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Delaware prosecutors will not file criminal charges against NASCAR driver Kurt Busch following allegations of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll.
However, NASCAR officials indefinitely suspended Kurt Busch last month after a Delaware Family Court judge said the former champion almost surely choked and beat Patricia Driscoll inside his motorhome at Dover International Speedway last fall.
Delaware attorney general’s office said on March 5 that there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges.
“After a thorough consideration of all of the available information about the case, it is determined that the admissible evidence and available witnesses would likely be insufficient to meet the burden of establishing beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Busch committed a crime during the September 26th incident,” the attorney general’s office said in a prepared statement.
Jim Liguori, a local attorney for Kurt Busch, said the driver, known in NASCAR circles as “The Outlaw,” was thankful.
“All along, he knew he was going to be exonerated,” Jim Liguori said.
“The Department of Justice really did the right thing after considered review.”
“She absolutely tried to destroy him in the press, or tried to,” Jim Liguori added, referring to Patricia Driscoll.
“But the truth wins out, and the truth is its own defense.”
Patricia Driscoll said Kurt Busch assaulted her in September after she drove from her Maryland home to Dover to check on Busch after receiving a series of disturbing texts.
Kurt Busch and his attorneys have portrayed Patricia Driscoll as a scorned woman who set out to destroy Busch’s career after he ended their relationship.
Patricia Driscoll said she and Kurt Busch argued in the bedroom of the motorhome before he grabbed her by the face and neck and slammed her head against a wall three times.
She filed charges in November, saying she feared the incident might affect an ongoing child custody battle with her ex-husband.
Patricia Driscoll also filed for a no-contact order in November, which was the subject of four days of hearings in December and January.
The Family Court hearing featured testimony from Kurt Busch and others who said Patricia Driscoll told stories of being a covert operative for the federal government and a trained assassin.
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Kurt Busch has been indefinitely suspended by NASCAR after a court ruling that he had probably physically abused his former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll.
The move means Kurt Busch will miss NASCAR’s premier event – the Daytona 500 – on February 22.
A judge in Delaware earlier ruled that it was more likely than not that Kurt Busch abused Patricia Driscoll by “manually strangling her” and smashing her head into a wall last year.
Kurt Busch, 36, was the 2004 Sprint Cup winner.
“Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately,” a NASCAR statement said.
“He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice,” it said, adding that the driver was aware of the decision.
Patricia Driscoll alleges Kurt Busch grabbed her by the neck in a motor home at Dover International Speedway in Delaware in September and repeatedly hit her head against a wall.
Kurt Busch – who competes for the Stewart-Haas Racing team – has denied the alleged physical assault.
He is the first driver to be suspended by NASCAR for alleged domestic violence.
Kurt Busch’s lawyer Rusty Hardin said: “We are extremely disappointed that NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch and we plan an immediate appeal.
“We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice.”
In 2012, Kurt Busch was temporarily suspended for violating NASCAR’s policy forbidding swearing in public.
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NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will not face criminal charges in the crash that killed 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on August 9, a grand jury in Ontario County (N.Y.) ruled Wednesday afternoon, following two days of hearings.
“This week an Ontario County grand jury has been meeting to hear testimony and review evidence gathered in the Tony Stewart matter, relating to the death of Kevin Ward at the Canandaigua Motor Speedway on August 9, 2014. The grand jury has completed its investigation,” said Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo.
“During the course of the grand jury presentation, approximately two dozen witnesses testified. These included a number of race car drivers, racetrack employees and volunteers, two accident reconstruction experts, medical personnel, and a number of police officers. In addition, the grand jury reviewed a number of photographs and video recordings, as well as other documentary evidence. After listening to and questioning all of the witnesses, and reviewing all of the evidence, the grand jury has determined that there is no basis to charge Tony Stewart with any crimes; his case was ‘No-Billed’ by the grand jury.”
