AUTO RACING roundup

XFINITY

Busch dominates again in victory

LOUDON, N.H.

Kyle Busch tossed his 2-year-old son in the air during his latest victory lane celebration.

He’s taking baby steps toward catching The King.

Busch dominated yet again to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series race Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

He won for the third time this season and 89th time in his career in the second-tier series. He has 175 career wins over NASCAR’s three national series: Cup (38 wins; 2015 champion); Xfinity (89; 2009 champion); and Truck (48).

“I know a lot of those are the minors, so I’ll take them where I can get ‘em as of right now,” Busch said. “But certainly there’s going to be a lot more wins to be had on Sundays, as well. I’ve got a long road ahead of me, probably.”

Richard Petty is NASCAR’s career leader with 200 wins, all at the Cup level.

Busch started from the pole and wasn’t challenged much late after an early duel with fellow Cup regular Brad Keselowski.

Keselowski led 102 laps but had nothing for Busch down the stretch because of a pit road penalty.

“It is always fun being fast and leading the most laps and all that but we just didn’t put the whole race together,” Keselowski said.

Busch’s No. 18 Toyota was one of just six cars that finished on the lead lap.

Ryan Preece was second, followed by William Byron, Kyle Larson and Keselowski. Larson was scheduled to start today’s Cup race from the pole until his car failed inspection and forced him to the rear of the field.

Series points leader Elliott Sadler was seventh in a race that included a 58-minute rain delay. He has a 45-point lead over Byron.

INDYCAR

Pagenaud has Toronto pole

TORONTO

Simon Pagenaud took the pole Saturday for the IndyCar race today at Exhibition Place.

Pagenaud had a track-record lap of 58.9124 seconds at an average speed of 109.138 mph on the 1.786-mile street course for his first pole of the season and 10th overall.

The Frenchman, the defending series champion who won this this year on the oval in Phoenix, gave Team Penske its eighth pole in 11 races this season.

“It was a really good lap, one of the best I’ve ever put together,” Pagenaud said. “Certainly, there is not much more in it, but the whole qualifying I worked on details and driving. My teammates, they are tremendous, it’s such a good atmosphere when we work together.

“Each practice we talked about how we manage the corners and we keep improving each other. I feel like I really extracted the best out of my car, the best out of my setup today. It’s obviously the most satisfying thing and that is what I’m always seeking for.”

Graham Rahal was second Saturday for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, followed by Penske’s Helio Castroneves and Will Power, and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon. Power won last year.

“Honestly, I think on used tires, it’s probably the best lap I’ve ever put together to put us P2,” Rahal said. “The Penskes looked like they were going to run away with this thing.

“I’m so geeked for this team. These boys have worked so hard and, man, I couldn’t be more proud of them. That was awesome.”

Hometown favorite James Hinchcliffe qualified sixth.

Associated Press