Late Pass Gives Kenseth Win in Texas

Matt Kenseth took the lead from Bobby Hamilton Jr. before a caution flag with six laps left, and went on to win the NASCAR Busch Series O’Reilly 300 Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

As Kenseth was passing under Hamilton in the third turn on the 195th lap, Tracy Hines spun on the front-stretch, taking out Kasey Kahne.

By the time the caution came out and the field was frozen, Kenseth had completed the pass in his Ford. NASCAR reviewed replays to confirm the pass the gave Kenseth his first lead.

After a red flag, Kenseth was strong on the restart with three laps left and went on to his 15th Busch Series victory. His average speed was 126.865 mph, and he finished ahead of pole-sitter Kyle Busch in a Chevrolet.

“I had a really pushing car all day, I’m surprised we won it,” said Kenseth, who won a Cup race at Texas two years ago. “It’s always cool to win in Texas.”

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Michael Schumacher won his third consecutive pole of the season, overcoming heat, sand and dust in qualifying for the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir.

The six-time Formula One champion was timed in 1 minute 30.139 seconds in his Ferrari on the new 3.4-mile Bahrain International Circuit. He has 58 career poles and is closing in on Ayrton Senna’s record of 65.

Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello was second at 1:30.530 on a day when track temperatures were around 122 degrees.

From Associated Press

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For the first time in its six-year history, Irwindale Speedway will play host to its regular Saturday card Sunday, after late-afternoon rain washed out the feature races. All tickets will be honored today at the gates, which will open at noon.

Before the rains came, Kevin O’Neill earned the pole by setting a single-lap record in the Super Late Model series by qualifying in a time of 17.967 seconds, the equivalent of 101.027 mph.

-- Tony Solorzano