NASCAR doesn’t make any big changes in ’12 Sprint Cup slate

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

NASCAR made no major changes to the 2012 Sprint Cup Series schedule aside from flipping a few race dates and moving the start of the season back one week.

The Daytona 500 opens the season Feb. 26, one week later than usual. NASCAR had to schedule 38 races over 40 weeks because of the later start to the season.

Kansas Speedway had its race moved from June to April to accommodate a plan to pave the track.

Talladega Superspeedway’s race in April was moved to May, and it’s October date was pushed up earlier in the month so Kansas had more time for its paving project.

The first race at Dover was moved back to May after a few years of running in June.

Because of when July 4 falls, Kentucky Speedway’s date was moved up to the week before Daytona instead of the week after.

Kenseth’s wife crashes

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Matt Kenseth looked down the track, fear sweeping over him. His wife had crashed while practicing for a charity race that was supposed to be little more than an easy ride.

“I had a really sick feeling in my gut she was hurt really bad,” Kenseth said.

Katie Kenseth broke her shoulder blade when she wrecked the Bandolero car she was driving Monday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 2003 NASCAR champion was at the track coaching his wife. He sprinted down pit road to help her.

He said he had looked away briefly and missed how the accident began. By the time he spotted her on the track, the car was headed right into the wall. He said Katie braked at the last second, causing the car to spin and back into the wall.

“She was aimed head-on into the wall going really fast and it was going to be really, really bad,” Kenseth said. “When she crashed I was over 90 percent sure she was hurt because I’ve never seen a little car crash that hard. So I was really thankful that car spun around.”