BROOKLYN, Mich. --- Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch helped deepen the local depression felt by Detroit's Big Three automakers Friday by sweeping the top-two starting spots in Toyotas for the LifeLock 400.
Vickers ran 189.110 mph and Busch was clocked at 188.536 to give the Japanese automaker bragging rights at Michigan International Speedway -- the backyard of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.
Jimmie Johnson qualified third in a Chevrolet and David Reutimann , in another Toyota, was fourth. The rest of the top-10 qualifiers were Kurt Busch , A.J. Allmendinger , Juan Pablo Montoya , Kasey Kahne , Clint Bowyer and John Andretti .
GM TIGHTENS BELT: When NASCAR arrived to Michigan International Speedway, it was greeted with bad news: General Motors has withdrawn its support of the Nationwdie and third-tier Camping World Truck Series.
Worse yet, cutbacks for the Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR's top level, are expected soon.
GM made the decision in response to its recent bankruptcy filing. When asked if the Sprint Cup Series was next, company spokesman Terry Rhadigan said it would be "NASCAR-wide."
Sprint Cup teams will meet with GM on Wednesday.
ROBBY GORDON APPEALS : Robby Gordon was assessed 100 minutes in penalties last week at the Baja 500, stripping him of a victory and dropping his team to a seventh-place finish.
The sanctioning body, SCORE, said Gordon exceeded the speed limit during the race and made an illegal pit stop.
Gordon said his team filmed the entire race and would prove he didn't violate any rules.
"We are deeply disappointed with SCORE's decision and reject their claims in the strongest possible terms," Gordon said. "We plan an immediate appeal of this unjust decision."
Reach Don Coble at don.coble@morris.com.
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