Michael Tantillo also said marijuana was detected in Kevin Ward’s system during his autopsy. He said the levels were enough to “impair” Kevin Ward’s judgment.
Tony Stewart will not face criminal charges in the crash that killed Kevin Ward Jr. during a sprint car race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park
Kevin Ward Jr. died in a crash during an Empire Super Sprints Series race at the half-mile upstate New York dirt track. Tony Stewart was inside of Kevin Ward when he drifted to the outside and Ward made contact with the wall.
Under caution, Kevin Ward got out of his car and walked toward Tony Stewart’s car, gesturing at the three-time NASCAR champion. As Tony Stewart’s car approached Kevin Ward, Stewart’s right-rear wheel hit Ward, who was thrown into the air and died as a result of the contact.
The Office of the Sheriff announced September 11 said the investigation was completed and the case was being forwarded to the District Attorney.
A statement issued by the Sheriff’s Office September 11 said: “The entire thorough investigation, including a forensic video enhancement recently received from the New York State Police Laboratory in Albany, has been submitted to the Office of the Ontario County District for review. The District Attorney’s Office, which has been meeting throughout the investigative process with members of the Sheriff’s Office, will make a statement late next week advising what action will be taken regarding the investigation.”
Then on September 16, the District Attorney said the case would be turned over to the grand jury.
Tony Stewart missed the first three Sprint Cup races after Kevin Ward’s death, returning at Atlanta Motor Speedway on August 29. At Atlanta, a visibly distraught Tony Stewart read from a prepared statement. He did not answer any questions.
“This is a sadness and a pain that I hope no one ever has to experience in their life,” said Tony Stewart.
“With that being said, I know that the pain and the mourning that Kevin Ward’s family and friends are experiencing is something that I can’t possibly imagine.”
Tony Stewart thanked his friends, family and the NASCAR community for standing by him.
“I’ve taken the last couple weeks off out of respect for Kevin and his family and also to cope with the accident in my own way,” he said.
“It’s given me the time to think about life and how easy it is to take it for granted. I miss my team, my teammates, and I miss being back in the race car. I think getting back in the car this week with my racing family will help me get through this difficult time.”
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Danica Patrick has scored her career best finish after entering Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
After six consecutive races in which Danica Patrick failed to crack the top 15 in the final rundown, she seemingly come out of nowhere to deliver a career-best sixth-place finish in Sunday night’s Oral-B USA 500.
Starting 27th on the 43-car grid, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver methodically marched her way forward, and thanks to some key adjustments from crew chief Tony Gibson, was in position to possibly earn her first Sprint Cup win – and with it a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Lining up fourth and in the non-preferred outside line on the second of two attempts at a green-white-checkered finish, Danica Patrick lost two positions over the final two laps to come sixth – but it was still her best finish in 71 career Sprint Cup starts.
“It was a long night,” said Danica Patrick, whose best finish prior to Sunday was a seventh-place finish at Kansas Speedway in mid-May.
Danica Patrick has scored her career best finish after entering Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway
“Man, that race felt like it was 700 miles. Sometimes when you are running well they feel like that because you are hoping it stays there, keeps going well, and you keep improving and don’t lose it. There were definitely a couple of times late in the race when we fell back. In the middle of the race the car was very good. We took a little step back, and then it came back in the end. Tony Gibson just reset everything to where we were when we were running well.”
Fast pit work by Danica Patrick’s No. 10 crew moved her up to seventh after all the leaders hit pit road following a caution brought out when Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. tangled on Lap 324, setting up the first green-white checkered attempt.
“Obviously the pit stop at the end that was 11 seconds was so good,” Danica Patrick said.
“There were a couple of rough ones in the beginning but that one made up for it because it put us seventh on that restart, and we had a good line on the inside and didn’t get caught up on the outside.”
Danica Patrick climbed three spots when Kevin Harvick’s dominant No. 4 Chevrolet got sandwiched between Paul Menard and Joey Logano, hitting the wall and setting up what would be the last restart.
