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.