L.A. Times - Auto Racing

Johnson steps it up and drives it home

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

His unprecedented fourth straight title puts him in some elite company: Gordon, Petty, Earnhardt.

His unprecedented fourth straight title puts him in some elite company: Gordon, Petty, Earnhardt.

Mark Martin seems likely to come up short again in Cup chase

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The driver returned to a full schedule this year in hopes of winning his first championship. But he appears to be in line to finish as the runner-up for the fifth time.

The driver returned to a full schedule this year in hopes of winning his first championship. But he appears to be in line to finish as the runner-up for the fifth time.

Schumacher earns another championship

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:29:00 -0800

He loses semifinal race in NHRA season finale at Pomona but still wins seventh title.

He loses semifinal race in NHRA season finale at Pomona but still wins seventh title.

Jimmie Johnson has another Sprint Cup well in hand

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

He wins NASCAR race at Phoenix, his seventh victory this season, and all but clinches an unprecedented fourth straight Sprint Cup Series season title.

Turns out Jimmie Johnson was right about the lightning.

Kyle Busch burning again after a bad season

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The surly driver for Joe Gibbs Racing has made it to the Chase for the Cup three straight years and was a contender this year, but again fell short of a championship.

Kyle Busch's frustrating season in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series was evident for all to see in Texas when Busch suddenly was nowhere to be seen.

Robert Hight completes unlikely run to funny car championship

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The last one to qualify for the Countdown to One, he locks up title with third-fastest qualifying run at Auto Club Raceway.

Robert Hight capped an unlikely National Hot Rod Assn. championship season with a day to spare at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona on Saturday.

Ashley Force Hood is new face of drag racing

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The 26-year-old daughter of racing legend John Force is a top seller of merchandise licensed by the National Hot Rod Assn. and last year became the first woman to win an NHRA race in Funny Car.

The display of merchandise at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway had something for everyone: Ashley Force dolls, Ashley Force rhinestone-encrusted key chains, Ashley Force neoprene beer coolers.

Jimmie Johnson just wants to forget Texas

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

A crash caused the Hendrick racer to finish 38th last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, and his Sprint Cup points lead was cut to 73 from 184. He hopes to stay atop the standings at Phoenix.

No offense against the Lone Star State, but Jimmie Johnson couldn't wait to stop talking about Texas.

Larry Dixon sets Pomona track record in NHRA top-fuel qualifying

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Record speed of 318.99 mph helps make Dixon the top qualifier for the season-ending NHRA Finals and gives him a one-point lead in the top-fuel standings.

Larry Dixon set a track record at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona and took over the lead in the National Hot Rod Assn. top-fuel standings.

Mark Martin keeps up pressure in Sprint Cup Series

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:03:00 -0800

He trails Jimmie Johnson by 73 points entering the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

What was expected to be Jimmie Johnson's coronation in the desert is back to being a bona fide chase for NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series championship.