Hamlin hopes title race down to speed

Denny Hamlin hopes Sunday's Sprint Cup series season-finale doesn't turn into a fuel-saving race to victory and the title, following last week's event at Phoenix.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver currently leads the Chase by 15 points over reigning champion Jimmie Johnson, heading into the title showdown at Homestead this weekend.

Hamlin's margin to the Hendrick driver though could have been a lot healthier had his dominance transpired in the final results of last week's event at Phoenix, where he led nearly two thirds of the distance before fuel efficiency came into play and cost him a bundle of points.

Hamlin wound up finishing only 12th last week and lost out to Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick, who both closed the gap on him in the driver standings as a consequence.

The 30-year-old hopes next Sunday's finale allows performance and speed to be the deciding factors rather than fuel economy tactics, as he cherishes his first real shot at NASCAR's top trophy.

"Realistically we'll probably have the worst fuel mileage of these other two guys [Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick] but we'll have to take the speed," said Hamlin. "Hopefuly things work out for us and if they don't, we'll work on our whole program next year.

"I'm in a good situation because if we go out there and do what we've done all year and perform, then it's up to them to go out there and better us. We don't have to beat one of these guys by a certain ammount of positions. We have to just stay ahead and that's it. That's not going to be an easy fit, we know that, but we have the speed to do that."

Last year Hamlin took victory in the season-finale at Homestead, which means he has won nine out of the last 36 points races, a quarter of the events held over the past 12 months in the Sprint Cup series.

He believes his record at the mile-and-a-half track, shows he's got what it takes to defend his position in the standings and claim his first Sprint Cup title on Sunday.

Hamlin has three top-five finishes in five starts at Homestead, finishing down in 33rd place on his first race at the track, while two years ago he was only 13th at the finish-line as Carl Edwards won by saving enough fuel in the last stint, just as he did last week at Phoenix.

"I think for us, it's about going out and performing like we have every Homestead race I've ever ran," said Hamlin. "The two bad finishes I do have is my very first start at Homestead in 2005. I got caught up in someone else's wreck.

"The other was a fuel mileage race. Every other time we've been in the top three.

"I actually remember just about every year Kevin [Harvick] is right there with us at the end of the race. So I know he runs well there. So for me, just go out there and pretend that I got to win the race. That's all there is.

"I'm in a good spot knowing that I just have - I can control my own destiny and not have to worry about anything else. If we win the race, it's a moot point."

Hamlin may become the first driver to win a Sprint Cup title for a foreign manufacturer, as Toyota has still to win a championship at NASCAR's top level, having won already both in the Trucks and Nationwide series.

Di Maria clinches Real dealHamlin: Pressure is on Johnson

Pastrana to make NASCAR switch

Travis Pastrana will compete in the second tier NASCAR Nationwide Series next year, driving for the newly-formed Pastrana-Waltrip Racing.

Pastrana, a multiple X-Games freestyle motocross gold medallist and Rally America champion, is set to attempt success in America's most popular form of motorsport.

He will race a Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota in seven Nationwide events next year, followed by 20 more in 2012.

"I've been following NASCAR closely for years as a fan, with competing in the sport a life-long dream," said Pastrana. "I decided it was time to try and turn that dream into reality and, with the help of the Bechtel family, Michael Waltrip Racing and Wasserman Media Group, I'm now one step closer."

The 27-year-old, who will be co-owner of Pastrana-Waltrip Racing, is expected to engage into an intensive transition programme to stock car racing, which is set to include races in the lower-level NASCAR Pro Series East over the next two seasons, alongside his Nationwide Series campaign.

Pastrana and his team expect their apprenticeship will allow the American racer to be ready to compete in the 2013 Daytona 500.

Michael Waltrip hopes Pastrana's arrival will boost NASCAR audiences and attract a younger demographic, an area where the series has struggled in recent years.

"Travis has built an enormous and unique following all over the world," Waltrip said. "As a race team owner, we are always looking for ways to deliver to our partners and engage our fans better. This is an opportunity to showcase our company and our sport to a new generation of young fans.

