Denny Hamlin snatches victory on the last lap Showdown

RICHMOND, Virginia — as a driver and sponsor charity race, Denny Hamlin polished Thursday night at Richmond International Raceway. By Steve Helber, AP

Denny Hamlin celebrates after winning his short track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway.

By Steve Helber, AP

Denny Hamlin celebrates after winning his short track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway.

After qualifying on pole position for the fourth annual Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown, Hamlin sent his No. 11 Toyota back at the start of the race of 75 laps. He needed every circuit to make it back to the front, bumping Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch led off the first inning of the last lap for a victory that capped a come from behind for a tour de force of hometown crowd. "It's good," said Hamlin, who scored his first victory at the event. "It seems that a victory Cup".After a celebratory burnout and salute to the crowd, NASCAR Sprint Cup runner-up last year, who grew up in nearby Chesterfield, walked to the flagstad and left his helmet on the wall of the pit because "there was a kid that had a shirt 48 (Jimmie Johnson) eme I felt that he needed a helmet"Because of procedures intended to make the first late model race at RIR on 14 years safer qualification (for maintaining certain drivers inside lane), Hamlin said he was given the top starting spot, even though he would have qualified 10 about 0,75-mile oval. "I felt as if I had my chances to win, he said."But I felt that I needed to do it right. So we did it the hard way. "His race ended almost as soon as it began. Starting 36th, Hamlin narrowly avoided a 12-car pileup outside the backstretch in the first round. Although he flat-spotted his tires in the accident, Hamlin managed to March steadily forward. He restarted 22 after the accident and moved to the top 20 within 15 laps. He reached the top 10 just before a competition caution with 30 laps left.His big break came after another caution with 10 laps remaining. On a restart with seven laps remaining, Darrell Wallace Jr. (who won the race of K & no delayed rain earlier in the evening) spun while trying to pass Busch for the leadership to bring out a yellow end.Hamlin jumped from seventh to third parties to restart with two laps remaining. Fighting a fuel pickup problem apparent, Busch Toyota began to stir in the backstretch on the penultimate lap and Hamlin nudged him side by entering the final turn. Hamlin, "I'm happy that he ran out of fuel, because he could have gotten ugly," he said. "Trust me, I would have done everything possible to get around in the last couple of corners. That's what this race is built around. This is the old school racing. "The race has not been corrected, trust me. Kyle Busch was not going to let me win this race. "Michael Waltrip finished second, followed by Chase Elliott, Joey Logano and Frank Deiny Jr. Busch hanging for sixth. "I know what could have gone better? Denny WINS, "Waltrip said. "I was right about him the last lap, but how can you knock a guy out of the way when it is your rush? was really happy that Denny has asked me to run. Tony (Stewart) never asked me to run in your race (an all-star exhibition at Eldora). "Most products in the event of Hamlin will for its Foundation, and 10% will go to relief efforts for victims of tornadoes that swept Wednesday night the West .it's all added up to a sweet twist of Hamlin, who was bumped out of the first in the last corner of the race for charity last year.Coming back, it was just difficult to do, "he said. "It's just a good confidence booster."For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

Hamlin makes it 2 wins in 2 nights in Richmond

RICHMOND, Virginia — make it two WINS in two nights of Denny Hamlin at his home track.Hamlin grabbed the lead for the first 44 laps of time for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night and dominated the rest of the 250-lap race.He lost the lead briefly when he pitted under green flag again when Aric Almirola have underneath him after you restart the first, and then he grabbed back six laps later for good.The victory was the 11th career Hamlin in the Nationwide Series and came a night after he passed Kyle Busch on the final lap to win his race for charity at the track.After arriving in Richmond 17TH in points in the Sprint Cup Series and hoping to jump start its season, Hamlin said he expects the momentum of two victories mean the start of something. "It is a big snowball is rolling and rolling, he said. "I hope it keeps going."Unlike charity race, in which Hamlin required all 75 laps to rally starting on the back of the field, he was 11th on the grid and had huge leads most of the night.But as Busch, who ran out of gas before arrival Thursday, Hamlin was severing close, prompting the head of team Adam Stevens to beg him to save fuel as he sought his first victory. "It is difficult to tell a driver, ' Slow down! Slow down! ' " Hamlin said. "It is completely out of our mentality, but he had a plan. He knew that we were right there in number. I had a feeling that we were going to make it. I felt very confident, but dude, it's great to win again in Richmond ".He took 199 of 251 laps and made it look too easy whenever he had the chance.When the ' Kelly Bires spun in turn 4 wall for the first caution on lap 124, Hamlin was leading by 8 seconds. And when he opened a lead of almost six seconds over Ricky Stenhouse Jr. with less than 30 laps, Hamlin was able to try to save fuel to make it to the checkered flag.Stenhouse, however, took the second caution when he ran out of gas on lap 243, and when Almirola was also without gas behind it, Hamlin opted to pit to be safe.On the restart on lap 250, he'd Paul Menard behind him, followed by points leader Justin Allgaier. Hamlin easily won Menard in the first round in green and was crossing when a crash in the fourth turn brought another caution, clinching the victory of Hamlin.Com only three cars on the lead lap, Menard said he was "just going to bomb it into a" trying to pass Hamlin on the last lapbut prudence took this option. "He just had a better resume than I do, basically," Menard said about Hamlin, adding that he was not so sure that would have lasted Hamlin had fuel race ended without care.Chesterfield is the native of second runway 15 miles from his hometown.Menard was second, followed by Allgaier, Elliott Sadler, Brad Keselowski. The five were the only cars on the lead lap finish, in part because Almirola, who crossed the finish line in fifth place, was penalized for speeding on pit road and dropped to 14 overall.Sadler, a native of Virginia, Emporia that never worked well on the track also considered his course of origin credited team owner Kevin Harvick with giving him advice very helpful. "He said: ' look, this is what I want you to do, this is how I want you to be executed, that is what I want you to focus on ', and it saved my ass. I ran a lot better tonight, "said Sadler. Stenhouse, who shared the points lead with Allgaier coming race, ended at 21".We hated to see Ricky have trouble had tonight, "said Allgaier, who leads No. 2 Sadler by six points. "You never want to take something someone else's misfortune."

Denny Hamlin WINS race across the country to go 2-for-2 in Richmond

RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) — make it two WINS in two nights of Denny Hamlin (FSY) at his home track. By John Harrelson, Getty Images for NASCAR

Denny Hamlin took 199 251 laps to win the Nationwide Series race in his hometown track in Richmond, Virginia

By John Harrelson, Getty Images for NASCAR

Denny Hamlin took 199 251 laps to win the Nationwide Series race in his hometown track in Richmond, Virginia

Hamlin grabbed the lead for the first 44 laps of time for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night and dominated the rest of the 250-lap race.He lost the lead briefly when he pitted under green flag again when Aric Almirola (FSY) got underneath after you restart the first, and then he grabbed back six laps later for good.The victory was the 11th career Hamlin in the Nationwide Series and came a night after he passed Kyle Busch (FSY) on the last lap to win his race for charity at the track.After arriving in Richmond 17TH in points in the Sprint Cup Series and hoping to jump start its season, Hamlin said he expects the momentum of two victories mean the start of something. "It is a big snowball is rolling and rolling, he said. "I hope it keeps going."Unlike charity race, in which Hamlin required all 75 laps to rally starting on the back of the field, he was 11th on the grid and had huge leads most of the night.But as Busch, who ran out of gas before arrival Thursday, Hamlin was severing close, prompting the head of team Adam Stevens to beg him to save fuel as he sought his first victory. "It is difficult to tell a driver, ' Slow down! Slow down! ' "Hamlin said.Is completely outside our mentality, but he had a plan. He knew that we were right there in number. I had a feeling that we were going to make it. I felt very confident, but dude, it's great to win again in Richmond ".He took 199 of 251 laps and made it look too easy whenever he had the chance.When Kelly Bires (FSY) spun in turn 4 wall for the first caution on lap 124, Hamlin was leading by eight seconds. And when he opened a lead of almost six seconds over Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (FSY) with fewer than 30 laps, Hamlin was able to try to save fuel to make it to the checkered flag.Stenhouse, however, took the second caution when he ran out of gas on lap 243, and when Almirola was also without gas behind it, Hamlin opted to pit to be safe.On the restart on lap 250, he'd Paul Menard (FSY) behind him, followed by points leader Justin Allgaier (FSY). Hamlin easily won Menard in the first round in green and was crossing when a crash in the fourth turn brought another caution, clinching the victory of Hamlin.Com only three cars on the lead lap, Menard said he was "just going to bomb it into a" trying to pass Hamlin on the last lapbut prudence took this option. "He just had a better resume than I do, basically," Menard said about Hamlin, adding that he was not so sure that would have lasted Hamlin had fuel race ended without care.It was the second victory on the track of the native of Chesterfield 15 miles from his hometown.Menard was second, followed by Allgaier, Elliott Sadler (FSY) and Brad Keselowski (FSY). The five were the only cars on the lead lap finish, in part because Almirola, who crossed the finish line in fifth place, was penalized for speeding on pit road and dropped to 14 overall.Sadler, a native of Virginia, Emporia that never worked well on the track also considered his course of origin credited team owner Kevin Harvick (FSY) with giving him advice very helpful. "He said: ' look, this is what I want you to do, this is how I want you to be executed, that is what I want you to focus on ', and it saved my ass. I ran a lot better tonight, "said Sadler. Stenhouse, who shared the points lead with Allgaier coming race, ended at 21".We hated to see Ricky have trouble had tonight, "said Allgaier, who leads No. 2 Sadler by six points. "You never want to take something someone else's misfortune."

