CREW MEMBER HURT
There was a scary situation 80 laps into in the race when a loose tire on pit road struck one of Michael Waltrip’s crew members in the back of the head. Waltrip’s gas man, Art Harris, was hit in the helmet, knocked down, and taken out on an ambulance to the infield care center.

Harris was treated and released from the hospital.

The loose tire was hit by David Ragan’s car, which sent it flying toward Waltrip’s pit stall. The race was run under caution for five laps so the track gate could be opened for the ambulance to get out.

DARIO’S DEBUT
IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti is close to a deal with Nextel Cup team owner Ganassi to make his stock car debut next month in an ARCA race at Talladega.

Franchitti, who won the Indianapolis 500 in May, is expected to leave Andretti Green Racing for a ride in NASCAR next season.

SPARK PLUGS
Bobby Labonte was saluted at the driver’s meeting for making 500 career starts. Bobby Allison also was recognized at the meeting. ... Some fans can’t wait until next year to buy Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 88 merchandise. Some Junior fans wore homemade No. 88 T-shirts with the number written on white shirts.