Tony Stewart leads halfway through NASCAR race in Phoenix

The battle for NASCAR's Sprint Cup title went off as advertised Sunday.

Tony Stewart, who started the day trailing Carl Edwards by only three points in the championship standings, was leading at the halfway point of the Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

But Edwards kept up the pressure, running a close third behind Stewart and second-place Matt Kenseth, who was the race pole-sitter.

Stewart was aggressive from the moment the green flag waved, charging from his eighth-place starting spot to the lead in less than 40 laps of the 312-lap race on the one-mile Phoenix oval.

Brad Keselowski was fourth and A.J. Allmendinger fifth. Kyle Busch, who started near the back of the 43-car field, had climbed to 13th. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 23rd.

Overall, though, passing proved difficult for the drivers and much of the racing was single file on the newly repaved Phoenix International layout.

This is the next-to-last race in the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup title playoff; the finale is next Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

--Jim Peltz in Avondale, Ariz.

Photo: The field takes the green flag Sunday at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Former IndyCar champ Sam Hornish Jr. wins his first Nationwide race

Sam Hornish Jr., a former IndyCar racing champion who switched to stock car racing four years ago, won his first NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway.

His teammate Brad Keselowski finished second, giving their Penske Racing team a 1-2 sweep.

Hornish was a three-time IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner who struggled after he switched to NASCAR, first in its premier Sprint Cup Series and then in its second-level Nationwide Series.

But Hornish qualified fifth in the Wypall 200 on Saturday, took the lead with about 60 laps remaining and then repeatedly held the lead on several restarts following accidents behind him.

"I cant hardly believe it," Hornish said. "I’m so happy about it. I'm glad I stuck it out [in stock cars]."

Carl Edwards finished third, Joey Logano fourth and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. fifth.

Stenhouse holds a 41-point lead in the Nationwide championship standings over Elliott Sadler, who finished 27th after being collected in an accident.

--Jim Peltz in Avondale, Ariz.

Photo: Sam Hornish Jr. celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway. Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images

Danica Patrick in 8-car crash in NASCAR Nationwide’s opening lap

Danica Patrick was among eight drivers whose cars were involved in a crash on the opening lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday.

Patrick's No. 7 Chevrolet slammed hard into the Turn 3 wall when the wreck occurred in the Wypall 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. Other drivers collected in the crash included Brian Scott and Reed Sorenson.

Despite heavy damage to the back of her car, Patrick was able to reach the pits for repairs and she was running 34th, two laps behind the leaders, when racing resumed. She had started the race 25th.

Aric Almirola was the early leader in the 200-lap race, followed by Clint Bowyer, Justin Allgaier and Carl Edwards.

There were concerns about the Phoenix track leading into the weekend because the one-mile oval recently was repaved, and drivers said the new surface was exceptionally slick and that passing would be difficult.

— Jim Peltz in Avondale, Ariz.

Photo: Danica Patrick shortly before the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway. Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand / US Presswire

NASCAR fines Kyle Busch $50,000, warns of indefinite suspension

Kyle Busch, already forced to miss two NASCAR races this weekend in Texas, also was fined $50,000 and given a stern warning by NASCAR on Monday.

In announcing the fine, NASCAR also placed Busch on probation until Dec. 31 and took the unusual step of saying that if Busch made another overly aggressive move this year that the sanctioning body deemed "detrimental to stock car racing or to NASCAR" or "disruptive to the orderly conduct of an event," then Busch "will be suspended indefinitely from NASCAR."

NASCAR's premier Sprint Cup Series has two more races this season: At Phoenix this Sunday and at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway on Nov. 20.

Busch, 26, got into hot water Friday night when he shoved championship contender Ron Hornaday Jr. into the wall during a caution period at a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Busch acknowledged that it was retaliation after the two had banged into each other earlier in the race. NASCAR then took the rare step of parking Busch, prohibiting him from driving in the second-level Nationwide Series race Saturday and the Cup race Sunday.

Busch, who drives the No. 18 Toyota in the Cup series for the team led by NFL Hall of Fame Coach Joe Gibbs, then made a public apology in which he said "I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions."

Michael McDowell drove for Busch in the Cup race and finished 33rd in the 43-car field. Busch watched the race while sitting atop McDowell's pit box.

