ON THE TRACKS This weekend's events

NASCARNEXTEL CUPEA Sports 500Talladega, Ala.
Schedule: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 4 p.m.); Sunday, race (NBC, 2 p.m.)Track: Talladega Superspeedway (tri-oval, 2.66 miles, 33 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 500 miles, 188 lapsLast race: Ryan Newman easily won the MBNA America 400 at Dover International Speedway, while four-time series champion Jeff Gordon took the points lead with his third-place finish.Last year: Michael Waltrip broke Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s streak at Talladega Superspeedway, sweeping high off the final turn and denying his teammate a fifth straight victory at the track by winning the EA Sports 500.Fast facts: Gordon won the Aaron's 499 at Talladega on April 25. ... Gordon is one point ahead of Kurt Busch, who lost the series lead after finishing fifth at Dover.
Craftsman TrucksAmerican Racing Wheels 200Fontana, Calif.
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 6:15 p.m.; Saturday, race (Speed Channel, 10 p.m.)Track: California Speedway (d-shaped oval, 2 miles, 14 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 200 miles, 100 lapsLast race: Shane Hmiel nipped veteran Todd Bodine heading into the final lap to win the Las Vegas 350. It was Hmiel's first career truck victory.Last year: Ted Musgrave overtook Brendan Gaughan with nine laps remaining and won the American Racing Wheels 200 for his third straight victory at California Speedway. Musgrave started at the back of the field after an engine change, but still set a track record for fastest winning speed at 145.926 mph.Fast facts: Bobby Hamilton, the top money earner, holds a 39-point lead over Dennis Setzer in the series. ...Currently third in the points, Carl Edwards competed in the Nextel Cup Series Pop Secret 500 on Labor Day weekend and could possibly have a slight advantage to his competitors.Next race: Silverado 350K, Oct. 16, Fort Worth, Texas
INDY RACING LEAGUEToyota Indy 400Fontana, Calif.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, race (ESPN, 3 p.m.)Track: California Speedway (d-shaped oval, 2 miles, 14 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 400 miles, 200 lapsLast race: Adrian Fernandez won his second race in a month by taking the Delphi Indy 300 in Joliet, Ill., on Sept. 12. Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice was involved in a frightening crash, but was uninjured despite skidding upside down along the track.Last year: Sam Hornish Jr. won the fastest open-wheel race in history, averaging 207.151 mph in the Toyota Indy 400. Hornish also took the inaugural race in 2002.Fast facts: Tony Kanaan can clinch the championship if his finishes fourth or better this weekend. He has 13 straight top-five finishes. Next race: Chevy 500, Oct. 17, Fort Worth, Texas
NHRACarquest Auto Parts NHRA NationalsJoliet, Ill.
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 1:15 p.m. (ESPN2, 4 p.m., tape); Sunday, eliminations, Noon (ESPN2, 8 p.m., tape)Track: Route 66 RacewayLast event: Tony Schumacher moved closer to his second Top Fuel title with his win and Pro Stock driver Greg Anderson clinched his second consecutive championship at the O'Reilly Fall Nationals in Ennis, Texas. David Connolly won Pro Stock while Del Worsham claimed Funny Car.Last year: Kenny Bernstein picked up his first Top Fuel victory of the season and passed Don Garlits for second place on the career wins list with his 36th at the NHRA Nationals. Next event: Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Oct. 10, Mohnton, Pa.
Associated Press