NASCAR-TALLADEGA-NATIONWIDE
Elliott Sadler finally wins one at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Elliott Sadler won a three-lap shootout to the checkered flag in the Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
The race Saturday was stopped for a little more than nine minutes to clean the track following a six-car accident that began when Jeremy Clement was turning into an outside wall and his car shot back into traffic.
There were three laps remaining on the restart, and Sadler had to throw several blocks to hold off a charge from the pack of traffic behind him.
It was the 10th Nationwide Series victory of Sadler’s career, but first since 2012. He went winless last season in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing. It’s Sadler’s first career win at Talladega.
Chris Buescher finished second and Regan Smith, winner of last year’s race, was third.
ARCA-TALLADEGA
Hessert grabs win at Talladega Superspeedway
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Tom Hessert used a bold pass of John Wes Townley and Bobby Gerhart with three laps remaining Saturday to win the ARCA Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Townley had led late but was passed with four to go by Gerhart, who was celebrating his 300th career series start.
Hessert stalked both Gerhart and Townley and used a three-wide pass, with Gerhart in the middle, to take the lead. It was Hessert’s fourth career ARCA victory and first since he won at Salem Speedway last April.
Townley finished second and was followed by Austin Wayne Self and Mason Mitchell. Gerhart faded to seventh.
Grant Enfinger’s run of three wins in the first three ARCA races this season ended with a ninth-place finish.
NASCAR-TALLADEGA
Brian Scott leads RCR to win pole at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Brian Scott has won the pole for Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway, where he posted the fastest lap as time expired in knockout qualifying.
The third and final round Saturday was a five-minute session, and the 12 drivers all waited until just over two minutes remained to head onto the track. Tony Stewart posted the fastest lap and held down the top spot until time expired, when Scott shot to the top of the leaderboard.
Scott turned a lap at 198.290 mph to win the pole for Richard Childress Racing.
RCR teammate Paul Menard was second and was followed by AJ Allmendinger, Casey Mears and Daytona 500 pole-sitter Austin Dillon.
Stewart wound up 12th as the Stewart-Haas Racing strategy didn’t pan out for any of its four cars.
WELLS FARGO
Holmes takes 1-shot lead at Quail Hollow
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — J.B. Holmes had a 6-under 66 on Saturday for a one-shot lead over Martin Flores, with a big name looming at Quail Hollow.
Phil Mickelson put together his best round of the year, a 9-under 63, and was only two shots behind.
Holmes knocked in a 20-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the 18th hole. That wound up giving him the lead when Flores made his first bogey of the day for a 69. Flores drove into the creek left of the 18th fairway and missed a 20-foot par putt.
Holmes was at 13-under 203. His three birdies on the back nine, and more good play from Flores, brought some separation. Only seven players were separated by five shots going into the final round.
One of them was Mickelson, who was bogey-free.
COACH K-LINCOLN AWARD
Duke’s Krzyzewski honored with Lincoln medallion
CHICAGO (AP) — Duke University’s longtime basketball coach has received Illinois’ highest state honor.
Gov. Pat Quinn presented Chicago native Mike Krzyzewski (shuh-SHEF’-skee) with the Order of Lincoln medallion during a Saturday luncheon at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Seven other honorees, including former Secretary of State and former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton will receive awards Saturday evening at the Field Museum.
Krzyzewski says he couldn’t attend the later event because he’s hosting a fundraiser in Durham, North Carolina.
Krzyzewski grew up in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village and attended Archbishop Weber High School.
He became emotional when he spoke about his parents’ work ethic and values, which he says continue to inspire him.
Quinn says awards to recognize citizens who have brought honor to Illinois. He says Krzyzewski has “made Abraham Lincoln proud.”
