The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page C13

HOMESTEAD, Fla. Apparently, Jimmie car so bad after all. Johnson rebounded from the worst qualifying effort of his career with two strong practices yesterday ahead of the season-ending Nextel Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The No. 48 Chevrolet was the second fastest car of the day, proving that Johnson should have little trouble moving through the field from his 39th starting position.

He heads into the race second in the standings, trailing Kurt Busch by 18 points. yesterday, having a good day today, refreshing to feel that competitive nature again and know going to go down fighting whatever Johnson said. just going to be patient tomorrow, take my time and count on great pit stops and take it as it comes. meant to be, meant to be. I just have to put in a good Many observers in the garage area suspected crew knew it had a strong car because the team packed up and went home after qualifying while everyone else worked on their cars.

It was completely out of character for crew chief Chad Knaus, a noted perfectionist. told the boys to go to South Beach, go have some Knaus said. were never stressed out because make up plenty of ground on the race track. By no means is this championship over because we qualify Who to pull Kyle Busch really sure who to root for today when he watches the race for the Nextel Cup championship. His choices are older brother, Kurt, who is leading the points and searching for his first championship, or he can pull for Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, teammates at Hendrick Motorsports.

difficult because my brother is family, obviously, so I have to root for Busch said. Jeff and Jimmie are my teammates, and that makes them family, too. love to see my brother win his first championship, but be excited for Hendrick Motorsports to see Jimmie or Jeff win it. pulling for all three of them. I hope one of them is able to bring the trophy home this weekend.

Whichever one gets it, the way it was meant to turn Busch will move up to the Nextel Cup series next season after a successful rookie campaign in the Busch series. He tied Greg series record for most victories in a season by a rookie with five and battled Martin Truex Jr. down to the wire for the championship before coming in second. new spotter: Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have as new spotter for the season finale because NASCAR suspended Steve Hmiel yesterday for race.

NASCAR said Hmiel, director of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt made disparaging remarks about series officials over the radio during Truck Series race. Hmiel was spotting for his son, Shane, when he became angry about a ruling against him. He met with NASCAR president Mike Helton yesterday morning and was sent home. showed complete disrespect for NASCAR and its officials, so after a meeting with Mike Helton, he was sent home for the said NASCAR spokesman Mike Zizzo. Hmeil was not available for comment, and DEI officials did not announce who would replace Hmeil during race.

Earnhardt is fourth in the standings. Give back the crown: Matt reign as series champion will end today when someone else wins the Nextel Cup championship, and in some respects, not a minute too soon. Kenseth said his Roush Racing team is burnt out from the 36-race schedule and the effort to defend their title. could really see the team run into the ground this year and never seen that before out of our Kenseth said. Johnson looks strong after bad qualifying www.tennessean.com THE TENNESSEAN Sunday, November 21, 2004 13C CYANMAGYELBLK TennesseanBroadsheet Master TennesseanBroadsheet Master 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 5 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 5 TennesseanBroadsheet Master TennesseanBroadsheet Master 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 13C RACING 0 23 4 4 HOMESTEAD, Fla.

NASCAR is having to deal with its version of the Curse of the Bambino. A curse word spouted by Dale Earnhardt Jr. on live TV after a victory last month at Talladega resulted in, among other things, a 25-point penalty. Entering season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway that penalty hangs heavy over the head of the most popular driver. Junior is fourth in the standings, 72 points behind leader Kurt Busch.

Should Little lose the title by 25 points or less, one blinkety-blank little naughty word will have cost him the $5.2 million Nextel Cup championship. Some race fans complain that the penalty is too severe, while others applaud NASCAR for drawing a line in the moral sand and having the resolve to stand by it even if it means nailing its most popular superstar. President Mike Helton is determined not to allow NASCAR to start down the sleazy slippery slope of some other pro sports witness the soft-porn intro to last Monday Night Football telecast. Helton has three young grandchildren. He wants them to be able to watch and listen to NASCAR races without their parents having to blindfold them or put plugs in their ears.

Granted, a difference in an excited Little sputtering a no- no and the steamy naked reverse that Nicollette Sheridan ran around Terrell Owens last Monday night, or in the Super tawdry halftime strip show. Nevertheless, the principle is the same and Helton is adamant about maintaining bad-language barrier. guys know permissible and not, and going to enforce the Helton said Friday. expect professionalism from them at all times. that But do the drivers really know exactly what words they are not permitted to say on the airwaves? Since the Earnhardt episode some other drivers including Little have let slip some curse words and NASCAR let them slide.