Contract via email paying for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

. RICHMOND, Va. — Kelley Earnhardt once joked her younger brother would be content living in a tent with a computer and a T1 line connecting him to the world of online racing.

By Andrew P. Scott, USAT

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (left) talks with crew chief Steve Letarte during Sprint Cup practice at Richmond International Raceway. Earnhardt is ranked third in points and has five top 10s in his first eight races with Letarte leading the No. 88 Chevrolet team.

By Andrew P. Scott, USAT

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (left) talks with crew chief Steve Letarte during Sprint Cup practice at Richmond International Raceway. Earnhardt is ranked third in points and has five top 10s in his first eight races with Letarte leading the No. 88 Chevrolet team.

So perhaps the notion of Dale Earnhardt Jr. pounding away on a laptop until the wee hours of the morning isn't so stunning.

Five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, though, has been witness to another side of his Hendrick Motorsports teammate's technophile tendencies this season.

"I up Monday morning, and I had three emails from him explaining different scenarios about what he thought went on with the car and how to make our stuff better," Johnson said. "And then I looked at who he had sent it to, and it was the engineers, the crew chiefs, and myself.

"I don't know what he was like before, but he, like he has always been, (is) committed to his team and is doing his best job."

One of the early storyline of the 2011 season is the turnaround of Earnhardt, who is third in points entering Saturday's Matthew and Daniel Hansen at Richmond International Raceway after missing the Chase for the Sprint Cup the past two seasons.

Earnhardt, 36, says his methods are the same as when he started with Dale Earnhardt Inc. 12 years ago, but he has gotten "better at being plugged in" since joining Hendrick three years ago.

"I got better at my communication because how they do things is different than what I've done in the past at DEI," he said. "The team meetings after the practices, the team meetings during the week prior to the races, and the communication between the driver and the crew chief being more on a daily basis.

"All those things are opportunities for an idea to pop up or for you to just be continuously giving the crew chief and the team your information and your thoughts and vice-versa. We never really did much of that at DEI. We just kind of showed up and went to the track and if (crew chief Tony Eury) needed to know something, he'd call and ask me, you know? We just didn't do those things, which a lot of teams didn't at the time.

"But at Hendrick, they just do it differently. So I think I've gotten better at utilizing their approach and utilizing their ideas on what communication is. And that's helped me a lot."

Another big factor is his relationship with crew chief Steve Letarte, who has guided Earnhardt to five top 10s in their first eight races. The radio chatter has become more measured and informative from Earnhardt, who had been known for meltdowns inside the cockpit of his No. 88 Chevrolet.

"The confidence that I see in Dale Jr. today is the chemistry between he and Steve," Johnson says. "This sport is about people. We always say it. We preach about it in the No. 48 car and why it's had the success that it's had. It really boils down to people and the relationships those people have."

Though he is known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, no one has seemed less impressed with his hot start than Earnhardt.

"It's because I am the only one under the pressure to keep it up," NASCAR's most popular driver said. "I don't have the time to be worried about anything else other than just trying to keep going. It's a lot of pressure to try to keep up the expectations that everybody has for you. So when we accomplish certain goals like when we win a race or a couple of races, or make the Chase, or win a race in the Chase or battle for the championship, those are the kinds of things that I can excited about and be happy with, and I will enjoy those moments."

Fresh rubber? In finishing second in Thursday's Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown, Michael Waltrip had a pleasant flashback to a bygone era in NASCAR. The charity event featured Late Models running on bias-ply tires, which were replaced by radials 22 years ago.

"If you put the (Sprint) Cup cars on bias-ply tires and watched those guys race, it'd be amazing," said Waltrip, who began racing Cup in 1986. "I promise. Because you can get these cars so out of whack. And with all the power a Cup car has, it'd look more like a dirt race than an asphalt race, they'd be so sideways. I really enjoy the bias-ply tires."

But the owner of Michael Waltrip Racing (who retired from full-time driving last year) says Goodyear probably wouldn't be amenable to deviating from the radial tires, which are faster and more durable.

"It would change the car somewhat because there's a lot of deflection in the bias-ply tires," he said. "They just wobble around a lot. It'd be fun to see. I say that knowing that the belt on the radials keep tires from cutting as much, so the radials are a safer tire. Putting bias-ply on Cup cars would be stepping back 20 years."

That's not so appealing to Kevin Harvick, who calls such an idea "ridiculous" because of the trade-off in reliability.

"You go to Dover on a bias ply tire now, and you wouldn't have any cars left," he said.

Harvick, who watched Thursday's K&N and Showdown races from RIR's backstretch grandstands, said the tires weren't necessarily the reason the events were perceived as having good racing.

"When you have a late model race and a K&N race and even into the Truck Series, there is such a discrepancy in the back and the front of the field that makes it exciting because you have stuff going both ways all the time and you can't come in a change tires," he said. "When you get to Nationwide and Cup, the disparity and competition level is not that great so you have a different style of racing. Bias-ply tires is just not something that we would go back to on our cars. That's just crazy."

Restructuring continues: As part of an ongoing realignment of its senior executive team, NASCAR Media Group has added Steve Herbst as its vice president of broadcasting and global media strategy, reporting to president Paul Brooks. Herbst, who will be based in New York, was general manager of CBS College Sports Network from 2008-10 and also spent 19 years with the NBA in several broadcasting positions. Brooks will remain president but lead a new Innovation Group tasked with driving innovation and integration of new technologies in NASCAR.

Chief Sales Officer Jim O'Connell also was named the leader of a consolidated intellectual property group that will manage all assets carrying the NASCAR trademark.

Another revamp: The NASCAR Foundation (which benefits a group of charities) has formed a new platform called NASCAR Unites that is aimed at encompassing all charitable activities undertaken by teams, tracks and drivers' foundations. The restructuring, which is similar to NBA Cares, will focus on three pillar programs: NASCAR Day on May 20, a summer service program aimed at garnering 1 million volunteer hours and the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented to the fan who makes the biggest impact as a volunteer for children's charities. NASCAR Unites also will grant $1 million to children's charities.

Supporters are asked to pledge five volunteer hours (information is available on the NASCAR website), and wristbands showcasing fans' passion for children's causes will be distributed for a $5 donation.

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.We've updated the Conversation Guidelines. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation on how to use the "Report Abuse" button. Read more.

Polo short-track Sprint Cup first Montoya claims in Richmond

RICHMOND, Virginia — Juan Pablo Montoya won the first short-track career pole position for the Sprint Cup, bumping Regan Smith top in qualifying Friday at Richmond International Raceway. By Andrew p. Scott, today e.u.a.

Juan Pablo Montoya smiles after turning the fastest lasp Friday during the NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying at Richmond International Raceway.

By Andrew p. Scott, today e.u.a.

Juan Pablo Montoya smiles after turning the fastest lasp Friday during the NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying at Richmond International Raceway.

Montoya will start first in 0,75-mile oval for the seventh time in his cup career. His previous Poles had arrived at Talladega (twice), New Hampshire (twice), Indianapolis and Fontana, Calif. all its poles have come since 2009 when the driver Earnhardt Ganassi Racing made the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Montoya said qualifying for the first time in Richmond meant more than Talladega (where the quality of the car plays a role greater than the talent of a driver). "You must drive the hell out of a car," he said. "You have to drive the same way in a mile and a half, and I find it more difficult for a mile and a half of a shorter range, because the chances of losing a car is smaller. You can hustle the car a little more here (in Richmond). " Ultimately though, the veteran no-nonsense formula 1 and IndyCar said he prefers to stand out in all tracks. "Everything that gives a nice trophy," he said. "I really don't care. To go to the Championship, you have to perform well in all places. " Smith qualified a career-best second at no. 78 furniture row Chevrolet, starting his fifth top 5 in the last eight races ".I would like to know why the last two to three years that I couldn't qualify to save my life, "said Smith. "The key for us is to translate it for the race. We had good cars with bad luck and weeks. We are on the verge of taking the next step. Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne and Mark Martin rounded out the top 5 in qualifying Saturday for Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400. Denny Hamlin, who won the race last fall's laugh, qualified 11th and Kyle Busch will begin Saturday 20th. The teammates Joe Gibbs Racing won the last four Cup races at RIR. *****complete schedule:1. (42), Juan Pablo Montoya (FSY), Chevrolet, mph. 2 128,639. Regan Smith (78) (FSY), Chevrolet, 128.382.3. (33) Clint Bowyer (FSY), Chevrolet, 128.272.4. (4) Kasey Kahne (FSY), Toyota, 128.15.5. (5) Mark Martin (FSY), Chevrolet, 128.053.6. (24) Jeff Gordon (FSY), Chevrolet, 128.011.7. (2) Brad Keselowski (FSY), Dodge, 128.011.8. (99) Carl Edwards (FSY), Ford, 128.005.9. (20) Joey Logano (FSY), Toyota, 127.98.10. (27) Paul Menard (FSY), Chevrolet, 127.956.11. (11) Denny Hamlin (FSY), Toyota, 127.78.12. (29) Kevin Harvick (FSY), Chevrolet, 127.66.13. (39) Ryan Newman (FSY), Chevrolet, 127.473.14. (47), Bobby Labonte (FSY), Toyota, 127.473.15. (13) Casey Mears (FSY), Toyota, 127.455.16. (30) David Stremme (FSY), Chevrolet, 127.401.17. (1) Jamie McMurray (FSY), Chevrolet, 127.352.18. (43) Allmendinger, Ford, 127.334.19. David Reutimann (00) (FSY), Toyota, 127.334.20. (18) Kyle Busch (FSY), Toyota, 127.31.21. (56) Martin Truex Jr. (FSY), Toyota, 127.304.22. (66)-Michael McDowell (FSY), Toyota, 127.298.23. (16) Greg Biffle (FSY), Ford, 127.131.24. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr. (FSY), Chevrolet, 127.095.25. (31) Jeff Burton (FSY), Chevrolet, 127.047.26. (87) Joe Nemechek (FSY), Toyota, 127.023.27. (6) David Ragan (FSY), Ford, 127.017.28. (38) Travis Kvapil (FSY), Ford, 126.892.29. (36) Dave Blaney (FSY), Chevrolet, 126.886.30. (48) Jimmie Johnson (FSY), Chevrolet, 126.88.31. (14) Tony Stewart (FSY), Chevrolet, 126.713.32. (60) Mike Skinner (FSY), Toyota, 126.582.33. (17) Matt Kenseth (FSY), Ford, 126.393.34. (2) Landon Cassill (FSY), Chevrolet, 126.351.35. (9) Marcos Ambrose (FSY), Ford, 126.269.36. (22) Kurt Busch (FSY), Dodge, 126.21.37. (83) Brian Vickers (FSY), Toyota, 126.186.38. (32) Ken Schrader (FSY), Ford, 126.139.39. (34) David Gilliland (FSY), Ford, 125.915.40. (46) J.J. Yeley (FSY), Chevrolet, 125.488.41. (71) Andy Lally (FSY), Ford, 124.832.42. (7) Robby Gordon (FSY), Dodge, owner Points 43. (37) Tony Raines (FSY), Ford, 125.482.44. (92) Brian Keselowski (FSY), Dodge, 123,288. For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

