NASCAR drivers can't put brakes on problems

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- High-profile NASCAR drivers are dealing with various forms of adversity this weekend.

Defending champion Jimmie Johnson, who was the top qualifier a day earlier at Kansas Speedway, wrecked his car in Saturday's final practice. The accident cost Johnson the pole position for today's LifeLock 400 Nextel Cup Series race, and he will have to start toward the back of the field.

Tony Stewart, meanwhile, cursed on live television and NASCAR officials were reviewing tape to determine if any action will be taken. The volatile driver, second to Jeff Gordon in the Chase for the Nextel Cup standings, was docked points once already this season for swearing.

Stewart used profane language Saturday while telling an ESPN2 cameraman to get away from him. NASCAR docks points and issues fines for cursing on television.

In Saturday's Busch Series race at the track, Kyle Busch won the Yellow Transportation 300 by .085 of a second over Matt Kenseth. But Busch's car failed the postrace inspection because the intake manifold did not meet NASCAR specifications.

If there are penalties, they are likely to be announced later this week.

Last Sunday, Carl Edwards won the Dodge Dealers 400 Nextel Cup race in Dover, Del., but failed the postrace inspection. Edwards was docked 25 points and therefore dropped from third to sixth in the Chase standings.

Notes

• Ryan Newman qualified in second for today's race but his car failed inspection Friday because the roof was too low. Newman will start near the rear of the field.

• Vancouver, Wash., native Greg Biffle finished 10th in the Busch Series race. Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw was 12th.

• England's Lewis Hamilton, the Formula One Series leader, won the Japanese Grand Prix in Oyama.

Hamilton is 12 points ahead of McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso with two races remaining this season.