The week ahead in motorsports

AREA EVENTS

FRIDAY

Late models, modifieds, hobby stocks, pure stocks, cruisers at Malden Speedway, 7:30 p.m.

Sprints, modifieds, hobby stocks, multis at St. Francois County Raceway, Farmington, 7 p.m.Saturday

ATVs, motorcycles at SEMO Raceway, Blodgett, 6 p.m.

Super pro, pro, ET classes at Sikeston Drag Strip, 6 p.m.

Late models, modifieds, pure stocks, cruisers at Auto Tire and Parts NAPA Racepark, Benton, 7 p.m.

Sprints, modifieds, hobby stocks, multis at St. Francois County Raceway, Farmington, 7 p.m.

NASCAR WINSTON CUP

SOUTHERN 500

Site: Darlington, S.C.

Schedule: Friday, qualifying (Speed Channel 3 p.m.); Sunday, race (NBC, 1 p.m.)

Track: Darlington Raceway (egg-shaped oval, 1.366 miles, 25 degrees banking in turns 1-2, 23 degrees in turns 3-4).

Race distance: 501.3 miles, 367 laps.

Last race: Kurt Busch sped away from Kevin Harvick to win the Sharpie 500, his fourth win of the season and third in the last four races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Busch, who was punched in the face by Jimmy Spencer after last week's race in Michigan, didn't stay completely out of trouble by spinning-out Sterling Marlin midway through the race as he tried to pass Marlin for second place, drawing thundering boos from the crowd.

Last year: Jeff Gordon recorded his second straight victory by bursting in front of the pack with 45 laps to go and holding off Ryan Newman to take the Southern 500.

Fast facts: Jeff Burton was the last to win both Darlington races in 1999. In 46 years of racing at Darlington, there has been a sweep of the spring-fall events nine times. ... Jeff Gordon has six career wins at Darlington, including three straight from 1995-96. ... Johnny Mantz won the inaugural race in 1950 despite starting 43rd.

Next race: Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400, Sept. 6, Richmond, Va.BUSCH SERIES

SOUTH CAROLINA 200

Site: Darlington, S.C.

Schedule: Friday, qualifying (Speed Channel, 1:30 p.m.); Saturday, race (NBC, 2 p.m.)

Track: Darlington Raceway (egg-shaped oval, 1.366 miles, 25 degrees banking in turns 1-2, 23 degrees in turns 3-4).

Race distance: 200.8 miles, 147 laps.

Last race: Winston Cup regular Michael Waltrip used a slight bump-and-run to knock Ron Hornaday out of his way and won the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Waltrip's only other Busch Series Bristol win was in April 1993, two days after Winston Cup champion Alan Kulwicki was killed in a plane crash.

Last year: Jeff Burton won the rain-shortened Gatorade 200 at Darlington Raceway. After nearly an hour of trying to get ahead of rain that began falling during the race's fourth caution at lap 68, NASCAR decided to end the race after 74 laps.

Next race: Funai 250, Sept. 5, Richmond, Va.CART

GRAND PRIX OF DENVER

Site: Denver

Schedule: Saturday, qualifying (Speed Channel, 3:30 p.m.); Sunday, race (Speed Channel, 9:30 p.m., tape)

Track: Streets of Denver (temporary road course, 1.65 miles, 9 turns).

Race distance: Two hours.

Next race: Grand Prix Americas, Sept. 28, Miami.NHRA

MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS

Site: Clermont, Ind.

Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 12:45 p.m. (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m., tape; Sunday, eliminations, 1 p.m. (ESPN2, 9:30 p.m., tape); Monday, final eliminations (ESPN, 2 p.m.)

Track: Indianapolis Raceway Park.CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS

Next race: NCTS 200, Sept. 4, Richmond, Va.FORMULA ONE

Next race: Italian Grand Prix, Sept. 14, Monza.IRL

Next race: Delphi Indy 300, Sept. 7, Joliet, Ill.