This week’s races

Thursday, May 11, 2000 | 8:36 a.m.

All Times Pacific.

NASCAR

BUSCH GRAND NATIONAL

Busch 200

Site: Loudon, N.H.

Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 11 a.m.; Saturday, race (TNN, 9:30 a.m.)

Track: New Hampshire International Speedway (oval, 1.058 miles, 12 degrees banking in turns).

Race distance: 211.6 miles, 200 laps.

Last year: Elton Sawyer beat polesitter Jeff Green for the victory.

Last race: Green withstood a nose-to-tail challenge by Matt Kenseth to win the Hardee's 250 in Richmond, Va. It was Green's first victory of the season.

Fast facts: Buckshot Jones won from the 26th spot in 1998. It was the largest jump of any winner at New Hampshire. ... Ricky Craven is the only driver to win from the pole, in 1991. ... Green leads the point standings with 1,623. Todd Bodine is second with 1,550.

Next race: Carquest Auto Parts 300, May 27, Concord, N.C.

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CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS

Memphis 200

Site: Millington, Tenn.

Schedule: Saturday, race (ESPN, 3 p.m.)

Track: Memphis Motorsports Park, (tri-oval, 0.75 miles, 11-degrees banking in turns).

Race distance: 150 miles, 200 laps.

Last year: Greg Biffle started from the pole and won.

Last race: Series champion Jack Sprague, winless in six starts this season, took the Ram Tough 200 in Madison, Ill. Sprague beat Jimmy Hensley by 7.032 seconds.

Fast facts: Biffle won the pole in 1998 and led the first 109 laps before tire problems took him out of contention. ... Ron Hornaday won the race in 1998. ... Mike Wallace leads Sprague 1,154-1,094 in the point standings.

Next race: Rocky Mountain 200, May 21, Fountain, Colo.

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CHAMPIONSHIP AUTO RACING TEAMS

Firestone Firehawk 500

Site: Motegi, Japan.

Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 9:15 p.m.; Saturday, race, 8 p.m. (ABC, Sunday, 3 p.m., tape).

Track: Twin Ring Motegi (egg-shaped oval, 1.549 miles).

Race distance: 311.349 miles, 201 laps.

Last year: Adrian Fernandez won when he stayed on the track during a late caution period, betting that he could back off the accelerator enough to finish on his remaining fuel.

Last race: Fernandez won after rookie Alex Tagliani - on his way to his first victory - spun out with nine laps remaining in the Rio 200.

Fast facts: This is the third time CART has raced in Japan. ... Fernandez set the race record of 176.195 mph last year. ... Fernandez won the inaugural race in 1998. ... Gil de Ferran set the qualifying record of 219 mph last year.

Next race: Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix, May 27, Nazareth, Pa.

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NASCAR

WINSTON CUP

Last race: Dale Earnhardt Jr. passed his father with 31 laps to go and held on to win the Pontiac Excitement 400 in Richmond, Va. Earnhardt Jr. is the first repeat winner this season. He also set a record for the fastest ride to two career victories - 16 races.

Next race: Coca-Cola 600, May 28, Concord, N.C.

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NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION

Last event: Gary Scelzi (Top Fuel), John Force (Funny Car) and Jeg Coughlin (Pro Stock) won their divisions at the Advance Auto Parts Nationals in Commerce, Ga.

Next race: Matco Tools Supernationals, May 21, Englishtown, N.J.

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FORMULA ONE

Last race: Mika Hakkinen went to the front during a slow pit stop by polesitter Michael Schumacher, and led a McLaren sweep of the top two spots at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. It was the first victory this season for the two-time and defending Formula One champion.

Next race: European Grand Prix, May 21, Nurburgring, Germany.

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INDY RACING LEAGUE

Last race: Al Unser Jr. won for the first time in five years, taking the Vegas Indy 300. Unser, competing in only his third Indy Racing League event, led the last 20 laps.

Next race: Indianapolis 500, May 28.