NASCAR NATION – 5-26

Kyle Busch seemingly had the million-dollar check in his hand last Saturday night, but teammate Denny Hamlin caused both drivers to fall out of contention with only a few laps remaining after an on-track scuffle that could lead to some tension at the red-hot Joe Gibbs Racing team.
And after winning the Sprint Cup Open to race his way into the Sprint All-Star Race last Saturday night, Martin Truex Jr. almost found his way into victory lane after a wild final segment.
It what was surely one of the most exciting events this year to date, Kyle’s older brother Kurt held off a late surge from Truex to win his first All-Star Challenge.
The all-star race, one of the most unique on the schedule, is a non-points race features four different segments – One 50-lap segment with a mandatory four-tire pit stop on lap 25, two 25-lap segments, and one 10-lap shootout to end the race in which only green flag laps would be counted.
Jimmie Johnson appeared to dominating once again early, but a surge by the Gibbs teammates of Busch and Hamlin put them to the front of the field and in position to win. Johnson did however lead entering the final segment, but fell to third after the final mandatory pit stop and fell back, eventually being involved in a wreck.
Hamlin took the lead and remained there during a series of cautions, including one that began with Mark Martin and involved nearly half of the 21- car field.
The controversial move of the race took place with only a few laps remaining in the final segment. Kyle Busch got a huge run off the corner and appeared to have enough momentum to pass the leading Hamlin, but the No. 11 moved up to block Busch’s advance. The block forced Busch into the wall, and he fell back several positions before eventually wrecking a few laps later.
Busch drove his battered racecar to the garage area, where he stopped his car in font of Hamlin’s hauler to wait for n inevitable confrontation with Hamlin following the race. After several minutes in the hauler with Hamlin, Busch left without comment. Hamlin, meanwhile, had this to say to reporters following the race.
“I told him my job as the leader is to do everything I can to win that race,” he said. “And this race in specific is a much different beast than what a points race is. I think he understands that now, from my standpoint, that we’re going to drive each other different. No doubt about it.”
Kurt Busch was able to overtake Hamlin and go on to win his first all-star race.
“My game plan was to make big, bold moves,” Busch said. “I had Jimmie Johnson in the middle of the racetrack. I was digging underneath him. I saw some paint and sparks fly off Turn 2 when Kyle brushed the fence with Hamlin. I don’t know what happened there, but it hurt both their momentum. We’re all pushing hard here at Penske.”
Penske Racing, had a great Saturday, seeing Busch capture NASCAR All-Star Event while taking the first, second, and fourth qualifying spots in Indianapolis 500 qualifying.
Truex was second, followed by Joey Logano in third, Hamlin in fourth, and Tony Stewart in fifth.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: The NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC inducted its inaugural class in a spectacular ceremony last Sunday at the hall’s ballroom.
Hundreds of NASCAR dignitaries, including past and present drivers, car owners, crew members, executives, as well as a packed room of fans gathered to see the hall induct five of the sport’s most influential figures – NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., his son and longtime executive Bill France Jr., the sport’s “King” Richard Petty, America’s “Last True Hero” Junior Johnson, and “The Intimidator” Dale Earnhardt.
The induction included lively stories and tear-filled speeches by some of those touched by the five inductees the most. The Hall of Fame will be open year round, and plans to induct five new members each May, the week prior to the running of the Coca-Cola 600.
Camping World Truck Series: Kyle Busch waited out a lengthy rain delay and held off a late charge from Todd Bodine to win the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway last Friday night. Busch led 69 of 134 laps to capture his second win of 2010. Bodine was second, followed by Ron Hornaday in third, James Buescher in fourth, and Elliot Sadler in fifth.
Coming Up: The Sprint Cup Series will run the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the longest race of the season, while the Nationwide Series will take on Charlotte the night prior. In addition, the Indy Car Series will run their biggest race, the famed Indianapolis 500.
Bruce Knoll, 18, of Eldora, can be contacted by email at bknoll jr4cmcherald@yahoo.com
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