Does NASCAR have a printed list of no-nos, something like George words you say on Helton said, is no list. But talked to our drivers about it repeatedly and made it very clear what they can say and what they There is no confusion. They all a couple of, shall we say, relatively minor curse words that let NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter said. and damn. Other than that, better be real Hunter said the solution is a matter of common sense.

You and I know OK to say on TV. Drivers know, Some have noted the irony in the fact that stock car racing began in the 1930s as duels in the dirt between moonshine runners. They were rough, rugged and rowdy, and they have cottoned to Miss Manners telling them how to act and how to talk. But that was then and this is now. The sport has cleaned up its act, and Helton is determined to clean up its language at least the public portion.

Nextel Cup Director John Darby put it this way: of us, from the time we were about 4 years old, knew there were certain words we supposed to say. We knew that if we said them get in trouble. Our moms would wash our mouths out with the Hunter said. at each race we should start hauling in a truckload of Larry Woody writes about auto racing for The Tennessean He can be reached at or 259-8019. NASCAR is determined to maintain cleaner image Chase takes HOMESTEAD, Fla.

What some media and fans here this weekend said about inaugural Chase for the Championship system: MEDIA Gary Graves, USA Today: like it at first. I felt some deserving drivers could get left out. Now that seen how it works I admit it has created a lot of excitement, but I still have some Monte Dutton, Gaston (Ala.) Gazette: still like it. a crapshoot. They (NASCAR) wanted excitement, and admit that got it, but potentially the champion will not be the most deserving Benny Parsons, NBC: been as good as I thought it would be.

It has created tremendous interest not just in the final 10 races but in the races leading up to the cutoff. The atmosphere for that 26th (and deciding) race at Richmond was Darrell Waltrip, Fox Sports: Atlanta feeling a little more comfortable with it. pretty David Poole, Charlotte (N.C.) Observer: it worked like NASCAR hoped? Absolutely. got a great, exciting battle for the championship the tightest in history going down to the final FANS Steve Corlew, Atlanta: like it. made the whole season more Mike DePriest, Fort Lauderdale, like it.

I think every driver should have a chance to win the championship, not just the top Faye DePriest, Fort Lauderdale, like it at first because I was afraid my favorite driver (Elliott Sadler) would get left out. But he made it, so I guess it worked out Chase Andrews, Hoover, been all right. At least not like last year when (Matt) Kenseth wrapped it up before the last Jenna Worthington, Monroe, even watch this race last year because it was all over by then. NASCAR had to do WOODY auto racing notebook NEXTEL Ford 400 lineup After Friday qualifying; race today At Homestead-Miami Speedway Homestead, Fla. Lap length: 1.5 miles 1.

(97) Kurt Busch, Ford, 179.319 mph. 2. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 179.307. 3. (12) Ryan Newman, Dodge, 179.093.

4. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 178.891. 5. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 178.719. 6.

(18) Bobby Labonte, Chevrolet, 178.542. 7. (21) Ricky Rudd, Ford, 178.006. 8. (20) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 177.866.

9. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 177.807. 10. (2) Rusty Wallace, Dodge, 177.708. 11.

(6) Mark Martin, Ford, 177.602. 12. (0) Mike Bliss, Chevrolet, 177.486. 13. (23) Shane Hmiel, Dodge, 177.421.

14. (25) Brian Vickers, Chevrolet, 177.218. 15. (38) Elliott Sadler, Ford, 177.194. 16.

(8) Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet, 177.101. 17. (77) Brendan Gaughan, Dodge, 177.067. 18. (42) Jamie McMurray, Dodge, 177.026.

19. (01) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 176.922. 20. (19) Jeremy Mayfield, Dodge, 176.881. 21.

(22) Scott Wimmer, Dodge, 176.869. 22. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 176.846. 23. (14) John Andretti, Ford, 176.846.

24. (15) Michael Waltrip, Chevrolet, 176.499. 25. (10) Scott Riggs, Chevrolet, 176.465. 26.

(06) Travis Kvapil, Dodge, 176.229. 27. (88) Dale Jarrett, Ford, 176.085. 28. (4) Mike Wallace, Chevrolet, 176.062.

29. (32) Bobby Hamilton Chevrolet, 175.787. 30. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 175.764. 31.

(43) Jeff Green, Dodge, 175.655. 32. (36) Boris Said, Chevrolet, 175.564. 33. (31) Robby Gordon, Chevrolet, 175.518.

34. (13) Greg Sacks, Dodge, 175.319. 35. (1) Martin Truex Jr, Chevrolet, 175.256. 36.

(02) Hermie Sadler, Chevrolet, 175.245. 37. (00) Kenny Wallace, Chevrolet, 175.046. 38. (40) Sterling Marlin, Dodge, 175.041.

39. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, Provisional. 40. (30) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, Provisional. 41.