Short-track trio preps to unseat Harvick and take Richmond

His short-track win streak ended recently, but Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin likely remain the trio crash at Richmond International Raceway. By Tim Sharp, AP

Set to return for short track, Kyle Busch can be the title favorite in the race this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.

By Tim Sharp, AP

Set to return for short track, Kyle Busch can be the title favorite in the race this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.

Busch, Hamlin and Johnson had combined to win 15 consecutive races in three bands short Sprint Cup Series before a victory by Kevin Harvick on Martinsville this month.Busch would be the favorite for Matthew and Daniel Hanson 400 Saturday. The driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, which won at Bristol Motor Speedway last month triumphed in Richmond, a year ago. "It is very cool," Busch said its dominance short track.Hamlin, teammate JGR Busch, will also be a threat, having won twice with an average finish of eighth in his hometown track.Fresh AsphaltAfter a bone-rattling debut of the IndyCar Series the streets of Sao Paulo last season, the 2nd Circuit. 6-mile has been re-paved for Sao Paulo Sunday 300. At the request of drivers, three brakes were removed to improve the transit zones, and grooves have been added to a previously bumpy surface. The track also features a backstretch is the longest on the circuit for nearly a mile. "It really doesn't matter where you qualify. You know you can get through the package, "said the willpower of the Team Penske, who won in Brazil last year. "That's what I love about this place."Gain time? Three of the four 2010 Champions — Larry Dixon (Top fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock motorcycle) — professional classes of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing are still seeking his first victory of the season as the series heads to Houston this weekend for the O'Reilly Auto parts NHRA national Sprint. Tight riding: The Monster Energy AMA Supercross will drop the gate in Salt Lake City in his next to last race of the season with a race of four-rider for the title. Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto, seeking its first title, holds a lead of six points over two-time champ Chad Reed. Ryan Dungey, defending world champion, is seven points behind Villopoto and two-time champion James Stewart tracks per nineFor more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

John Force's funny car tops qualifying

BAYTOWN, Texas (AP) — John Force raced to no. 1 position in the funny car qualifying on Friday at NHRA Spring nationals in Royal Purple Raceway. Force powered his Ford Mustang to 4 097-second run at 310 27 mph. If its performance holds after the final two qualifying sessions Saturdaythe strength of 62-year-old will win his third consecutive No. 1 effort of the season and inch closer to stock Pro great Warren Johnson NHRA qualifying record of 138. Tony Schumacher (Top fuel) Humphrey Ronnie (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock motorcycle) also topped their divisions.World Champion Schumacher seven times that led Top fuel qualifying with a 3,817 at a speed record of 323 81 Humphrey was the quickest in Pro stock with a 6,571 in 211.16 in a Pontiac GXP, while Defender Pro Stock Motorcycle champ LE Tonglet series led to two wheels Division with a time of record monitoring of 6,849 in 195.45.

Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne to miss Nationwide race

By Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images for NASCAR

Trevor Bayne will miss the national race Friday in Richmond after being hospitalized for treatment of an apparent insect bite.

Race charity Richmond Denny Hamlin is a labor of love

Denny Hamlin recently sold his mansion on Lake Norman, North of Charlotte, and Sprint Cup star says that a return to his native Richmond is a possibility. By John Harrelson, Getty Images for NASCAR

Denny Hamlin will race Thursday in his short tracjk race at Richmond International Raceway's charity.

By John Harrelson, Getty Images for NASCAR

Denny Hamlin will race Thursday in his short tracjk race at Richmond International Raceway's charity.

It is easy to understand why — especially given a tough-luck season for Joe Gibbs Racing driver. "All I ever need to have confidence in my ability to drive is just to go to Virginia," says Hamlin, 30, who moved to the Charlotte area six years ago after growing up in Chesterfield, a southern suburb of Richmond. "Should I just live there, because people just tell me how great I am. even though I doubt myself sometimes, they're behind me more than any fan base I've ever seen."He'll have the chance to return the favor tonight at Richmond International Raceway with a charity event that is also an homage to its roots of stock-car in the Old Dominion daring. The fourth annual Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown would pit the names premier NASCAR series as Hamlin, Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch against some of the best short-track driver of Virginia and the Northeast With colorful names such as Bugs Hairfield and dude Gibbsmany weekend warriors ran against Hamlin, while he was dividing the tracks around the North Carolina and Virginia nearly a decade ago. Now it's your turn to make a name for himself running against Hamlin as C.E. Falk III made last year by colliding Hamlin was leading on the last corner in the last year. "It's a great opportunity for these guys, and that is why it has been so difficult for me," says Hamlin, who hasn't won the event. "These guys see an opportunity to win, they will take it. He was a big deal to C.E. and he has a lot of press from it ".The regular NASCAR can be a disadvantage inherent in adjusting a setting for optimal handling because the race is held in late models, which run in bias ply tires (as opposed to radial), have a lower center of gravity and about 200 less power than a car Cup. But the move this year to Richmond (the previous site, Southside Speedway was closed this year) should be a blessing to Busch, Hamlin and Stewart, who turned thousands of laps on 0,75-mile oval.In a test last week, speed reporter Bob Dillner (which also is getting a car) said Hamlin's car was the fastest. "Everyone will be chasing Denny Hamlin, "said Dillner. "(At) Southside, late model drivers had the advantage. These guys are a little out of your element in a broader range and the guys Cup will be a little out of place in a model of late, so I'm expecting a fairly level playing field ".SPEED Hermie Sadler, who is also directing at the event, says: "Richmond will negate the fact these guys the final model performed these cars every week. At the end of the race, the more experienced guys Cup will have the advantage. "Other big names at the event include Michael Waltrip Racing, Travis Pastrana, Joey Logano and Trevor Bayne. Hamlin said to have the race in Richmond makes it easier to attract drivers, many of whom are already in their motor homes Thursday night to LAUGH to prepare for the full slate of Friday practices Nationwide and Sprint Cup and qualification. "That is the thing is try to make it convenient for these guys," said Hamlin. "They are taking the time out, and they know that is a great thing for me. Begin to have some fun with it. "It is difficult because only have 36 points of departure. You want to have as many Cup guys as you can. But it is also important to take local guys who have won the Championship in their respective tracks. So how many people come to see their local guys trying to get his shot to beat us worth as much as having a face extra Cup is to have another short track champion.Speed will telecast the event live for the first time, and Hamlin is hoping national exposure will help accomplish ambitious targets of $ 250000 in donations (more than double the total 2010) and a crowd of 6000 (up to 1500 since last year). The event benefits the Denny Hamlin Foundation, which supports children's causes.He hopes the event will eventually be considered with Tony Stewart "Prelude to the Dream", which draws a cast of stars of NASCAR, NHRA and IndyCar drivers to his dirt track Eldora Speedway in June. "We're trying to model ourselves after that," says Hamlin, with advice drawn on altruism business team, Stewart and sponsor FedEx (active with the March of Dimes and a race Dover upcoming sponsorship involving research of autism). "We have a long way to go, but the entertainment value is as good as any."Of course, as far as Hamlin would enthuse the crowd of hometown Thursday, a victory in Saturday's Cup race at RIR would be sweeter. Paragraph 11 Toyota is 17 points with only one top 10 and has burned many times by bad weather in flags of caution this year. Texas Motor Speedway, he fell a lap of a green-flag run home and was unable to retrieve the back although performing onsite free pass for more than 100 laps. "I've said it for five weeks, I need a damn solid weekend where nothing goes wrong, "he says. "I had incredibly bad luck when it comes to capturing care. Then I check up from a shipwreck at the end of Talladega, and there is no care, so I miss the project. I can't catch a break at this particular moment. We have the speed. Not winning speed last year, but we're good enough to run in the top five every week. We haven't shown that. Hopefully, Richmond is the place. "Because of a new rule governing eligibility Chase Sprint Cup this season based on wins for drivers classified 11th through 20th centuries, Hamlin still could make the Chase even without falling behind in the top 10. He says that two victories would probably secure one of two wild-card spots, and "we have as good a shot to win the next two races (laughing and Darlington) like nobody's business".That's what feels as good as going to Richmond, "says Hamlin, who has two victories at his home track and four in Martinsville. "Maybe that's why I play so well at Martinsville and exists because of the fan base. I feel the confidence back. "For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

