MotoGP title decider, Phoenix NASCAR, Valais ERC
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NASCAR - Phoenix: Kenseth remains 12th. NASCAR doesn't really do team orders, but it's fair to say that fellow Joe Gibbs man Kyle Busch hasn't looked in a hurry to pass him despite lurking right behind for most of this stint.
Phoenix 2012
NASCAR - Phoenix: Harvick is holding a steady one-second lead over Johnson, with third-placed Gordon now four seconds adrift.
Harvick won this race a year ago, when it was all rather wild. That's him in the picture taking the chequered flag, as most of the field crashes on Danica Patrick's oil in his wake.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Kenseth is on the slide. Martin Truex Jr and Carl Edwards have passed him now, dropping him to 12th.
He tells his crew that the car is struggling for mid-corner speed and is now "too tight".
He tells his crew that the car is struggling for mid-corner speed and is now "too tight".
NASCAR - Phoenix: Earnhardt has been reporting a loose wheel and now pits from sixth place. That's one spot regained for Kenseth.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Johnson passes Gordon for second, and at the very same moment Juan Pablo Montoya pushes Kenseth down to 11th.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Not so good for Kenseth, he falls to 10th and can't take advantage as Keselowski, Kahne and Paul Menard go three-wide ahead of him.
Green flag
NASCAR - Phoenix: Restart time and Harvick blasts ahead from the outside to take the lead.
Gordon fights back, and Johnson loses third to Kurt Busch.
Gordon fights back, and Johnson loses third to Kurt Busch.
As ever, AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live is keeping a close eye on the motorsport twitter world to see who else is paying attention to this race.
We've just received, not for the first time today, a link to something about dieting from 1996 CART Indycar champion turned IndyCar team boss Jimmy Vasser. It's possible he might have been hacked...
We've just received, not for the first time today, a link to something about dieting from 1996 CART Indycar champion turned IndyCar team boss Jimmy Vasser. It's possible he might have been hacked...
Crash
NASCAR - Phoenix: Replays of Hamlin's little spin suggest a small tap from Phoenix Racing driver Justin Allgaier might have triggered it.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Most of the field heading for the pits.
Tyre wear is low today so everyone's going for just two tyres fior now it seems.
Very evenly-matched stops so no changes in the order. It's Gordon-Harvick-Johnson up front, Kenseth still ninth.
Tyre wear is low today so everyone's going for just two tyres fior now it seems.
Very evenly-matched stops so no changes in the order. It's Gordon-Harvick-Johnson up front, Kenseth still ninth.
Yellow flag
NASCAR - Phoenix: And now Hamlin spins at Turn 2 to trigger our first yellow on lap 49.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Ouch... Biffle, who started last, passes Hamlin, who led the first 18 laps, for 23rd.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Great racing through the field amid heavy traffic - yet another reason why short ovals are ace. Logano just grabbed fourth from Kurt Busch as Earnhardt lurks behind them.
Johnson is holding steady in third, Kenseth is ninth and fending off Bowyer rather than closing in on eighth-placed Keselowski.
Johnson is holding steady in third, Kenseth is ninth and fending off Bowyer rather than closing in on eighth-placed Keselowski.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Positions are starting to shuffle as cars' handling fades or improves as this long green stint continues. Kenseth is now up to ninth, while early leader Hamlin has slipped to 12th.
Gordon leads Harvick by a second, with Johnson in third another two seconds back.
Gordon leads Harvick by a second, with Johnson in third another two seconds back.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Johnson is on the move, taking third from a fading Hamlin. Kenseth is still 11th.
Jeff Gordon/Clint Bowyer, Phoenix 2012
NASCAR - Phoenix: Last year, this was the race where Jeff Gordon deliberately took Clint Bowyer out in retaliation for an earlier dust-up, then got hunted down in the paddock by the enraged Bowyer, triggering a pitlane brawl between the Hendrick and Waltrip crews.
Fair to say that Gordon would love a win here to make up for that.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Now Gordon is through and clearly ahead for the first time. Nineteen laps gone, 293 to go.
Johnson and Kenseth still sixth and 11th.
Johnson and Kenseth still sixth and 11th.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Not for long though, as Hamlin gets a better run, goes back around the outside, and moves his Toyota back into first place.
Now Gordon's trying down the inside again...
...and this is why short ovals are good.
Hamlin keeps momentum on the outside and stays just in front, but Gordon's giving up. Four laps side by side now!
Now Gordon's trying down the inside again...
...and this is why short ovals are good.
