IRL gets nod for most exciting racing

The Indy Racing League is coming to St. Louis this week and this has jump-started a question that takes laps in my mind: Which racing series is the most exciting?

I lay my NFL and college previews aside this week to extinguish the flame that is this controversy. (If you're not a racing fan pass this and speed to Tuesday.)

NASCAR is the heavy favorite with its recent publicity. And IRL is winning the battle over CART for the most popular U.S. open-wheel series. A classic battle stock car vs. cart, good vs. evil. Here's a quick breakdown of both:

NASCAR: This year there have been 16 different winners in 26 races. Average speed of winners: 121.762. Last race: 12 lead changes among nine drivers. Average laps between lead changes: five. Margin of victory 1.636 seconds.

IRL: This year has seen nine different winners in 12 races. Average speed of winners: 143.052. Last race: 11 lead changes among six drivers. Average laps between lead changes: 12.8. Margin of victory 0.0932 seconds.

If you like speed and edge-of-your-seat racing you have to like the IRL. Eight different drivers have taken the pole this year but only four have gone on to win. Plus IRL has something no other league has -- a female driver.

So I'll continue to tell the Nielson people that I'm tuned to the IRL races on Sunday at least until football starts. With that, I give you this week's events:

Tuesday

Go crazy folks! The first 30,000 fans will receive a collectable statue of Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith when the Cards host the Pirates. The statue commemorates the Wizard's game-winning home run in Game 5 of the 1985 NLCS.

Thursday

In case you missed it there will be an encore presentation of the circus, only this time against San Diego. The Rams play their third preseason game against the Chargers at the Ed. The Chargers are one of three opponents the Rams face in both preseason and the regular season this year (the other two are Chicago and Kansas City).

Yet another event to educate women on football: There will be a football clinic held at the Show Me Center at 8 p.m, hosted by the Southeast Missouri State University coaching staff. There are sessions for beginners or for the most advanced football female. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given away. Contact Tony Joe White, 986-6165.

The Central Booster Club will host a barbecue at 7 p.m. at the new Central High School. Coaches, players and others involved in fall sports teams will be on hand to promote the upcoming seasons. Tableware, meat, baked beans, cole slaw and drinks will be provided. Wanna go? Contact Rene Pingel, 334-8315.

Saturday

You could be one of 300 people expected at the A.C. Brase Arena Building raising money for Southeast's football program. The event, called Indian Insider Reverse Raffle, begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person and $150 per couple. But you have a chance to get some of the money back because cash prizes of $3,500, $1,000 and $500, along with door prizes, with be given away throughout the night. Coaches will be there as will a live band. Questions: Susie Dodd 335-3025, Laurel Adkisson 334-1095.

Sunday

The season finale for Gateway International Raceway is a three-for-one deal. Prior to the Gateway Indy 250 the Infiniti Pro Series will have a 100-mile warm-up. After the 250-mile battle, country music star Martina McBride will perform. Parking lots open at 8 a.m. For tickets call (866) 35-SPEED or www.gatewayraceway.com.

David Wilson's column appears each Monday.