(41) Casey Mears, Dodge, Provisional. 42. (5) Terry Labonte, Chevrolet, Provisional. 43. (49) Ken Schrader, Dodge, Provisional.

Failed to qualify 44. (45) Kyle Petty, Dodge, 174.780. 45. (09) Johnny Sauter, Dodge, 173.986. 46.

(75) Mike Garvey, Dodge, 173.969. 47. (51) Tony Raines, Chevrolet, 173.728. 48. (37) Kevin Lepage, Dodge, 173.444.

49. (50) Todd Bodine, Dodge, 172.778. 50. (11) J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet, 172.166.

51. (70) Larry Foyt, Dodge, 171.510. 52. (98) Randy LaJoie, Ford, 170.864. 53.

(89) Morgan Shepherd, Dodge, 170.320. 54. (72) Kirk Shelmerdine, Ford, 167.780. 55. (80) Carl Long, Ford, 167.084.

56. (93) Geoffrey Bodine, Chevrolet, no speed. Associated Press HOMESTEAD, Fla. Kevin Harvick closed out a disappointing season in the Busch series by winning the final event of the year yesterday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Harvick, the 2001 Busch series champion, moved to the front of the Ford 300 and had to hold off Jamie McMurray on several late restarts to lock up his second victory of the year.

Martin Truex Jr. clinched the Busch series title last week at Darlington Raceway but get to enjoy the official championship ceremony until after he finished eighth at Homestead. He was presented with the trophy and celebrated with car owners Teresa Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. A series of cautions bunched the field up a handful of times, giving McMurray a chance to get a jump on Harvick and pass him for the lead. But he never could, and Harvick got a great start on the final restart with two laps to go and pulled away for the win.

stuff has been off this year. had good cars, but been said Harvick, who won at Las Vegas in March. good to be back in Victory Harvick has struggled in both the Busch and Nextel Cup series this season and won a Cup race since August of 2003. He was also shut out of the 10-race championship hunt. McMurray, on the other hand, has been on fire in both series.

He won the past two races and has already locked up 11th place in the Cup series and the $1 million bonus that goes with it. He said he had only one real opportunity to pass Harvick and go for his third consecutive Busch series win. 20 laps to go, I was able to get up on Kevin and get him Harvick said. he get into the corner like he needed to, and I really thought I had him passed. But I got in there too hard, and the front end started chattering, and I had to back Rookie Kyle Busch was third, ending his season tied with Greg Biffle for the series rookie record of five wins in a season.

He had hoped to give car owner Rick Hendrick a sixth victory, especially with Hendrick attending a race for the first time since the Oct. 24 plane crash that killed 10 family members and employees. to have Rick here he has a really strong heart and it shows the testament he has that he wants to be here with his Busch said. had to set a date for when he came back to the track and I am really surprised it is this Reed Sorenson, an 18-year-old who will run the full Busch schedule next season, was fourth. Harvick captures Busch series finale 2nd win ofseason for former champ AP Rick Hendrick, owner of several NASCAR teams, makes his first appearance at a race since a plane crash killed several family members and employees Oct.

24. HARVICK Busch Ford 300 results Yesterday At Homestead-Miami Speedway Homestead, Fla. Lap length: 1.5 miles (Starting postition in parentheses) 1. (12) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 203, $75,385. 2.

(13) Jamie McMurray, Dodge, 203, $58,200. 3. (5) Kyle Chevrolet, 203, $68,000. 4. (7) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, 203, $43,275.

5. (37) Todd Bodine, Ford, 203, $37,525. 6. (18) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 203, $27,250. 7.

(11) Ron Hornaday Chevrolet, 203, $37,750. 8. (27) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 203, $23,050. 9. (2) Martin Truex Chevrolet, 203, $32,050.

10. (17) Greg Biffle, Ford, 203, $22,500. 11. (22) Michael Waltrip, Chevrolet, 203, $20,625. 12.

(35) David Stremme, Chevrolet, 203, $25,675. 13. (10) Jason Keller, Ford, 202, $30,255. 14. (39) Ashton Lewis Chevrolet, 202, $24,075.

15. (25) Stacy Compton, Ford, 202, $24,465. 16. (19) Mike McLaughlin, Ford, 202, $26,085. 17.

(6) Justin Labonte, Chevrolet, 202, $18,875. 18. (4) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 202, $18,960. 19. (26) Kenny Wallace, Chevrolet, 202, $23,550.

20. (41) Hermie Sadler, Chevrolet, 202, $24,140. 21. (14) Tim Fedewa, Chevrolet, 202, $23,180. 22.

