By Tim Tuttle
Special to Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

JOLIET, Ill. — Kyle Busch won his second straight race in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, passing Todd Bodine with 19 laps remaining to take the inaugural EnjoyIllinois.com 225 on Friday at Chicagoland Speedway.

It was Busch’s fourth win of the season in 10 starts in the Billy Ballew Motorsports Toyota. Busch also made Chicagoland the fifth track in which he has won a race in each of NASCAR’s three national series. He won the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races there last season.

“It was a fun night,” Busch said. “My parents are from just outside Chicago and my girlfriend is from just over the border in Indiana, and it was cool to come back and win before the home folks in the Midwest.”
Continue reading “Kyle Busch takes inaugural Truck race at Chicago”

Last Off-Week Of Season Sets Up 2-Week Showdown For Chase Berths

After a one-week break, the “Race to the Chase” wraps up at Atlanta Motor Speedway and then, the annual “cut-off” event at Richmond International Speedway – both under the lights.

Three drivers – Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have clinched spots in the 12-driver “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.”

Nine spots left, two races to go.

Continue reading “Last Cup Series Off Weekend, 2 races until Chase”

Young Drivers Have Solid Road-Course Cred
Keep an eye out for some of the younger drivers on the 2.709-mile road course in Montreal this weekend. Their experience is extensive.

Colin Braun won the pole in 2008 in Mexico City in his third NASCAR Nationwide Series start. He set up the car for Greg Biffle for this race last year; Biffle finished eighth. Brad Coleman, who teamed with Braun in 2005 as the duo became the youngest to run in the Rolex Grand-Am GT Class (finished seventh), and like Braun, he began his career on road courses.

Stephen Leicht (photo) finished fifth in the inaugural race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2007. He set up the car last year for Clint Bowyer; the eventual series champion finished ninth. Steve Wallace isn’t synonymous with road courses but he’s had success on them. He was 10th in this race last year and also was 10th in Mexico City in 2008. He was 12th at Watkins Glen earlier this month.

Continue reading “Young Nationwide drivers with road skills”

Unique Sponsorship Opportunity Has Fans “Riding” With Wallace

Almost speechless.

Believe it or not, that describes Kenny Wallace (No. 28 Thank You Fans Chevrolet), after he learned that more than 5,000 fans – or in this case “sponsors” – have extended their support to Wallace in Montreal.

For a $20 donation, fans were able to submit their name which appears on the hood of Wallace’s car for Sunday’s race.

“We were able to raise enough money to compete in the race,” Wallace said. “I couldn’t be more thankful or more humbled.”

Continue reading “Fans sponsor Kenny Wallace this weekend”

It’s Kenseth vs. Kenseth this Weekend at Madison International Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. (August 26, 2009) – While the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit and Matt Kenseth take a week off from the pressures of an intense points race to make the Chase for the Cup, the Roush Fenway driver will take on a different kind of pressure this weekend at Madison International Speedway; the race for family bragging rights.

For the first time ever, Kenseth will go head-to-head on the track against his 16 year-old son, Ross, this Saturday night (Aug. 29) at Madison International Speedway in Oregon, Wis.

“I am looking forward to racing against Ross and racing in a limited late model at Madison,” said Kenseth. “I’ve never run that type of car out there. I have watched many limited late model races since Ross has started and they are very competitive. It’s a great series with a lot of great drivers and I’m interested to race against them. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun and a great learning experience.”

The Madison International Speedway weekly Rockweiler Insulation Late Models will compete in a twin 50-lap feature event that will include father vs. son, as the 2009 Daytona 500 winner competes against Ross Kenseth and the other weekly MIS competitors.

Continue reading “Kenseth vs. Kenseth in Madison”