Racing News: NASCAR Hall of Fame Welcomes its First Class of Inductees

PENSKE POWER: It was a good day Saturday for Roger Penske. Helio Castroneves earned Penske’s 16th pole as an owner for the Indianapolis 500 early in the day, and Kurt Busch captured Penske’s second NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race that night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

BUMPED: Despite crashing twice, Tony Kanaan bumped his way into the Indianapolis 500 Sunday. Among those missing the race were Paul Tracy and Jay Howard, who withdrew speeds fast enough to make the race in an attempt to go faster, only to go slower and miss the race.

STICKING AROUND: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point-leader Kevin Harvick has signed a contract extension and will stay with Richard Childress Racing for the foreseeable future.

U.S. GP TO RURAL N.Y.? The Monticello Motor Club, located in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, is in talks to bring Formula One back to the United States.

DISMISSED: U.S. District Court Judge Graham C. Mullen dismissed Jeremy Mayfield’s lawsuit against NASCAR May 18, saying Mayfield had not met his burden of proof. Mayfield was suspended by NASCAR in May 2009 for violating its substance abuse policy, but he sued saying a prescription drug created a false positive.

SITTING OUT: Brian Vickers will miss the remainder of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season as he recovers from blood clots found in his left leg and both lungs.

SOLAR PROJECT: Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, has begun construction on a new solar energy system that will become the primary energy source for the raceway.

CLOSED: Midway Speedway, located in Crooksville, Ohio, has closed its doors effective May 19.

WELCOME TO THE HALL: The NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina , welcomed its first class of inductees Sunday afternoon. Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr. became the first individuals enshrined in the facility.

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