The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
31°F
Current Conditions
Few clouds
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Auto Racing notes: Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer win way into big race

Ap

Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer raced their way in to the $1 million All-Star event, and Danica Patrick won the fan vote to complete the field for tonight’s race.

Biffle won the first 20-lap segment in Friday night’s Sprint Showdown. The race was for all drivers not already qualified for the All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Biffle then took his car to the garage and watched the final 20-lap segment, which was won by Bowyer. Biffle led every lap of the first segment, but Bowyer needed a three-wide pass to get to the lead.

Once Bowyer was out in front, though, no one could catch him as the clean air for the leader proved too much for any challenger to overcome.

Pagenaud posts best lap at Indianapolis

France’s Simon Pagenaud posted the top speed on the fastest day of the week at Indianapolis.

The Team Penske topped the Indianapolis 500 speed chart by going 230.698 mph late in Friday’s practice.

Qualifying for the 500 begins today. The nine fastest cars will advance to Sunday’s pole shootout and the final three qualifiers from today can be bumped from the May 24 race.

Pit stops

Kasey Kahne edged Erik Jones by 0.005 seconds in after a contact-filled, final-lap duel Friday night in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. … Ben Rhodes doesn’t have time for his graduation ceremony. The 18-year-old Rhodes is skipping his commencement to make his NASCAR Xfinity series debut on Sunday at Iowa Speedway. Rhodes will pilot the No. 88 JR Motorsports car typically driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick. … NASCAR is updating its fire safety requirements for race teams in the wake of an explosive accident on pit road at Richmond. NASCAR will now mandate all over-the-wall pit crew members wear fire-protective underwear, socks, head socks and gloves. All previously were recommended for over-the-wall pit crew members other than the gas man. The mandate takes effect June 4. … An all-female team might be competing at next year’s Indianapolis 500. Driver Katherine Legge is teaming with veteran motorsports executive Beth Paretta to form an organization that hopes to be at the 100th running of the showcase race. The team already has hired four women to behind-the-scenes roles. … In a bid to become more attractive and win back disgruntled fans, Formula One will see a return to refueling in 2017 along with more aggressive-looking cars, louder engines and faster lap times.