Back-to-back-to-back in NASCAR Truck Series for Ron Hornaday Jr.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPARTA, Ky. — Ron Hornaday Jr. held off a late surge from Mike Skinner to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck race Saturday at Kentucky Speedway, the third consecutive victory for the series points leader.

Hornaday, a three-time series champion, became the first driver to win twice in the 10-year history of the Built Ford Tough 225. He previously won in 2006 at the 11‚Ñ2-mile track in northern Kentucky.

By winning from the pole position, Hornaday snapped what had been a surprising streak in the race. A winner had never started from the front row.

Hornaday’s fourth victory of the season extended his points lead to 96 over Matt Crafton, who finished third Saturday despite constant visits to pit row with various problems.

Eight different drivers led at some point, but the biggest threat to Hornaday’s lead late was Skinner, who qualified 19th and was still running fifth with 10 laps left.

Skinner didn’t lead any laps, but he gained rapid ground on Hornaday in the stretch, trailing him by 0.136 seconds.

The race was delayed for seven cautions, including three times in the last 20 laps, half of which were run under the caution flag.

There were 11 lead changes, with Hornaday, who also won the 2006 race in Kentucky, taking it for good with 18 to go. He said afterward that he didn’t have the fastest truck but likely benefited by timely cautions that slowed the race down.

Brian Scott, who started second, took the lead early on his second lap around the track and held on for 28 consecutive laps. However, his chances were derailed minutes later when he cut his right front tire against the wall and spun into Stacy Compton, sending the race into its first caution. Scott finished sixth.

Nationwide

Saturday night’s Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250, at Gateway International Raceway in Madsion, Ill., was not completed in time for today’s edition.

NHRA

KENT, Wash. — Tony Pedregon capped off an impressive two days of qualifying with a 4.174-second pass at a top speed of 291.13 mph on Saturday at the NHRA Northwest Nationals to earn his third No. 1 of the season in Funny Car.

The other No. 1 qualifiers for Sunday’s eliminations at the 14th race in the 24-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season were Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock).

Pedregon, currently in third place behind Ron Capps and Ashley Force Hood, was the overnight leader and he improved on a 4.182 from Friday night with the 4.174 in the first session on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Capps, who had two aborted qualifying runs on Friday, moved up to the No. 6 position with a 4.245.

In Top Fuel, second-place Dixon’s 3.891 at 302.21 from Friday held up through both rounds of qualifying Saturday for his fourth No. 1 qualifier this season.

Atlantic Championship

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Simona De Silvestro extended her lead in the Atlantic Championship point standings with her third victory of the season. The 20-year-old started from the pole position at Lime Rock Park in the No. 78 Team Stargate Worlds entry. She led every lap en route to a 10.004-second victory over John Edwards.