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Harvick wraps up truck season with Homestead win

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:02:58 GMT

Harvick ran in front for 108 of 136 laps, but had to pass Timothy Peters for the lead just after the final restart with two laps remaining. He then held off Matt Crafton by one second for his third victory of the season. Harvick also won last week's race at Phoenix.

A late-race caution setup the two-lap overtime finish. Harvick and several other drivers on the lead lap pitted for new tires, while Peters took a gamble and remained on the track prior to the restart.

Braun captures Homestead pole

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:12:54 GMT

Braun lapped the 1.5-mile oval at 168.251 m.p.h.

(32.095 seconds) for his series-leading fifth pole of the season.

Johnson grabs pole at Homestead, Martin qualifies fourth

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:40:39 GMT

Johnson, who placed 21st in the only practice of the day , turned a blistering lap around the 1.5-mile oval at 173.919 m.p.h. (31.049 seconds) for his fourth pole of the season and the 23rd of his Sprint Cup Series career. He also claimed his second pole at Homestead, with his first one here coming in 2007.

"Great effort, obviously," Johnson said. "I'm very proud of what we did today. To bounce back from 21st [in practice], I knew we were going to be better than 21st." Johnson holds a comfortable 108-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin heading into the season-ending race. If Johnson finishes 25th or better, he will clinch his unprecedented fourth straight Cup championship, regardless of Martin's performance.

Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports agree to contract extension

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:26 GMT

"Jimmie is charting new territory in our sport, and that's due to a combination of natural talent and unsurpassed work ethic," said team owner Rick Hendrick. "How he's committed himself is just incredible, and it shows in everything that he does -- not just on the racetrack. There's no question that he's one of the great champions in all of sports, and he's not done yet." The new deal comes two days before Johnson aims to lock up an unprecedented fourth consecutive Sprint Cup championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He boasts a 108-point lead over Mark Martin entering Sunday's finale, needing to cross the finish line in 25th place or better to win the title.

It was also announced Friday that Lowe's signed an extension through 2013 to be the primary sponsor of Johnson's No. 48

Owner's title still on the line at Homestead

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:45:20 GMT

The Camping World Truck Series kicks off "championship weekend" at Homestead on Friday. Ron Hornaday clinched the title -- his series-record fourth -- last weekend at Phoenix.

Hornaday holds an insurmountable 215-point lead over second-place Matt Crafton.

Busch ready to wrap up the title in Homestead

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:36:33 GMT

Although Kyle Busch was unable to clinch the Nationwide championship last weekend at Phoenix, he will secure the title once he takes the green flag in Saturday's season-ending race at Homestead.

Carl Edwards postponed Busch's inevitable championship by leading the most laps and winning at Phoenix. Busch, who finished ninth and surprisingly did not lead a lap, left Phoenix with a 190-point lead over Edwards. If Busch would have held an advantage of 195 points or higher, he would have clinched the title there.

Johnson, Hendrick looking to make NASCAR history at Homestead

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:22:54 GMT

One thing is for sure in Sunday's Sprint Cup season-finale at Homestead. Hendrick Motorsports will capture its ninth championship in NASCAR's top-tier series.

Which driver -- Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin -- has yet to be decided.

This Week in Auto Racing November 20 - 22

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:55:16 GMT

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 - Homestead-Miami Speedway - Homestead, FL One thing is for sure in Sunday's Sprint Cup season-finale at Homestead. Hendrick Motorsports will capture its ninth championship in NASCAR's top-tier series. Which driver -- Jimmie Johnson or Mark Martin -- has yet to be decided.

Johnson rebounded from his Texas setback by winning last weekend's race at Phoenix. He now leads second-place Martin by 108 points. Johnson will lock up his unprecedented fourth consecutive title with a 25th-place finish or better at Homestead. Jeff Gordon, currently third in points (-169), officially will be eliminated from championship contention when Jo

Mercedes acquires F1 team Brawn GP

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:50:22 GMT

The German car maker also will end its shareholding with McLaren.

