AUTO RACING: Bell's three-race win streak snapped and Norris takes the F1 season opener
Josh Berry celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. Credit: AP/John Locher
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
Straight Talk Wireless 400
Site: Homestead, Florida.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 1:05 p.m., qualifying, 2:10 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (FS1).
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Race distance: 267 laps, 400.5 miles.
Last year: Tyler Reddick secured the win from the pole after a last-lap pass of Ryan Blaney.
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Credit: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Last race: Following a late-race duel with Daniel Suarez in Vegas, Josh Berry surged ahead securing his first series victory.
Next race: March 30, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Hard Rock Bet 300
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain leads Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Credit: AP/Scott Barbour
Site: Homestead, Florida.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 10:35 a.m., qualifying, 11:40 a.m., race, 4 p.m. (CW).
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Race distance: 200 laps, 300 miles.
Last year: Austin Hill passed Cole Custer with 12 laps to go earning him a victory and a spot in the Championship 4.
Last race: Justin Allgaier secured his first win of the season in Vegas, dominating with a race-high 102 lap lead.
Next race: March 29 Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
Baptist Health 200
Site: Homestead, Florida.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 3:35 p.m., qualifying, 4:40 p.m., race, 8 p.m. (FOX).
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Race distance: 134 laps, 201 miles.
Last year: Grant Enfinger grabbed his 12th-career victory, beating second-place finisher Ty Majeski by more than 17 seconds.
Last race: Corey Heim earned his second series win overtaking Enfinger and maintaining the lead from lap 101 onward.
Next race: March 28, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA ONE
Heineken Chinese Grand Prix
Site: Shanghai.
Schedule: Thursday, practice, 11:25 p.m.; Friday, sprint qualifying, 3:25 a.m., sprint race, 10:55 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 2:35 a.m.; Sunday, race, 2:55 a.m. (ESPN).
Track: Shanghai International Circuit.
Race distance: 56 laps, 189 miles.
Last year: Max Verstappen dominated from the pole position, trailing for only a few laps and keeping a No. 2 Lando Norris at bay.
Last race: Norris narrowly defeated reigning world champ Verstappen in a chaotic, rain-affected season opener.
Next race: April 6, Suzuku, Japan.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix
Site: Thermal, California.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, practice, 1 p.m., qualifications, 5 p.m.; Sunday, warmup, 11 a.m., race, 3 p.m. (FOX).
Track: The Thermal Club.
Race distance: 65 laps, 199 miles.
Last year: Last year's race in Thermal was a non-championship exhibition event called the ”$1 Million Challenge”. This year the race debuts as a full championship points race.
Last race: Two-time defending champ Alex Palou battled his way past Newgarden and Dixon to win the season opener.
Next race: April 13, Long Beach, California.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
NHRA Arizona Nationals
Site: Chandler, Arizona.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 11:30 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 2:50 p.m.; Sunday, race, 11 a.m.
Track: Firebird Motorsports Park.
Race distance: 1/4 mile.
Next race: March 30, Pomona, California.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
World of Outlaws Battle at the Crossroads
Site: Swainsboro, Georgia.
Track: Swainsboro Raceway.
World of Outlaws Federated Auto Parts Texas Two-Step
Site: Paige, Texas.
Track: Cotton Bowl Speedway.
Next events: March 28-29 Lawton, Oklahoma and Wichita, Kansas.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
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