It was another weekend for favourites, for undecided Championships and racing down to the wire.
From Miami to Sakhir, the NASCAR and World Endurance Championship series were not yet decided, going into their respective final rounds of the season.
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Across the pond, or perhaps on the other side of the planet, the festivities in Macau also got off to an interesting and rather scruffy start. And although the WTCC circus wasn’t visiting the iconic circuit this time around, the TCR series duly filled in.
Finally, we have a look at the now traditional season-ending Race of Champions event, taking place in London this year.
1. NASCAR Sprint Cup: Kyle Busch pulls off comeback of the decade to win Championship
It was a red letter day for NASCAR as Jeff Gordon bowed out of the sport he’s practically owned since joining, and the Miami crowd payed their due respects. Lewis Hamilton and Mario Andretti were also there to watch the four-time Champion’s final race, but it wasn’t to be his day.
Kyle Busch, after missing 11 early rounds of the season to broken bones on both legs sustained in an Xfinity Cup race, won at Homestead and subsequently took his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in fine style.
“This is just so unbelievable, so amazing and means so much right here, right now and probably will for a long, long time to come,” Busch told NASCAR media after his historic win.
“This is just a dream come true and my family, my wife, my son — to have him this year and to have everything we’ve gone through this year to be in this moment — I don’t know what else to say, but this is so special.”
Kevin Harvick, who led more laps than Busch in a bid to defend his title, finished second, while Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Kyle Larson rounded up the top five. Jeff Gordon finished in sixth.
2. NASCAR Sprint Cup: Jeff Gordon is a legend among legends
We often take racing drivers of Gordon’s magnitude for granted. In his 23-year career, the 44-year old racked up 93 wins in 797 starts, 475 top ten finishes and 81 pole positions. He took his first win back in 1994, with his last coming this year at Martinsville — the win that would give him a shot at this year’s Championship.
Although the California native didn’t quite make it five, he’s undoubtedly one of the best drivers the planet has ever seen.
3. WEC: Webber, Hartley, Bernhard become World Endurance Champions with Porsche
Speaking of great drivers, Mark Webber, Brenden Hartley and Timo Bernhard have won their maiden World Endurance Championship crown in Bahrain this weekend. The trio, driving the Porsche 919 Hybrid, finished give points ahead of the first Audi car, and subsequently, knocked Toyota off its perch in the process.
Remarkably, this is Webber’s first Championship in motor racing.
4. TCR: Macau’s filled with crashes as Comini takes title
Round 22 of the Championship saw the customary huge Macau shunt, courtesy of Huff and Gene, which set off a multiple car pileup behind.
This didn’t bother Comini though, as he romped home to claim a Macau win and the Championship.
5. Vettel wins Race of Champions in London, beating Tom Kristensen
Regarded as more of a fan favourite rather than an actual motorsport event, the RoC has really become something more serious for the drivers.
How serious, you ask? Have a look at the video above.
Feature image: Chris Graythen/Getty Images via Flickr
