ON THE TRACKS | This weekend's events

NASCARNEXTEL CUPMBNA America 400Dover, Del.
Schedule: Today, qualifying (TNT, 2:30 p.m.); Sunday, race (TNT, 1 p.m.)Track: Dover Downs International Speedway (oval, 1 mile, 24 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 400 miles, 400 lapsLast race: Kurt Busch began the 10-race championship showdown by winning the Sylvania 300 at Loudon, N.H. Busch swept both 2004 events at New Hampshire and moved into a tie with Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the points lead.Last year: Ryan Newman overcame a flat tire that cost him two laps, then gambled on fuel and completed a sweep of the races at Dover with a win at the MBNA America 400.Fast facts: Jamie McMurray has five straight top-10 finishes and 16 this season. ... Tony Stewart and Jeremy Mayfield were both knocked out of last week's race following an accident caused by Robby Gordon. Stewart dropped from fourth to eighth in the standings and Mayfield fell to 10th.
BUSCH SERIESStacker 200Dover, Del.
Schedule: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 1 p.m.); Saturday, race (TNT, 1 p.m.)Track: Dover Downs International Speedway (oval, 1 mile, 24 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 200 miles, 200 lapsLast race: Robby Gordon went from third to first in a three-car battle with 15 laps to go and held to win the Emerson 250 at Richmond, Va. on Sept. 10.Last year: Teenager Brian Vickers took the lead in the Busch standings after winning the Stacker 200.Fast facts: Martin Truex Jr. leads Kyle Busch by 105 points in the standings after finishing third at Richmond. ... Ron Hornaday Jr. has competed in a series-record 65 straight races dating to 2002. ... Mike McLaughlin competed in his first Busch race in almost two years at Richmond and finished 12th.Next Race: Mr. Goodcents 300, Oct. 9, Kansas City, Kan.
Craftsman TrucksLas Vegas 250
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, 6:30 p.m., race (Speed Channel, 10 p.m.)Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (tri-oval 1.5 miles, 12 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 219 miles, 146 lapsLast race: Travis Kvapil had just enough gas to win the Sylvania 200 race at Loudon, N.H.. Kvapil was several truck lengths ahead of Jack Sprague with two laps remaining when the race was ended by the 10th caution and darkness.Last year: Brendan Gaughan picked up his fifth victory of 2003 by winning the Las Vegas 350, becoming the ninth driver in series history to win at least that many in a season.Fast facts: Kvapil has three top-five finishes in as many starts at Las Vegas. ... Sprague won this race in 1999 and 2000. ... Gaughan's win last year gave Dodge the manufacturer championship.Next race: American Racing Wheels 200, Oct. 2, Fontana, Calif.
CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIESBridgestone 400Las Vegas
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 7 p.m.; Saturday, race, 1 a.m. (Sunday, SPIKE, 4 p.m., tape)Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (tri-oval 1.5 miles, 12 degrees banking in turns)Race distance: 249 miles, 166 lapsLast race: Patrick Carpentier won the Grand Prix of Monterey for the second straight year on Sept. 12 and moved within 24 points of standings leader Sebastien Bourdais with three races remaining.Last year: Inaugural raceFast facts: This is the second night race of the season. Ryan Hunter-Reay won the first on June 5. ... Oriol Servia's podium finish at Monterey was the first for a Dale Coyne driver since Roberto Moreno in 1996. Next race: Oct. 17, Seoul, South Korea
FORMULA ONEChinese Grand PrixShanghai
Schedule: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 2 a.m.); Saturday, race (Speed Channel, 1:30 a.m.)Track: Shanghai International Circuit (road course, 3.387 miles, 16 turns)Race distance: 189.686 miles, 56 lapsLast race: Rubens Barrichello overcame an early pit stop and won the Italian Grand Prix on Sept. 12. Barrichello finished ahead of series champion Michael Schumacher in a 1-2 showing by Ferrari on its home track.Last year: Inaugural raceNext race: Japanese Grand Prix, Oct. 10, Suzuka
NHRAO'Reilly Fall NationalsDallas
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 5 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 1 p.m. (ESPN2, 4 p.m., tape); Sunday, eliminations, Noon (ESPN2, 11 p.m., tape)Track: Texas MotorplexLast event: Two days of heavy rain showers from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan forced the postponement of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Mohnton, Pa., until Oct. 10.Last year: Larry Dixon clinched his second straight Top Fuel championship when Doug Kalitta lost in the second round and Greg Anderson secured the Pro Stock title at the O'Reilly Fall Nationals. John Force earned his 109th career Funny Car win while Kenny Bernstein took Top Fuel.Next event: Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Oct. 3, Joliet, Ill.
Associated Press