Mercedes' parent company, Daimler AG, along with Aabar Investments PJSC, will take over 75.1 percent of Brawn GP, which captured the constructors' title and drivers' championship with Jenson Button in the team's maiden F1 season. The remaining 24.9 percent will remain with current stakeholders Ross Brawn and Nick Fry. Brawn will remain as team principal.

Hamlin, Keselowski rivalry is at its boiling point

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:27:11 GMT

Hamlin and Keselowski's latest on-track altercation occurred on lap 158, when Keselowski spun Hamlin while the two were battling for a top-five position.

After the race, Keselowski claimed that Hamlin got into the back of him and pushed him up the track the lap prior to their incident. Hamlin saw things differently and promised retaliation at Homestead. When ESPN pit reporter Dave Burns asked Hamlin if NASCAR should intervene, he replied, "Nah, nah, I'll take care of him, it's no biggie. I got him. He'll learn the hard way." Hamlin later called Keselowski a "complete moron" and said he lacks respect from fellow drivers.

Johnson makes championship statement with Phoenix win

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:43:31 GMT

Johnson led 238 of 312 laps for his fourth win in the last five races at Phoenix, including the last three fall events. He also recorded his Sprint Cup Series-leading seventh win of the season.

With the victory, Johnson padded his lead to 108 points over Mark Martin, who finished fourth.

Edwards wins at Phoenix, prevents Busch from clinching title

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:05:25 GMT

Edwards led the most laps with 109 and easily beat second-place Kevin Harvick at the finish by 2.415 seconds to cut Busch's lead to 190 points.

Busch was involved in an early-race crash when he got loose and made contact with Clint Bowyer. He spun around and tapped the wall, sustaining damage to the front and rear left panels of his car. Busch pitted several times during cautions for repairs and then knifed his way through the field to move up to the third spot with fewer than 40 laps to go. He experienced motor problems shortly after and faded from there to finish ninth.

Labonte secures ride with TRG Motorsports in 2010

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:00:27 GMT

Labonte, the 2000 Cup Series champion, and team owner Kevin Buckler made the announcement Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway.

"Each time I've run with the team this year, I've enjoyed the experience and I'm looking forward to filling the seat full time next year and really building on what we've started," Labonte said.

Hamlin grabs Nationwide pole at Phoenix

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:05:24 GMT

Hamlin lapped the one-mile oval at 133.968 m.p.h. (26.872 seconds), which surpassed Kyle Busch's 2004 track record. The pole victory was Hamlin's second this year and the 14th of his Nationwide career. He also won the pole in last year's fall race at Phoenix.

Carl Edwards, the defending race winner, qualified 0.13 seconds behind Hamlin to claim the outside pole.

Hornaday clinches truck title at Phoenix, Harvick wins

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:05:18 GMT

Matt Crafton's eighth-place run allowed Hornaday to take a 215-point lead over Crafton with next week's race at Homestead the only race remaining. Hornaday needed at least a 195-point advantage over the second-place driver after Phoenix to clinch the title before the season-finale.

Hornaday had to overcome a pit-road mishap early in the race when he was penalized after his pit crew did not sufficiently refuel the truck on the first round of stops. He had to restart from the tail end of the lead lap, but charged through the field to finish far enough ahead of Crafton.

Truex Jr. tops in Phoenix qualifying

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:44:53 GMT

shrugged off a penalty assessed by NASCAR to his team earlier this week by winning the pole for Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

Truex turned a lap at 135.120 m.p.h.

Sauter claims Phoenix pole

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:28:19 GMT

Sauter, a rookie contender in the series this year, lapped the one-mile oval at 131.019 m.p.h. (27.477 seconds) for his second career pole. His first pole came in June at Texas.

Kevin Harvick, the defending race winner, will start on the outside pole, while his teammate, Ron Hornaday, Jr., will roll off third. Hornaday can clinch his record fourth series championship if he leaves Phoenix with at least a 195-point lead over the second-place driver, Matt Crafton.

Points battle tightens as Chase heads to Phoenix

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:02:50 GMT

With just two races to go, several drivers remain in contention to win the "Chase for the Sprint Cup" championship. Jimmie Johnson held a commanding 184- point lead prior to last Sunday's race at Texas, but after wrecking on the third lap, Johnson finished a season-worst 38th and saw his lead trimmed to 73 points over Mark Martin, who finished fourth.

