Sam Hornish Jr. is leaving the IndyCar Series for a full-time ride in NASCAR, joining the mass exodus of open-wheel stars fleeing to America's most popular racing series. The three-time IndyCar champion told The Associated Press he will drive the No. 77 Dodge next season for Penske Racing with Mobil 1 as the sponsor. "I feel like this is something that is a new and unique challenge for me," Hornish said Thursday.

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Joe Gibbs Racing has lost one of its much-admired group of "Young Guns," with 19-year-old Brad Coleman set to leave the team at the end of the 2007 season to become a full-time driver with Brewco Motorsports in NASCAR's Nationwide Series, currently the Busch Series.

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An appeals committee overturned Wednesday the $10,000 fine levied against a crew chief for Kyle Busch following a Busch Series race in Kansas. Michael Bumgarner was fined after Busch's win at Kansas Speedway last month because NASCAR said the intake manifold on the Chevrolet did not conform to its standards. Hendrick Motorsports argued that the part, and others identical to it, had been used over the past three seasons and never failed inspection.

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Turns out the confrontation between Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth was more than just a clash in the heat of the moment. It's been festering for a while. Following Sunday's race at Martinsville, Edwards grabbed Kenseth, pushing him down pit road. In videos posted on YouTube, the two are seen arguing before Edwards climbs over the pit wall.

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Former Champ car star Patrick Carpentier was finalizing a deal Wednesday to drive the No. 10 Dodge for Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season. Team co-owner Alex Gillett acknowledged interest in the Canadian driver last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, and a person familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday the team was in final negotiations with Carpentier. The person requested anonymity because the contract was not yet complete.

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Jeff Gordon surged into the lead on the final lap at Talladega Superspeedway then held off teammate Jimmie Johnson to win Sunday and become the career victory leader at restrictor-plate tracks. Gordon, who scored his 12th victory on a plate track, used the win to move back on top of the points standings with six races remaining in the Chase for the championship. He leads Johnson by nine points.

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