"We're also looking for that next big star. Travis already is one and action sports is full of talented athletes. Having Travis as a part of our programme adds another great dimension to our team and to NASCAR."

Pastrana, a Red Bull-backed athlete, has achieved success in the US in his transition to four-wheels, including gold medals in the X-Games in rallying.

Ricky Carmichael, a former motocross champion, made the switch to NASCAR two years ago and currently competes full time in the Truck Series.

Nadal set for Mallorca roleKeselowski wins Nationwide title

Harvick relishing underdog role

Kevin Harvick says he is currently under no pressure as he enters the penultimate race of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season third in the points and within striking distance of leader Denny Hamlin.

The Richard Childress Racing driver arrives at Phoenix, a track where he has won twice in the past, only 59 points behind Hamlin and 33 adrift of reigning champion Jimmie Johnson.

While most of the focus on the title battle has been on the top two contenders, who have won 14 races between them this year, Harvick is currently enjoying his 'outsider' chance and hopes to make the most of it as he continues to run his best championship Chase ever.

"I feel excited just for the fact that the worst we can finish in the points is third," Harvick said. "We have two great race tracks for us and we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Whatever it takes to gain is what you do on the race track and what you do off the race track.

"There's really nothing else that matters at this point. Just throw it all out there and if it gets rough, it gets rough - if it doesn't then we just go race and see where it all falls in the end. It's still a no pressure, no lose situation for us and I like it.

"I like coming from behind. I like when people write us off - it's kind of like how everybody's been my whole career. You just go out there and it's fun to come up and see everybody after that."

Harvick, who led most of the regular season ahead of the Chase, believes he and his team have surpassed their own expectations this year as they continue to perform at their peak in the final 10 races. With the gaps so slim in the standings, he reckons it is going to take wins in the final two weekends of the season in order to have a true shot at becoming this year's champion.

"When you get in these positions and you're racing like the three of us are racing right now, you just exceed the expectations that everybody sets for you a lot of the times, which is what we've done," Harvick said. "You just get in this incredible zone and the team's incredibly focused on making the cars good and everybody is just performing at the top of their game in these situations. It's hard to make up ground, but when you have three guys in the middle of it then you can't – there's no defence.

"I think when you get ahead then you can play a little bit of defence to be competitive or use strategy. With everything so close, it's all offense. The tone has kind of been set that anything less than probably winning a race or two in the next two weeks – you're going to have to go take it.

"I think all three teams are capable of performing. Denny did it last week – he went out and took it at the end of that race and I think over the next two weeks, it's going to be who takes that control and there's no room for defense. If somebody's going to go out and win the race, you're going to lose points. You just have to go on offense and take, take, take."

Nadal set for Mallorca roleHarvick: Title fight down to top five

Busch offers Kanaan Truck drive

Kyle Busch has revealed that he has tried to persuade IndyCar star Tony Kanaan to move to NASCAR and drive for his Truck Series team next year.

Busch is about to finish his debut season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he has won seven out of 14 races he has entered, driving his own #18 Toyota Tundra. Next week at Homestead he could clinch the owners' title, as his truck is leading those standings.

Kanaan is currently looking for a drive for next year following the announcement of his departure from Andretti Autosport, the team he won the IndyCar Series title with back in 2004. He is expected to test with De Ferran Dragon Motorsports at Sebring next week, but he still needs sponsorship to secure a drive for 2011.

Speaking at Phoenix International Raceway on Friday, Busch said he considers Kanaan a friend and expects to hear from him regarding an offer he made to the Brazilian to drive one of Kyle Busch Motorsports' trucks in 2011, which Busch suggested could lead to a progressive switch to stock car racing over the next two seasons.

"I've had a conversation with Tony about it on whether he's interested or not. He's yet to kind of come back to me with anything," said Busch. "I told him that with Toyota support and with the support of the Truck series I think it would be kind of fun to see him. We've seen it with Danica [Patrick] and Dario [Franchitti], some of those guys who have come over and given it a try.

