News » h Ryan Nelsen said. "He got some valuable minutes

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Kyle Busch is hardly the peoples choice.His championship run last year was overshadowed by Jeff Gordons farewell. His quest to repeat probably ranks behind Tony Stewarts retirement and Jimmie Johnsons shot at making history.Hes overlooked but far from overmatched. Busch might even be the man to beat in the NASCAR finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday.I think winning the championship last year definitely impacted us, Busch said. It just gave us a greater sense of belief in ourselves and our team and confidence in being able to go out there and do it again. You know, theres no reason to think that what we accomplished last year is a one-time thing.We feel were just as good last year if not better and performed better throughout this Chase in order to get ourselves in the position were in. There are plenty of reasons as to why we can be beat and plenty of reasons as to why we can beat the rest of them.Buschs championship run last year was something befitting a Hollywood script. He missed the first 11 races of the season after breaking his leg and foot in a hard crash at Daytona International Speedway.He transitioned from comeback kid to championship contender after winning four of five races during a summer hot streak. With a new son, a supportive wife and a newfound maturity, Busch looked like a changed man.He won the finale at Homestead and gave Toyota its first Sprint Cup championship.Now, hes looking to make it two in a row. Standing in his way are Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Johnson, who can tie the NASCAR record held by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.I certainly think that its different from last year for sure, Busch said. Last year, I was just a part-time champion, so this year I hope to become a full-time champion.He wont get any help from Edwards.Team owner Joe Gibbs said Friday that Busch and Edwards will be on their own during practice and once the green flag drops.To be quite truthful, both of them want this in the worst way and theyre going to compete, Gibbs said. Theyre not sharing a lot of stuff. Its going to be up to them individually. ... We kind of felt like obviously theyre going to be kind of individually going for it. Theyll both kind of be on their own here.That was news to Busch and Edwards after qualifying Friday. The two were loose and light and said Gibbs, who earlier in the day said hes so nervous this weekend he accidentally walked into the womens bathroom, was mistaken on the sharing.Joe is not in our meetings. Dont listen to Joe. Were not sharing with him, Busch said. Everything right now is all the same, open notebook. Ive been looking at Carls stuff all day.Working with teammates has been a crucial piece of the success at JGR, and played into Buschs discouragement after last weeks race at Phoenix. Buschs teammate, Matt Kenseth, had the win in hand until a late caution sent the race to extra laps. Although Kenseth cleared traffic on the restart, Busch made contact with Alex Bowman that altered Bowmans racing line. Kenseths spotter told the driver he was clear, but he actually moved down on Bowman and crashed.Busch took much of the blame after the race. But after studying replays, Busch felt he had less to do with the wreck than he initially thought.I was definitely hard on myself, Busch said. If you look at what percentage of blame should be given to everybody, I think we all have a piece, but what exact percentage that is, Im not sure.As for Busch and Kenseth, theyve havent exactly made up.Weve exchanged texts back and forth, Busch said. Its as good as its going to be good right now with him still probably being rightfully upset with how it all went down last week. I mean, man, he was, what, 30, 35 seconds away from taking the white? Thats a pretty bummer situation.Busch surely would be bummed with anything short of another championship.But winning that first one was a career-defining moment.I feel like maybe on the racetrack you get an extra four inches instead of one inch from particular people, but it also depends on what lap its on, Busch said. When it comes down to the end of the race, its pretty much every man for himself all the time. But just having that accolade and being a part of the sport, having recognition from other champions come up to you with the likes of Darrell Waltrip or Dale Jarrett or Rusty Wallace, those guys that come put their arm around you and tell you, `Welcome to the club.He has a chance Sunday to join even more exclusive company.---More AP auto racing: www.racing.ap.orgWholesale Warriors Jerseys . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Cheap Warriors Jerseys Authentic . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. http://www.cheapwarriorsjerseysstore.com/ . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. Jacob Evans Jersey . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Cheap Swingman Warriors Jerseys . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As one Argentine entered the scene with Toronto FC, another dealt the team a double blow as Columbus Federico Higuain scored twice to lead the Crew to a 2-0 victory over TFC on Saturday. Toronto was trailing 1-0 on Higuains 19th-minute goal when Maximiliano Urruti, a 22-year old Argentine striker who was signed Friday as TFCs third designated player, made his MLS debut in the 66th minute. "He hasnt done much in a while so we have to ease him in," TFC coach Ryan Nelsen said. "He got some valuable minutes." Urruti also got an up-close look at fellow countryman Higuain, who is six years older and in his first full season as a designated player with the Crew. He assured the victory when he sent a stunning chip over goalkeeper Joe Bendik in the 67th minute. The Crews Danny ORourke created a turnover at midfield. Higuain dribbled into the left channel then put the ball just under the crossbar into the far netting. "We gave it away in really poor areas," Nelsen said. "Hes probably most dangerous when the opposition has the ball. He gets in really nice areas, nice pockets. We gave it away and he made a really good effort. "If you look at their team, their DP makes a huge impact. We havent had that." Higuain has nine goals -- four in the past two matches -- as the Crew (8-11-5) won two in a row for the first time in nearly a year. "Hes done it to weeks in a row now," Toronto forward Jeremy Brockie said of Higuains chip. &qquot;Since Ive been here in the league, hes the best player in the league Ive seen and Columbus is lucky to have him.dddddddddddd" Bendiks five saves kept TFC (4-12-8) in the match, and Toronto forward Robert Earnshaw gave credit to their opponents following the loss. "Tactically, we have to give credit to (Columbus)," Earnshaw said. "They played well but at the same time we could have played better. They had good energy. Our energy could have been better. "It was one of those nights. They were much better than us." TFC did not have a shot on goal during the first 45 minutes of the match, but Nelsen implored his team at halftime to remember their last meeting on July 27 when Toronto shocked the Crew by scoring in the 87th minute and fourth minute of stoppage time for a 2-1 win at BMO Field. "We talked about that at halftime," Brockie said. "There were a few heads down in the training room and Ryan said to us, Look, we may be losing, we may be playing but one goal and were in it." Instead, the Crew, who won 1-0 at Toronto on May 18, took the season series and the Trillium Cup competition between the teams as TFC lost for the second match in a row after two straight wins. "We had a bad day at the office. They had a good day," Nelsen said. "Were not good enough where we can have an off day and get away with it. Hopefully, someday well be in that situation." Torontos next match is Aug. 24 at D.C. United. ' ' '