Despite slipping to sixth over the final two laps, Danica Patrick couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome – and was already harboring high hopes for next weekend’s regular-season finale at Richmond International Raceway, a track she doesn’t consider a favorite.
“I am just so happy for the team,” said Danica Patrick, who recorded her third top-10 finish of the season after posting just one top-10 last year as a Sprint Cup Series rookie.
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The investigation into sprint car incident with Tony Stewart that killed 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. on August 9 will continue for several weeks, Ontario County Sheriff Philip C. Povero has said.
“The investigation into the death of Kevin Ward, Jr., of Lewis County, N.Y., is ongoing and is expected to continue for at least another two weeks or more,” Phillip Povero said in his statement.
“Investigators continue to seek witnesses, gather evidence, and develop the racetrack crash reconstruction. However, it would be inappropriate to discuss details or findings of the investigation with the media at this time. I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation as the Ontario County Office of Sheriff continues this investigation and for having patience as we conduct a thorough review of all of the relevant facts involving this tragic accident.
The investigation into sprint car incident with Tony Stewart that killed 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. on August 9 will continue for several weeks
“When the investigation is completed, we will meet with members of the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office and discuss with them all aspects of the investigation into the crash that occurred on August 9, 2014 at the Canandaigua Speedway. At that time, more information relating to any determinations that have been made may be released. In closing, on behalf of the Ontario County Office of Sheriff, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family of Kevin Ward, Jr.”
After Saturday night’s incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, Tony Stewart decided to sit out the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International.
According to an update provided by Sheriff Povero, no evidence supports charges against Tony Stewart.
“As we speak, at this time, there are no facts that exist that support any criminal behavior or conduct or probable cause of a criminal act in this investigation,” he said.
Tony Stewart remains undecided on whether he will compete in this weekend’s Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
However, all of his “extra-curricular racing plans” have been canceled for the weekend and “won’t resume until further notice”.
Although the fatality occurred in a local-short track race and not a NASCAR event, a senior NASCAR official who spoke on background said the sanctioning body is studying the incident, as it does with accidents and events in other series and even other sports.
The official said that if NASCAR decides to make any changes as a result of the Stewart-Ward accident, they will not be announced until Friday, out of respect for Kevin Ward’s family. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon and evening, with the funeral Thursday.
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Racing driver Kevin Ward Jr. has died after being struck by the car of three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart during a local sprint race in New York.
Tony Stewart and Kevin Ward Jr., 20, had collided on the previous lap of the dirt track race on Saturday.
Kevin Ward climbed out of his car and was on the track confronting Tony Stewart when he was struck by his countryman’s car.
“There aren’t words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident,” said Tony Stewart, 43, in a statement.
“It’s a very emotional time for all involved. My thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
Tony Stewart is the co-owner of NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing, having become driver-owner in 2008.
He cancelled plans to compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen.
Kevin Ward Jr. has died after being struck by the car of three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart
“We were talking through the night, and we gave Tony some time to sleep on it,” said team manager Greg Zipadelli.
“He feels strongly that this is the right thing to do. We at Stewart-Haas Racing strongly support it and agree with it.”
Tony Stewart, who frequently competes at local sprint car events, was questioned by police and released.
Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero said Tony Stewart was “fully co-operative” and appeared “very upset”.
He added: “This is being investigated as an on-track crash and I don’t want to infer that there are criminal charges pending.
“When the investigation is completed, we will sit down with the district attorney and review it.
“But I want to make it very clear – there are no criminal charges pending at this time.”
Philip Povero asked people who have video of the crash to provide copies for investigators to review.
Stewart-Haas Racing said in a statement: “A tragic accident took place last night during a sprint car race in which Tony Stewart was participating.
“Tony was unhurt, but a fellow competitor lost his life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
“We’re still attempting to sort through all the details and we appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.”
The track, which hosted the local dirt-track event at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, located 30 miles south-east of Rochester in upstate New York, cancelled the remainder of the race within five minutes of the incident.