"I feel like it's no different than a young driver. Tony Kanaan having all the experience he has with going 230mph or whatever it is in [IndyCar] can come to NASCAR, but yet start small. Start in the Truck Series, start with a good team where you can do some testing.

"[We could] test him a little bit, get his feet wet. Get him in some good equipment, go out there and run some races and get some experience maybe next year and maybe 2012 go on in a full year. That's kind of what I explained to him, so whether or not he wants to do that or venture down this pathway I respect his decision to stay in [IndyCar], that's where he's made his bread and butter and that's where he's really good.

"If that's where he decides to stay, that's good for him."

Next year Italian Max Papis, formerly an IndyCar racer and rival of Kanaan, is set to drive full-time in the Truck series as he continues to pursue a career in NASCAR.

Patrick enters first four 2011 roundsHammers lead Barrera chase

Kyle Busch fined for gesture at Texas

Kyle Busch has been further penalised for making an obscene gesture to a NASCAR official during Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was fined US $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until the end of the year in addition to the penalty given to him during Sunday's event.

Busch was held for two laps in the pits after gesturing with his left hand to an official while serving a penalty for speeding in the pits. He had just been involved in an incident on the track where he had been spun by another car, and while beating the pace car to the timing line following repairs, he went beyond the allowed speed limit.

Having apologized already on Sunday, Busch reiterated his regret about his actions and accepted NASCAR's ruling.

"I accept NASCAR's penalty and realise what I did during Sunday's race at Texas was inappropriate," Busch said in a statement. "Even in my relatively short time here in NASCAR, it's pretty obvious to everyone that I wear my emotions on my sleeve.

"Sometimes that passion has allowed me to find that little something extra I needed to win, and other times it's made me cross the line.

"Sunday at Texas was one of those days. I lost my cool, plain and simple. It's not acceptable, and I know that. I apologise to NASCAR, its fans, all the partners who support Joe Gibbs Racing, and all the people who work so hard to give me a racecar that's capable of winning races every week.

"All of those people deserve better from me, and I owe it to them to keep my emotions in check."

Busch is currently seventh in the Sprint Cup standings, while team-mate Denny Hamlin leads the Chase over reigning champion Jimmie Johnson with only two races remaining.

Palop commits to SevillaBusch apologises for obscene gesture

Busch apologises for obscene gesture

Kyle Busch apologised to his team and NASCAR after making an obscene gesture to an official following a penalty during Sunday's race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Busch ran strongly in the early going until he got spun by another car on lap 160, suffering damage to his car's bodywork and requiring repairs in the pits.

His crew worked on the car in the pits under the caution, releasing Busch right before being lapped by the field, but while driving out of his pitbox and beating the pace car to the scoring line he was caught speeding, causing him to be held in the pits for one lap as a punishment.

As he served his penalty he made a hand gesture to the official standing in front of his car to show his disagreement with the decision, an action that was caught live on TV by the onboard camera in his car.

"I'm sorry I lost my cool to everybody on this team, to everybody at NASCAR and all of my guys that support me," said Busch. "It's just so frustrating the way that you have such a fast race car and then you get spun out and you don't expect to lose your cool, I guess.

"I lost my cool in what I was doing and I had no worries about a camera inside the car at that point."

The Joe Gibbs racer lamented losing the chance to score a good result that would've moved him up in the standings as some of his closest contenders hit trouble later during the event. NASCAR officials handed him an additional penalty for his gesture, holding him in the pits for two more laps to put him three laps down on the race leader.

He eventually got one of the laps back, but only managed 32nd place in the end.

"I got spun out and just everything else went downhill from there," said Busch. "Through the whole day we had a really fast race car and the guys gave me a great race car that was fast, that was capable of winning, but it's just unfortunate that I tried pulling back and getting down to the bottom lane and I got spun out in doing that.

"Where I had another guy earlier in the race do that to me and I let him in. You get spun out and wrecked like that and you're not supposed to lose your cool...? I mean, hello!

"I came down pitroad and we got the right side [tyres] changed and then tried to get back out there. I wasn't trying to speed, but apparently I must've been a couple lights over or something like that on my tach where it was just a small speeding penalty, but it wasn't intentional.