Race charity Hamlin ready to grow some more

RICHMOND, Virginia — Denny Hamlin is excited with his annual charity race becoming bigger than ever this year, even though he doesn't like the reason why he had to find a new venue for it.The NASCAR Sprint Cup star will host its short track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway for the first time Thursday night, moving Southside Speedway after three years because the track in suburban Richmond, where he cut his teeth in late model racing shut down. "Obviously the roots of short track Showdown are Southside Speedway and always will be, but we overcame it, "he said after he tested late model Stock cars in LAUGH last week.Several thousand fans filled the small strip in 2010, in the case of a modestly priced ticket allowed them to see Hamlin and fellow NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and other drivers of late model locations in a 250-lap event that raised over $ 100000 batalhaHamlin said.The money raised goes to Denny Hamlin Foundation which supports children's Hospital in Richmond, St. Jude children's Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other charities.In addition to handling local track to a more 100000 places, Hamlin race will also be broadcast on speed on Thursday night, expanding its potential reach exponentially.Hamlin, which is the best news because "foundations and charities that we don't always get a whole lot of recognition, except for the big events we put on," he said, noting that Jeff Gordon has a bowling tournament and several riders host golf tournaments.Doug Fritz, President of laugh, said it took only a few weeks after the founding of Hamlin asked to hold the event on the track to rework schedules and make it happen. 75-lap race will be run after a NASCAR K & N Pro Series East which had already been programmed. "."Is an exciting day for us, Fritz said, noting it will be the first time that the track hosts a weekend of race in three days, once the series of truck stopped coming several years ago.We feel that we can make it work here. We feel that we can grow it here, "said Fritz. "If Denny to keep it here, the opportunity for growth is tremendous from a perspective of the bleachers".Hamlin considers raising money by racing late models in a "win-win."Is what I grew up wanting to do. I always said if I was just a great late model stock car racer, I would be happy. If I was just a local short track hero, I was going to be happy, "he said.Obviously, now I'm waiting for much bigger things, "he added.These bigger things include a larger harvest race Thursday night.Goers Cup Sprint planning to run in the race for this year include Stewart Hamlin, which hosts — and usually wins — his own race Eldora Speedway, the track of land that he owns in Ohio; Busch. Joey Logano; Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne and racer-turned-broadcaster Hermie Sadler Sadler, who along with brother Elliott runs a foundation dedicated to raising funds for research into autism, promote awareness of the disease and supporting initiatives that will lead to better educational opportunities for children with autismoespera can help. "We don't have much time to do everything that we do, but when you can take a little of your time and help a fellow competitor, but more importantly, help draw attention to its foundation or charity of escolhafaz you feel good, "he said after the test.Is this kind of spirit among the drivers who made Fritz eager for this to happen in LAUGH. "They are strongly committed to the communities, especially those grew in and very loyal and they have big heart, "he said. "They get pulled in many ways in the race week and off days and weekends, and it's amazing that they still do. Is phenomenal. "For Hamlin, a thing that could help make it a perfect evening: finally win the race. He dominated most of the way in the past year, but faltered in the final laps and finished fourth.The desire to win kept laughing most of last Wednesday, doing laps. "I look forward," he said "and can't wait to see what happens..

NASCAR Sprint Cup races suddenly competitive

Although a bunch of statistics supporting the contention that NASCAR entered a golden age of competition, there is a fact that seems to belie this mountain of evidence. By Tim Sharp, AP

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Clint Bowyer says the series is increasingly competitive.

By Tim Sharp, AP

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Clint Bowyer says the series is increasingly competitive.

"Obviously, people say, ' Jimmie Johnson won five years (Championships). It cannot be so competitive, ' "Richard childress Racing driver Clint Bowyer says."But every year it's gotten harder for him to win, and it is just like the one this season. "Johnson captured his first victory of Sprint Cup 2011 weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, snapping a streak of 15 races without winning it was the second longest of his illustrious career and he said winning proven "veryvery difficult to do. This year is proof that a measure even more ".Consider the 2011 numbers driving Saturday in Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 at Richmond International Raceway: • There were seven different winners in eight races, mostly for ranging from 2003. • The top 10 in points has seven teams represented (three years atrásquatro teams controlled all 12 spots in the Chase for the Sprint Cup). • There have been 14.6 leaders and changes of lead 38.5 by race, both highs series through the first eight races. Four races has broken or tied records for lead changes. • Races have an average of 4.511 green-flag passes and 54 passes green-flag for leadership (anywhere on the track), which also are highs through eight races since NASCAR began statistics expanded control for six years.It comes on the heels of a season with records of green-flag passes and changes of lead and leaders per event, as well as the three-way battle in the history of maximum seven years of Chase. Bowyer says that is the result of a mixture of rule changes (such as double-file restarts in 09) and a car for next generation (inducted 2007) whose features standardized breed parity by quelling the gray areas of the body and suspension adjustmentswhere teams often worked to find advantages. "It is so competitive that you're on the edge of the entire weekend, not just on race day, but practice, qualifying, '' Bowyer said. "We are starting to look on and do things we'd never done before finding this border. I thought last year was the best race since I've been in this sport, and this year has proved to be even better. "Some of the best competition could be assigned to a team: Roush Fenway Racing. After winning only two of the first 34 races last year, Roush won the last two with Carl Edwards, and their Fords took the momentum for this season. Edwards, who won again at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, leads the championship points, and teammate Matt Kenseth (eighth in points) added a victory at Texas Motor Speedway three weeks ago.Bowyer says that is the nature of the teams fortunes of multicar that teammates are interlinked. His Chevrolet nº 33 jumped 10 points in points with four consecutive top-10s (including consecutive runner-up finishes in Texas and Talladega) after Bowyer began experimenting with settings similar to Paul Menard (who joined RCR this year in a car new quarter). "When my teammates find success, I'm going to go and put the things he has in his race car, and if I don't like the way he is driving, I'm going to learn how to drive it, "says Bowyer. "That way I can have the same success because it is proven that the installation. There are a lot of rhyme and the reason why people get on a roll. The Roush organization fought last year and found the final, and they were able to continue that success in (superspeedways). It's because they came up with a better "package.So has RCR, which also has Kevin Harvick (two WINS, fourth in points) sitting pretty on a wave of Chase. The last time the team expanded to a fourth car, the team does not qualify anyone for the game title. Bowyer and Menard (11 points) still have a shot and Jeff Burton (22) has a chance, if he can creep into the top 20 in points (the Chase will consist of the top 10 drivers and two 11 through XX with more WINS). "We've got pretty much where we left off (2010), and I would say that is too large, considering that brought in another team," says Bowyer. "I feel that we can improve and get us some more WINS." For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

IndyCar hoping stunt attracts more attention

INDIANAPOLIS — Randy Bernard would do anything to get more fans watch races from IndyCar. fantasy driver Intros? Double-file restarts? Celebrity feature? Check, check and check.Next month, even the Indianapolis 500 will try something different during its traditional prerace festivities — sending an unnamed Hot Wheels stunt driver down a huge ramp in an attempt to break the world record for a four-wheeled vehicle.Crazy, Yes and fun, too. "" I'm a big believer that you have to give the fans a great experience and you do so with enthusiasm and value, said Bernard. "This isn't some Fly operation. (Father of hot Wheels) Mattel has invested millions of dollars, and I think he can offer somewhat younger demographic for our series. "This is not the first time that a savage blow has been associated with auto racing.Thrill shows were common in prerace fodder 1940s and Humpy Wheeler NASCAR upped the ante with some of the more outrageous promotions in race history. His stunts included everything from a recreation of the invasion of Grenada, 1980 with commands of the army helicopter rappel to the attempt to break world record for longest jump by a school bus.Wheeler, apparently nothing was off-limits and almost everything worked.My show stunt family played in Charlotte and Texas, and I remember walking around Loudon, NH, on two wheels, "President of Daytona International Speedway Joie Chitwood said. "Humpy always did crazy things to blow up the show in Charlotte".Wackiness uncanny Wheeler helped transform NASCAR regional player in one of the premier sports leagues in the nation, and now the IndyCar Series is expecting the same Foundation will help attract more young fans to open-wheel racing.The stakes are high.Hot Wheels has a multi-million dollar training center in an unknown location in the Western United States is hoping that stunts will add older buyers for a market traditionally reserved for children. The investment also means that Hot Wheels is looking to make more than one show.He won the interest of other sports tours where they have motorcycles, BMX, performing this kind of thing, "Vice President of marketing, Simon Waldron said. "But no other race still control".IndyCar, which has a partnership with Hot Wheels, hopes to tap a market for positions and improve the television ratings that have been delayed for years younger.While there is no guarantee of stunt next month will increase the frequency of the most prestigious race of the series, which is already with guides most visited sports event of single-day of the world, the speedway is selling tickets to get a panoramic view of the jump in the fourth round.Beyond collusion — which features a ramp coming out on a 100 ft drop, something that a child can do with your little metal cars — generated conversation about race more than a month before drivers are said to start their engines. "You certainly have their traditionalists who don't like him, and, Yes, there are people who will tell you that, but there are also many people who will say that this is fun, is pure and we're excited to see him," said Jeff Belskus, CEO of the Indy speedway. "I would say that more people are excited and interested than those who aren't, and for a long, 4 to 1 5 to 1, 6-1, something like".The nonscientific indicates interest across lines of race and runs deeper than fans of IndyCar hard-core. Waldron told the Associated Press this week that ABC will carve a postrace slot of 30 minutes to broadcast the collusion between the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600. NASCAR Count Chitwood, predecessor of Indy Belskus, among viewers. "I definitely will want to see what happens with this coup," said Chitwood, part of the Show Can family Joie Chitwood Thrill stunts alone rekindle interest in IndyCar racing?Probably not.Eddie Gossage, President of Texas Motor Speedway and another sponsor master, believes daredevils have less appeal in the world of sports today because the lack of big names and fans who want something different that flocked to extreme sports.But the biggest problem may be the limited capacity of most of the tracks to keep these events in the race weekend. "My understanding is that this is more like a car rally, which is really hot among younger people, "said Gossage, which hosts NASCAR and IndyCar racing and wants to see the jump. "But it is not something that your average strip may withdraw because it is very expensive, and most of the tracks, you would get all ramps and other things outside of the track before the race. It is not easy to do, in short order. "Instead, Gossage believes most of the race organizers should focus on bringing great talent for concerts or adding quick-hitting, intriguing promotions that do not affect the start of the race.Bernard claims stunts can help a series that has struggled to hold and attract viewers. Last year, only one race drew a television rating of more than 1. 0. the Indianapolis 500 had a 3.63 rating and only 4 million viewers — total race since she was the first live broadcast in 1986. Clearly, something that needs improving and Bernard thinks he knows how to do it.Before becoming IndyCar, he led the Professional Bull Riders a niche Organization for national Entertainment Player. Pilots went through a ring of fire during presentations and cowboys were evacuated from 120 feet over a wire Guide. Yes, even stunts have been used to attract and keep fans.And Bernard believes he can work here, too. "Bernard Humpy Wheeler and Bruton Smith have done things like this for decades, and it should be part of the show, "he said. "I think he can offer in a slightly younger demographic, so let's see."

