Mercedes hoping to sign Michael Schumacher if he makes comeback to Formula 1

Mercedes hoping for Schumacher comeback to F1

Hendrick to focus on turning around Earnhardt’s slumping team

Hendrick turns attention to Earnhardt

Getting Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team back on track is Rick Hendrick’s top priority now that Jimmie Johnson has his record fourth consecutive NASCAR championship.

Three-time defending Sprint champion Jimmie Johnson crashes on 3rd lap in Texas

Jimmie Johnson wrecks on 3rd lap in Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas — Jimmie Johnson crashed on the third lap of the NASCAR race at Texas, where he was trying to move closer to an unprecedented fourth consecutive Sprint Cup season championship.

Jamie McMurray an unlikely winner at Talladega; Jimmie Johnson likely seals 4th straight title

Jamie McMurray takes Talladega to end 86-race skid

Jamie McMurray an unlikely winner in surreal Talladega race

McMurray snaps 86-race winless streak

TALLADEGA, Ala. — NASCAR demanded drivers be on their best behavior at Talladega Superspeedway, where a ban on bump-drafting sanitized what’s usually one of the most spectacular races of the season.

Kyle Busch uses late bump from teammate for sixth NASCAR Trucks win of season

Kyle Busch bumped to victory at Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Kyle Busch finally found a way to pass Todd Bodine.

Safety measures taken as NASCAR seeks to prevent spectacular Talladega crash

NASCAR tries to avoid another Talladega disaster

Jean Todt elected president of motor racing’s governing body FIA, beating Ari Vatanen

Todt beats Vatanen in vote for new FIA president

Judge rules Bristol Motor Speedway doesn’t have to pay $397K tax for broadcast revenue

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A judge in Tennessee has ruled Bristol Motor Speedway does not have to pay $397,000 in taxes for broadcast revenue it made on NASCAR races.

Mayfield set to hire Mark Geragos in drug suspension fight with NASCAR

Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield is turning to high-profile attorney Mark Geragos to help fight his drug suspension.

Ecclestone urges Briatore to appeal life ban from F1, saying it was too harsh

SINGAPORE — Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone urged Renault team principal Flavio Briatore to appeal his life ban from Formula One for organizing Nelson Piquet Jr.’s crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

NASCAR submits testimony from four who claim to have witnessed Mayfield drug use

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR asked a federal judge Monday to order a mental and physical examination on suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield to determine if he has a substance-abuse problem and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Renault handed 2-year suspended ban from F1 in crash scandal; Briatore banned

PARIS — Renault has escaped severe punishment for ordering former driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to deliberately crash, receiving only a suspended two-year ban from Formula One’s governing body.

Flavio Briatore says he quit to save Renault from crash scandal

LONDON — Flavio Briatore said he quit as Renault’s leader to “save the team” as it deals with a scandal involving a crash during a race last year. The team, however, could still be thrown out of Formula One.

Renault sues Piquet Jr. over race-fixing claims used to “blackmail” it into renewing his deal

MONZA, Italy — Renault took Nelson Piquet Jr. to court on Friday over race-fixing allegations that the French team said were used in an attempt to “blackmail” it into renewing the Formula One driver’s contract.

3 crew members suspended by NASCAR for violating substance abuse policy

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR has suspended three crew members for violating its toughened substance abuse policy.

Kenny Wallace thanks fans, but it’s business as usual for the No. 28 Border Patrol car

MONTREAL — The back bumper of Kenny Wallace’s No. 28 had “Merci Fans!” emblazoned across it on Saturday and thousands of names in tiny black letters were all over the bright red Border Patrol Chevy.

Dario Franchitti leads flag to flag and finally wins at Sonoma Grand Prix

SONOMA, Calif. — Dario Franchitti hoisted a celebratory glass of red wine to his lips in a long-awaited moment for the IndyCar driver at Infineon Raceway.

Power breaks vertebrae, has concussion in practice crash that leaves Philippe with concussion

SONOMA, Calif. — Team Penske isn’t ready to rule out injured driver Will Power making a return this season.

Obama honors 3-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, other drivers at White House

WASHINGTON — Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson had the gas to get to the White House on Wednesday, where President Barack Obama honored the 2008 winner as well as auto racing.

German government puts the pedal to the metal in race for a viable electric car

BERLIN — Forget that they’re cramped, have a limited driving range and outstrip the average consumer’s pocketbook. The race is on to create a viable electric car.

Montreal mayor says tentative deal reached for Formula One to return to city in 2010

MONTREAL — Montreal’s mayor says a tentative deal has been reached to return Formula One racing to the city in 2010.

Gordon’s back stiff following ugly accident at Watkins Glen

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon has a stiff back a day after a spectacular accident at Watkins Glen.

Michael Schumacher says neck injury forces him to call off Formula 1 comeback

BERLIN — Michael Schumacher called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering neck injuries from a motorcycle crash six months ago.

7-time champion Michael Schumacher calls off Formula One comeback due to head, neck injuries

BERLIN — Michael Schumacher on Tuesday announced he has called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback because of lingering injuries from a motorcycling crash earlier this year.

Jeff Gordon and Sam Hornish Jr. unhurt after violent crash at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. —The NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen Internationnal has been red-flagged on lap 63 after a violent multicar crash involving Jeff Gordon and Sam Hornish Jr.

Robby Gordon and Joey Logano don’t see eye to eye on Nationwide run-ins

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. —Robby Gordon says he’s glad Joey Logano is OK after their run-ins at Watkins Glen International.

Michael Schumacher visits recovering F1 driver Felipe Massa at hospital in Hungary

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Michael Schumacher visited injured Formula One driver Felipe Massa on Saturday at the Hungarian hospital where the Brazilian is recovering from his high-speed crash.

Points leader Tony Stewart wrecks in Pocono practice; loses pole, will start at back

LONG POND, Pa. — Tony Stewart lost his pole position and will start from the back of the pack after wrecking his car during practice for the Pennsylvania 500 on Saturday.

Back to the track: Schumacher is trying to get his 40-year-old body in shape for F1 return

FRANKFURT — Michael Schumacher is trying to get his 40-year-old body in shape for his Formula One comeback next month.