"Obviously, I got the penalty for that and then the ensuing ones later. I apologise to all of my guys for letting them down and for getting so behind today that we could never make it up."

Busch could yet face further penalties for the gesture he made to the official in pitlane.

Johnson has tough Chase startPalop commits to Sevilla

Gordon furious with Burton after crash

Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton got into a physical confrontation in the aftermath of an on-track incident at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday.

The four-time champion finished his race hard against the Turn 2 wall at the Fort Worth track on lap 191, after getting hit from behind by Richard Childress Racing's Burton when the pair were running inside the top 20 and just after the seventh caution of the day had waved for an incident involving Martin Truex Jr.

Gordon got out of his stricken #24 Chevy, and slowly walked towards Burton, who seemed to be waiting to talk to him. However, Gordon shoved the RCR driver and then grabbed him until officials intervened to split the pair, avoiding further physical contact between them.

Both were then driven back to the track's infield care centre in the same ambulance for compulsory medical checks, Gordon later saying later that he did not like having to listen to his rival attempting to explain what led to their crash, as he tried to regain his composure while still fuming over the incident.

"I was walking toward him and I started going through all the scenarios in my mind," said Gordon. "Thankfully I had a long walk down there to him because I thought about the least amount that I wanted to do. I wanted to show him how upset I was but I wanted to do a whole lot more than that.

"But I held back and I'm just still in disbelief; I didn't want to be in the ambulance with him, I can tell you that. But we got in there. I like Jeff. He's a guy that's usually very rational and I respect his opinion. He apologised and said it was his fault. He said he didn't mean to do it and whatever. It's over."

The Hendrick driver showed his anger at Burton as he believes the incident was intentional, arising from an incident earlier in the race while battling for position. He says he has lost some respect for one of the drivers he least expected to have such an incident with.

"We went down into [Turn] 3. He went wide going in. I got to the inside of him and there were four car-widths between us and he drove from the wall all the way down to me; almost in the second groove up," said Gordon.

"I didn't understand why and so the caution came out and we went down into [Turn] 1 and I just drove up next to him. I didn't even touch him. And I don't know, I guess he was just really frustrated with the way his car was handling or something and he just drove into my right rear and put me in the wall under caution.

"Of all the people out there, I never thought that would happen to Jeff Burton and me. I've always has a tremendous amount of respect for him. But I certainly lost a lot of respect today."

Burton took full blame for the incident but failed to clearly explain why he ended up driving into the back of Gordon which put both of their cars into the wall and out of contention.

While Gordon was unable to rejoin, Burton's crew was able to repair his car, allowing him to complete a few more laps in the closing stages of the race.

"I went to pull up next to him to acknowledge him, to say he was right and I turned left and he was turning left and we just hung up," said Burton. "When we hung, off we went. I honestly don't know what happened. It was my fault. 100 per cent it was my fault.

"It was like once we got together, I couldn't get off him. I didn't mean to hit him. I meant to pull up to him and tell him he was right because he was upset with me for what happened off Turn 4. I should have let him go.

"You can't see off there right but you can't see over there right now. You don't need to be side-by-side. I don't blame him for being mad. I'd have been mad too."

The RCR veteran also said he understood Gordon's reactions and his physical aggression after the incident.

"He didn't do anything that he shouldn't have done. He was upset and he should have been upset," said Burton. "I wrecked him under caution. I didn't mean to wreck him but I wrecked him under caution. He meant to tell me he was upset and that was OK. I don't have a bit of problem with what he did. He was mad. He should have been mad."

While Gordon, who was already all but out of contention for the title, dropped two places in the standings down to sixth, Burton is now last among the Chase contenders with two races left in the championship.

Despite the nature of the incident, which caused a stir in the grandstands at Texas Motor Speedway, no penalties are expected to be levied against either driver.

Once Gordon was out of the race, his pit crew went to service Jimmie Johnson's car for the rest of the event, as the reigning champion's team had been struggling with poor pitstops for most of the afternoon.

DuPont extends Gordon’s relationship