The WING Racing Report

Sad News - Dan Wheldon: Dan Wheldon, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 winner and one of the most popular drivers in open-wheel racing, died Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in a horrific multi-car crash only 11 laps into the IndyCar Series season finale. Officials decided to call the race, but the drivers did a five-lap tribute to Wheldon. IndyCar Series CEORandy Bernard made the officials announcmeent of Wheldon's death without further comment. "IndyCar is very sad to announce that Dan Wheldon has passed away from unsurvivable injuries," Bernard said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family today. IndyCar, its drivers and owners, have decided to end the race. In honor of Dan Wheldon, the drivers have decided to do a five-lap salute to in his honor." Wheldon, 33 and the 2005 series champion from Emberton, England, was competing in only his third IndyCar race of the season, trying to win the event and earn a $5 million bonus that was part of a league promotion for drivers who didn't compete full-time in the series this year.(ESPN)(10-16-2011)

Matt Kenseth wins the Sprint Cup race at Charlotte: #17 Matt Kenseth won the “Bank of America 500” Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway for his 21st career win and 3rd of the season. #18 Kyle Busch finished 2nd followed by #99 Carl Edwards, #4 Kasey Kahne, #9 Marcos Ambrose, #29 Kevin Harvick, #43 A.J. Allmendinger, #14 Tony Stewart (the pole sitter), #11 Denny Hamlin, and #39 Ryan Newman. While running in the top 10, #48 Jimmie Johnson got loose and wrecked himself with 17 laps to go. He finished 34th.     
#99 Carl Edwards now leads the Chase by 5 points over #29 Kevin Harvick.
There were 16 lead changes among 10 drivers and 8 cautions for 34 yellow flag laps.

2011 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Chase Points Standings:
[after Charlotte, race 31 of 36 and Chase race 5 of 10]                  
1) #99-Carl Edwards [1 win], 2203
2) #29-Kevin Harvick [4 wins], 2198, -5
3) #17-Matt Kenseth [3 wins], 2196, -7
4) #18-Kyle Busch [4 wins], 2185, -18
5) #14-Tony Stewart [2 wins], 2179, -24
6) #2-Brad Keselowski [3 wins], 2178, -25
7) #22-Kurt Busch [2 wins], 2176, -27
8) #48-Jimmie Johnson [2 wins], 2168, -35
9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [0 wins], 2143, -60
10) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 2142, -61
11) #24-Jeff Gordon [3 wins], 2137, -66
12) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win], 2017, -86

Carl Edwards wins the Nationwide Series race at Charlotte: #60 Carl Edwards won the “Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage” at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He took the lead with five laps to go and held off #18 Kyle Busch for his 8th win of the season. The rest of the top 10: #16 Trevor Bayne, #2 Elliott Sadler (who won the $100,000 Nationwide Dash 4 Cash), #11 Brian Scott, #22 Brad Keselowski, #31 Justin Allgaier, #33 Paul Menard, #6 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and #32 Brian Vickers. There were 7 cautions for 31 laps and 11 lead changes among 7 leaders.

Nationwide Series Driver standings following Charlotte:
1) #6-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 1100                                      
2) #2-Elliott Sadler 1085 -15
3) #88-Aric Almirola 1013 -87
4) #31-Justin Allgaier 1009 -91
5) #82-Reed Sorenson 1006 -94
6) #30-Jason Leffler 949 -151
7) #09-Kenny Wallace 894 -206
8) #11-Brian Scott 877 -223
9) #66-Steve Wallace 870 -230
10) #62-Michael Annett 859 -241

Ron Hornaday wins the Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas: #2 Ron Hornaday Jr. hung on to the lead following a restart with 8 laps remaining, to pick up the win for the “Smith's 350” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This is his second win in a row, his first at Las Vegas, and his 51st career overall. #88 Matt Crafton finished second. Rounding out the top ten were; #17 Timothy Peters, #13 Johnny Sauter, #5 Todd Bodine, #8 Nelson Piquet Jr., #19 David Mayhew, #60 Cole Whitt, #62 Brendan Gaughan, #29 Parker Kligerman. The driver points standings race tightened up significantly as both #3 Austin Dillon and #31 James Buescher were involved in incidents where they sustained significant damage with both ending the race several laps down. #3 Dillon finished 17th,15 laps down, however still holds a five point lead over second place #13 Johnny Sauter. #31 James Buescher finished 21st and dropped to third in the standings; seven markers out of first place. There were 8 lead changes among 5 drivers, with 10 caution flags for 44 laps.

Camping World Truck Series Driver Point Standings:

1) #3-Austin Dillon, 731                                                
2) #13-Johnny Sauter, 726 -5
3) #31-James Buescher, 724 -7
4) #2-Ron Hornaday Jr., 710 -21
5) #17-Timothy Peters, 706 -25
6) #88-Matt Crafton, 673 -58
7) #5-Todd Bodine, 671 -60
8) #60-Cole Whitt, 668 -63
9) #22-Joey Coulter, 656 -75
10) #29-Parker Kligerman, 642 -89