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Fallen TV cable at Charlotte NASCAR event injures 10 fans

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Motor Speedway said 10 fans were injured Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600 and three of them were taken to the hospital after a nylon rope supporting a Fox Sports overhead television camera fell from the grandstands and landed on the …

Tony Kanaan wins Indianapolis 500 on 12th attempt

INDIANAPOLIS — Tony Kanaan, whose Brickyard career had been marked by disappointment, finally broke through on Sunday, when he won the 97th Indianapolis 500.

Kanaan had notched six top 10 finishes in his previous 11 starts, and had led the most laps among active drivers …

Graham Rahal earns racing stripes before driving for pop Bobby

INDIANAPOLIS — Unlike Chicago politicians who think government is their family business, Bobby Rahal thinks the next generation should earn its spurs — even in a family business. When his son, Graham, showed a passion for auto racing, the 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner wanted him …

Fuzzy Zoeller on Sergio-Tiger feud: ‘who cares?’

INDIANAPOLIS — It has been quite a week for Fuzzy Zoeller. First, Ed Carpenter puts the car sponsored by Fuzzy’s Premium Vodka on the pole for the 97th Indianapolis 500. Then Sergio Garcia makes a remark about Tiger Woods and fried chicken, a comment similar …

One-man gang Ed Carpenter nails down Indy 500 pole

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis 500 is a Memorial Day tradition. But Ed Carpenter made a declaration of independents on Saturday when he captured the pole for this year’s race. By holding off the Andretti and Penske juggernauts in a nine-car shootout, Carpenter, who operates his …

Andretti drivers get on the gas during rain-shortened Fast Friday

INDIANAPOLIS — Bolstered by the 40-50 mph boost in horsepower they were given for Fast Friday, Indianapolis 500 racers got down to the business of dialing in their cars for qualifying for Pole Day on Saturday. As expected, speeds increased by 4-5 mph. It also …

Call before Dick Trickle’s death warned ‘there would be a dead body’

CONCORD, N.C. — There is that lasting image of Dick Trickle in the Winston 500 lighting up a cigarette while driving his stock car with his knees during a caution lap. He places the cigarette through a hole he carved in his helmet for a …

NASCAR: As Chase action opens in Joliet, Toyota’s chances look good

Is NASCAR nation ready for a Sprint Cup champion affiliated with a foreign automaker? ‘‘I think they need to be,’’ Martin Truex Jr. said, ‘‘because there is a pretty good chance of it happening this year.’’ Truex is one of three Toyota drivers in the …

Danica Patrick lifts Daytona 500 TV ratings

NEW YORK — With Danica Patrick starting from the pole, the Daytona 500’s television ratings were much higher than last year’s. Sunday afternoon’s race earned a 9.9 rating and 22 share on Fox, the network said Tuesday. That’s up 24 percent from 2012, when rain …

Johnson wins second Daytona 500; Patrick finishes 8th

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson has won his second Daytona 500, racing past defending NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski on the final restart, while Danica Patrick finished eighth.

At least 33 fans injured after massive car wreck at Nationwide race in Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — At least 33 fans were injured Saturday during a NASCAR race when a car flew into the fence at Daytona International Speedway, hurling a tire and large pieces of debris into the stands. The accident happened on the last lap of …

Debris from fiery crash at NASCAR race injures at least 30 fans

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A last-lap accident during the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday at Daytona International Speedway sent rookie Kyle Larson’s car sailing into the fence that separates the track from the seats, and large chunks of Larson’s car landed in the grandstands. The car itself had its entire front end sheared off, with a piece of burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence.

Danica Patrick admits to relationship with fellow driver

Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confirmed Friday they are in a romantic relationship while preparing to race each other at 200 mph every week for Sprint Cup rookie of the year. Patrick and her Stewart-Haas Racing team didn’t respond immediately to requests for comment. …

Jeff Gordon defends NASCAR fight with Clint Bowyer

Jeff Gordon was fed up with Clint Bowyer and decided the final laps of Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway was a good time to take out a season’s worth of frustration. Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer’s No. 15 Toyota late in the AdvoCare …