BREAKTHROUGH: “Finally,” said IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick after earning her first IndyCar victory in the Indy Japan 300 at the Twin Ring Motegi. Patrick became the first female driver to win in the series. Meanwhile, it was a big weekend for lady racers, as Simona De Silvestro won the Atlantic Championship round at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and Jamie Little topped the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race.
AN APPEAL?: Don Schumacher Racing plans to appeal the $100,000 fine handed it by NHRA for having unapproved nitromethane in its pit area.
BIG MONEY: Late-model driver Steve Francis banked $50,000 for winning the Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
RIDE TIME: Simon Pagenaud will join with team owner Gil de Ferran in the American Le Mans Series.
TESTERS: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will test at Lowe’s Motor Speedway May 5–6 in preparation for the May 17 Sprint All-Star Race and the May 25 Coca-Cola 600.
IN LIMBO: Former Champ Car World Series title winner Paul Tracy admits after competing in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach that his future in racing is in doubt. In a contract dispute with team-owner Gerry Forsythe, who is not moving his team to the IndyCar Series, Tracy is without a ride as the month of May approaches. Tracy said he realizes sponsorship money and available rides are difficult to find.
POWER RANKINGS: Billy Moyer remained at the top of the National Speed Sport News Power Rankings and earned his 10th dirt-late-model victory of the season April 15 at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania. However, NASCAR driver Kyle Busch is closing fast. The National Speed Sport News Power Rankings are published weekly in the 74-year-old motorsports publication.
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