Brad Keselowski takes lead with three-wide pass, wins at Chicago

Brad Keselowski saw Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson battling for the lead ahead of him and as Larson went high and Harvick went low heading into turn one, Keselowski took the middle.

It was the right option.

Keselowski stormed past both drivers and held on for the lead through a last restart to win the first race of the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup on Sunday at Chicago.

Larson and Harvick were having a fantastic battle off a restart with 18 laps to go. Larson had the lead and Harvick, who restarted second, was able to hang with him. The two ran side by side for virtually the entirety of two laps, but the great racing came at a price.

Keselowski was hanging around in third and got an incredible draft of the huge hole in the air the two were creating with 16 laps to go. As Harvick headed to the white line and Larson went towards the wall, Keselowski cut the middle and was clear by the time he was on the backstretch.

"I'm not really sure," Keselowski responded when asked how he made the pass in victory lane. "I'll have to watch the ESPN replay to figure it out. But we obviously had a great car ... these Fords have really come together for a strong Chase run."

Last week, Keselowski won the last race before the Chase at Richmond for his fourth win, a victory that gave him solitary possession of first place for the Chase. With the win at Chicago, he keeps first place in the Chase and may put him in place for a repeat. Keselowski won at Chicago en route to the 2012 title. (Oh, and Keselowski is also guaranteed a spot through the first elimination round of the Chase.)

It was a win that came without the benefit of great track position too. Keselowski and his teammate Joey Logano have been the masters of qualifying this season but Friday's qualifying session was washed out. The lineup was set on practice speeds and both Penske cars started in the 20s. It ultimately didn't matter.

And neither did late pit stop trouble. Keselowski had to pit a second time under caution on lap 184 because of a potential loose wheel. He restarted 17th after starting at the back of the field but quickly sliced and diced his way up through the field. He was ninth within 25 laps and two more late cautions helped his ascent.

Jeff Gordon finished second and he's second in the points standings, seven behind Keselowski. Larson finished third while Joey Logano was fourth and Harvick was fifth.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/brad-keselowski-takes-lead-with-three-wide-pass--wins-at-chicago-213304817.html

Marco Apicella Mбrio de Araъjo Cabral Frank Armi Chuck Arnold

KTM Confirms MotoGP Entry For 2017

The news that KTM would be building a MotoGP machine has been public since the beginning of August. In an interview with the German website Speedweek, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer confirmed that the Austrian manufacturer would be building a V4 MotoGP machine ready for the 2017 season.

KTM's MotoGP plans were confirmed again last weekend at Misano. KTM's head of motorsport Pit Beirer told the MotoGP.com website that they would indeed be building a MotoGP bike, and that work on the machine had already started. The bike, Beirer told MotoGP.com, would be a V4, would use a steel trellis frame, just as their Moto3 machines do, and would be kitted with WP suspension. Design work on the bike was already underway, with the bike scheduled to make its debut on track "at the end of next summer," Beirer said.

There would be no prospect of an early entry, however. The bike is to be prepared for the 2017 season, with testing going on from late 2015 onwards. The bike would be designed around the Michelin tires, which will be replacing Bridgestone as the spec tire from 2016 onwards. The bike would also be designed with the spec electronics and unified software package in mind, which is also to be compulsory from the 2016 season.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/PPN48zP6Jqs/ktm_confirms_motogp_entry_for_2017.html

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2014 Singapore Grand Prix practice in pictures | F1 Pictures

Pictures from the first day of practice for the Singapore Grand Prix.

Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/09/19/2014-singapore-grand-prix-practice-pictures/

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FIA confirms 20 race F1 schedule for 2015

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has now issued an official 2015 schedule that as expected includes 20 races, with the Mexico GP the only addition to this year’s calendar. Changes to a preliminary schedule that had been circulating include … Continue reading →

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2014/09/12/fia-confirms-20-race-f1-schedule-for-2015/

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F1 Babe: Jodi Ann Paterson

Michael Andretti may have failed to live up to his family?s iconic name on track, but away from the circuit he has done very well for himself. The American is currently married to 2000?s Playmate of the Year Jodi Ann Paterson, who, it?s fair to say, is a bit of a looker. Taking her profession [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/9TsErxGIVA4/f1-babe-jodi-ann-paterson-4

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Wehrlein named Mercedes reserve driver | 2014 F1 season

Mercedes has appointed DTM racer Pascal Wehrlein as its official reserve driver following his first F1 test for the team last week.

Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/09/15/wehrlein-named-mercedes-reserve-driver/

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The effects of Montezemolo?s departure

The departure of Luca Montezemolo from Ferrari is a move of gigantic proportions in the geopolitics of the sport – and it has a number of implications that may not seem obvious. Back in the 1970s Montezemolo was the bright young boy at Ferrari and after putting Ferrari back on a winning path he went […]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/09/11/the-effects-of-montezemolos-departure/

Mauro Baldi Bobby Ball Marcel Balsa Lorenzo Bandini

2014 Misano MotoGP Qualifying Results: No Rain Today

Report and times follow.

Race Details

Round Number: 

13

2014

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/npra0-3N76Q/2014_misano_motogp_qualifying_results_no.html

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Up close : Porsche Cayman GT4

During these last few weeks is making a lot of noise GT4 Porsche Cayman . With the official confirmation and implementation of the 4-cylinder Porsche will present almost certainly in less than a year, all eyes are on this version of the Cayman , which could debut worldwide this new engine . The Cayman GT4 […]

Source: http://www.autocarblog.co.uk/708-up-close-porsche-cayman-gt4.html

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Singapore swing hands Vettel the initiative

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/09/in_singapore_lewis_hamilton_cu.html

Adriбn Campos John Cannon Eitel Cantoni Bill Cantrell

Insane fan climbs to top of catch fence during NASCAR race

RICHMOND, Va. - Even by the standards of NASCAR fans, what happened on Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway was flat-out ridiculous.

With about 70 laps left in the race, a fan somehow climbed the fence over Turn 4 and proceeded to make himself very much at home.

There's a guy on the fence!!! #rir pic.twitter.com/0JuqiOCZ9I

? Jamie Lund (@jamieeeh18) September 7, 2014

Yep, that's a fan up there, chilling while cars race at lethal speeds just below him. Those fences are made for keeping cars out of the stands, not keeping fans in them. It's another one of those "we didn't think anyone would be that crazy" situations.

@MikeDavis88 @AliciaPRNradio @RIRInsider man was straight hanging out! Crazy @DirtyMoRadio pic.twitter.com/jrDXjv37v8

? Jessica Thomas (@MrsThomas99) September 7, 2014

NASCAR immediately sent its crack fence-cleaning team into action:

(Ha ha, no, that's Tony Stewart's team from 2007, of course.)

The fan slowed down the entire race, which was put into caution as a result of his actions. He was coaxed down by local authorities, and could be in an awful lot of trouble.

@MartySmithESPN pic.twitter.com/gcNoVWZLMC

? Mike Adkins (@AdkinsTintShack) September 7, 2014

Here's a video of him already on the fence and his descent down into the waiting arms of security personnel.

Anyway, we'd tell you not to try this at home, but if you're the type of person who'd even consider climbing a fence during an active race, well, we're not sure our words have much effect on you.

____
Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Facebook or on Twitter.

Follow @jaybusbee

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/insane-fan-climbs-to-top-of-catch-fence-during-nascar-race-022618592.html

Tom Belso JeanPierre Beltoise Olivier Beretta Allen Berg

Verstappen has his first proper test

Max Verstappen completed 148 laps of the Adria International Raceway, yesterday, completing nearly 400 km of running in his first proper F1 test. He had previously done some running around on the streets of Rotterdam in a promotional event. The 16-year-old Dutchman, who will take over from Jean-Eric Vergne at Toro Rosso next season, did […]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/09/11/verstappen-has-his-first-proper-test/

Michael Bartels Edgar Barth Giorgio Bassi Erwin Bauer

These. Kids. Are. Good.

I really, really, really hope you’ve been paying attention this season to what is happening in the lower series and with a few upcoming young drivers. Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney may be three of the best young drivers we’ve had come up in a long time. There are a few others who […]

TheNASCARInsiders.com

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/_gEXXnSjYqs/

Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh

Kevin Ward Sr.: 'Apparently, Tony Stewart was the only one driving out there who didn't see him'

Kevin Ward Sr. wants to know Tony Stewart's side of the story.

Ward Sr. spoke with Syracuse.com on Tuesday and said he believed Stewart put his son into the wall before Kevin Ward Jr. climbed from his car to confront Stewart and was struck and killed by Stewart's right-rear tire on Saturday night at a dirt track in upstate New York.

"I think the reason he probably got out of that car is who put him into the wall. He was definitely put into the wall," Ward Sr. told Syracuse.com.

