Monday, February 26, 2007
What debris? Jimmie Johnson held a lead of more than two seconds over Matt Kenseth -- and growing -- when NASCAR threw a caution for debris on the backstretch with 24 laps left in the Auto Club 500 Nextel Cup race Sunday at California Speedway. At least in the minds of the leaders, the debris was nowhere to be found. "Bull," Kenseth radioed his crew chief Chip Bolin. "All that is, is entertainment." Johnson agreed. "I had a comfortable two-second lead, and we had a caution come out for debris," he said after the race. "I don't think they've found the debris yet."
Engine troubles for DEI: It's too early to tell whether the debut of unleaded fuel in Cup racing took its toll on engines Sunday, but Dale Earnhardt Inc. certainly had its share of troubles early in the race. As Kasey Kahne led the field to the line for a restart on Lap 13, Martin Truex Jr.'s engine expired, dropping him from fifth in the running order to a 42nd-place finish. On Lap 68, teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. went to the garage after his engine soured.
Flat tire KOs Harvick: Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick was running second and gaining on race leader Kenseth before David Reutimann's crash stopped the action under a red flag on Lap 243. But as the cars were rolling under caution preparing for a restart on Lap 247, Harvick cut his left front tire and had to pit as Kenseth raced away under green. It was the second straight day a flat tire had foiled Harvick.
Wire reports
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