Franchitti looking to improve despite the solid start

SÃO PAULO — Dario Franchitti isn't entirely pleased with his start to the season IndyCar despite having the lead in the riders enter Sao Paulo Sunday 300. By Donald Miralle, Getty Images

Dario Franchitti, driver of the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda units in front of teammate Scott Dixon, the driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara-Honda IndyCar Series during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

By Donald Miralle, Getty Images

Dario Franchitti, driver of the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda units in front of teammate Scott Dixon, the driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara-Honda IndyCar Series during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Franchitti began defense of his IndyCar Series title with a victory and two podiums before Sunday's race on the streets of the largest city in South America. Still, the Scot feels that he needs to improve its performance to be competitive with the rest of the year and remain in position to win his third straight Championship. "I'm not disappointed, but I'm not completely happy, "said Franchitti before heading to Brazil for the race this weekend. "Obviously, points wise that I'm happy with the position we find ourselves, but performance wise we can still improve."Franchitti, seeking her fourth title of the series overall, won the season opener at St. Petersburg on March 27 and finished third in the next two races in Alabama and in Long Beach. He takes the riders with 122 points, seven more than the willpower of Australia and 35 more than Tony Kanaan of Brazil ".It is still not time to look at the scoreboard, he very soon, "he said. "Somehow, we're happy with our position in the Championship, but we're still struggling".Despite good results early, Franchitti said the performance of your car in the first three races showed that his team Target Chip Ganassi Racing has much room for improvement.I had a strong race in St. Petersburg, but not so good at Barber (Motorsports Park in Alabama), "he said. "Speed is not there but made some aggressive movements. In Long Beach race performance was good, but not so good in qualifying, although there did some good improvements in the road for the rest of the season. "Franchitti's teammate, Scott Dixon, was second in Alabama, but struggled in the other two races, finishing in the top 15. The são Paulo 300 will Crown a four-race stretch on the road and street circuits before the series moves to four ovals, starting with the Indy 500 on May 29. The agenda then blend oval and road races before finishing with three events on ovals. The last race on the Schedule 17-event takes place in Las Vegas on October 16. Franchitti, the two-time defending champion, also won the Championship in 2007. He is a winner of the Indy 500, taking the trophy in 2007 and last year.Franchitti has been dominating the first part of this season along with energy. The driver of the Penske is a road-course specialist and has performed, as well as the Scot — maybe even better.Power started from the pole in every race this year, finishing second at the premiere in St. Petersburg and win the race in Alabama. He led the first part of the Long Beach race, but could only manage a 12th place after being hit from behind by teammate Helio Castroneves in the final restart. "Obviously, his performance was good, too, "said Franchitti. "He is a strong competitor and has a good team behind him. (São Paulo) is a tough battle between the Ganassi and Penske guys. "Power led a total of 125 laps in the first three races, while Franchitti took 94. The nearest driver in laps led is teammate Ryan Briscoe Penske Power, with 35. Other drivers for led laps so far are Dixon, Alex Tagliani Sam Schmidt Motorsports, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Andretti Autosport and his teammate, Mike Conway, the winner in the streets of long Beach. Franchitti started Sao Paulo last year 300 polebut struggled to stay in front in a savage race that had to be stopped because of a severe storm near the middle of the event. "We were quick in the race but had the wrong strategy with the rain, putting at the wrong time, "said the Scotsman 37 years of age.Franchitti, a NASCAR driver, like urban circuit in São Paulo, which passes through a stadium-like Sambadrome and has the allure of longer always immediately with just short of a mile from the series.He did not like, however, collisions that caused problems for almost all drivers in the race last year and is expecting the wear which took place on the track improves the driving conditions.Sao Paulo last year 300 opened the season of IndyCar and beyond rain and bumpy track, the race was also marked by a smooth concrete immediately had to be repaired overnight and forced to qualifying taking place on race day for the first time in the series. "It is a very interesting topic, said Franchitti. "Collisions are part of the challenges of each street circuit, but here was very bumpy last year. I am confident that the resurfacing will fix it, so I'm looking forward to it. "

Robert Kubica of F1 leaves hospital 11 weeks after the accident

PIETRA LIGURE, Italy (AP) — Polish Formula One driver Robert Kubica left hospital 12 weeks after suffering severe injuries during a rally accident.The hospital of Santa Corona in the Northern Italian town of Pietra Ligure announced the news late Saturday, saying that "his condition is good and the (driver) will begin a new phase of rehabilitation outside the hospital."After the accident of 6 February, Kubica underwent seven hours of surgery to save his right hand before operations on the shoulder, leg and elbow.He was replaced by German driver Nick Heidfeld in the Renault team this season.The hospital said that Kubica is going back to visits to be monitored by doctors who treated him.

Formula One Winners

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1. Sebastian Vettel, 2

2. Lewis Hamilton, 1

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Carl Edwards held off Kyle Busch to win Nationwide Series

HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee (AP)-Carl Edwards (FSY) was coming to his postrace press conference, when an employee race commented that he now has enough guitars to start a band. By Mike Strasinger, AP

Carl Edwards took 148 of 225 laps for his fifth career victory at Nashville Superspeedway.

By Mike Strasinger, AP

Carl Edwards took 148 of 225 laps for his fifth career victory at Nashville Superspeedway.

Edwards will hit all the right notes Saturday to capture his fifth career victory at Nashville Superspeedway, holding off Kyle Busch (FSY) to win the Nashville 300 and receive another guitars given to winners at the track. "You will need a drummer, "joked Edwards Edwards set the pace for most of the race throughout the country on the track, where he won four events throughout the country and a Truck Series race. He took 148 of 225 laps and passed Busch on lap 191 to take the lead for good. On the last lap, Edwards weaved past a slower car and Busch will be in the Bay that he received the checkered flag.Edwards said that the end was more of a struggle than it looked. "At the start of the race, our car was really over, "he said. "I could kind of stretching a lead whenever I wanted, but at the end of the race, I was really pedaling for everything I had. The guys at 18 (Busch) ... did a good job of adjusting your car. "It was kind of exciting at the start of the race. I thought we were going to get away with this thing is going to be easy, but (at the end) that was white-knuckling, driving as hard as I could and to Brad (Keselowski). "Keselowski, a winner in Nashville, finished third, edging polesitter Joey Logano (FSY) Fourthly and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (FSY) in fifth.Edwards ended his victory with his trademark back flip and a brief trip to the edge of countertops to recognize cheering fans. Was 31 win Nationwide Edwards global and the second of the season, having won two weeks ago in Texas plans to auction the guitar Edwards trophy on eBay with proceeds going to the family of an official Fenway Racing Roush Jonathan Bunting, who died earlier this week in Edwards ' victory kept North Carolina., pull out the Busch first consecutive victories at the track. Busch had dominated in winning the race truck Friday night. "It was a good race for us. (The car) was fast, but not fast enough. Was a bit off in each area, and that could only muster a second today, "said Busch.

Copyright 2010 the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

Kubica leaves hospital 11 weeks after the accident

PIETRA LIGURE, Italy (AP) — Polish Formula One driver Robert Kubica left hospital 12 weeks after he suffered severe injuries during a rally accident.The hospital of Santa Corona in the Northern Italian town of Pietra Ligure announced the news late Saturday, saying that "his condition is good and the (driver) will begin a new phase of rehabilitation outside the hospital."After the accident of 6 February, Kubica underwent seven hours of surgery to save his right hand before operations on the shoulder, leg and elbow.He was replaced by German driver Nick Heidfeld in the Renault team this season.The hospital adds that Kubica is going back to visits to be monitored by doctors who treated him.

Bahrain activists oppose resuming GP of Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — pro-democracy Activists have launched a Facebook campaign called on head of formula one Bernie Ecclestone not to reschedule the Bahrain Grand Prix, until the Government ends its repression against the demonstrators.Young people from 14 February revolution published an open letter on Facebook over the weekend urging Ecclestone not to let the race go forward "until the human rights and freedoms are restored."The GP of Bahrain was scheduled to be the F1 season opened on March 13, but was cancelled in February by Crown Prince of Bahrain, after protests paralyzed the country.The F1 season began, instead, the GP of Australia in Melbourne on March 27, that governing body gave the Federation series of Bahrain until May 1 to decide whether a new date can be set this year.