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Duck Dynasty and NASCAR fans, who flocked to Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday hoping to watch the Duck Commander 500 race alongside the Robertson family, were disappointed by delays due to inclement weather.
After waiting for hours, the race was eventually postponed to Monday morning because the track was too wet to race safely after the rain stopped.
The Sprint Cup race begins at noon ET on Monday. The Texas Motor Speedway went all out for the Duck Commander 500 race.
Concession stands were stocked with Uncle Si’s iced tea and Duck Commander BBQ and trimmings, and the stars of Duck Dynasty had various roles to play in the highly anticipated race.
Uncle Si Robertson sported a red jumpsuit and was planning to serve as the grand marshal, and Phil Robertson was set to waive the green flag to start the race.
Uncle Si Robertson sported a red jumpsuit and was planning to serve as the grand marshal at Duck Commander 500
Jase Robertson was going to introduce the drivers, and his brother Willie had planned to present the winner’s trophy at Victory Lane.
Phil and Alan Robertson were also scheduled to speak at the Sunday morning “Racing with Faith” service.
The Robertsons, who have often traveled to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and were excited to sponsor their first NASCAR event at the Texas Motor Speedway, still managed to have a good time at the event.
While many family members were unable to fulfill their duties at the race, 16-year-old Sadie Robertson prayed over the crowd as they waited for the race to begin, and Missy Robertson sang the national anthem.
Hopefully fans will be able to catch the Robertson family next year. World News Group reports that Duck Commander, the Robertson family’s duck call and hunting gear business, has a three-year sponsorship at Texas Motor Speedway.
Willie Robertson says he believes that the Duck Commander brand is “more than just duck hunting”
“It says family and being positive and a lot of things that we see in NASCAR – it’s a family sport. We’re tickled to have our brand associated with it.”
NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer, who made an appearance on Season 2 of Duck Dynasty, has proved to be the Robertson favorite for the Duck Commander 500 race.
Clint Bowyer’s car sports the Duck Commander and Buck Commander logos, along with Willie’s Duck Diner and Duck & Dressing emblems.
After NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying Friday at Daytona International Speedway, Danica Patrick was asked whether she would, in fact, agree to race Richard Petty, something her car owner Tony Stewart suggested.
Richard Petty made critical comments about Danica Patrick’s driving during a recent autograph session in Canada.
He also told Fox News on Friday: “I’m 76 years old, OK?”
“It’s been 25 years since I’ve been in a race car. But I’ll take that challenge.”
Richard Petty is an outspoken critic of Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick’s response was: “All right.”
“I think Tony said he was getting the cars ready, right? At the end of the day, I think the most important thing is my team owner, Tony Stewart, believes in me. That’s the most important thing.”
Danica Patrick then was asked if the race with Richard Petty could take place on a racing simulator.
“No,” she said, and with that her press conference ended.
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Former NASCAR driver Richard “The King” Petty said Danica Patrick will only win a NASCAR race if everyone else stays at home.
In an interview with Wheels.ca, Richard Lee Petty was asked if he thinks Danica Patrick will ever win a race in the Sprint Cup Series.
The King’s response was: “Only if everybody else stayed home.”
Former NASCAR driver Richard “The King” Petty said Danica Patrick will only win a NASCAR race if everyone else stays at home
Richard Petty continued: “If she’d have been a male, nobody would ever know if she’d showed up at a race track,” said the seven-time Daytona 500 champion.
“This is a female deal that’s driving her. There’s nothing wrong with that, because that’s good PR for me. More fans come out, people are more interested in it. She has helped to draw attention to the sport, which helps everybody in the sport.”
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Duck Commander, the franchise operation of Duck Dynasty reality show, has reached an agreement with Texas Motor Speedway to sponsor its next three Sprint Cup races.
