The weekend that was (#10)

In WRC:
Sebastian Loeb (Citroen Total) began the last leg of the Mexican round of the WRC with a 36.2 second lead over his teammate Mikko Hirvonen, and kept him at bay to win his sixth successive win in Mexico. It was a race of teammates, as Petter Solberg took over the last podium position from his teammate Jari-Matti Latvala, as he rolled over his Ford WRT Fiesta in the long 54.3 km Guanajuatito test.
For detailed information on the race, please click here.

After round 3 of 13, the championship stands as follows: 1. Sebastian Loeb, 2. Mikko Hirvonnen, 3. Petter Solberg.

In NASCAR:

Jimmie vs Tony at the restart.

The Kobalt Tools 400 was run last Sunday in Las Vegas, where Tony Steward was quick to return to his winning ways. Early front runner Dale Earnhardt Jr. led for most of the way but after the second round of pits stop fell off the pace. Towards the end of the race and after the latest restart, just 4 laps remained meaning it would turn into a shoot out between Stewart and Johnson. But Johnson somehow didn't have a good restart giving the all important first turn to Stewart who led from there on to the checkered flag. The win was the 2012 NASCAR champ's 45 victory in 467 starts.

On the podium:  1. Tony Stewart, 2. Jimmy Johnson, 3. Greg Biffle.
For more details on the race, please click here.

In NHRA: 

Alexis Dejoria / F/C Tequila Patron

The Gatornationals have been postponed due to rain and cold weather. Eliminations are set to continue Monday, March 11, at 10 a.m. What's remarkable is the DNQ after Coughlin's name (Pro Stock), Alexis de Joria's first round win comes against John Force, and the other rookie's wild ride and touching the retaining wall. She was fine.

Stay tuned for the races' results, or follow it by signing on to NHRA's live audio cast (it will be running).

Update:
As the Florida sunshine showed up with a vengeance today, it changed the set up for most of those still running.

In Top Fuel, Morgan Lucas beat Tony Schumacher as he ran the second-quickest run in NHRA history with a 3.743 at 326.87. Congrats to the GEICO/Lucas Oil dragster team.

In Funny Car, Robert Hight (JFR) won over Johnny Gray in a tire smoking pedal-fest.

In Pro Stock, Mike Edwards left Greg Anderson asleep at the starting line to run a 6.566 at 211.69. All in all, KB racing have been to the final round for three consecutive races, and Greg still leads the championship

In Pro Bike it was a tale of happy teammates going against each other, with Eddie Krawic (6.822 at 194.94 mph) winning over Andrew Hines. The Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson almost broke into the 200 mph club this weekend.

In F1:
Just a week before the start of the 2012 season opener in Australia, the FIA has announced a series of rule amendments. One of the more interesting is a limitation on the DRS in wet conditions, giving the race director the power to ban the use of the device if he feels that the visibility is too poor. Thumbs up, since the large speed differentials between cars would be a safety concern.

And F1's ringmaster has issued a stern warning, telling all twelve teams they must refocus and "...have to learn to be competitive without tonnes of money...they have to refocus again on the basics..." Bernie Ecclestone has hinted at the introduction of a budget cap if spending in the top echelon of motor racing continues to run out of control.

The folk at Mercedes Petronas were thoughtful enough to give us a taste of their W03, with Nico Rosberg at the wheel. Will this be the year??



Sources: Crash.net, Nascar, and NHRA.
Video courtesy of: Best-of-Rally-Live
Photo credit: NHRA, Autostock