NOTES: PIT STOP PROVES PERILOUS; DECAL DISTRACTS.

Byline: Bill Schlotter Daily News Staff Writer

Sunday's NASCAR Busch Grand National Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 at California Speedway was injury-free on the track. Brad Akins, co-owner of the Barbasol Ford driven to 12th place by Elton Sawyer, was not so lucky in the pits.

While preparing for a tire change, Akins' ankle was run over by the passing No. 80 Chevrolet driven by Mark Krogh.

Akins completed the tire change on his car, then was taken to Loma Linda Hospital with what was diagnosed as a severely fractured ankle.

Winston what? Some say Winston Cup drivers should stay away from lower-level races in the interest of preventing unfair competition. That argument isn't supported by Sunday's results.

Of the four Winston Cup regulars entered, pole-starter Robert Pressley finished highest at 14th. Michael Waltrip was 23rd, Dale Jarrett blew an engine and was 37th and Dick Trickle was 39th.

World Championship mistake: Palmdale expatriot Lance Hooper suffered an early setback when the sponsor decal on the hood of his Pontiac came loose and threatened to fly up and block his view.

Hooper's car is sponsored by World Championship Wrestling and the decal, applied just minutes before race time, advertised a forthcoming pay-per-view event.

Hooper finished 25th. Fellow former Palmdale racer Ron Hornaday Jr. was 22nd.

Sons of the rich and famous: J.D. Gibbs, son of former Redskins coach and full-time race owner Joe Gibbs, was a last-minute addition to the race, subbing for Tony Stewart, who was racing in the Indy Racing League event. Gibbs finished 36th.

Also present was Jason Jarrett, who lost his ride to his father, Dale.