Hamlin keeps momentum on the outside and stays just in front, but Gordon's giving up. Four laps side by side now!
NASCAR - Phoenix: Gordon edges alongside Hamlin and takes the lead.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Hamlin and Gordon have made a break up front, 2.5s clear of Kurt Busch, who is chased by Kevin Harvick, Logano, Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Brad Keselowski, Kenseth and Bowyer.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Greg Biffle had to start last due to a transmission change, but after seven laps he's up to 30th.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Kenseth is on the move, passing Clint Bowyer to move up to 11th place.
Crash
NASCAR - Phoenix: Logano taps Johnson and send the points leader sliding wide! Johnson drops straight back to sixth as Denny Hamlin leads.
Logano is back in fourth behind Jeff Godrdon and Kyle Busch.
Logano is back in fourth behind Jeff Godrdon and Kyle Busch.
Green flag
NASCAR - Phoenix: Green flag flies and Logano, Johnson and Hamlin go three-wide.
NASCAR - Phoenix: Tributes have been paid, a national anthem has been mangled, engines have been fired and the cars are rolling.
Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth
NASCAR - Phoenix: So Johnson and Kenseth (pictured parked together in the Phoenix garage area on Saturday) are the only two realistic contenders.
The Hendrick man definitely has the momentum: he dominated at Texas last week and took pole on Friday while Kenseth could only qualify 14th.
NASCAR - Phoenix: This is how the standings look with just two rounds remaining:
Title contenders after 41 of 43 races:
1 Jimmie Johnson 2342
2 Matt Kenseth 2335
3 Kevin Harvick 2302
4 Kyle Busch 2290
5 Dale Earnhardt Jr 2280
6 Jeff Gordon 2273
7 Clint Bowyer 2273
8 Greg Biffle 2269
9 Joey Logano 2251
10 Kurt Busch 2246
(48 points maximum per race)
Full season statistics on FORIX
Title contenders after 41 of 43 races:
1 Jimmie Johnson 2342
2 Matt Kenseth 2335
3 Kevin Harvick 2302
4 Kyle Busch 2290
5 Dale Earnhardt Jr 2280
6 Jeff Gordon 2273
7 Clint Bowyer 2273
8 Greg Biffle 2269
9 Joey Logano 2251
10 Kurt Busch 2246
(48 points maximum per race)
Full season statistics on FORIX
NASCAR - Phoenix: Almost all of motorsport's 2013 champions are now crowned, but there's one contest still wide open: the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
And over the next few hours in Arizona, we're going to find out if Jimmie Johnson will take a leap closer to a sixth title at Phoenix or whether Matt Kenseth can reel him back in.
And over the next few hours in Arizona, we're going to find out if Jimmie Johnson will take a leap closer to a sixth title at Phoenix or whether Matt Kenseth can reel him back in.
That's all for now from AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live. Thank you very much for joining us on what has been a sensational day of title-deciding motorbike action.
Here are the day's two major stories, both surrounding epic two-wheeled showdowns.
Marquez champion, Lorenzo wins finale
Vinales takes dramatic Moto3 title
We are back this evening at 8pm GMT for the penultimate round of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup. Join us then.
Here are the day's two major stories, both surrounding epic two-wheeled showdowns.
Marquez champion, Lorenzo wins finale
Vinales takes dramatic Moto3 title
We are back this evening at 8pm GMT for the penultimate round of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup. Join us then.
MotoGP - Valencia: So, in case you hadn't noticed - Marc Marquez is on Twitter, and his handle is @marcmarquez93. Go crazy.
This is how the top of the final points table looks, subject to any Lorenzo penalty for that Pedrosa altercation.
2013 MotoGP standings:
1 Marc Marquez 334
2 Jorge Lorenzo 330
3 Daniel Pedrosa 300
4 Valentino Rossi 237
5 Cal Crutchlow 188
6 Alvaro Bautista 171
Honda takes the teams' title for a third consecutive year, but only by eight points from Yamaha.
This is how the top of the final points table looks, subject to any Lorenzo penalty for that Pedrosa altercation.
2013 MotoGP standings:
1 Marc Marquez 334
2 Jorge Lorenzo 330
3 Daniel Pedrosa 300
4 Valentino Rossi 237
5 Cal Crutchlow 188
6 Alvaro Bautista 171
Honda takes the teams' title for a third consecutive year, but only by eight points from Yamaha.
Twitter
MotoGP - Valencia: Can Marquez become a MotoGP legend? You've got to think so. At 20 years old, he has an incredible career ahead of him.