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: Kyle Busch watches the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday. Credit: Randy Holt / Associated Press

Kyle Busch, forced to miss NASCAR races, apologizes for retaliation

After being forced to sit out two NASCAR races this weekend, including Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race in Texas, Kyle Busch issued an open letter of apology that said "I have no one to blame but myself."

Busch initially defended his actions after he intentionally wrecked Ron Hornaday Jr. after the two earlier banged fenders in a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday night.

But after NASCAR penalized him by taking the rare step of prohibiting Busch from driving in Sunday's Cup race and in the second-level Nationwide Series race on Saturday, Busch apologized to his Joe Gibbs Racing team, his fans, his sponsors and to Hornaday.

"I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend," Busch stated in his letter. "NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions."

Denny Hamlin, Busch's Gibbs teammate, drove for Busch in the Nationwide race and finished second to winner Trevor Bayne. Michael McDowell is driving for Busch on Sunday.

Busch, 26, is a lightning rod among NASCAR fans, an aggressive, excellent and daring driver who also can be volatile and temperamental. He routinely draws a loud mix of boos and cheers in pre-race introductions, and his nicknames include "Rowdy" and "Wild Thing."

Busch, who was seventh in the Cup standings entering Sunday's race, seemed to mature somewhat this season and be less prone to risky, unwarranted maneuvers on the track. But "this was certainly a step backward," Busch acknowledged.

He added: "I know my long-term actions will have more of a bearing than anything I say right now."

ALSO:

NASCAR benches Kyle Busch for Sprint Cup, Nationwide races

Danica Patrick will race in Daytona 500 as part of her Sprint Cup campaign

NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick is safe after hard jet landing in Key West

--Jim Peltz

Photo: NASCAR driver Kyle Busch on Oct. 21 at Talladega Superspeedway. Credit: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

NASCAR pulls Kyle Busch from Sprint Cup, Nationwide races in Texas

In an extremely rare move, NASCAR suspended driver Kyle Busch from competing in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide races in Texas this weekend as a penalty for Busch intentionally wrecking another driver in a truck race Friday night.

Busch, long known for his aggressive driving, shoved the truck driven by championship contender Ron Hornaday Jr. into the wall during a caution period after the two had tangled in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

After meeting Saturday morning with Busch and his team owner, NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, NASCAR President Mike Helton announced Busch's suspension from the Nationwide race later Saturday and the Sprint Cup race on Sunday.

Busch, driver of the No. 18 Toyota in the Cup series, is one of the 12 drivers competing for the series title in the "Chase for the Cup" playoff. He's currently seventh in the standings, 57 points behind leader Carl Edwards.

Although NASCAR has let drivers settle more of their on-track differences on their own -- the so-called "Boys, have at it" policy -- Helton told reporters in Texas that Busch went too far, prompting NASCAR to take the rare step of benching a driver for an upcoming race.

"The responsibility over the past two or three seasons we've given back to the drivers came, I think, with a very clear understanding that there could be a line that got crossed," Helton said, adding that "we saw it last night."

Gibbs said Denny Hamlin would drive Busch's car in the Nationwide race, and Michael McDowell would replace Busch in the Cup race.

Gibbs told reporters in Texas that he supported NASCAR and had "great faith in the decisions they make."

"This was a tough one for us," Gibbs said. "You don't like it but we're certainly going to try and work our way through this one and do the right thing and try and handle it the right way."

--Jim Peltz

Photo: The No. 33 truck driven by Ron Hornaday Jr. is pushed into the wall by the truck of driver Kyle Busch during the NASCAR Truck Series race on Friday night at Texas Motor Speedway. Credit: David Kent / McClatchy-Tribune

Danica Patrick to make NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at Daytona 500

Danica Patrick plans to make her debut in NASCAR's premier Sprint Cup Series at the sport's crown-jewel race, the Daytona 500, next Feb. 26 and is eyeing a possible full-time Cup ride in 2013.

Patrick, 29,will drive the No. 10 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing, the team co-owned by two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart.

Patrick just finished her full-time career in the Izod IndyCar Series, in which she won one race in seven years, to drive full-time in NASCAR stock-car racing.

In an announcement at Texas Motor Speedway, site of the next Cup race Sunday, Stewart-Haas and Patrick said she would drive a total of 10 Cup races next year while also competing all season in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series.

Besides Daytona, Patrick's Cup schedule includes Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Dover (Del.) International Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway.

Her two other Cup appearances will be determined later.