The company has signed a multiyear agreement to serve as title sponsor of the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
The largest-attended, single-day sporting event held annually in Texas with estimated average crowds in excess of 150,000 will be known as the Duck Commander 500 with this year’s edition scheduled for Sunday, April 6. The two sides agreed to a three-year deal with a renewal option for an additional three years, but no financial terms of the agreement were announced.
“This is perhaps the most unique sponsorship in professional sports because not only does this come with special branding, it comes with celebrity spokespeople that are followed by tens of millions of people every week,” Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said in a track release.
Duck Commander has signed a multiyear agreement to serve as title sponsor of the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway
“Fans will see members of the Robertson Family and cast of <<Duck Dynasty>> and all the rest during Duck Commander 500 week here at Texas Motor Speedway and we have produced some awesome merchandise that both race fans and Duck Commander fans will love. This marriage is perfection.”
The Duck Commander brand also will enjoy a substantial product presence on its race weekend and throughout the year at Texas Motor Speedway. An extensive line of Duck Commander 500 merchandise will be sold at track and in the Speedway World souvenir store year-round in addition to being available through Duck Commander retail partners.
Uncle Si’s Tea™ will be introduced and sold at track in single-serve options in both the sweet and unsweetened varieties. Texas Motor Speedway also will look to integrate products such as Duck Commander Family Foods’ BBQ sauce, salsa and beef jerky with the speedway signature concession items.
The Robertson family members also will have a strong presence on their race weekend, with several attending as well as having various VIP or honorary roles such as Grand Marshal or Honorary Starter.
Tickets for the Duck Commander 500 officially go on sale Friday, February 14.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets prior to that date can do so by securing season tickets or by joining the Texas Motor Speedway Fan Club. Fan Club members will be eligible for a special Duck Commander 500 pre-sale event that begins 10 a.m. E.T. Friday.
Jay Mohr was back for his second stint as host of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards on Friday night in Las Vegas.
Jay Mohr made jokes and jabs, but Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who attended the event, were not laughing.
Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards
In his opening monologue, Jay Mohr took aim at Danica Patrick, joking she was not used to being so close to the front. The joke drew an immediate reaction from the crowd in attendance, while Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse did not seem to find the humor in the situation.
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NASCAR driver Danica Patrick says she doesn’t care that Kyle Petty thinks she’s better at getting attention than driving because she’s heard it all before.
But if Kyle Petty’s going to attack her, the NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie believes he should at least get his facts straight.
On Friday, Danica Patrick responded to Kyle Petty’s comments a night earlier on Speed’s “Race Hub” program, in which the former Sprint Cup driver called her a “marketing machine” rather than a race car driver. Kyle Petty also doubted that Danica Patrick, 31, would become a driver and insisted that she doesn’t race as well as she qualifies.
Danica Patrick’s statistics suggest otherwise. On average she’s finishing almost six spots higher (25.8) than she starts (32nd), which she noted by saying: “Those who watch know I can’t qualify for crap. The race goes much better.”
That likely won’t stop Kyle Petty, the 53-year-old son of seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty and an eight-time race winner on NASCAR’s premier circuit, from criticizing Patrick.
Now an analyst for TNT and Fox/Speed, Kyle Petty has periodically taken jabs at Danica Patrick, a former IndyCar Series driver who now drives the No. 10 Chevy for Stewart-Haas Racing. Danica Patrick is 27th in points in her first full Cup season, which follows an open wheel career highlighted by a fuel-mileage victory in 2008 in Motegi, Japan.
On Thursday night, Kyle Petty seemed to elaborate on his views during the show. While he understands the mass appeal of Danica Patrick, who has been featured in racy TV ads for sponsor Go Daddy and was IndyCar’s most popular driver for several years, her driving skills don’t justify the hype in his opinion.
Danica Patrick says she doesn’t care that Kyle Petty thinks she’s better at getting attention than driving
“That’s where I have a problem, where fans have bought into the hype of the marketing, to think she’s a race car driver,” he said.
“She can go fast, and I’ve seen her go fast. She drives the wheels off it when she goes fast.”