The largest deficit ever overcome with two races remaining occurred in 1992 when Alan Kulwicki trailed by 85 points, but edged Bill Elliott for the Cup title by just 10 points, making it the second closest points battle in series history.

Busch on the verge of clinching Nationwide title

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:01:56 GMT

Kyle Busch is on the brink of winning his first NASCAR national touring series championship.

Busch won last Saturday's race at Texas and widened his lead to 272 points over Carl Edwards, who finished ninth. If he finishes 15th or better, 16th or higher with at least one lap led, or 18th and the most laps led this weekend at Phoenix, he will wrap up the Nationwide Series title.

Hornaday Jr. going for record fourth truck title

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00:35 GMT

While Kyle Busch attempts to clinch the Nationwide Series title at Phoenix, Ron Hornaday Jr. is looking to wrap up his record-setting fourth Camping World Truck Series championship. Hornaday currently holds a 197-point lead over Matt Crafton. If he leaves Phoenix with a 195-point advantage over the second-place driver, he takes the title.

Last year, Hornaday was engaged in a tight points battle with Johnny Benson heading into Phoenix. Benson held just a slim six-point lead over Hornaday with two races to go.

This Week in Auto Racing November 13 - 15

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:47:51 GMT

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 - Phoenix International Raceway - Avondale, AZ With just two races to go, several drivers remain in contention to win the "Chase for the Sprint Cup" championship. Jimmie Johnson held a commanding 184- point lead prior to last Sunday's race at Texas, but after wrecking on the third lap, Johnson finished a season-worst 38th and saw his lead trimmed to 73 points over Mark Martin, who finished fourth.

The largest deficit ever overcome with two races remaining occurred in 1992 when Alan Kulwicki trailed by 85 points, but edged Bill Elliott for the Cup title by

Truex Jr.'s team receives penalty for Texas violation

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:37:01 GMT

During inspection, NASCAR officials discovered the front of Truex's car was too low and therefore did not meet the required height specification.

In July, the team was penalized after the right rear quarter panel on the No.1 car was found to be too high during post-race inspection at Chicagoland Speedway. Truex and Earnhardt sustained a 25-point loss each, while Manion was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until December 31. Manion remains on probation for the remainder of the year following the Texas violation.

Bliss in, Cook out at HT Motorsports

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:33:51 GMT

HT Motorsports and Cook parted ways following last weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway. Cook started in 23 truck events for the team this season. He is currently 12th in points, with four top-five finishes and nine top-10's for the year.

"We want to thank Terry for his hard work and efforts for this HT Motorsports Racing Team this year," team owner Jim Harris said in a statement. "We have worked with Terry on and off for a few years in the Camping World Truck Series, and see him as a key component in building HT Motorsports to what it is today. He is a huge advocate for the series, and we wish him the best in his racing career." Cook has recorded six victories in 313 career truck starts. His most recent win came in Jul

Chase far from being settled with two races to go

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:54:49 GMT

Johnson had been on cruise control for his unprecedented fourth straight Cup title until his Chase mulligan unexpectedly occurred with a lap three crash in the Dickies 500. He spent more than one hour in the garage for repairs, and then limped home to a 38th-place finish.

While Johnson held a commanding 184-point lead prior to Sunday's race, the topic of conversation had been his apparent opportunity to clinch the championship next weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. Now, the title scenario has changed with a major shakeup in points among the top-three drivers.

Kurt Busch wins at Texas, Johnson crashes early

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:29:10 GMT

Busch drove the final 64 laps without pitting. Kyle Busch also gambled but ran out of fuel with three laps remaining, allowing brother Kurt to take the lead and capture his second victory of the season.

Johnson spent one hour and eight minutes behind the wall after crashing on the third lap and sustaining damage to the front end of his No.48 Chevrolet. On the third lap, David Reutimann made slight contact with Sam Hornish Jr., and Hornish then bumped Johnson, sending him into the inside retaining wall along the backstretch.