot like Tony, which is a compliment in my eyes. If I was driving like Tony on a superspeedway, that's pretty dang good, so I'll take it."

Martin joins Hendrick -- Mark Martin is returning to NASCAR full time...

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Martin joins Hendrick -- Mark Martin is returning to NASCAR full time, agreeing to drive for powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports in a final effort to win a championship that has eluded him for 24 years.

Martin and team owner Rick Hendrick announced the deal pairing the 48-year-old driver with one of NASCAR's top teams, Friday at Daytona International Speedway.

Martin will race a full schedule next season, replacing Casey Mears in the No. 5 Chevrolet. Hendrick is parting ways with Mears after this season.

Daytona smiles on DEI

MARK LONG — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

Although Dale Earnhardt Inc. might not be a championship contender, it showed Friday it still can be a force at Daytona International Speedway.

DEI swept the front row in qualifying for tonight's Coke Zero 400 and ended up with three drivers in the top eight positions.

Paul Menard won the pole when he covered the 2 ½-mile superspeedway with a fast lap of 185.916 mph, just ahead of teammate Mark Martin. Rookie Regan Smith was eighth.

DEI's other driver, Martin Truex Jr., was well back in 35th. He was driving a backup car after his primary car failed inspection Thursday and was seized by NASCAR.

Truex's setback -- he could be docked points for an illegal body modification -- combined with Martin's Friday announcement that he was moving to Hendrick Motorsports gave DEI a rough start to the weekend. But the team rebounded with its strongest qualifying effort of the season.

Death shakes up NHRA

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:41 CDT

The death of Scott Kalitta has shaken up the NHRA and sent the organization, its owners and drivers back to the drawing board on safety issues.

Kalitta was killed in a fiery crash June 21 in Englishtown, N.J. After his Funny Car exploded, it was enveloped in flames, continued at highspeed through the sand pit at the end of the quarter-mile track and slammed into a retaining barrier. The drag parachutes deployed but did not open.

Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations for the NHRA, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday that a task force is being put together to study all aspects of safety and competition.

"For some time, we've been looking at the speeds and performance of these cars and one initiative we have is to develop a task force of reputable crew chiefs, headed by Dan Olson, who works for us on the technical Top Fuel-Funny Car side. (We're) looking at ratcheting the performance back a notch.

"The goal is to bring speeds back slightly and also, at the same time, hopefully reduce some parts carnage, which translates into an economic impact to the teams."

81 Speedway

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:38 CDT

Saturday's Results

AAA Modifieds, A Feature--1. Bill Stahl; 2. Tad Davis; 3. Kevin Kemp. Heat 1--Rick Leatherman; 2. Cecil Dymond; 3. Tyler Davis. Heat 2--1. Shawn Langhover; 2. Kevin Newell; 3. Lincoln Moore. Heat 3--1. Tad Davis; 2. Allen Adams; 3. Bill Stahl. Modifieds, A Feature--1. Brian Franz; 2. Jeremy Massey; 3. Brian Powers. Heat 1--1. Greg Stephens; 2. Jeremy Massey; 3. Nic Baalman. Heat 2--1. Rodney Dodds; 2. Brian Powers; 3. Jordan Whitehead. Heat 3--1. Don Renfro; 2. Brian Franz; 3. Bobby Bills. Rookie Modifieds, A Feature--1. Harley Peery; 2. Don Hodge; 3. Niel Dossie. Heat 1--Harley Peery; 2. Carl Brocklesby; 3. Shawn Ridpath. Heat 2--1. Niel Dossie; 2. Josh Loffland; 3. Straun Taylor. Heat 3--1. Shane Campbell; Ks), 2. Don Hodge; 3. Jason Daniels. Street Stocks, A Feature--1. Dan Powers; 2. Robbie Simmons; 3. Beau Davis. Heat 1--1. Robbie Simmons; 2. Beau Davis; 3. David Squier. Heat 2--1. Darren Moses; 2. Chris Eveland; 3. Scott Holle. Thumpers, A Feature--1. Joey Richmond; 2. Jay Purkey; 3. Richard Wilson. Heat 1--1. Daryl Towne; 2. Richard Wilson; 3. Ron Arehart. Heat 2--1. Joey Richmond; 2. Jay Purkey; 3. Dennis Clevenger.

