Auto racing: Barred for the day
Jimmie Johnson and teammate Jeff Gordon had an unexpected and unwanted day off Friday.
The cars of defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Johnson and series points leader Gordon failed inspection and were barred from all activity for the day at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., including qualifying.
NASCAR said the No. 24 and No. 48 Chevrolets, both owned by Hendrick Motorsports, had modifications to the front fenders that were deemed illegal during morning inspection.
The Hendrick crews were allowed to repair them and they can race in Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350, although starting from the rear of the 43-car field. Gordon, the four-time series champion, is the defending race winner.
“The cars have been repaired and I’m under the impression they will not receive an inspection sticker until tomorrow morning, which will allow the cars onto the racetrack,” said Chad Knaus, Johnson’s crew chief. “The guys on both teams have done a good job getting the cars repaired. They are race-ready now.”
Jamie McMurray won his third career Nextel Cup pole posting a best lap of 1 minute, 17.521 seconds (92.414 mph) on the 1.99-mile road course.
Robby Gordon was second to McMurray at 1:17.533 (92.399), followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. at 1:17.546 (92.384), road racing ace Boris Said at 1:17.06 (92.313) and former Sonoma winner Tony Stewart at 1:17.659 (92.263).
Earnhardt, Sony hook up
From the time his sister lent him money to buy his first computer, Dale Earnardt Jr. has been wowed by technology. Now, NASCAR’s most popular driver has an endorsement deal with Sony Electronics.
“I’m a big electronics fan. I’m a big computer guy. It’s products I can dig,” Earnhardt said at a winery in the heart of California’s Napa Valley, where he announced the Sony deal.
His deal with Sony is a personal services contract that gives the company use of his name, likeness and voice for promotions. He also has a similar deal with Budweiser that will continue next year, regardless of what’s on his car.
Craftsman Trucks
Johnny Benson took the lead just past halfway, and then held off Ron Hornaday Jr. on a late restart to win his second straight NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis.
Hornaday finished second in a Chevrolet, allowing him to make up some ground in the championship points standings on Skinner, who dominated the first half of the race but slipped to fourth at the finish.
Champ Car
Sebastien Bourdais won the provisional pole for the Grand Prix of Cleveland, zooming around the bumpy and dusty airport course in 56.961 seconds – the only driver in the 17-car field less than 57 seconds.
“Bridgestone Tire, enthused by a strong early return on its investment just four races into the season, extended its contract with Champ Car through the 2009 season.