Asked if she has learned to race, Kyle Petty continued: “She’s not a race car driver. There’s a difference. The King always had that stupid saying, but it’s true, <<Lots of drivers can drive fast, but very few drivers can race>>. Danica has been the perfect example of somebody who can qualify better than what she runs. She can go fast, but she can’t race.”
Danica Patrick won the pole and finished eighth in the season-opening Daytona 500 but has admittedly struggled this season. She said she’s working toward that point where things level out but isn’t there yet.
The main thing is keeping her team, sponsor and fans happy – not giving a second thought to Petty’s comments.
“I really don’t care,” she said during a news conference at Kentucky Speedway. “It’s true that there are plenty of people who say bad things about me. I read them. People want me to die. At the end of the day, you get over that stuff and trust you are doing a good job.”
Asked what it will take to quiet her critics, Danica Patrick’s response brought some laughs.
“Do you think I will silence my naysayers?” she asked.
“You don’t. I’m sure everybody has them. You know who believes in you. That’s what matters.”
Former boss Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shown his faith in Patrick, giving her a chance to transition to stock cars over three years in the Nationwide Series at JR Motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr. defended Danica Patrick and called her a tough competitor who works hard and said she wouldn’t have a ride if she couldn’t stay with the pack or finished last every week.
“I have to disagree with Kyle,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
“She has run some really good races. On every occasion she is outrunning several guys out on the circuit. If she was not able to compete, I think you might be able to say Kyle has an argument.
“But she’s out there running competitively and running strong on several accounts. I think that she has got a good opportunity and a rightful position in the sport to keep competing and she just might surprise even Kyle Petty.”
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Denny Hamlin remains hospitalized overnight after being airlifted to a local hospital after a hard single-car crash at the inside wall on the final lap of Sunday’s Auto Club 400.
Kyle Busch beat the field at the 17th annual Auto Club 400, winning his second race in as many days.
At one point, Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman incurred penalties after they were caught speeding through pit row.
The race ended in a flurry, as Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano wrecked with half a lap remaining. Denny Hamlin was taken off the track in an ambulance, as NASCAR on ESPN reported. Fortunately, he was able to exit his car on his own.
Denny Hamlin was awake and alert in the infield care center before being transported, but was taken to the hospital after complaining of lower back pain. A helicopter was used due to post-race traffic.
The name of the hospital was not released.
Denny Hamlin remains hospitalized overnight after being airlifted to a local hospital after a hard single-car crash at the inside wall on the final lap of Sunday’s Auto Club 400
Denny Hamlin, 22, was helped from his car after the hard hit and seemed to collapse outside his car after he had pulled the window net down. He was taken by ambulance to the infield care center, where crew chief Darian Grubb hurried inside to check on the driver.
His girlfriend, Jordan Fish, tweeted Sunday night: “Thank u everyone for your messages concerning Denny. Darian is keeping us posted. He’s alert n awake, main concern is his back.”
Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, who have traded barbs since the season opening Daytona 500, battled side by side, bumping and passing in the closing laps.
They were drag racing down the backstretch, but Joey Logano got loose on the bottom and made contact.
Joey Logano went into the outside wall, Denny Hamlin went into the inside wall and Kyle Busch sailed by for the win.
“After what happened last week, that’s what [Denny Hamlin] gets,” Joey Logano said following the race.
“We have nothing to hang our heads about, that’s for sure.”
In one-sentence responses, Joey Logano vowed to race Denny Hamlin “the way he raced me” and said there won’t be any resolution “until anyone says anything to me personally”.
“I haven’t gotten a phone call, so he can tell you whatever he wants, right?” Joey Logano said to reporters.
Minutes earlier, Denny Hamlin told the media he regretted questioning Joey Logano’s driving ability because: “I didn’t need to give my opinion on that; I think it was kind of a low blow.”
When the two were teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing, Denny Hamlin said, they clashed on the racetrack several times but it was kept out of the spotlight.
