Auto Racing | Police investigate Kahne incident
Homestead police are investigating an incident that took place Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway involving NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw and an unidentified security guard.
A spokesman for the 27-year-old Kasey Kahne said the Nextel Cup Series driver was rushing to his motor home in a secure lot at the track after Friday's final practice when he was stopped by the guard. The spokesman said the guard refused to let Kasey Kahne through the entrance without a credential.
Kasey Kahne, still in his driving uniform, attempted to walk around the guard and, according to the spokesman, the two bumped and, when Kasey Kahne turned around, the guard was on the ground.
Meanwhile, a NASCAR.com report said there was a conflict between Kasey Kahne and the guard after Kasey Kahne could not provide the proper credential for his brother in order to enter the drivers' motor-home lot.
Police were called and Kasey Kahne spent several minutes in handcuffs before being released. The security guard reportedly was checked and released at the infield medical center.
A police spokesman said the incident is under investigation by detectives and he was not at liberty to talk about specifics.
NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said the sanctioning organization was gathering information on the incident and could not comment.
Kasey Kahne took part in Cup practices and the Busch Series race Saturday and will start today's season-ending Ford 400 third in the 43-car field.
After Cup practice Saturday, according to NASCAR.com, Kasey Kahne said, "It was all a misunderstanding."
Jeff Burton wins Busch event to give RCR title
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Jeff Burton wrapped up the Busch Series car-owner's championship for Richard Childress Racing, winning Saturday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway to give Childress his 11th NASCAR title.
Jeff Burton, who shared the No. 29 RCR Chevrolet with Scott Wimmer this season, took control late after a series of green-flag pit stops and pulled away to the win while runner-up Mark Martin and series points champion Carl Edwards battled behind him.
As Jeff Burton crossed the finish line half a straightaway ahead of Martin on the 1.5-mile oval, Childress spoke on the radio and said, "That's the way to win a championship. Scott Wimmer, Jeff Burton, you guys, you're champions."
Note
• Defending champion Jimmie Johnson has the pole and an 86-point lead over second-place Jeff Gordon in the Nextel Cup standings entering the Ford 400.
Vancouver, Wash., native Greg Biffle didn't qualify for the 12-driver, 10-race Chase for the Nextel Cup this year, but he has won the Ford 400 in each of the past three years.
"The thing about winning the last race is that I'm the most recent winner until the checkered flag in the Daytona 500 [the next year], which is pretty cool," Biffle said.
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