Sprint Cup Series

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Denny Hamlin smiles in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Mark Martin drives through turn one during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Michigan International Speedway on Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 in Brooklyn Mich.. (AP Photo/Autostock, Brian Czobat)

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People sit at a campfire in a lot near the grandstands after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. A lightning strike in the parking lot at Pocono Raceway after the rain-shortened race killed one person and injured nine others, racetrack officials said. It wasn't immediately clear if all 10 people were actually struck by lightning in the parking lot behind the grandstand, nor was it known whether one or multiple strikes occurred. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Race cars sit covered along the pits after the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race was postponed due to rain on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Pocono Raceway was called after 98 of 160 scheduled laps, giving the win to Jeff Gordon over runner-up Kasey Kahne. The deluge forced all of the cars, including Ryan Newman’s 39, to leave the track. (Associated Press)

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associated press Dale Earnhardt Jr. has benefited from being a Rick Hendrick Racing teammate of Jimmie Johnson, Sunday’s winner of the Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis and the points champion every season from 2006 through 2010.

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associated press Jimmie Johnson kisses the yard of bricks after winning the Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as daughter Genevieve Marie, 2, looks on. Johnson also won at the Brickyard in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

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Denny Hamlin drives out of the first turn during practice for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, July 28, 2012. Hamlin won the pole for the race. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes a qualifying lap for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, July 6, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)