ON THE TRACKS This weekend's events
NASCAR NEXTEL CUPSubway 500Martinsville, Va.
Schedule: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 3 p.m.); Sunday, race (NBC, 12:30 p.m.).
Track: Martinsville Speedway (oval, 0.526 miles, 12 degrees banking in turns).Race distance: 263 miles, 500 laps.Last race: The alternator failed, the battery had to be switched mid-race, the entire electrical system was on the fritz and there was a constant fear of having a tire explode, but Jimmie Johnson still won the UAW-GM Quality 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway to move into a tie with Tony Stewart atop the points standings. Stewart finished 25th after crashing while leading earlier in the race.Last year: Jimmie Johnson's win at the Subway 500 was marred by the news that a plane owned by his team, Hendrick Motorsports, crashed in thick fog en route to the race, killing all 10 people aboard, including the son, brother and two nieces of owner Rick Hendrick. The Hendrick team also includes Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte and Brian Vickers.
Next race: Bass Pro Shops MBNA 400, Oct. 30, Hampton, Ga.
NASCAR BUSCHSam's Town 250Memphis, Tenn.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying (Speed Channel, noon); race (TNT, 3:30 p.m.).Track: Memphis Motorsports Park (oval, .75 miles, 11 degrees banking in turns).
Race distance: 187.5 miles, 250 laps.Last race: Ryan Newman set a NASCAR record by winning his fifth consecutive Busch race, avoiding a track-record 14 cautions en route to the victory at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Newman, who has only entered seven Busch races this season, came into the event tied with Sam Ard for the series record for consecutive wins in a season.Last year: Martin Truex Jr. extended his points lead by holding off Greg Biffle in a green-white-checker finish and winning the Sam's Town 250.Next race: O'Reilly Challenge, Nov. 5, Fort Worth, Texas.
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCKSKroger 200Martinsville, Va.
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 4:45 p.m.; Saturday, race (Speed Channel, 1 p.m.).Track: Martinsville Speedway (oval, 0.526 miles, 12 degrees banking in turns).Race distance: 105.2 miles, 200 laps.Last year: Jamie McMurray became the eighth driver in NASCAR history to win in the Cup series, the Busch series and in a truck after taking the Kroger 200.Next race: Easy Care Vehicle 200, Oct. 29, Hampton, Ga.
NHRAACDelco NationalsLas Vegas.
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 3 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 3 p.m. (ESPN2, 10:30 p.m., tape); Sunday, eliminations, 2 p.m. (ESPN2, 8 p.m., tape).Track: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.Last year: Anderson set the single-season record for wins with his 14th Pro Stock victory at the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals. Doug Kalitta, Gary Scelzi and Chip Ellis also won.Next event: Automobile Club of Southern California Finals, Nov. 6, Pomona, Calif.
CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIESIndy 300Surfers Paradise, Australia.
Schedule: Today, qualifying, 12:10 a.m., Saturday, qualifying, 12:10 a.m., race, 11:25 p.m. (Sunday, Speed Channel, 4:30 p.m., tape).Track: Australian Street Circuit (temporary road course, 2.795 miles, 12 turns).Race distance: 159.315 miles, 57 laps.
Last race: Sebastien Bourdais survived a crash with Paul Tracy and a brush with his own teammate to win the Hurricane Relief 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 24. Oriol Servia and Bourdais touched wheels on the 141st of 166 laps, but both continued and despite front-end damage from his collision with Tracy, Bourdais edged his teammate by 0.312 seconds -- about three car lengths.Last year: Bruno Junqueira spoiled teammate Bourdais' bid to clinch the championship by winning the Indy 300.Fast facts: Bourdais has won four of the last five races. ... Tracy won his first series championship when closest rival Junqueira crashed with 10 laps left in the 2003 event. ... The 2002 race featured a 10-car wreck on the opening lap that put Adrian Fernandez and Tora Takagi in the hospital. ... There have been no repeat winners over the first 14 races at Australia.Next race: Grand Prix of Mexico, Nov. 6, Mexico City.
Associated Press