The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 24, 2011) – Two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams received penalties today as a result of rule violations last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The No. 33 truck was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20B-10.6-B (unapproved final drive (rear end) gear ratio) of the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rule Book.

Crew chief Jeff Hensley has been fined $10,000, while team owner DeLana Harvick and driver Ron Hornaday Jr. have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship owner and 25 championship driver points, respectively. The infraction occurred during post-race inspection May 20.

The No. 3 truck was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1, 12-4-J and 20B-10.4-K (shifter lever was not metal). Crew chief Gary Stockman has been fined $1,000. The infraction occurred during opening day inspection on May 19.

Statement from Kyle Busch
MOORESVILLE, N.C., (May 24, 2011) – The following is a statement from Kyle Busch:

“Today I received a traffic citation in Iredell County. I was test driving a new sports car and I got carried away. I went beyond the speed I should have been going on a public road. I apologize to the public, my fans, sponsors, and race teams for my lack of judgment. I take responsibility for my actions and I can assure you that something like this will never happen again. I thank the Iredell County Sheriff’s Department and all law enforcement for the hard work they do every day to protect the public and to enforce the laws in a fair and equitable manner.”

UPDATE: According to NASCAR.com, Kyle was reportedly going 128mph in a 45mph zone.

The Sprint Cup Series star was ticketed for careless and reckless driving after deputies clocked him doing 128 mph in a 45 mph zone Tuesday near Troutman, N.C., according to the Statesville Record and Landmark.

Citing local police, the newspaper reported that the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement team of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Dept. stopped a yellow Lexus sports car traveling nearly three times the posted speed limit. Busch was cited for careless and reckless driving and speeding, according to the newspaper.

http://www.nascar.com/news/110524/kybusch-ticketed-reckless-driving-speeding/index.html

Concord, NC (May 23, 2011) – “My heart goes out to all the people that have been affected by the devastating Missouri tornado on May 22nd, especially in my hometown of Joplin. It is difficult to put into words, the emotions I have when I see the devastation and destruction that was caused by this storm. My thoughts and prayers are extended to all the people who are dealing with so much loss. I would also like to thank all those that have reached out to me to express their concerns for my family. Although I don’t personally have any family in Joplin any longer, there are still many people there that need our support and prayers.”

1 4 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Now Hiring Ford 100 141.7 $1,203,300
2 1 18 Kyle Busch M&M’s Toyota 100 117.6 $258,300
3 18 00 David Reutimann Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota 100 78.0 $133,300
4 6 14 Tony Stewart Burger King Chevrolet 100 99.8 $103,275
5 3 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 100 119.5 $128,275
6 13 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford 100 85.1 $93,275
7 15 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Express Toyota 100 66.3 $88,125
8 86 6 David Ragan UPS Ford 100 53.3 $87,125
9 14 29 Kevin Harvick Realtree Outfitters / Budweiser Chevrolet 100 49.0 $86,125
10 10 39 Ryan Newman Haas Automation Chevrolet 100 54.9 $85,125
11 11 5 Jimmie Johnson Lowe’s 5% Every Day Chevrolet 100 85.2 $84,100
12 8 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Energizer Chevrolet 100 51.5 $83,100
13 16 22 Kurt Busch Shell / Pennzoil Dodge 100 49.6 $82,100
14 21 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy Super Free / National Guard Chevrolet 100 38.1 $81,600
15 12 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet 100 75.0 $81,000
16 2 33 Clint Bowyer BB&T Chevrolet 100 60.6 $90,725
17 9 1 Jamie McMurray Bass Pro Shops / National Wild Turkey Fed. Chevrolet 100 39.9 $80,600
18 87 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge 99 28.4 $80,500
19 5 25 Mark Martin Farmers Insurance Group Chevrolet 93 57.0 $80,400
20 17 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Chevrolet 90 28.8 $80,300
21 7 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota 59 80.5 $80,189

By Barry Johnson
Special to the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(May 22, 2011)

NEWTON, Iowa—Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won Sunday’s John Deere Dealers 250 at Iowa Speedway for his first career victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Stenhouse outdueled Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski, the only Sprint Cup Series regulars in the race, for the win.

“Just to come away with a victory is nice; I’m relieved,” said the 23-year-old Stenhouse, making his 51st series start. “The guys were A-plus today — they nailed it. We kept the car good all race and that was the key.

“I was just glad we finally got that win.”

Edwards, who won Saturday night’s Sprint All-Star Race in Charlotte, had the lead after a restart for a caution with 22 laps to go in the 250-lap race. But on Lap 232, Stenhouse made the decisive pass on his Roush/Fenway Racing teammate. Edwards finished second and Keselowski third.

The race had a track-record 17 lead changes among seven drivers, including Stenhouse and Edwards swapping the lead with each other eight times. Stenhouse led 41 laps and Edwards 33.

Reed Sorenson, who led a race-high 77 laps, and Elliott Sadler rounded out the top five. Kenny Wallace, making his 500th Nationwide Series start, finished sixth.

Stenhouse’s previous best finish was third in July 2010 at Daytona.

With his finish, Sadler keeps the series points lead by seven over Sorenson and eight over Stenhouse.

Michael McDowell, Justin Allgaier, James Buescher and Austin Dillon rounded out the top 10 at Iowa.