Busch gets treatment for heat

Kyle Busch emerged from the infield care center at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., carrying a water bottle, relieved that a long, exhausting day was finally over.

Busch weathered two accidents, a spin and a sweltering car to finish the playoff race 29th, a minor victory considering what a difficult day it had been Sunday.

It was good enough to keep him above the cutline after the first race of the second round of NASCAR’s playoffs.

When Busch’s No. 18 Toyota hit the wall early in the race, it crushed the right rear panel and he said caused the temperature in his car to “rise about 50 degrees” on an already humid October afternoon.

He said it was by far the hottest he had ever been in a vehicle.

With about 50 laps remaining he radioed in he was staying on the track to pick up needed playoff points, but would need medical treatment after the race. He was helped out of his car immediately and laid on the infield grass where he received care for about 10 minutes before being transported to the infield medical center.

Formula One

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton won the Japanese Grand Prix, taking a major step toward winning his third Formula One title. The Mercedes driver crossed the finish line 1.2 seconds ahead of Malaysia GP winner Max Verstappen to claim his eighth F1 win of the season.