Auto Racing Capsules: NASCAR's Roush injured in Wisconsin plane crash
MILWAUKEE (AP) — NASCAR team owner Jack Roush was in serious but stable condition after walking away from a plane crash in Wisconsin on Tuesday night.
"There are injuries. Possible surgery," Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith said in a text message to The Associated Press. "But he walked out of the plane."
Smith confirmed that the plane belonged to Roush, and he was flying it. Smith said Roush's injuries include facial lacerations.
Roush, an aviation buff, was attending the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., this week.
In a statement on the EAA Web site, officials said a Beechcraft Premier business jet registered to Roush Fenway Racing, LLC was involved in a landing accident at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The accident occurred at approximately 6:15 p.m. CDT, the statement said.
According to the EAA, the National Transportation Safety Board and Winnebago County Sheriff's Department confirmed that two occupants on board were Roush and Brenda Strickland of Plymouth, Mich. Strickland is a friend of Roush's.
"Each exited the aircraft following the accident," the statement said. "Both were transported to local hospitals, with Roush in serious but stable condition and Strickland with non-life threatening injuries. The NTSB is leading the investigation into the accident."
According to a statement from the team, Roush was landing his plane when the accident occurred.
"Dr. Kevin Wasco, the attending physician, says that Roush is in serious but stable condition," the team's statement said. "His injuries are not life threatening."
It is the second close call for Roush, who crashed a plane into a pond in Alabama in 2002 and nearly drowned before being rescued by an ex-Marine who lived nearby. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Roush continued flying.
Roush owns several aircraft, including a World War II-vintage P-51 Mustang.
After having success in dragsters and sports car racing, Roush — a former Ford engineer and college physics teacher — founded his NASCAR team in 1988. Known for his trademark Panama-style hat, academic speaking style and love for tinkering with anything mechanical, he won championships in NASCAR's top series with Matt Kenseth in 2003 and Kurt Busch in 2004.
Since 2007, Roush has partnered with the Fenway Sports Group, the sports marketing arm of the Boston Red Sox's parent company.
The team currently fields cars in the Cup series for Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and David Ragan.
Ambrose leaving JTG Daugherty Racing
HARRISBURG, N.C. (AP) — Marcos Ambrose is leaving JTG Daugherty Racing at the end of the season.
Team co-owner Tad Geschickter said Tuesday the organization is disappointed to see the Australian driver leave after five seasons. Ambrose started with the team in the Truck Series, and helped it expand to NASCAR's premier Sprint Cup Series.
"After five years, I personally felt it was time for a change," Ambrose said.
Ambrose debuted with the team in a 2006 truck race at Martinsville. He won two Nationwide Series races for JTG, and nearly won the Cup race at Sonoma last month. He lost the race when, while trying to conserve fuel under caution, he turned his engine off and couldn't maintain reasonable speed.
Ambrose did not say where he will drive next season, but he's believed to be close to finalizing a deal with Richard Petty Motorsports.
"I would like to continue in NASCAR and finish off what I started, but I have not discounted returning to Australia," Ambrose said. "I'm grateful to JTG Daugherty Racing for giving me an opportunity to become a NASCAR driver and I wish them the best in the future."
JTG said it will make an announcement soon as to who will drive the No. 47 Toyota next season.
Michigan speedway opens NASCAR track to public
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — NASCAR racing wannabes note: Michigan International Speedway is giving members of the public a chance to drive on the two-mile track normally reserved for race cars.
The track in Brooklyn is charging $25 for three laps around the track.
The Detroit News says drivers will have to keep their cars under 70 miles per hour but are free to drive up the high banks.
Public access to the track is next Monday through Aug. 4, Aug. 6 and Aug. 23-25.
Formula One
McCombs investor behind US Grand Prix event
AUSTIN (AP) — Former San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs is a key investor backing the new U.S. Grand Prix Formula One race to be run in Austin beginning in 2012.
A wealthy car dealer, McCombs was introduced at a news conference on Tuesday to unveil a 900-acre tract of land a few miles southeast of downtown as the primary site for the track.
McCombs addressed doubts that the track can be built in time for the 2012 race season, saying he told Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, "You're talking about doing this in Texas. We have a reputation as a state and people."
Formula One has said it will be the first track built in the U.S. specifically designed for a Grand Prix event. The German firm Tilke has been hired to design the venue. Tilke has built racetracks in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Shanghai and Istanbul among other cities.
Formula One hasn't raced in the U.S. since 2007 after an eight-year run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Promoter Tavo Hellmund released few other details about the project, but McCombs said he envisions a track facility that he nicknamed "Speed City" that would include not just the track but sport and science laboratories.
