Show them the money

Champ Car star Paul Tracy had a pretty dismal outing in last Saturday's Busch Race at California Speedway, finishing 42nd.

But there may be another potential defector in the Champ Car ranks with news of A.J. Allmendinger's upcoming foray into the Craftsman Truck series. A.J. will run in two races in the next two months for Bill Davis Racing's Truck team. There are also rumors circulating about Allmendinger in a Red Bull Toyota in a season or two. As Paul Tracy said in response to a question about why Champ Car drivers might be looking at NASCAR, the always blunt Tracy said, "Because that's where the money is!"

There's good news from the Champ Car folks concerning the recovery of Cristiano da Matta, who has been in the Theda Clark Medical Centre since colliding with a deer at Road America on August third. Cristiano is walking, and can converse in both English and Portuguese, although he is reported to still be somewhat confused. He will be transferred to a rehabilitation facility in the near future, and we hope he'll be back in a race car for the 2007 season.

With all the hype about Nextel Cup's Chase for the Championship, the Indy Racing League also has an exciting title chase going as the IRL drivers head into their season finale today at Chicagoland Speedway. Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves, who despite two Indy wins has yet to score a championship, leads teammate Sam Hornish Jr. by a single point going into the last race of the season.

A pair of Chip Ganassi Racing drivers have a mathematical chance at the title as well, with Dan Wheldon 19 points behind Castroneves and teammate Scott Dixon right behind. With 50 points for a win and only 20 for 10th place, there are any number of scenarios that would result in any of the four taking the title. Interestingly enough, the number of drivers in the IRL title chase works out to 21 percent of the average 19-car field. This is almost the same ratio as the Nextel Cup Chase drivers, at 23 percent (10 of 43 average starters).

I heard a rumor the other day that due to the slow housing market, the developer who bought the property Champion Speedway sat on has postponed construction of the development. My informant said it was heard that Champion might be resurrected, and that Les Kynett's name had been mentioned with the revival. I called Les and was told that there was no way it would happen. With the track partially dug up, grandstands half demolished, and fencing, lights, scoreboard, etc. gone, it would take an investment well into six figures to make the track ready for racing. And with only a year or two possible to run, there's no way to get a return on the investment.

If you've ever wanted to take your car out on a road course to see what it (and you) can do, now's your chance. The Reno Region of the Sports Car Club of America is hosting the Northern Pacific Divisional Championship Time Trials event on the Reno-Fernley Raceway Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17. The 2.8 mile "B" road course configuration will be used, and the event is open to all licensed drivers 18 years or older who are SCCA members. Temporary memberships are available if you are a non-member.

There will be instruction available, and it is required for first-time drivers. If you have an open-cockpit car you must have an approved roll bar and arm restraints. Helmets are required (Snell M-95 or later sticker), and loaner helmets are available. Your car must pass a safety inspection in order to run.

The fee is $250 for both days, which includes lunch, a t-shirt, and a barbecue (Saturday evening only). Single day entries are also available for either day for a fee of $175. You can register online at MyAutoEvents.com.

If you don't want to drive, but still have an interest in road racing, SCCA is always on the lookout for volunteer track workers. For more information go to www.renoscca.com on the web, or contact Dave Deborde, (775) 267-4845.