Consistent Burton likes his approach

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:43 CDT

If consistency can still win a championship in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series, Jeff Burton is a serious contender to win his first title.

In 16 races this season, the Richard Childress Racing driver has one win, four top-fives, 10 top-10s and has not finished worse than 15th.

"I'm good with it, if it yields results," Burton said. "At the end of the day, though, our goal wasn't having an average finish of 8.9 or whatever. Our goal was to lead more laps than we did last year, to win more races than we did last year, to be solidly in the top 12 in points... and, when the Chase starts, to be a real contender."

Still, it remains to be seen if consistency can get the job done heading into today's race in Loudon, N.H.

After Matt Kenseth won the 2003 Cup championship in ho-hum fashion, winning just once and walking away with the title without making many headlines, NASCAR changed the points format in an effort to insure some excitement.

Davis learns on the fly at 81

JOANNA CHADWICK — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:43 CDT

In Tyler Davis' first race at 81 Speedway two years ago, he flipped his car.

"His mom said he'd never get back in another race car in his life," said Dave Davis, Tyler's dad. "He was sore the next couple days after that; but other than that, it was a very easy rollover. It didn't even scare him."

Actually, it made Tyler Davis want to race even more.

"It's an addiction, I guess," said Davis, 18, who graduated from Campus High last month.

Davis clinched the midseason title in the AAA Modified division at 81 Speedway last week, leading defending series champion Bill Stahl by seven points. Davis also won the midseason title at Hutchinson Raceway.

Busch back on top

JENNA FRYER — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:42 CDT

The swagger had vanished, and the cocky confidence went with it. A two-week slump sent Kyle Busch spiraling into crankiness despite his hold atop the points standings.

With a win Sunday at Infineon Raceway, his mood instantly lifted.

Busch snapped his mini-slump by racing to his first Sprint Cup Series win on a road course with a Toyota that was so bad during practice he was certain he'd wreck. Instead, he made his series-high fifth visit to Victory Lane this season.

"I'm not happy unless I am winning, to be honest. I am a miserable person," he said. "But it means a lot to be able to run well and win. I'm a moody person, I guess. All of us drivers are when we're not having a good day. But when you have a good day and win races, it's kind of 'Sun's up.' "

Busch, who had a poor qualifying run and started 30th, steadily moved through the field and grabbed the lead away from defending race winner Juan Pablo Montoya on an early restart. Nobody came close to taking the lead from him the rest of the way, but he did have to hold off a pair of challenges on two late restarts.

Gordon chasing victory

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:41 CDT

NASCAR's annual trip to Sonoma, Calif., has always been a celebration for Jeff Gordon. Surrounded by family and friends, he enjoys some fine wine, a game or two of croquet and his many personal milestones.

Two years ago he threw an engagement party here, and last year he celebrated the birth of his first child. The party this trip is daughter Ella's first birthday, planned for after the garage closed Saturday at Infineon Raceway.

But if Gordon has it his way, the celebration will stretch to Victory Lane today with his first win of the year. He had already scored four of his six 2007 victories by this point last season, but the four-time Cup Series champion has struggled to duplicate those efforts this year.

He said he's "not yet" frustrated by this winless streak. Instead, his aggravation is directed at the ups and downs his Hendrick Motorsports team is experiencing.

"I'm more frustrated that we're not more competitive," Gordon said. "To me, you can be the fastest car out there and not get wins. So that's not really bothering me. What's bothering me is that we're hit or miss. We've put some top-fives together -- some of them we earned, some of them we earned by strategy.

Kalitta dies after crash

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:41 CDT

Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his Funny Car burst into flames and crashed at the end of the track during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

The NHRA said the 46-year-old Kalitta -- the 1994 and 1995 Top Fuel season champion who had 18 career victories, 17 in Top Fuel and one in Funny Car -- was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at about 300 mph when it burst into flames.

The Palmetto, Fla., resident started his career at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in 1982. His father, Connie Kalitta, was a longtime driver and team owner known as "The Bounty Hunter," and his cousin, Doug Kalitta, also drives competitively.

"We are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family," the NHRA said in a statement. "Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie. He also shared the same desire to win, becoming a two-time series world champion. He left the sport for a period of time, to devote more time to his family, only to be driven to return to the drag strip to regain his championship form. He will be truly missed by the entire NHRA community."