"Our goal with Danica's schedule is to try and maximize her 10 races with us so that she's as prepared as she can possibly be for a full-time Sprint Cup schedule in 2013," Stewart said in a statement.

Patrick, who is driving in this Saturday's Nationwide race at Texas, also said her helmet and race car would carry paint schemes honoring two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, who was killed last month in an IndyCar race in Las Vegas.

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: Danica Patrick and team co-owner Tony Stewart unveil Patrick's No. 10 Chevrolet for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series during an event at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday. Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images

NASCAR veteran Mark Martin joining Michael Waltrip Racing in 2012

Mark Martin will drive a limited schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing starting in 2012 under a two-year deal announced by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team Friday.

Martin, 52, will replace David Reutimann, who is being released from MWR after he drives in the final three races of this season, including Sunday's contest at Texas Motor Speedway.

Martin is in his last season with Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick previously announced that Kasey Kahne, currently driving for the Red Bull team, will take over Martin's No. 5 Chevrolet next season.

"It is very rare that a young organization gets an opportunity to hire a driver with Mark's incredible talent, experience and insight into what it takes to be a winner," team co-owner Michael Waltrip said in a statement.

The team said Martin would drive MWR's No. 00 Toyota in 25 of the Cup series' 36 races in each of the next two years, while Waltrip would drive in five races and "a combination of drivers" would drive in the remaining events.

MWR previously announced that Clint Bowyer, currently driving for Richard Childress Racing, would also join its team next year.

Martin has won 40 Cup races in 827 starts over nearly three decades in stock-car racing's premier division, and his career race winnings total nearly $85 million. Reutimann has won two races in 168 Cup starts for MWR.

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: Mark Martin talks with a crew member Oct. 22 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Credit: Terry Renna / Associated Press

Jeremy Mayfield arrested on charges of drug possession

Jeremy Mayfield, who was expelled from NASCAR in 2009 for a failed drug test, was arrested at his western North Carolina home and charged with possession of methamphetamine. Police said Wednesday that he might face more charges.

Mayfield was arrested Tuesday night and charged with possessing 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, according to records from the Catawba County Sheriff's Office. Mayfield, 42, posted $3,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in district court Wednesday.

Detectives from neighboring Lincoln County said items worth roughly $100,000 that belonged to businesses in that county were also found at Mayfield's home, and officials plan to charge him with possession of stolen goods.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said heavy-equipment parts, welders and welding accessories, truck parts, an engraving machine and other items that they say were reported stolen from two businesses in late 2010 and early 2011 were found at Mayfield's home.

The former Sprint Cup driver was suspended from NASCAR in May 2009 after failing a random drug test. Mayfield denied using an illegal drug, but NASCAR said he tested positive for methamphetamine. Mayfield said his positive test stemmed from a mix of an over-the-counter allergy medication and the prescription drug Adderall.

"Having just heard and read the news about the Jeremy Mayfield incident, we will have to see how the facts play out," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said Wednesday. "NASCAR's goal in its substance abuse program has always been to keep competitors safe and create treatment opportunities for those who need it."

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-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Jeremy Mayfield in 1998. Credit: Associated Press.

NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, wife OK after plane crash

A Gulfstream jet carrying Rick Hendrick, one of NASCAR's most successful team owners, his wife Linda and two pilots ran off a runway in Key West, Fla., on Monday night but "there were no serious injuries," Hendrick Motorsports said.

The G150 jet was "experiencing brake issues upon landing at Key West International Airport," the team said, adding that all four people aboard "were taken to a local hospital for evaluation."

"Hendrick Motorsports is gathering additional information on the incident," the team said.

Four of the leading drivers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series drive for Hendrick: Reigning champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin.

The incident occurred seven years after Hendrick's 24-year-old son, Ricky, Hendrick's brother John and two of Hendrick's nieces, along with six others, were killed when their small plane crashed on the way a race in Martinsville, Va.

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: The Gulfstream aircraft carrying Rick Hendrick and his wife after it ran off the runway Monday night in Key West, Fla. Credit: Evan Calhoun / Monroe County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office / Associated Press

NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, wife escape serious injury in plane crash

A Gulfstream jet carrying Rick Hendrick, one of NASCAR's most successful team owners, his wife Linda and two pilots ran off a runway in Key West, Fla., on Monday night but "there were no serious injuries," Hendrick Motorsports said.

