Darrell Wallace Jr. sets NASCAR milestone

Darrell Wallace Jr. became the first black driver in a half-century to win on NASCAR’s national level, taking the Truck Series race Saturday at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Wendell Scott won in Jacksonville, Fla., in December 1963 in what is now known as the Sprint Cup Series, the highest of NASCAR’s three national levels.

The 20-year-old Wallace, driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, beat Jeb Burton into Turn 1 off a restart with five laps to go. Wallace was never below sixth place and led a race-high 96 laps. Wallace chose the inside line for the reset and quickly pulled away from Burton.

Kenseth chasing Johnson, history at Martinsville

Matt Kenseth will be right behind Jimmie Johnson when the green flag drops at Martinsville Speedway today.

Johnson, the only man in front of him in the Sprint Cup championship points race, is starting second and Kenseth fourth.

Kenseth would love to be that close at the finish, too. Johnson has found success at the tricky 0.526-mile track shaped like a paper clip, while Kenseth has been frustrated here throughout his career.

Johnson, whose lead is four points, has eight wins at Martinsville in 23 starts.

Kenseth? No wins in 27 starts, and his best finish – second – came back in 2002.

Leader Vettel claims 3rd straight Indian GP pole

Sebastian Vettel closed in on his fourth straight Formula One title by claiming pole position for the Indian Grand Prix.

Vettel only needed to finish fifth or better in the race that took place overnight to wrap up the championship with three races remaining, and claimed his third straight pole at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, India.

The German has won both previous Indian GP races, leading every lap.