Jimmie Johnson Gets First Victory of the Season, Kurt Busch has Memorable Day

Posted on Author WKVI
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Patriotic Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

It had been since November at Texas Motor Speedway when Jimmie Johnson last saw Victory Lane but he familiarized himself with the routine when he won Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The 2013 champion started the race from the pole and his determination didn’t waiver until he was the first to see the checkered flag. A late-race caution helped stack up the field and it was Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon at the point with 17 laps left in the 400-lap race. Kenseth was able to power to the front while Gordon slipped back and Johnson capitalized on Gordon’s change of track position.

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The Indy 500 Weekend is Here!

Posted on Author WKVI

The Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, but activities have been ongoing for a month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Qualifying occurred for the 33 drivers involved in the event last week which found Ed Carpenter with the top speed. He will start on the pole position the 98th running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. This is the second consecutive time he’ll begin in the first position for the Indy 500.

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Kurt Busch Finds Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway

Posted on Author WKVI
Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Haas Automation Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2014 in Martinsville, Virginia. Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Haas Automation Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2014 in Martinsville, Virginia. Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

In a surprise move late last season, Gene Haas, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, brought Kurt Busch into the fold with Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick and newcomer Kevin Harvick. It was questioned by most, but Busch proved that he’s found his home at Stewart-Haas Racing with the win in the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

Martinsville Speedway is often dominated by Hendrick Motorsports drivers with current drivers Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon with eight wins apiece at the track. Johnson led the most laps in Sunday’s race but couldn’t seal the deal in the last 30 laps of the race. Johnson clearly had a dominant car with everyone chasing him down throughout most of the afternoon. He led 296 laps on the day.

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Kurt Busch Will Run Both Indy and Charlotte Races on Same Day

Posted on Author WKVI
Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch

Two months ago, he was only 70% sure he was going to run in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca Cola 600, but it was made 100% official today.

Kurt Busch will be running in both races on May 25. Busch will be racing for Andretti Autosport in the Indy 500 and then jump into his stock car that night to participate in the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway for Stewart-Haas Racing.

Busch joins his boss Tony Stewart, plus John Andretti and Robby Gordon as the only drivers to compete in both races in the same day.

Tony Stewart last attempted the double in 2001 where he finished 6th in the Indy 500 and finished 3rd that night in the Coca Cola 600.