The G150 airplane was "experiencing brake issues upon landing at Key West International Airport," the team said, adding that all four people "were taken to a local hospital for evaluation."

"Hendrick Motorsports is gathering additional information on the incident," the team said.

Four of the leading drivers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series drive for Hendrick: Reigning champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin.

The incident occurred seven years after Hendrick's 24-year-old son, Ricky, Hendrick's brother John and two of Hendrick's nieces, along with six others, were killed when their small plane crashed on the way a race in Martinsville, Va.

--Jim Peltz

Photo: The Gulfstream aircraft carrying Rick Hendrick and his wife after it ran off the runway Monday night in Key West, Fla. Credit: Evan Calhoun/Monroe County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office/Associated Press

NASCAR plans car and helmet decals in memory of Dan Wheldon

NASCAR plans to provide its teams with decals honoring the memory of Dan Wheldon at this weekend's NASCAR races at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Wheldon, a 33-year-old Englishman who this year won the Indianapolis 500 for the second time, was killed Sunday in a 15-car crash at the Izod IndyCar Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR said its car and truck teams would place decals on the so-called B post of their vehicles next to the side windows. NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series is racing Saturday and its Sprint Cup Series on Sunday.

The decal design includes a Lionheart Knight image that was a fixture on the back of Wheldon's racing helmets, NASCAR said, adding that it also was providing a version of the decal to NASCAR drivers to place on their helmets this weekend if they desired.

A moment of silence in Wheldon's memory also will be held prior to the invocations before both races this weekend, NASCAR said.

IndyCar plans a public memorial for Wheldon on Sunday in downtown Indianapolis.

— Jim Peltz

Photo: The decal honoring Dan Wheldon that NASCAR plans to provide for teams to place on their cars this weekend at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Credit: NASCAR

Five track champions crowned at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale

 

Connor Cantrell of Santa Clarita won his first NASCAR Super Trucks championship at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale before an estimated 3,500 on Saturday night.

Cantrell came into the season finale at the track with a 40-point lead over Ryan Partridge of Rancho Cucamonga and a four-race winning streak.

Partridge won the final race of the season with Cantrell in second place.

Tracks champions were crowned in the S2 stock cars, Legends Cars, Bandoleros and Super Stocks.

Go to Haddock in the Paddock for more on the track champions at Irwindale.

-- Tim Haddock

NASCAR unveils 2012 schedule; Fontana race is March 25

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Fontana will be held March 25 as part of the 2012 schedule announced Wednesday.

The 36-race season opens with the sport's crown-jewel Daytona 500 on Feb. 26, followed by races at Phoenix International Raceway (March 4) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 11).

After crossing the country to race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, the Cup series returns West for its race at the two-mile Auto Club Speedway oval in Fontana on March 25.

NASCAR also noted that the fall race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, which this year is the sixth race in the series' 10-race Chase for the Cup championship playoff, will be moved up two weeks next year to Oct. 7 as the fourth race in the Chase.

The series finale is Nov. 18 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.

-- Jim Peltz

Rookie Dylan Kwasniewski tops NASCAR Hunter Index

Dylan Kwasniewski, a rookie driver in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, was voted the top driver in the NASCAR Hunter Index for August.

Kwasniewski won two West Series races in August and became the youngest driver in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history to win a race.

The 16-year-old from Las Vegas won races at Colorado National Speedway and Montana Raceway Park.

Go to Haddock in the Paddock for more on the NASCAR Hunter Index.

Photo: Dylan Kwasniewski after his victory at Montana Raceway Park. Credit: Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images for NASCAR

Should NASCAR allow Kyle Busch to drive with a suspended license? [Updated]

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss whether Kyle Bush, who had his driver's license suspended, should be allowed behind the wheel of a NASCAR stock car. Weigh in with your comment.

[Updated at 1:29 p.m.

Keith Groller, Morning Call

We all know too well a few folks who have been, uh, shall we say, “trapped” into a few tickets over the years. But Kyle Busch going 128 in a 45-mph zone borders on the insane — even for Busch.

Maybe the police that caught him should be offered a NASCAR opportunity since they did something Junior and others have trouble doing every Sunday — catch Busch.

NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing should send a message here and suspend Busch for the same duration of his other driving penalty.

But this being pro sports and being more about the money than anything else, that won’t happen. NASCAR needs the antagonizing Busch, smirking smile and all, front and center all the way through “The Chase.”]

