Kasey Kahne figured that winning the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at California Speedway was the one way he could assure himself of remaining in the fight for the upcoming playoffs.

Kyle Busch, the defending champion of the Sony HD 500, took his place on the California Speedway Walk of Fame on Saturday, and he did it in his own unique way. The walkway includes the footprints of previous race winners.

The Dodge Charger has been a disappointment on the track, although that is probably more a reflection of problems within the various Dodge teams and the company’s racing hierarchy than any significant technical issues.

Five teams will participate in a Goodyear tire test Sept. 18-19 at the newly repaved Talladega Superspeedway, Goodyear officials confirmed Saturday.

There’s more good news for Bobby Hamilton - he came of Thursday’s biopsy operation in Nashville with a clean bill of health - no trace of cancer in his lymph nodes.

Jean Todt said Saturday he wants to stay in charge of the Italian team but wouldn’t be drawn on whether Michael Schumacher will be alongside him.

Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Andrew Hines claimed the largest payout in class history by winning the $25,000 top prize in the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle Saturday at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.