by Candida Benson, National DRAGSTER Associate Editor
Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock), and Hector Arana (Pro Stock Motorcycle) jumped to the points lead in their respective classes with victories at the NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMax Dragway. Robert Hight also made a big points move, vaulting from 10th to third when he won in Funny Car.
Brian Vickers and Jimmie Johnson battle for the lead during the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. (Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
(May 25, 2009)
CONCORD, N.C.--He’ll take it!
David Reutimann was the big winner in NASCAR’s losing battle against Mother Nature in Monday’s rain-shortened 24 Hours of the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Nearly 25 hours after the 50th edition of the race was supposed to start, and with menacing storm cells dotting the radar, NASCAR called the event after 227 of a scheduled 400 laps. That made a first-time winner of Reutimann, who parlayed a strategic call by crew chief Rodney Childers into the unlikely victory.
Concord, NC— May 22, 2009—It was a big week for Joey Saldana and his Kasey Kahne Racing team. After opening a brand new shop just down the road from The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Charlotte area, Saldana was able to race in front of his car owner on Friday night in the Outlaw Showdown at the four-tenths mile, in an event that was also broadcast live on SPEED. Saldana made the most of the opportunity, winning for Kahne at what is considered the team's home track in front of a huge crowd.
Saldana passed three-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz in lapped traffic on the 20th lap and led the rest of the way to score his series leading sixth win of the season and the 45th of his career with the series, which moves him to just one spot out of the Top-10 on the all-time list.
“Tonight was a great night,” said Saldana. “I am so proud of this entire team. Kasey (Kahne) expects us to get results with all that he does, so this was a great one to get for him. It was a great effort by everyone involved here tonight.”
Concord, NC—May 19, 2009— Memorial Day weekend has traditionally been one of the biggest racing weekend's of the year and for the World of Outlaws that will again be the case this week as they will compete three times in a four-day period beginning on Friday, May 22 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway, which will mark the third consecutive season that the series has competed at the state-of-the-art four-tenths miles in conjunction with their NASCAR weekend. The event will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern with flag-to-flag coverage with Bobby Gerould and Brad Doty on the call.
Donny Schatz wrapped up his third consecutive World of Outlaws title last fall at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway, taking the checkered flag in the finale of the World Finals. The three-time and defending series champion has won twice in his career at the track and enters this weekend's race atop the series championship standings on the strength of five A-Feature wins.
Sam Hornish leads the field of the of the NASCAR Sprint Showdown. Hornish won the event to transfer into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race for the second consecutive year. (Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
CONCORD, N.C. -- The celebration everyone knew was coming arrived Saturday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway against a background of exploding fireworks.
The real pyrotechnics, however, were reserved for the racetrack.
Tony Stewart passed Matt Kenseth through Turn 2 on Lap 99 of 100 to win the Sprint All-Star Race, his first victory in the annual non-points event and his first as an owner/driver.
