Truex Tames Monster Mile For First Win
Martin Truex Jr. picked up his first Nextel Cup victory in 58 career races by dominating the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover International Speedway on Monday. Truex led a total 216 laps of 400 and broke the Hendrick Motorsports string of five straight wins in the new car.

The race was delayed because of rain in the area on Sunday, leaving the track without any rubber -- so NASCAR -- for the first time in my memory -- called for two competition cautions to check tire wear. The cars that were setup properly, and Truex apparently had one of those, had fewer problems with the tires. Pole sitter Ryan Newman led the early part of the race and finished second with Carl Edwards in the third spot. Denny Hamlin was fourth followed by Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon and Robby Gordon to round out the top ten.

On lap 275, Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart started playing bumper tag. It appeared that the two drivers made contact several times, and Busch dove below Stewart to make a pass, and then tried to slide back up in front of Stewart. The only problem was Busch wasn't by Stewart and Stewart wasn't going to let him have the spot. The stubbornness of each driver put both cars into the wall. Then as Stewart was stopped in his pit stall, Busch pull alongside Stewart, stopped and started screaming at him.

NASCAR ejected Busch from the race on the spot and everyone involved, including both crew chiefs, were summoned to the NASCAR trailer for consultation. The Nextel Cup Series moves to Pocono Raceway next Sunday, June 10th, for the Pocono 500. The race begins at 2 p.m. EDT with live, high-definition coverage provided by TNT.
To read the full article...     (Insider Racing News)
For full final race results...     (Insider Racing News)
For top-40 Nextel Cup drivers points...     (Insider Racing News)

End Of An Era: Bill France Jr. Dies
Bill France Jr., President of NASCAR from 1972 to 2000, has passed away on Monday at approximately 1:00 p.m Eastern time. France had passed on control of NASCAR to his son Brian at in 2003. After serving as vice-president for six years, he became the head of NASCAR when his father Bill France, Sr. retired on January 10, 1972. France turned the presidency of NASCAR over to Mike Helton in 2000 after being diagnosed with cancer. He made his son Brian France the CEO and chairman of NASCAR in 2003. Bill France Jr. remained a member of the six person NASCAR board of directors.

The France family continues to own NASCAR outright, and has a controlling interest in race track operator International Speedway Corporation. France Jr. continued as chairman of the board of ISC, until his death. His daughter Lesa France Kennedy is ISC's president. It was reported by Mike Joy during the Autism Speaks 400 that Bill France Jr. had died peacefully around 1:00 in the afternoon at the age of 74 from cancer. More to follow.

Statement From NASCAR On Bill France Jr.'s Passing
NASCAR Vice Chairman William C. France, whose leadership helped turn a family-owned company into a national phenomenon, died today at his home in Daytona Beach, Fla. at the age of 74. France served as NASCAR’s president from 1972-2000, taking over from his father, NASCAR founder William H.G. “Big Bill” France.

• In 2000, France – known as “Bill Jr.” – became NASCAR’s CEO and the chairman of the newly created NASCAR Board of Directors.

• In October 2003, the torch was again passed, with France’s son Brian France taking over as Chairman and CEO. France became Vice Chairman at that time, whereupon his influence and input remained considerable – and valuable.

• “He had a remarkable career and an even-more remarkable life,” said Brian France. “Words cannot express how much he’ll be missed by myself and the rest of our family and by the NASCAR industry overall.”

• Mike Helton became NASCAR’s president in 2000. He was the third president in the sport’s history and the first not named France.

• “Coming in, I had two big pairs of shoes to fill,” Helton said, talking about Bill Sr. and Bill Jr. “I was more familiar with Bill Jr.’s way of doing business but that didn’t make it any easier. He blazed so many trails for our sport. He was determined to follow the vision of his father while also expanding on that vision. Over nearly four decades, he did a masterful job.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Kenseth To Fund Son's Racing
The matter of NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth funding his son's racing finally gets ironed out. The 2003 Winston Cup champion and Ross's mom have been going at it -- through their attorneys, of course -- to reach a financial agreement to keep 14 year-old Ross, who has been racing--and winning -- since the age of 3, in a set of wheels.

After a yearlong battle, the former couple have finally inked a deal to cover Ross's racing expenses separate from their previous paternity/child support arrangement, which remains intact and unchanged.

Voilà! Ross, who just graduated from the 8th grade with honors, is now the driver of a new late model team! He's already had his first practice and will be announcing his schedule soon. First things first on Ross's agenda, hang out with dad this weekend and watch him score his second consecutive win at Dover International Raceway.(sports.aol.com)