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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, February 24, 2010

This week's top auto races: NASCAR makes Las Vegas stop


Associated Press

Times Eastern

NASCAR Sprint Cup

Shelby American

Site: Las Vegas.

Schedule: Friday, practice (Speed, 3-4:30 p.m.), qualifying (Speed, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, practice (Speed, 1:30-4 p.m.); Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (FOX, 2-6:30 p.m.).

Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles).

Race distance: 400.5 miles, 267 laps.

Last year: Kyle Busch raced to his first career victory at his home track, holding off Clint Bowyer. Busch had started at the back of the field because of an engine change.

Last week: Jimmie Johnson won for the fourth time at Auto Club Speedway in California, leading the final 20 laps after getting a fortunate break because he was already in the pits when a late caution came out. Kevin Harvick finished second and Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton was third.

Fast facts: Johnson, the four-time defending series champion, has won five of the last 11 Sprint Cup races and has 48 victories overall. He has three victories in eight career Las Vegas starts. ... Harvick leads the standings, 19 points ahead of teammate Bowyer. ... Burton is making his 550th Sprint Cup start.

Next race: Kobalt Tools 500 March 7, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga.

On the Net: http://www.nascar.com

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NATIONWIDE SERIES
Sam's Town 300

Site: Las Vegas.

Schedule: Friday, practice (Speed, 2-3 p.m., 4:30-6 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (Speed, noon-1:30 p.m.), race, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2, 4-8 p.m.).

Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles).

Race distance: 300 miles, 200 laps.

Last year: Greg Biffle snapped a 76-race series winless streak, beating Roush Fenway teammate Carl Edwards in a two-lap overtime sprint.

Last week: Kyle Busch won at Auto Club Speedway in California, barely overtaking Biffle out of the final turn in a green-white-checker finish. Danica Patrick was 31st, three laps off the pace, in her second Nationwide race.

Fast facts: Busch, the defending season champion, has 31 series victories to tie Jack Ingram for third place on the career list. Mark Martin tops the list with 48 and Kevin Harvick is second with 34. ... Patrick is making her third straight series start. Her next Nationwide start is set for June 26 in New Hampshire. ... Edwards leads the standings, 24 points ahead of Joey Logano.

Next race: Scotts Turf Builder 300, March 20, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.

On the Net: http://www.nascar.com

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CAMPING WORLD TRUCKS

Next race: Atlanta 200, March 6, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, Ga.

Last race: Timothy Peters won the season opener at Daytona on Feb. 12, passing two-time defending champion Todd Bodine on the final lap.

On the Net: http://www.nascar.com

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NHRA FULL THROTTLE

Next event: NHRA Gatornationals, March 11-14, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.

Last week: Cory McClenathan (Top Fuel) and Jack Beckman (Funny Car) won the rain-delayed NHRA Arizona Nationals on Monday, an event marred by the death Sunday of a fan struck by a tire off a crashing car. The Pro Stock class completed only one round Sunday and the final three rounds were rescheduled for Gainesville.

On the Net: http://www.nhra.com

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OTHER RACES

ARCA RE/MAX SERIES: Tire Kingdom 150, Saturday, Palm Beach International Raceway, Palm Beach, Fla. On the Net: http://www.arcaracing.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS: Sprint Car, Friday, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas. On the Net: http://www.worldofoutlaws.com

U.S. AUTO RACING CLUB: Sprint Car, Thursday, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas; Saturday, Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, Calif. On the Net: http://www.usacracing.com