Gordon chasing victory

JENNA FRYER — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:41 CDT

NASCAR's annual trip to Sonoma has always been a celebration for Jeff Gordon. Surrounded by family and friends, he enjoys some fine wine, a game or two of croquet and his many personal milestones.

He said he's "not yet" frustrated by this winless streak. Instead, his aggravation is directed at the ups and downs his Hendrick Motorsports team is experiencing.

Kahne stays hot by winning pole

JENNA FRYER — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:36 CDT

Kasey Kahne continued his recent hot streak Friday by winning the pole at Infineon Raceway for his best career starting position on a road course.

Kahne was the third driver to make his qualifying attempt and his lap around the twisting track at 92.153 mph was good enough to hold the top spot for the entire session. It was his second pole of the season, and second in three weeks.

It's Kahne's best start at a road course, bettering the second-place qualifying effort he made at Watkins Glen in 2006. His highest start in Sonoma was sixth that same season.

"To get the pole is always very difficult, especially at these tracks," Kahne said. "There's certain guys that seem like they are right there. We've been close here in the past, we've been close at Watkins Glen. So I felt I could make that one lap and come close to the pole and today we had a great Dodge and we were able to get it.

"I came in today thinking I had a good shot, but winning a pole at Infineon is tougher than it sounds."

Economic pinch hits NASCAR hard

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:43 CDT

Carl Edwards has come a long way from the days when he was handing out business cards to strangers, hoping somebody would give him a shot at moving up the racing ladder.

Now an established star in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, Edwards appreciates what he has. That's why the message NASCAR president Mike Helton delivered at a meeting Friday with drivers and team owners resonated with the Roush-Fenway Racing driver.

During the gathering, which lasted only about 10 minutes, Helton made it clear that it's time for the loud complaining about the Car of Tomorrow, rough race tracks and other weekly irritants to stop. He let it be known that the drivers need to think more about the plight of the fans, facing $4 a gallon gas and numerous other economic ills.

"I can understand (NASCAR's) position," Edwards said. "We've got it pretty good here. This is what I signed up for. And I think all of us, when we think back about where we started, we signed up to be race car drivers. And, part of that (is if) the car doesn't handle real well, and sometimes the car is hot, sometimes you're uncomfortable.

"It's kind of what they pay us for, to do that job," he added. "That's what I got from that meeting, and I think that's fair."

NASCAR suspends two race officials

JENNA FRYER — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:43 CDT

Two officials suspended by NASCAR are accused in a $225 million lawsuit of exposing themselves to a former co-worker, the Associated Press has learned.

Tim Knox and Bud Moore have been placed on indefinite administrative paid leave.

NASCAR will not reveal the identities of the officials sent home Friday from Kentucky Speedway, but a person familiar with the investigation confirmed to AP on Saturday that Knox and Moore were suspended. The person requested anonymity because NASCAR's investigation is ongoing.

NASCAR did not give a reason for the men's suspension, and chairman Brian France cautioned against assuming the officials are being punished for allegations made in the lawsuit.

"Obviously we found some violations in our policy, but I would not jump to conclusions to assume that all of the allegations that were made are accurate," France said at Michigan International Speedway, site of today's Sprint Cup Series race.

Economic pinch hits NASCAR hard

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:43 CDT

Carl Edwards has come a long way from the days when he was handing out business cards to strangers, hoping somebody would give him a shot at moving up the racing ladder.

"It's kind of what they pay us for, to do that job," he added. "That's what I got from that meeting, and I think that's fair."

Busch to start first in Michigan

MIKE HARRIS — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:43 CDT

Kyle Busch will start from the pole Sunday in the LifeLock 400, thanks to rain that washed away qualifying at Michigan International Speedway.

The rain began pelting down after 11 of 45 drivers had completed qualifying attempts on the two-mile oval and NASCAR was forced to fill the race field by points, giving series leader Busch his third pole start of the season. He will be joined on the front row by Jeff Burton, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and defending race winner Carl Edwards in row two.

It was a pretty good start to the weekend for Busch, who will try to run three NASCAR races for the second straight weekend, with hopes that things will go better this time.

Busch, who already has four wins this season in Sprint Cup, four in the Nationwide Series and two in the Craftsman Truck Series, was hoping to win them all last week while racing in Cup at Pocono, Nationwide at Nashville and trucks at Texas.

That was something nobody had ever done -- racing in NASCAR races at three different tracks on the same weekend, but it didn't work out the way he planned.