Kyle Busch takes Nationwide Series race

Kyle Busch led a race-high 137 laps in winning the rain-interrupted Nationwide Dollar General 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Friday night in Concord, N.C.

Busch regained the lead from South Boston's Jeff Burton on Lap 170 then beat Burton to the finish line by .661 seconds in winning with an average speed of 103.647 mph. Busch won his ninth Nationwide event, giving him 20 NASCAR wins overall -- including eight Sprint Cup and three Craftsman Truck victories.

The race was red-flagged twice because of rain. And Busch survived a late five-car crash on Lap 193. Brian Vickers, who started 42nd after switching to a back-up car, was third, followed by three other Cup drivers -- Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick.

Gordon hits wall twice early in 500

Jeff Gordon turned only four laps before hitting the wall twice last night during the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Gordon had trouble clearing the tri-oval in the front straight on the second and fourth laps. He slid against the wall as he tried to keep pace with Hendrick Motorsports teammate and pole-sitter Jimmie Johnson.

Gordon and crew chief Steve Latarte debated quickly and decided to surrender a lap as he opted to pit for tires. He fell a lap down but told Latarte they would get the lap back.

"We are not going to blow a tire," Gordon said. "I don't want to come back in."

No incident between rivals comes in meeting

Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick slipped out of the drivers' meeting without incident. They didn't acknowledge one another, in part, because last week's controversial finish at Talladega put a premium on understanding race rules and protocol.

Edwards started alongside Johnson after rain washed out Thursday's qualifying.

Edwards and Harvick were glad to get their Thursday fight behind them. Still, NASCAR officials summoned them to their trailer to for a brief discussion. The two shook hands before leaving the trailer, according to NASCAR officials.

Teammates see keys to outcome differently

Kasey Kahne and Emporia's Elliott Sadler exchanged information during yesterday's practice sessions. But they differed on the keys to winning.

"Track position at the end of the race and communication during it," Kahne said. "Being able to relay what the car is doing to the team every pit stop and making it better is critical."

Said Sadler: "Pit strategy and track position late are always key here. Keep an eye on fuel mileage," Sadler said. "There are a lot of long runs here at Lowe's, and whoever gets good fuel mileage may have an advantage when it comes down to the last few pit stops."

Former Petty crew chief Inman honored

Legendary Petty Enterprises crew chief Dale Inman was awarded the Smokey Yunick Award before the Bank of America 500. The award recognizes auto racing achievement.

Inman, the most decorated crew chief in NASCAR history, joined several of his colleagues with the honor, including Glen and Leonard Wood, Ralph Moody and Bud Moore.

"It's an honor to be associated with Smokey Yunick and all of the names that have won this award," Inman said. "Smokey was a unique individual. I don't think there has been, or will ever be, anyone like him in the garage area."

Johnson, Gordon test hydrogen fuel cell cars

Hendrick Motorsports stars Gordon, Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus got a feel for a new type of Chevrolet technology, substantially different from the R07 technology that powers their Impala SS racecars.

Gordon, Johnson and Knaus took part In Chevrolet's 'Project Driveway' -- the first large-scale market test of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with real drivers in the real world.

Lug nuts

Sam Hornish started in the back after wrecking his primary car during Saturday's practice. . . . Kasey Kahne was looking to sweep all three Charlotte races this year after winning the Coca Cola 600 and the All-Star event. -- Ralph N. Paulk