(9) Shane Hmiel, Chevrolet, 202, $19,870. 23. (38) Stanton Barrett, Chevrolet, 201, $20,065. 24. (24) Robert Pressley, Ford, 201, $21,645.

25. (29) Mike Wallace, Ford, 201, $27,135. 26. (1) Casey Mears, Dodge, 201, $20,805. 27.

(16) Mike Bliss, Chevrolet, 201, $26,815. 28. (30) Jimmy Spencer, Chevrolet, 200, $19,185. 29. (33) Wally Dallenbach Ford, 200, $17,075.

30. (31) Brent Sherman, Dodge, 200, $17,065. 31. (36) David Ragan, Ford, 199, $16,855. 32.

(40) Stan Boyd, Chevrolet, 199, $18,740. 33. (21) Aaron Fike, Dodge, 187, $16,685. 34. (3) Paul Chevrolet, 180, ignition, $21,345.

35. (32) Tony Raines, Chevrolet, 172, accident, $20,610. 36. (43) Steve Grissom, Chevrolet, 163, $20,575. 37.

(8) Robby Gordon, Chevrolet, 158, accident, $16,720. 38. (20) Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 118, accident, $20,485. 39. (23) Clint Chevrolet, 98, accident, $20,435.

40. (42) Derrike Cope, Ford, 96, transmission, $20,385. 41. (34) Eric Jones, Ford, 78, accident, $16,315. 42.

(15) David Green, Chevrolet, 67, engine failure, $26,790. 43. (28) Jennifer Cobb, Chevrolet, 2, accident, $16,224. Race statistics Average speed of race winner: 110.482 mph. Time of race: 2 hours, 45 minutes, 22 seconds.

Margin of victory: 0.218 Seconds. Caution flags: 12 for 51 laps. Lead changes: 12 among 7 drivers. Lap leaders: C. Mears 1-6; K.

Busch 7-9; C. Mears 10-13; M. Truex Jr. 14-68; M. Kenseth 69-74; K.

Harvick 75-141; R. Hornaday Jr. 142; C. Mears 143; M. Kenseth 144-160; M.

Waltrip 161; K. Harvick 162; M. Waltrip 163; K. Harvick 164-203. Top 10 in points: M.

Truex K. Busch, G. Biffle, R. Hornaday M. Bliss, J.

Keller, D. Green, A. Lewis K. Wallace, D. Stremme, 3,738.

no pressure on us at said the veteran Martin, who has never won a championship but has finished second four times. matter what happens, had an awesome Five other drivers who made the 10-driver, 10-race Chase shootout have been eliminated: Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Elliott Sadler and Jeremy Mayfield. Kenseth won the championship last season and Stewart claimed it in 2002. The five front-runners are locked in the tightest points battle in the modern era, which is exactly what NASCAR had in mind when it implemented the radical new format to generate more late-season drama. like Busch said.

created a lot of tension. on biggest threat is John- son, who has won four of the last five races to rocket from ninth to second in the standings. this run I thought we were out of said Johnson, initially a Chase critic whose season has been rescued by the system he once ridiculed. you stack the odds against us we seem to do better. I know why that is.

We have anything to lose. They let us back in and going to do everything we can to win Gordon, who is teammate with Hendrick Motorsports, would be the points leader under the former system. constantly get reminded of Gordon said. you race the points the way structured and what may have happened under a different policy really Gordon has not won a Chase race, nor has he won in the four races run on this 1.5-mile track nestled on the edge of the Everglades. Bobby Labonte won here last year, Busch in 2002 and Stewart in 2000 and Busch said the relatively generic track offers no special advantage or disadvantage to any of the five contenders.

All have had mixed results here, just as they have on the similarly-configured tracks. going to be a matter of who can execute the proper Busch said. track is a bit more mature, so that will help with the racing. The way the corners are shaped with the flatter entry and wider exits, and with the banking, definitely a track that you have to worry about track position. You can Busch has been in the Cup series just four years and his rapid rise has not been without controversy.

He has been punched in the nose by Jimmy Spencer, scolded by NASCAR, frequently booed by fans, and his media dealings have ranged from personable and outgoing to snippy and sarcastic. Team manger Geoff Smith said there were times when he worried that Busch might Busch admitted he has not always done a good job dealing with his overnight success and the hot glare of the spotlight that comes with it. made some he said. But Busch also said he has worked hard to improve his image and will dedicate himself to representing the sport if he wins the championship. always been on the outside looking said Busch, who grew up in a working-class family removed from the glitz of the Vegas strip.

got a chance to do something that all dreamed about as Larry Woody writes about auto racing for The Tennessean He can be reached at or 259-8019. Nextel: Five drivers still alive for title BUSCH FROM PAGE 1C Larry Woody Opinion.