Barry Stavro, Los Angeles Times 

Yes. Any other citizen in Busch’s position would face the same challenge: arranging transportation to work. Once there, whether the job is pushing a broom or managing a hedge fund, they’d be allowed to put in their hours. It’s also worth noting that NASCAR ovals are not public streets, they are closed circuits. Furthermore, anyone else in Busch’s legal situation would also be allowed to drive a sit-down lawn mower or a tractor on their property or pilot a motorboat. Speeding over 100 mph is a significant traffic offense. But society views other traffic crimes far more seriously — such as a DUI. Busch is serving his penalty. As long as someone else drives him to work, let Busch do his job.

Rookie Dylan Lupton wins NASCAR Late Model race at Irwindale

Dylan Lupton won Saturday night's NASCAR Late Model race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, taking the lead from RJ Johnson on lap 19. Johnson, a driver from Canyon Country, blew a tire that nearly destroyed his car. He scraped the turn 3 wall and his driver's side panel was ripped off the car. He did not finish the race.

Lupton, a rookie from Wilton, won his fourth Late Model race of the season at Irwindale.

Brandon Davis from Huntington Beach, the leader in the Late Model standings at Irwindale, was second.

Go to Haddock in the Paddock for more on the races from Irwindale.

ALSO:

Marcus Ambrose gets first Sprint Cup victory

Brad Keselowski wins NASCAR race at Pocono with broken ankle

-- Tim Haddock

Austin Barnes, 16, wins Lucas Oil Modified Series race at Irwindale

 

 

Austin Barnes, who will be a junior at Escondido High School starting Monday, won the Lucas Oil Modified Series race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

It was his second win of the season in the modified series. His other win came at Irwindale on June 4.

It was a good night for the Johnson clan at Irwindale. Rod Johnson of Canyon Country was sixth in the modified series race. His son, RJ Johnson, won the NASCAR Super Late Models race, his fourth in a row at the track.

Go to Haddock in the Paddock for more on the races at Irwindale.

-- Tim Haddock

Greg Pursley, Luis Martinez ranked in August NASCAR Hunter Index

Greg Pursley, a Canyon High of Canyon Country graduate and driver from Newhall, kept his yearlong streak of being ranked in the monthly NASCAR Hunter Index alive.

He is the No. 7 driver in August's Hunter Index, which ranks the top 10 drivers in the NASCAR developmental series in North America.

Luis Martinez Jr., a driver from Long Beach, cracked the Hunter Index for the first time this season. He came in at No. 8.

Go to Haddock in the Paddock for more on the NASCAR Hunter Index for August.

Photo: Greg Pursley (26) and Luis Martinez Jr. (6) were ranked in the top 10 of the NASCAR Hunter Index for August. Credit: Jonathon Ferrey / Getty Images for NASCAR

Joey Logano earns pole position for NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono

It won’t be Denny Hamlin or Jeff Gordon out front early at the Good Sam RV Insurance 500 on Sunday -- not Jimmie Johnson or Tony Stewart either.

Leading the way as the race begins will be Joey Logano, a young driver whose lap time of 52.309 seconds in qualifying on Saturday earned him the pole position for the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at Pocono Raceway today.

"Obviously starting up front with clean air is worth a million bucks here," said Logano, who became the youngest pole-winner in the history of Pocono Raceway at 21 years, 2 months and 13 days. "Being able to start up front and getting a good pit stall -- all of that stuff is going to help us out a lot for Sunday. I’m pretty pumped up about that."

Logano, who posted an average speed of 172.055 mph in his pole-winning lap, currently sits in 19th place in the Sprint Cup standings and is still looking for a win in 2011.

He gave a level of credit for his lap to the presence of Hamlin, a four-time winner at Pocono and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.

"He’s proven to be pretty good here," Logano said with a laugh, "so it definitely helps to talk to him and just pick his brain [about] what he works on here, what he does with the race car, how he drives it — all of that stuff definitely helps out a lot."

Kasey Kahne will start next to Logano in second. Kahne is the driver whom Logano supplanted as the youngest pole-winner at Pocono.

Although he lost that distinction, Kahne can still boast of having the fastest qualifying time in Pocono history -- his 2004 record-setting lap time of 52.1639 seconds is still the standard.

"It’s definitely good to start up front here," Kahne said. "I think it helps a little bit. This race is so long … being up front early on isn’t everything, but it’s definitely not a bad thing."