Copyright 2010 the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

Foyt diary: Meria skirts issues in Long Beach to put the top 10

A.J. Foyt, four times winner of the Indianapolis 500, will document your team's season of the IndyCar Series in a journal online exclusive for the USA today: A.J. Foyt Racing

Vitor Meria had a couple of close calls in the pit stall during Sunday's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

AJ Foyt Racing

Vitor Meria had a couple of close calls in the pit stall during Sunday's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Close calls. Surviving them made a difference to Vitor Meira and my team ABC Supply. We pulled off another top-10 finish this past weekend at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The race could have gone better, but taking into account everything that happened, I left satisfied.Qualifying ran okay — we started 13th isn't so bad when you look at the past Long Beach experience teams and/or drivers Vitor was against. We've improved on qualifying courses in the streets, but competition is even stronger this year. We are still looking to break into the top 12. The dreaded double-file restarts never really came out this weekend because the cars had to go so slow via winding giving into the main straight — they don't have time to Monte before Green was released. The benefit was that there was a pileup in the first round because all but the first two lines came through single file. However, there was a crash in turn 1 at the end of the race which involved mighty team mates, but that had more with brake fade — or disappear from the brain of an individual. I bet its owner wasn't very happy — I would be pretty crazy.Returning to our race, Vitor was racing where he began — just behind 12 qualifier Ryan Briscoe, who pitted earlier using a slightly different fuel strategy. He worked for Briscoe because of full course yellow that left four laps later. We pitted with all others in which prudence; the ABC crew provide made his things in 7. 1 seconds. But Victor had to wait for leaving his pitbox because neighbor JR Hildebrand was entering in your Inbox at the same time. However, this half second might have made a difference in our luck.As Vitor sped down pit lane, Graham Rahal shot outside his pitbox straight into the fast lane — against the rules if you get caught. He banged wheels with Vitor, throwing him over the fence. Rahal veered into pitbox of Serbia but continued. Lucky for us, it does not damage the final racing-car 14 because fighting wheel to wheel. But that wasn't the end of everything. The next stop of Vitor, had a problem that turned him into a second-nine more. Hurt also that the tires were though both at the end of the stint — as a second and half a turn! So when he left the pits he began in front of Danica but couldn't stay in front of it since it was on cold tires and she wasn't. He fell from 10 to 14 of the combination of slow and stop wasting so much time on tyres worn out. The thought was (Yes, we thought about it) that if he had problems over Blacks at the end of the passage, he would have the worst problems with the "reds" which is what we were putting on. It seemed the lesser of two evils, but the way the race played out, is not so sure.Vitor avoid another accident when Oriol Servia came blasting out on his way after making a 360 on sale instead of one. Servia was caught in the first turn accident involving willpower, Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon. Vitor hadn't braked hard and downshifted, Serbia would have fallen into it. Because the accident was with leaders, moved from 14th to ninth.But it wasn't over yet! Vitor had yet another close call to deal with the 20 laps from the end.Ryan Hunter-Reay, who was running second, had a problem with his gearbox few laps later. As he fell back through the field he was staying low and cars were going around it. Vitor was outside when Hunter-Reay came back in the Groove and put almost Vitor on the wall. Vitor thinks Ryan was still trying to figure out what was wrong with your selector and not seen Vitor out of it, but it was a very close call for the 14 again! Vitor lost positions for Tony Kanaan and Raphael Matos, but he was able to pass Matos back to ninth. He spent the final six laps holding off power returned from 16 to finish the day 10 So Considering everything that went wrong, that Victor showed some heads-up driving to bring the car ABC supply home in one piece and score another top 10 Finish. He also placed 10 in the point of the IndyCar Series. We head to Brazil after the Easter weekend to the country of origin of Victor. If we stay ahead in the count of calls from close, Vitor may just surprise people as it did last year in Brazil when he finished on the podium. Surprise to everyone but me, IE. For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

With the victory of Long Beach, Conway rewards faith of owner Andretti

LONG BEACH, California (AP) — Mike Conway hadn't won in 23 career IndyCar races and hadn't raced since a horrible crash in the Indianapolis 500 last May. By Donald Miralle, Getty Images

In his third race back after a crash at the Indianapolis 500 last year, Mike Conway led to victory in the Toyota Grand Prix Sunday in Long Beach.

By Donald Miralle, Getty Images

In his third race back after a crash at the Indianapolis 500 last year, Mike Conway led to victory in the Toyota Grand Prix Sunday in Long Beach.

Battered and unproven, at least in winning races in the United States, Conway was not exactly the ideal candidate for teams that need a driver.But when Michael Andretti discovered Conway was available, he does not hesitate. "I had no doubt in my mind, "said Andretti. "I personally felt like he'd be compact than ever coming back and that is exactly how it came about."Conway did not take long to reward its new owner.In his third race driving for Andretti Autosport, Conway began the third Sunday Grand Prix of Long Beach, overcame a pit stop patched that he fell for 16 and claw their way back to the leaders. Taking advantage of a final precaution, he zipped Dario Franchitti and Ryan Briscoe in the past a pair of blink-or-you 'll-miss-it passes, then pulled away to win his first career IndyCar race.English unfazed never got emotional when he had finished, hugged his teammates and thanked the owner for the opportunity. "To get a win on the third lap of the race is impressive, "he said after spraying champagne on the podium. "I can't thank Michael enough to believe in me and the team to do a good job."It was questionable whether Conway would never come back after one of the most frightening accident in the history of the Indy 500. the shipwreck came on the last lap, when Conway collided with future teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay. & Car Dreyer Reinbold Conway went hurtling in the air, the nose of the car pointing backwards Hunter-Reay at one point.Once the car hit the barrier, he broke like a broken lamp, parts flying in all directions. Conway narrowly missed landing on his head, but still badly mutilated, her leg was almost broken and a compression fracture in his back, along with numerous other injuries.Immediately after the accident, Conway was wondering how long it would take to get back in a car, hoping to return as quickly as possible. Prepared mentally for the long rehabilitation process, but it was not easy. He wore a back brace for months after the accident may and was still on crutches in August. Difficult as he was never quit fighting, Conway, never gave up hope that he would be back behind the wheel.Initially, I saw that I had injuries and I just wasn't sure when I would get back, "he said."Things like that can stop definitely his career, but I was determined not to let him, determined to come back, come back to fitness and back in the car ".Conway expected back until the end of the season, but didn't make it. Dreyer Reinbold filled his place & with a variety of drivers and put American newcomer Charlie Kimball in the car for this season.Looking for a ride, Conway auditioned for Andretti Autosport and was impressive enough that the owner brought him on board for this season. "I never felt that he was taking a chance, said Michael Andretti. "I was so happy that we were able to put a deal together with Mike because I was really wanting him since the end of last year. The deal came together really late and I was very happy because I felt that it would be a great addition to the team, not only as a great talent, but he just fits in with the other three pilotosque is very important to have this chemistry. "A formula 1 test pilot and a winner in European GP2 series at Monaco, Conway had a make first season in the IndyCar, with a handful of top-10 finishes — your best one third Infineon — for Dreyer Reinbold &. Conway had some problems in their two races with Andrettialso, finishing 23rd in St. Petersburg after the beginning of the fourth and 22 in Alabama. Still, he had not shown signs of being temporarily after the terrible accident and had a good qualifying run along the Beach. Even after the accident of pit, Conway kept charging, working his way toward the front and past the leaders to take the chequered flag with his parents and his brother in the bleachers and win a victory had his fellow competitors breaking down their caps. "Sometimes you come back from an injury and work as hard on their recovery, sometimes you back even stronger, "He said."I think he's definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with as we move forward. "

Worsham leads Top fuel, Pro Stock Springs surprise throughout the four NHRA

CONCORD, N.C. — even before VisitMyrtleBeach.com 4-Wide nationals this weekend, Del Worsham was doing an impressive return for a dragster with a sublime victory Gainesville and vista at the top of the classification of Top fuel. By Sam Sharpe, US Presswire

From top to bottom, Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly, Vincent Nobile and Greg Anderson compete in the final round of Pro Stock. Anderson emerged as the winner.

By Sam Sharpe, US Presswire

From top to bottom, Greg Stanfield, Dave Connolly, Vincent Nobile and Greg Anderson compete in the final round of Pro Stock. Anderson emerged as the winner.