Ward Sr. described his son, 20, as someone who slept with a smile on his face and who loved racing. At age 8, he was already tinkering with motors.

Stewart and Ward were racing in turn two at the Canandaigua Motorsports Park when Stewart moved up in front of Ward and Ward hit the wall. Evidence of contact on the video of the incident is inconclusive at best; it doesn't look like there was any at all, but Stewart did appear to take the line of Ward's away.

"Tony Stewart was the best damn driver by far on the track that night. Why he had to go up as high as he did and hog my son, there's no reason for it," Ward Sr. said.

Thirteen seconds after his car came to a stop, Ward got out of his car and scrambled down the track. The car Stewart was following closely swerved to the left at the last second to miss Ward, who was wearing a black helmet and firesuit to match his car.

"Apparently, Tony Stewart was the only one driving out there who didn't see him," Ward Sr. said.

Ward was attended to on the track and transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Ward Sr. told Syracuse.com that he and his wife were told by their daughter that Ward had died 10 minutes before they got the news from a doctor. The daughter, who wasn't at the track, had read something on Facebook.

When you're racing locally like the Ward family, it's not a lucrative proposition. Ward Sr. said that their team raced for the love of the sport and Ward wanted to race in the World of Outlaws, which is the top level of sprint car racing. Of the 500-some trophies at the family shop, Ward Sr. estimated that 350 were his son's.

Stewart made his way through the sprint car ranks before moving to the IndyCar Series and eventually NASCAR.

Ontario County (N.Y.) Philip Povero has said multiple times that there has been no evidence found so far in the investigation to warrant any criminal charges and said Tuesday that the investigation could take two more weeks. Stewart has spoken and been cooperative with authorities, though what he's said has not become public. Ward Sr. wants to know.

"The one person that knows what happened that night is possibly facing 10 years in prison. Is he going to say what he done?" Ward Sr. said.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @NickBromberg

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/kevin-ward-sr----apparently--tony-stewart-was-the-only-one-driving-out-there-who-didn-t-see-him-153055373.html

Ivan Capelli Piero Carini Duane Carter Eugenio Castellotti

Not good news for Vijay

After many weeks trying to avoid it, Vijay Mallya and several other directors of Kingfisher Airlines have finally been declared “wilful defaulters” but the state-owned United Bank of India. The move came after the Kingfisher executives failed to appear before a United Bank of India committee to discuss the situation. Once listed as wilful defaulters, […]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/not-good-news-for-vijay/

Gary Brabham Jack Brabham† Bill Brack Ernesto Brambilla

Mark Webber ? The TEN Best Moments

After 12 years, one of Formula One?s most charismatic characters left F1 for good. Mark Webber has always been one of the most popular drivers on the grid with the fans ? his mixture of Aussie wit, spirit and grit (the latter reflected in his Twitter name) has charmed the crowds and made the Queensland [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/nzKSUtXuO_I/mark-webber-the-ten-best-moments-5

George Connor George Constantine John Cordts David Coulthard

2014 Jerez World Superbike And World Supersport Friday Post-Practice Press Releases

Press releases from the World Superbike and World Supersport teams and the series organizers after the first day of practice at Jerez:

Round Number: 

10

Year: 

2014

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/IUISq2UvoR0/2014_jerez_world_superbike_and_world_sup.html

Manny Ayulo Luca Badoer Giancarlo Baghetti Julian Bailey

Gibbs Ultimately Owns This Penalty

Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket? If the answer’s yes, did you try telling the officer, ‘that wasn’t my intent’? Or maybe you were just a MPH or two over the limit, did you try telling him, ‘I wasn’t speeding that much’? When he got done laughing at you, did he still write you […]

TheNASCARInsiders.com

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheNascarInsiders/~3/Pn4EUpdz5fs/

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On mergers and unifications: enduring the long road ahead

Source: http://www.popoffvalve.com/2012/9/6/3298289/on-mergers-and-unifications-enduring-the-long-road-ahead

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A recruit at Faenza?

Jody Egginton, until recently the Operations Director at Caterham F1, has joined Scuderia Toro Rosso as its new Head Of Vehicle Performance. Egginton was at Caterham from five years, initially as Chief Engineer. Prior to that he was a race engineer at Force India for five years after joining the Silverstone team from Aston Martin […]

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/a-recruit-at-faenza/

Clemente Biondetti Pablo Birger Art Bisch Harry Blanchard