ON THE TRACKS \ This weekend's races

NASCARNEXTEL CUPChevy Rock & amp; Roll 400Richmond, Va.
Schedule: Today, qualifying (TNT, 6 p.m.); Saturday, race (TNT, 7 p.m.)Track: Richmond International Raceway (tri-oval, 0.75 miles, 14 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 300 miles, 400 lapsLast year: Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth locked up two of the final spots for the Chase for the championship with solid runs, and Jeff Gordon was eliminated after crashing during the Chevy Rock & amp; Roll 400. Kurt Busch won and was followed by Kenseth and Greg Biffle, giving Roush Racing a sweep of the top three -- the first team to do so since 1997.Fast facts: Matt Kenseth is the new points leader after finishing seventh at California. Jimmie Johnson, who finished 11th, had led the standings for all but two weeks this season but now tails Kenseth by nine points. They remain the only drivers who have clinched berths in the 10-race Chase. ... Nine drivers will be competing for the final eight spots in the Chase. Positions 3-11 in the standings are separated by 147 points. ... Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the Crown Royal 400 at Richmond May 6 for his third career Cup win at the track. He can clinch a spot in the Chase with a finish of 16th or better. ... Johnson has an average finish of 21 in his career at Richmond.
BUSCH SERIESEmerson Radio 250Richmond, Va.
Schedule: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 4:35 p.m.), race (TNT, 7:30 p.m.)Track: Richmond International RacewayRace distance: 187.5 miles, 250 lapsLast year: Kevin Harvick pulled away from Paul Menard in a two-lap dash to the finish for his third victory of 2005. Defending series champion Martin Truex Jr. crashed with about 50 laps to go and wound up 27th.Next race: Dover (Del.) 200, Sept. 23
FORMULA ONEItalian Grand PrixMonza
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying (Speed Channel, 8 a.m.); Sunday, race (Speed Channel, 7:30 a.m.)Track: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza (road course, 3.599 miles, seven turns)Race distance: 190.747 miles, 53 lapsLast year: Juan Pablo Montoya won the Italian Grand Prix from the pole despite having tire problems on the final laps. It was Montoya's second career win at Monza, where he won his first Grand Prix race in 2001.
INDY RACING LEAGUEChicagoland Indy 300Joliet, Ill.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, 6 p.m.; Sunday, race (ABC, 1:30 p.m.)Track: Chicagoland Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles, 18 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 300 miles, 200 lapsLast year: Dan Wheldon set an IRL record with his sixth victory of 2005 and all but clinched the series title by taking the PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway.
Associated Press
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