One man who knows a thing or two about being very good on two wheels is Carl Fogarty - and he's had his say on the Marquez triumph. Not as you would think, though (or maybe you would):
@CarlFogarty: "Haha ..just seen 2 of my old mechanics who work for @marcmarquez93 .. Going mad..so pleased for them.! #beertime"
#Beertime indeed.
Twitter
MotoGP - Valencia: A word for Marquez from 2013 British Superbike champion Alex Lowes - whose brother Sam is heading to Moto2 as the World Supersport champion - as well.
@AlexLowes22: "I think it will be a very long time until we see someone win MotoGP younger than @marcmarquez93 what a legend!! Awesome talent great to see"
@AlexLowes22: "I think it will be a very long time until we see someone win MotoGP younger than @marcmarquez93 what a legend!! Awesome talent great to see"
Twitter
MotoGP - Valencia: Over to Twitter now, and some tributes to the champion. Here's Red Bull Formula 1 driver Mark Webber:
@AussieGrit: "Was a special little bloke when I met him the 1st time.congrats on the world title @marcmarquez93 #redbull"
@AussieGrit: "Was a special little bloke when I met him the 1st time.congrats on the world title @marcmarquez93 #redbull"
MotoGP - Valencia: A beaming Marquez now has the podium all to himself. Helmet in one hand, index finger on the other held aloft, he smiles for the camera. There'll be a lot of that today.
MotoGP - Valencia: The champagne sprays on the MotoGP podium for race winner Jorge Lorenzo,second-placed Dani Pedrosa and the 2013 champion Marc Marquez.
And a touching tribute from Lorenzo - who ushers Marquez onto top spot. Nice gesture.
And a touching tribute from Lorenzo - who ushers Marquez onto top spot. Nice gesture.
MotoGP - Valencia: A considerable tip of the hat to Jorge Lorenzo too for a superb effort.
The outgoing champion ends the year with eight wins, 14 podiums, four poles and three fastest laps. The Yamaha was not a match for the Honda on raw pace, but he took it to the end anyway.
A trio of non-podium finishes mid-season cost him as he was battling his collarbone injury - while that injury-enforced withdrawal from the German Grand Prix didn't help his cause either.
The outgoing champion ends the year with eight wins, 14 podiums, four poles and three fastest laps. The Yamaha was not a match for the Honda on raw pace, but he took it to the end anyway.
A trio of non-podium finishes mid-season cost him as he was battling his collarbone injury - while that injury-enforced withdrawal from the German Grand Prix didn't help his cause either.
MotoGP - Valencia: Marquez's rookie season was simply phenomenal. He finished 16 out of the 18 races, and every one of those was a podium finish.
In fact, he was heading for a comfortable podium in the two he failed to finish (a crash at Mugello; disqualification at Phillip Island). The mind boggles.
In addition, he won six races - including his second MotoGP start - qualified on pole eight times and set 10 fastest laps.
A worthy champion? You better believe it.
In fact, he was heading for a comfortable podium in the two he failed to finish (a crash at Mugello; disqualification at Phillip Island). The mind boggles.
In addition, he won six races - including his second MotoGP start - qualified on pole eight times and set 10 fastest laps.
A worthy champion? You better believe it.
Breaking news
MotoGP - Valencia: If you're just clicking on now and are confused by all the excitment - where were you?
Relive the epic conclusion to the MotoGP season with AUTOSPORT's full race report - Jorge Lorenzo won a thriller, but Marc Marquez is champion!
Marquez champion, Lorenzo wins epic finale
Twitter
MotoGP - Valencia: The question next for Marquez is: what next? How good can he be?
This might not be quite the route he takes, but there's a tongue-in-cheek suggestion from Lotus Formula 1 PR chief Andy Stobart - who has scoped out a replacement for the sidelined Kimi Raikkonen for the final two grands prix...
@AndyStobart: "I wonder if @marcmarquez93 is busy for the next couple of weekends..."
This might not be quite the route he takes, but there's a tongue-in-cheek suggestion from Lotus Formula 1 PR chief Andy Stobart - who has scoped out a replacement for the sidelined Kimi Raikkonen for the final two grands prix...
@AndyStobart: "I wonder if @marcmarquez93 is busy for the next couple of weekends..."
MotoGP - Valencia: Marquez gets back to Parc Ferme and is launched into the air by his jubilant team!
Smiles, cheers, tears all round - the 20-year-old is on top of the world.
Smiles, cheers, tears all round - the 20-year-old is on top of the world.
By: Dan Cross, Matt Beer, Scott Mitchell
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