The pole was the first of Braun's three-race Nationwide career. He started one race last year finishing 30th at Memphis Motorsports Park and earlier this year started ninth and finished 15th at Nashville.

Despite the young age Braun has already won two championships - Formula Renault 1600 at the age of 14 and then in a Formula 2000 in the Formula TR Series. At only 17 years nine months, and seven days old, he became the youngest driver in North America to win a major league motor race when he won the Brumos 250 at Daytona International Speedway in the Grand Am Rolex Daytona Prototype Series.

But now comes word that BAM Racing's primary sponsor, Microsoft Small Business, has reduced its number of race sponsorships.

The statement released on the team's website said, "With no other primary sponsor currently in place to fill the void the harsh reality of this most recent news is that we are forced to reduce our 2008 participation to a partial season.

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Another off week for Sprint Cup drivers leaves a void for many racing fans, but a Nationwide Series visit to Mexico City highlights this light racing weekend.

NASCAR

The victory was Johnson's first of the season, the first for Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 after they won 18 times in 2007 and the 34th of his "Cup" career.

"I'm shocked that I was able to save fuel running that hard through the field," said Johnson. "I restarted in 14th on that last restart and drove to third on my own and then was able to manage some fuel."

The victory was Busch's second of the season and 13th of his Nationwide career.

Busch won the pole, but his car started out too loose once the race got underway and Brad Keselowski grabbed the lead midway through the first lap. He led six laps before Busch got the handle of his car and drove it underneath the youngster for the lead on lap seven.

The pole was Busch's second of the season and 13th of his Nationwide career.

Starting alongside Busch will be youngster Brad Keselowski who posted a second-best time of 27.32 seconds.

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - "We test an individual when we have reasonable suspicion," said NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp in response to this week's revelation that former Craftsman Truck Series and Nationwide Series driver Aaron Fike drove in a race the same day as taking heroin.

Unfortunately, if you are wearing blinders, it's hard to see when there is a problem unless it is right in front of you.

The pole victory was Newman's first of the season, record fourth at PIR and 43rd of his Sprint Cup career. It's been an eventful week for the Penske driver who received a 25-point penalty earlier in the week after failing post- race inspection in Texas.

"It wasn't a perfect lap, but it was a very good lap," said Newman, the track qualifying record holder (26.499 seconds in 2004). "I want to thank everybody at Penske Racing."

The No.12 Dodge was found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); and 12.8.1C (right rear quarter panel height did not meet the required specification; too high in post race inspection) of the 2008 NASCAR rule book. The right-rear of the car was found to be 1/8 of an inch above allowed tolerances.

After the 25-point penalty, Newman fell from a tie for eighth place with Greg Biffle to 10th place with a total of 876 points.

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - With Formula One, IndyCars and the truck series taking some time off, it's a light week in racing headlined by the Sprint Cup race in Phoenix.

NASCAR

After a 38th-place finish in Texas, Mayfield fell out of the top-35 which guarantees a place in the 43-car field for each race. His best finish this season is a 16th at Las Vegas, however he finished 30th or worse in five of seven events.

"Jeremy?s proven resume behind the wheel of a 'Cup' car was a real benefit to our team," team general manager Joe Custer said on the team's website. "He stepped into the seat and did everything we asked him to and more. Ultimately, we were unable to provide him with the right balance, handling and speed he needed to be successful."

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - We are one quarter of the way through the NASCAR Sprint Cup "regular" season and so far, the highly-publicized rookie class has been disappointing.

The 2008 rookies came in with much fanfare. There was 2007 IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, three-time IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr., open-wheel veteran Patrick Carpentier, 1997 Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve and Regan Smith. Among them they own 20 CART wins, 27 IndyCar wins, 11 F1 wins and five championships.

The victory was Edwards' third of the season and 10th of his Sprint Cup career.

Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin completed the top-five.

The victory was Busch's first of the season and 12th of his Nationwide career.

"A great job by all these guys at Joe Gibbs Racing...the car was awesome," said Busch.

Early in the qualifying session McDowell slammed the wall in turn 1 at nearly 200 m.p.h., barrel rolled about seven times and finally came to a halt near the inside wall. With the SAFER barrier and the COT, the rookie managed to walk away with no apparent injuries. It was a testament to NASCAR's work in improving safety for the driver.

"Something just didn't feel right...then I got down in there (turn 1) and it just started to pull right on me," said McDowell after visiting the infield care center. "Thank the guys back at the shop, they make these cars extremely safe and take the time to pad everything up. For me to walk away from that wreck right there, is unbelievable."

Starting alongside Harvick will be series points leader Clint Bowyer.

Defending Series champion Carl Edwards and Jeff Burton will start in row two.

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - It's a busy week with NASCAR in Texas, IndyCars on the streets of St. Petersburg and Formula One in Bahrain.

NASCAR

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Hendrick Motorsports has yet to win a points race in 2008, but that doesn't mean the supposed "Superteam" has fallen on hard times.

After winning 18 of 36 races in 2007 and adding Dale Earnhardt Jr. to its roster, HMS was expected to continue its domination of the Sprint Cup Series. That hasn't happened over the first six events, as HMS has made zero trips to Victory Lane, but don't cry for them just yet.

The victory was Hamlin's first of the season and fourth of his Sprint Cup career.

Hamlin pitted from the lead on lap 214 (of 500) while the rest of the field remained out thinking it might be a rain-shortened event. It left him in the middle of the pack and it took almost 200 laps to make it back to the leaders. But when he did, his Toyota was more than they could handle and Hamlin sliced his way into the lead. He was never challenged over the final laps.

The victory was Hamlin's first of the season and fourth of his Sprint Cup career.

Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart completed the top-five.

The victory was Setzer's first of the season and 18th of his Craftsman career.

Setzer took the lead on lap 128 and never gave it up en route to the relatively easy victory.

The pole victory was Sprague's first of the season and 32nd of his truck career.

"Everybody at KHI has done a wonderful job building trucks," said Sprague.

The pole victory was Gordon's second of the season, seventh at Martinsville and 65th of his Sprint Cup career. He is just five pole wins behind Cale Yarborough for third all-time.

"That was two of the best corners I've probably ever put together all at one time," said Gordon. "You have got to be aggressive, but yet you can't over do it...that's a fine line...you are right on the edge of it at all times."

Sadler apparently injuring his lower back during a regular workout routine and aggravated it further playing golf.

"I don't think anything is assured," said Mark McArdle, Gillett Evernham Motorsports director of competition.

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Sprint Cup Series returns to the track after a week off, but the most interesting event of the weekend should be the first race of the IndyCar Series after the off-season unification of CART and the IRL.

NASCAR