ON THE TRACKS This weekend's events

NASCAR
WINSTON CUP
Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400
Schedule: Today, qualifying (TNT, 3 p.m.); Sunday, race (TNT, 12:30 p.m.).
Track: North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham, (tri-oval, 1.017 miles, 22 degrees banking in turns 1-2, 25 degrees in turns 3-4).
Race distance: 399.6 miles, 393 laps.
Last race: Kurt Busch won his second straight race by taking the rain-shortened NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Busch was leading the race at lap 242 when the fifth caution flag of the day came because of rain. The race was called six laps later when the track was deemed too wet to drive on.
Last year: Joe Nemechek was never challenged in the final 100 laps in the Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400, and beat Kenny Wallace by 6.285 seconds. Nemechek led 196 of the 393 laps to win for car owner Andy Petree in their final season together.
Fast facts: There are two races remaining after this week. ... Tony Stewart owns a 146-point lead over Mark Martin in the standings. Jimmie Johnson, who trailed Stewart by 82 points entering last week's race, spun out twice and finished 22nd at Atlanta to fall 150 points behind. ... Matt Kenseth won the Subway 400 at Rockingham on Feb. 24. ... The race has been won from the pole five times, most recently by Kyle Petty in 1992.
Next race: Checker Auto Parts 500K, Nov. 10, Avondale, Ariz.
BUSCH GRAND NATIONAL
Sam's Club 200
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 1:30 p.m.; Saturday, race (TNT, 1 p.m.).
Track: North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham, (tri-oval, 1.017 miles, 22 degrees banking in turns 1-2, 25 degrees in turns 3-4).
Race distance: 200 miles, 197 laps.
Last race: Jamie McMurray's gas tank outlasted everyone else's and recorded his first career Busch victory at the Aaron's 312 in Atlanta. McMurray took his first lead on the final lap after Joe Nemechek ran out of fuel.
Last year: Kevin Harvick capped his return to North Carolina Speedway by winning the Busch series championship, overshadowing Kenny Wallace's victory in the Sam's Club 200. Harvick, who made his first Winston Cup start at The Rock in February as the replacement driver for the late Dale Earnhardt, finished fifth to lock up his first title.
Next race: Arizona 200, Nov. 9, Avondale.
CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS
American Racing Wheels 200
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 2:45 p.m.; Saturday, race (ESPN, 5 p.m., tape).
Track: California Speedway, Fontana, (d-shaped oval, 2 miles, 14 degrees banking in turns).
Race distance: 200 miles, 100 laps.
Last race: David Starr broke a 65-race winless streak, outdueling points leader Mike Bliss in the Las Vegas 350 on Oct. 13, giving him and team owner Wayne Spears their first career victories. Starr, who started his Chevrolet from the pole, took the lead on the 142nd of 146 laps when Ted Musgrave's Dodge cut a right front tire and headed for pit road.
Last year: Musgrave raced to a season-high seventh victory. Jack Sprague wrecked, but still wrapped up an unprecedented third Craftsman Truck series championship in the Auto Club 200. Sprague, who previously won truck titles in 1997 and '99, needed only to start the race to break his tie with Ron Hornaday Jr. for the most series titles. Travis Kvapil clinched Rookie of the Year honors by starting the race.
Next race: Chevy Silverado 150, Nov. 8, Avondale, Ariz.
CHAMPIONSHIP AUTO RACING TEAMS
CART 500
Schedule: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 10:30 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (Speed Channel, 2:30 p.m.); Sunday, race (Speed Channel, 3:30 p.m.).
Track: California Speedway, Fontana, (d-shaped oval, 2 miles, 14 degrees banking in turns).
Race distance: 500 miles, 250 laps.
Last race: Rookie Mario Dominguez won the rain-shortened Honda Indy 300 in Australia, a race that was marred by a spectacular 10-car wreck on the opening lap that landed Adrian Fernandez and Tora Takagi in the hospital. The race was restarted 1 1/2 hours later with the intention of running 50 laps, but rain stopped the race at lap 40.
Last year: Cristiano da Matta held off Max Papis by inches to win one of the most competitive events in auto racing history, taking the season-ending Toyota 500 at California Speedway. Da Matta, who finished the CART season with consecutive victories, passed Papis seven laps from the end of the darkness-shortened event for the CART-record 73rd lead change.
Next race: Mexican Grand Prix, Nov. 17, Mexico City.
-- Associated Press