ON THE TRACKS This weekend's events

NASCARNEXTEL CUPSubway Fresh 500Avondale, Ariz.
Schedule: Saturday, race, 8:25 p.m. (FOX, 8 p.m.) (Qualifying was Thursday)Track: Phoenix International Raceway (tri-oval, 1 mile, 11 degrees banking in turns 1-2, 9 degrees banking in turns 3-4)Race distance: 312 miles, 312 lapsLast year: Kurt Busch led 219 of 312 laps on the mile oval, emphatically putting behind him a streak of bad luck that included crashes at four consecutive events, including an IROC race a week earlier. He beat Michael Waltrip to the finish line by 2.315 seconds -- about 10 car-lengths -- for his 12th career victory.
BUSCH SERIESBasha's Supermarkets 200Avondale, Ariz.
Schedule: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 5:30 p.m.); race (FX, 9 p.m.)Track: Phoenix International RacewayRace distance: 200 miles, 200 lapsLast year: Greg Biffle survived an early spinout and grabbed another dominating victory, overpowering the field. The former Busch Series champion, winner of the Cup race the previous week at Texas Motor Speedway, followed it with the win on the mile oval at Phoenix, leading 112 of the 200 laps. It was his 17th Busch victory, but his first since last September at California Speedway. He previously won in Phoenix in 2001.Next race: Aaron's 312, April 29 -- Aaron's 312, Talladega, Ala.
FORMULA ONESan Marino Grand PrixImola, Italy
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying (Speed Channel, 8 a.m.); Sunday, race, 10 a.m. (CBS, 1 p.m., same-day tape)Track: Enzo and Dino Ferrari Autodrome (road course, 3.057 miles, 17 turns)Race distance: 189.534 miles, 62 lapsLast year: Fernando Alonso held off Michael Schumacher by 0.2 seconds in a fierce duel for his third straight victory and fourth in a row for Renault. Alonso and Schumacher raced 1-2 for the final 12 laps. Schumacher moved his Ferrari around the track trying to set up a pass. Each time, Alonso responded with a block.Next race: Grand Prix of Europe, May 7, Nurburgring, Germany.
INDY RACING LEAGUEIndy Japan 300Motegi, Japan
Schedule: Saturday, race, Midnight (ESPN, Noon, same-day tape) (Qualifying was Thursday)Track: Twin Ring Motegi (oval, 1.5 miles, 10-degree banking in turns)Race distance: 300 miles, 200 lapsLast year: Dan Wheldon, driving a Honda-powered Dallara, won his second consecutive Japan 300 when he inherited the lead on lap 198 after Tomas Scheckter ran out of gas. Scott Sharp was 3.4612 seconds back of Wheldon while Buddy Rice was third. Female rookie Danica Patrick, who started from the front row along with Sam Hornish Jr., was fourth. With the victory, Wheldon became the first driver in IndyCar Series history to win three of the first four events in a season.Next race: Indianapolis 500, May 28.
Associated Press
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