“It never really was public, but we had times where it was like, ‘Hey, why’d you race me that way?’ or vice versa,” Denny Hamlin said.
“I think I had just as much disappointment as him on the racetrack as teammates as he had in me. I think it was an even shake there.
“Off the racetrack, we’d see each other on the racetrack in Monday morning meetings and be like nothing ever happened.”
It was Kyle Busch’s first win of the season after he had flirted with winning several times in the first four races.
“They forgot about me. I knew they were going to,” Kyle Busch said.
“It’s so fun to come out here and perform like this.”
Kyle Busch acknowledged that he probably wouldn’t have pulled out the victory if not for Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin’s heated battle, which he called “golden.”
“I was just thinking, hopefully I can get by before they wreck. I can make this happen,” Kyle Busch said.
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Ford Focus Electric, an all-electric car, is set to pace the NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Richmond 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia, on April 28.
It will be the first time in the motorsport history when an all-electric car will lead the field of high-power, finely-tuned models out onto the 400-lap race.
Around thirty-five percent of new car “intenders” in the U.S. are motorsports fans and seventy-five percent of them support NASCAR and the persons who root for Ford NASCAR teams are sixty-seven percent more likely to consider Ford products than other consumers, the company said.
“Ford research shows the majority of Americans would consider buying an electrified vehicle but do not yet understand the different technologies. Highlighting the Focus Electric as a pace car is a fun way to educate consumers about the kinds of benefits our electrified vehicles deliver and show people our commitment to provide Ford customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy in the vehicle that best meets their needs,” said Mark Fields, president of Ford’s Americas division.
Ford Focus Electric will be the first all-electric car to pace a race in the motorsport history.
Powered by LG Chem lithium-ion battery, Ford Focus Electric will have an important task to complete as a pace car.
Pace cars have to drive at relatively high speed, sometimes for long distances. They have to be well adapted to wet or slippery conditions, to keep the tires on the competing vehicles warm and to stop engines overheating. They have an important role when is poor weather, or if an accident happens, they lead competitors at a uniform speed until the track can be cleared up.
Running too slowly behind a pace car may lead to low tire pressure, and this was discussed as a contributing factor to the Formula One crash that killed Ayrton Senna in 1994.
On a Formula One circuit the speeds are much higher. The current Formula One Safety Car is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, driven by professional driver Bernd Mayländer.
Ford Fusion Hybrid led the field at Homestead in 2008, making Ford also the first to use a hybrid vehicle as pace car. In January the company unveiled the Fusion Hybrid as its 2013 car to be used in NASCAR race.
On April 25Ford Focus Electric will be presented to the public at the Virginia State Capitol.
First Lady Michelle Obama and the Vice President’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, were booed before kicking off NASCAR’s season finale in Florida.
Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden were on hand at the race on Sunday to honour military troops and their families through First Lady’s Joining Forces program.
As the two ladies arrival was announced to say the ceremonial “Gentleman, start your engines”, a chorus of loud booing could be heard above the cheers in the crowd.
The Joining Forces is a program designed to hire and train veterans and military spouses.
First Lady Michelle Obama and the Vice President’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, were booed before kicking off NASCAR’s season finale in Florida
An ABC News source traveling with Michelle Obama said that no distinct booing could be heard during the “loud chaotic program with jets flying over and tons of noise”.
But as hostile as the Homestead-Miami Speedway crowd may have been, Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden were welcomed during pre-race festivities, receiving a standing ovation.
At the time, Michelle Obama said NASCAR has been “amazing in terms of its support, not just today but every day for military families”.
The First Lady added that days like this remind military families that “they do have a country that cares and appreciates what they do, and it means so much to them”.
Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden also appeared with military families in driver Carl Edwards’ garage, where they were treated to an up-close look at his cars, the Kansas City Star reported.
Carl Edwards serves on the President’s Council for Physical Fitness, an effort designed to increase awareness of physical fitness and healthy eating.
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