But after running the table Sunday for his second victory in the event four times, the contender funny old car is emerging for the favorite early season. Worsham, who qualified No. 1, held off Full Throttle Drag Racing Series champion Larry Dixon by inches at zMax Dragway to forge a 77 points ahead of his new teammate Al-Anabi Racing as your tutorial continues to defend. "It is a surprise, but I'm not surprised that the car could do it, "said funny car winner, 23 who signed 319.82 mph in seconds 3,813 in old car a Dixon. 0048-second win with Spencer Massey and Shawn Langdon 3-4 it is as if he said: ' Behold the keys, not destroy it. "Jack Beckman (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) also won class victories in NHRA's only event pitting four cars simultaneously, made more interesting from a second time by the introduction of a new Christmas tree, starting system with blue LEDs light to clarify better the staging process. Although well received by motorists who are awaiting the full implementation of the circuit, his reaction to lights created intrigue throughout eliminations and crafted close finishes.Especially in Pro Stock, the first No. 1 qualifier Jason line was eliminated in the first round after being caught flat-footed literally the green light. With the slow line tie and Shane Gray has exceeded the runtime, Ron Krisher and Dave Connolly advance.However, leaving the line finally opened the door for teammate Anderson benefit point No. 2. Solid for all three solid rounds, he closed with a. 0054-second victory over Greg Stanfield with Dave Connolly and Vincent Nobile then in a final set by great reaction times of. 023.028 seconds.Anderson, whose 211.39 mph in a Pontiac GXP nipped Stanfied (m [ph) 211.10, came in. 026 and jumped from the third to the leadership of points, three ahead of the line "(Staging off) can happen with four cars, and you don't think about it until that happens, "Anderson said after his first victory of the season and 66th of his career. "Maybe that was the break I needed, although I'm sorry it came at the expense of my partner."Beckman, winless since last February in Phoenix, created his own opportunity by knocking out defending the event and Series champion and no. 1 starter John Force and teammate JFR Mike Neff in the semifinal. His Dodge Charger (309.63 mph) was fastest off the light at the end, help you outlast a fast-closing Bob Tasca III. 0326 seconds with Tim Wilkerson third and Jim Head room. "We had only a large rod and we flexed our muscles right off the trailer, said Beckman, who earned his tenth career victory. "That gave us the ability to take a home-run swing and took another swing on Saturday and it was phenomenal, because he gave two test runs on a track that we needed to focus on".Beckman's victory moved him from sixth to third on 50 points, behind leader Robert Hight and 11 behind Neff. For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

' Truck ' helps Kyle Busch dominant victory in Nashville

HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — Sprint Cup series Star Kyle Busch (FSY) ran the second victory of the season, NASCAR truck series passing Ron Hornaday Jr. on a restart and easily holding off Nelson Piquet Jr. on Friday night at Nashville Superspeedway. By Jason Smith, Getty Images for NASCAR

Kyle Busch led 140 150 laps en route to the victory at Bully Hill vineyards 200 truck series Friday at Nashville Superspeedway.

By Jason Smith, Getty Images for NASCAR

Kyle Busch led 140 150 laps en route to the victory at Bully Hill vineyards 200 truck series Friday at Nashville Superspeedway.

Busch, also the winner of Nashville in the spring, led 140 150 laps on oval 1,333-mile concrete. He also won the truck race at Phoenix in February and has 26 victories series in 89 starts. In addition to two victories of Busch, Kasey Kahne (FSY) won the March race in Darlington in Toyota No. 18 of Busch. "I felt like I had a winning truck, a truck, in fact, "Busch said."Would have been a shame not to win here today. "Hornaday slipped in front of Busch in Turn 3 with nine laps remaining. A caution for Max Papis (FSY) spin allowed Hornaday stay in leadership to restart with three laps remaining. Hornaday opened an advantage off the restart, but Busch rebounded quickly and nose of the past the 52-year-old Hornaday before they had completed a lap ".He might have been annoying, I think, for about the first 140 laps more or less, but Ron went upstairs and made things interesting, "Busch said."It is hell of a wheelman, that old man still gets after it. I'll tell you that. It definitely gave us a whirl wind there. "Timothy Peters (FSY) was third, followed by Hornaday, James Buescher (FSY), Matt Crafton (FSY), Johnny Sauter (FSY), David Starr, Craig Goess (FSY) and Parker Kligerman (FSY).Piquet, a former formula one driver who is a newcomer on the circuit of trucks, was fourth on reboot, but charged on the last lap to finish second. "I knew that had tires better than Timothy, "said Piquet. "I knew where I was playing my truck to the outside, it was really exciting. I still don't understand why, so that risked these two last laps. I ran the risk of going abroad and worked ".Busch started from the pole for the second consecutive year in transit to his third Nashville victory, including its controversial Nationwide Series WINS when he smashed Gibson Guitar trophy in Victory Lane .he tries to pull a double Saturday in the race across the country. "I like Nashville, "said Busch. "It is a fun place for me and pure horse racing, a fun racetrack."

With the help of Junior, Johnson edges Bowyer on Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. don't let Talladega Superspeedway with a victory, but more popular NASCAR was still carrying a checkered flag as he left lane victory Sunday. By John Harrelson, Getty Images for NASCAR

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) pushes Jimmie Johnson (48) for the first victory of the season Sunday in Talladega.

By John Harrelson, Getty Images for NASCAR

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) pushes Jimmie Johnson (48) for the first victory of the season Sunday in Talladega.

The winner felt belonged to Earnhardt as much as he. "I said that I had to give him something," Jimmie Johnson said after his first Sprint Cup victory of 2011 and his first at Talladega since 2006. "He said, ' no, that is what the teammates '. I smiled and said, ' Take the damn flag. "In a day when two cars tangos and symbiotic dominated strategies on the oval at 2. 66-mile, Chevrolet, Earnhardt and Johnson danced through the project with more choreography and cooperation than any tandem in 499. Aaron with his No. 88 pushing No. 48 of series champion five times — and Earnhardt excitedly barking out suggestions on your shared radio channel in which clues to perform ("I like the middle. I have a race. Go for the lead! ") and when feathering the brakes ("backup! Back up! The backup! ") — Johnson extended fifth to first on the last lap. Swaying in the background off the last turn (again, on the advice of his partner), Johnson swept to victory 0.002 seconds over Clint Bowyer who tied the closest finish since early 1993 electronics score (Ricky Craven beat Kurt Busch by the same margin at Darlington Raceway in 2003).Johnson and Earnhardt really had it hit six cars that crossed the line in a two-by-four pairs of Bowyer and Kevin Harvick (fifth place), Jeff Gordon (third) and Mark Martin (eighth) and Carl Edwards (sixth) and Greg Biffle (seventh). Less than a tenth of a second separated the top six. "Both of you all have won this race, "Steve Letarte, crew chief for Earnhardt, radioed later.Earnhardt (fourth), who found solace in the transition to the third in points with his second top-five 2011 (one shy of his total in 36 races last year), was comfortable because their two cars of train was faster when he shoved his teammate. Earnhardt "If I couldn't win, I wanted to win Jimmie, because I had worked with him every day," he said. "And he's my teammate."The duo were not always known by such harmony at Talladega, where Earnhardt called Johnson "idiot" to provoke a large pileup during a race in May 2005. But they were bosom buddies Sunday. During a stop early, Earnhardt paused in Johnson's tent so they wouldn't be separated on a reboot. They were pasted nose to tail for nearly all 500 miles and chattered constantly on tactics — with Earnhardt, often providing comic relief by needling Letarte and his spotter, T.J. Majors. "The man, he is a riot," said Johnson. "There are fun things. Seriously, it was committed, as I was, and it showed. Neither of us were selfish, and we work as a group. "Gordon, who started on pole, said "don't let your wingman" was the philosophy for Hendrick cars, and it seemed to be shared by the entire field. Many drivers installed scanner frequencies of nearly two dozen rivals, and banking of 33 degrees of Talladega was much roomier than ever had been during the restrictor-plate (the horse power-stealing were added for 23 years to quell speeds).The typical large, undulating packages in Talladega disappeared in a multitude of trains of two cars. But the result was 88 lead changes (equaling the record set this race a year ago), and Bowyer thought that the end of the event justified the means. "If you did not finish like that and don't you forget about the race, you're crazy, "he said.For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

Bowyer laughs, but regrets the loss of millisecond at Talladega

After finishing a foot behind five Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson Clint Bowyer laughed off the ignominy of entering the record books for margin 0.002 seconds record-tying victory Sunday. By Todd Warshaw, AP

Clint Bowyer, 33, finished only 0.002 seconds behind race winner Jimmie Johnson, 48, at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.

By Todd Warshaw, AP

Clint Bowyer, 33, finished only 0.002 seconds behind race winner Jimmie Johnson, 48, at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.

The Richard Childress Racing driver of the No. 33 Chevrolet "is never very nice to know that you did NASCAR history by losing," said with a laugh. "Sooner or later, I need to start making history by the winner. That guy's won enough. "There was a part of the missing for a second consecutive victory at Talladega Superspeedway which angered Bowyer, although ".If I would have won, he could have put me in pursuit, "he said. "I was thinking about it. It will be important throughout the year, and that was a good shot at it. It just slipped through our fingers. "More than a third of the way through the race 26 "season" that will set the 12-driver field to Chase race for the Sprint Cup, there are many drivers that may be regretting the missed opportunities.Only one driver listed as media 11-20 on points (Jeff Gordon in XIII) has a victory through eight races and that there would be many opportunities to secure a berth for Chase through a visit to victory lane. NASCAR changed the eligibility to be among the dozen title contenders this season, opening the Chase for the top 10 in points and the two pilots with more victories ranked between 11 and 20 — a group that includes veterans Chase Tony Stewart (12).Gordon, Mark Martin (14), Greg Biffle (XVI), Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne (18) and Martin Truex Jr. (19). "The importance of getting a win is great," said Bowyer, who gained two spots to 10th. In the ninth through 26 regular season races during the Chase (2004-11), Johnson and Stewart are tied with 15 WINS and Hamlin (nine victories), Gordon (eight) and Kahne (eight) also gained many times during the bulk of programming.Hamlin 16 victories, nine came from mid-April to mid-September, and he has several victories on two tracks (Richmond and Pocono) with two races each one before the beginning of the persecution.But the driver Joe Gibbs Racing, which has three points to 17 points despite a 23 at Talladega, also said recently that still believed that his No. 11 Toyota could make the persecution by crawling on the top 10 in points. In his debut season, 2006, he obtained the Chase (who was then the top 10 through 26 races) after being ranked 18TH through eight races and Martin Truex Jr. (20 in 2007), Matt Kenseth (28 Nov ' 05)Ryan Newman (XVII on 9) and Brian Vickers (18th 09) rose from similar positions after eight races.Hamlin is 50 points behind 10th place Court, which seems daunting in a renovated this year that increases the punishment for a poor finish. But there has been much movement in the standings. Bowyer rose 14 points in the last four races, and Joey Logano improved four positions for Sunday 23 with their first top 10 ' 11. That leaves him three points outside the top 20 and perhaps a victory to make the Chase. "Something we can build out with certainty," Logano said. "We just need to keep these backup".For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton WINS F1 Chinese Grand Prix

Shanghai (AP) — McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton topped a mechanical drama before the race to win an exciting Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull in the lead with five laps remaining. By Mark Baker, AP

Lewis Hamilton of Britain leads Sebastian Vettel of Germany during the Chinese Grand Prix.

