Originally published September 30, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 30, 2007 at 2:02 AM
NASCAR drivers can't put brakes on problems
High-profile NASCAR drivers are dealing with various forms of adversity this weekend. Defending champion Jimmie Johnson, who was the top...
AP Auto Racing Writer
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.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
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shopping
events for Tuesday, Nov. 24
- Asher Anson Black Friday and December Sales
- Holiday Sale at Pink Ginger
- Clementine's December Daily Sale
- Shenui.com Holiday Sale
editors' picks
- Local jewelry designers
- Maternity shopping
- Vintage, consignment and used clothing
- Independent bookstores
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Jerry Brewer | Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Husky Football Blog | Ranking the Pac
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
435 - Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
239 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
179 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
179 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
135 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
133 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
75 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
68 - Monday practice report
53 - Civil-rights suit against officer, city settled for $87,500
50
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'

