Logano wins as Sadler wrecks to hurt title chances

 
No Author Published: November 10, 2012    Comment on this article Leave a comment

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. moved a big step closer toward defending his Nationwide Series championship with a strong run at Phoenix International Raceway.

photo -   Joey Logano celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Joey Logano celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Multimedia

He also got some help from Elliott Sadler, who had a rough day start to finish.

The two title contenders started Saturday tied for the championship, and likely would have gone into next weekend's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway locked into a tight race. But as Stenhouse battled Joey Logano and Brian Vickers for the lead headed to the white flag, Elliott Sadler imploded 10 positions behind them.

Sadler was racing hard for 12th with Justin Allgaier and Cole Whitt when he triggered a three-car accident.

"I just got loose. It's hard to put this into words," Sadler said. "It's been a long, great season and my guys deserve better effort from me than wrecking the car on the last lap."

The accident brought the race to a halt, and Sadler had to sit in his battered car as NASCAR cleaned the track.

Once cleared, he returned to pit road for some futile repairs, but the race went on without him into overtime.

Logano pulled away in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for his ninth win of the season, with Vickers finishing second.

Stenhouse wound up third, and Sadler, his wounded car sputtering and sparking, was 22nd.

Sadler was 10 points behind Stenhouse before the accident, but now goes to the finale down by 20. It capped a day that saw him wreck his primary Chevrolet on his qualifying lap, and it took his Richard Childress Racing team almost until the start of the race to get his backup car prepared.

Page 1 of 2




If you prefer your thoughts to appear in The Oklahoman's Opinion section, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor.


New Rule in VIRGINIA:
(APR 2013): If You Pay For Car Insurance You Must Read This Immediately
www.ConsumerFinanceDaily.com
Mortgage Rates Hit 2.50%
If you owe under $729k you may qualify for 2.90% APR Govt Refi Plans.
www.SeeRefinanceRates.com

Sports Photo Galleriesview all