By Mark Baker, AP

Lewis Hamilton of Britain leads Sebastian Vettel of Germany during the Chinese Grand Prix.

Vettel made a strong bid for three consecutive wins to start the season but he couldn't hold off Hamilton, who made a stop more than the German and had tyres fresher at the end. "It was one of the best races I have experienced, "said Hamilton, whose last victory was the Belgium Grand Prix last year. "It's an incredible feeling to be able to bring it home. I am absolutely overwhelmed. It feels like a long, long time (since winning). I'm so proud and very grateful. "Red Bull's Mark Webber, who started 18TH, made a remarkable charge to the front to finish third.Vettel, who has 12 career victories in 65 starts, was trying to become the first driver since Michael Schumacher in 2004 to start the season with three straight victories.Hamilton came close to being out of contention before the race even started, when it was discovered a fuel leak in your engine. McLaren mechanics worked frantically in the garage with the seconds ticking down to the Pit Lane closed. They had missed the deadline, Hamilton would have gotten pitlane instead of third on the grid.They sent him in the back of the installation with only a minute to spare, but with a lack of engine lid and that had to be drilled for the car, while he was sitting on the grid ".I had real confidence in the guys who would figure this out, "said Hamilton. "As I was driving the light I was nervous that just as I reached him, he would be red, but luckily I walked away".Jenson Button McLaren, winner of last year's race, was fourth, ahead of Nico Rosberg Mercedes and Felipe Massa of Ferrari, who all took in several stages in Fernando Alonso from Shanghai International Circuit Ferrari was seventh.ahead of Schumacher of Mercedes and Vitaly Petrov Renault, with Kamui Kobayashi of Sauber, taking the last point in 10th place.Vettel started from pole, but was passed by the two McLaren prior to the first curve. He managed to get ahead of both in the first round of pit stops, overcoming a strange incident in which button mistakenly pulled the Red Bull garage in front of him and had to be waved to the correct space.Rosberg had already changed its tyres until then inherited the lead while others pitted, but Vettel went ahead again after the second round of stops. Unlike McLaren, Red Bull, then decided not to pit again and Vettel acknowledged after the race that the strategy of making the final 25 laps in a set of tires "wasn't the best." "The rhythm was there, but we decided to be patient and go with two stops, and when it doesn't work, it doesn't work," said Vettel. "I don't see today the second as a disappointment."Hamilton was fourth with 16 laps remaining and completed all the pitstops. He passed Rosberg for third on lap 42 and then got past Mass two laps later move up to second, 4.6 seconds behind Vettel. Hamilton, who now has 15 career victories, reduced the gap over the next eight laps, possibly Vettel comfortably turn seven and five laps from the end.Meanwhile, Rosberg, button and Mass were struggling on worn tires and were swallowed by Webber, who made an extraordinary charge through the field in the second half of the race.The Australian was in 17th place with more than a quarter of the race gone, but having started on hard tires, he was able to use those softer-compound for the entire second half, passing Schumacher, Alonso, Rosberg and Massa in the last 15 laps. "Suddenly I felt comfortable with the car, "said Webber. as for Schumacher, he won this race in 2006 for the last of his record 91 victories with three races completed, Vettel leads the riders with 68 points, ahead of Hamilton (47)(38) button and Webber (37).The next race will be the Grand Prix of Turkey on May 8.

Races of Stewart's second win consecutive AMA Supercross

SEATTLE (AP) — James Stewart rushed for his second straight victory and fifth AMA Supercross season, easily beating Kevin Windham in cold conditions Saturday night in front of 52.683 fans at Qwest Field. By Steven Bisig, US Presswire

James Stewart (7) won his second consecutive race Monster Energy AMA Supercross Saturday night.

By Steven Bisig, US Presswire

James Stewart (7) won his second consecutive race Monster Energy AMA Supercross Saturday night.

Stewart "tonight was incredible," said after his 42nd career victory. "I had throughout the day, I thought the track was impressive. It was so hard. I was just trying to be consistent because I knew he was going crazy behind me. "Stewart, the star Yamaha Haines City, Fla., was making his third start since his arrest last month of crime in Florida to impersonate a police officer.Points leader Ryan Villopoto was fourth. He has a six points advantage over Chad Reed, third Saturday night, with two races left. Ryan Dungey, finishing fifth, is the third — seven points behind Villopoto. Stewart is in fourth place, nine points behind leader.Previously, Cole Seely Honda of Corona, Calif., won the race the AMA Supercross Lites West, leading wire to wire for his second victory of the season. Broc Tickle was third to take the lead in points ".I've been practicing my starts and my walking plugged tonight and it worked very well, "said Seely..

Conway Gets emotional win in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, California (AP) — his left leg broken in pieces, fractured his back, well, Mike Conway was wondering one thing after the terrible crash in the Indianapolis 500: when he comes back at the wheel? By will Lester, Associated Press

Mike Conway celebrates after winning the Grand Prix of Long Beach Indy on Sunday.

By will Lester, Associated Press

Mike Conway celebrates after winning the Grand Prix of Long Beach Indy on Sunday.

Once he wrapped your mind around the reality of a long layoff, Conway was about how to fix your body.His recovery almost year-long complete, Conway won his first career IndyCar victory in impressive fashion, closing past Ryan Briscoe to win the Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday in only his third race since this accident breaking-bones in Indy. "So it happened, I was wondering what was the period of time until I could go back to the car, "said Conway."I was kind of about it, really, and the physical things take just the type of time. It was a long season, but was hard to keep my mind and when I got a chance to go back to the car, I was ready. "It was questionable whether he get the chance when the accident happened.Driving for Dreyer Reinbold &, Conway saw his future become shrouded in a cloud of smoke by one of the most frightening accident in the history of the Indianapolis 500. Colliding with future teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay, Conway went car hurtling in the air and smashed into the barrier, leaving him with multiple fractures in his left leg and a compression fracture in his back.Never doubt that he would return, Conway has undergone a grueling rehabilitation with an eye on return before ended the 2010 season. He was still on crutches in August, but never made it back.Andretti Autosport race for this season, Conway had a patchy return, finishing 23rd in the season opener in St. Petersburg, 22 in Alabama last week.Once he arrived in California, everything seemed to fall into place.The English driver 27 years of age began the third after a surprisingly good qualifying session and was able to engage with leaders in the 11-turn circuit, 1968-mile through the streets of the city of Long Beachavoiding the multiple dips in the final race.Loading a final caution, he whipped past two-time series champion Dario Franchitti and Briscoe with 14 laps left, and then extended its lead from there, up to 6 seconds on the final lap before taking the checkers.After a drive roundabout victory Circle, Conway celebrated with hugs from his crew in a victory that put smiles on the faces of drivers across the paddock. "He deserved today, '' said Franchitti, the series points leader after finishing in third place for her third straight podium. "I would have loved to have been off target with the boys celebrating a victory today, but Mike did a better job. Good on him. It's really nice to see where he was this time last year. "Briscoe finished second.Willpower of pole-sitter looked like he was going to complete a second wire to wire win at the start.Power has flexed its road in the early part of the season, finishing second in St. Petersburg, going green to checkers in Alabama, then becoming 3-for-3 on poles by orla Hunter-Reay, the champion of Long Beach, at the end of qualifying.Power won at Long Beach Champ Car race at the circuit in 2008, but had not won since the unification with IndyCar despite winning the pole in the last three years.The Aussie took the first 27 laps and was close to leadership throughout the day, but had their chances in victories wiped out by teammate Helio Castroneves, which barreled into the side of your car in 1 Turn on the last restart. Power finished 10th and Castroneves was 12 ".I really don't know what happened on the restart, "said Power. "I was hit from behind by Helio, but sometimes that's what happens in racing, especially near the race like this with the double-file restarts. We drive to finish 10th and made more of it. "Experiment of double-file restart IndyCar on road and street courses created much excitement, as officials awaited series, and plenty of chaos, which owners don't necessarily like because of damage to the equipment.The seaside circuit in Long Beach has some particularly narrow, then Chief steward Brian Barnhart IndyCar spent part of the driver's meeting telling everyone to watch your spacing on restarts and to maintain calm instead of using the chrome Horn (front-end) to adjust the way drivers.For the most part, they did. the race was clean until the cars started piling up late.Justin Wilson spun twice, the second one causing a full-course caution with 23 laps left, then Castroneves and power gathered on reboot. Takuma Sato and Charlie Kimball made contact in turn 8 after that.With cars sauces about this final full care, Conway found a good line and blew past Franchitti and Briscoe in parked cars were like. "On the restart, I thought we were all right, sliding around to clean up the tires, and here comes the express Conway, "said Franchitti parcero kept chugging, pulling away the package all the way to the checkers to an impressive and emotional victory in the shadow of Queen Mary."For him everything fully come together is impressive, "said Conway, whose best previous finish was third in IndyCar in Sonoma in 2009. "This year, only full of energy and ready to fight for it. It's a long season and to get it back in the third race is awesome ".