GEARING UP

What’s new in motor sports heading into this weekend:

1 The Nextel Cup series resumes Sunday at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, a one-mile track known as the “Monster Mile” with high-banked (24 degrees) corners.

NASCAR’s new Car of Tomorrow will be used for the sixth time at Dover, then will be shelved for two weeks before it reappears at its first road-course race June 24 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.

2 Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s decision to leave Dale Earnhardt Inc. after this season isn’t something he has discussed with DEI teammate and friend Martin Truex Jr., who drives the No. 1 Chevrolet in the Cup series.

“We don’t really, for some reason, talk about it,” Truex said. “Business is business.”

3 The IndyCar Series moves to the Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin for the ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt 225 on Sunday.

Foyt, celebrating his 50th year in racing as a driver and car owner, drove to four victories at Milwaukee and said the track “brings back memories, good and bad. I’ve won there and I visited the hospital there too.”

4 Dario Franchitti’s victory in the series’ Indianapolis 500 last Sunday included a $1.6-million first prize for the Andretti Green Racing driver, the biggest chunk of the race’s record $10.7-million overall purse.

5 In local racing Saturday night, late-model stock cars top multi-race programs at Irwindale Speedway, Perris Auto Speedway and Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino. USAC/CRA sprint cars return to Ventura Raceway.

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WOMEN AT INDY

How women have fared in the Indianapolis 500, year by year (all finished running, except: a-accident; g-gearbox; bp-burned piston; e-engine):

*--* Year Driver Place Laps 2007 Danica Patrick 8 166 2007 Sarah Fisher 18 164 2007 Milka Duno 31 a-65 2006 Danica Patrick 8 200 2005 Danica Patrick 4 200 2004 Sarah Fisher 21 177 2003 Sarah Fisher 31 a-14 2002 Sarah Fisher 24 196 2001 Sarah Fisher 31 a-7 2000 Sarah Fisher 31 a-71 2000 Lyn St. James 32 a-69 1997 Lyn St. James 13 186 1996 Lyn St. James 14 153 1995 Lyn St. James 32 a-0 1994 Lyn St. James 19 170 1993 Lyn St. James 25 g-176 1992 Lyn St. James 11 193 1979 Janet Guthrie 34 bp-3 1978 Janet Guthrie 9 190 1977 Janet Guthrie 29 e-27

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ON THE WEB

Have a question about motor racing?

E-mail motor sports reporter Jim Peltz at james.peltz@latimes.com, and each

week we’ll post the best questions and his answers on latimes.com.

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THE RACES

NASCAR NEXTEL CUP

Autism Speaks 400

* When: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 12:15 p.m.); Sunday, race (Ch. 11, 10 a.m.).

* Where: Dover Downs International Speedway (oval, 1 mile, 24 degrees banking in turns), Dover, Del.

* 2006 winner: Matt Kenseth.

NASCAR BUSCH

Busch Dover 200

* When: Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 8 a.m.), race (ESPN2, noon).

* Where: Dover Downs International Speedway.

* 2006 winner: Jeff Burton.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS

AAA Insurance 200

* When: Today, qualifying (Speed Channel, 7:30 a.m.); race, 1:45 p.m. (Speed Channel, 5:30 p.m., tape).

* Where: Dover Downs International Speedway.

* 2006 winner: Mark Martin.

INDY RACING LEAGUE

A.J. Foyt 225

* When: Today, qualifying, 1:45 p.m.; Sunday, race (Ch. 7, 1 p.m.).

* Where: The Milwaukee Mile (oval, 1.032 miles, 9 degrees banking in turns), West Allis, Wis.

* 2006 winner: Tony Kanaan.

NHRA

O’Reilly Summer Nationals

* When: Today, qualifying, 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 9:30 a.m. (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m., tape); Sunday, eliminations, 9 a.m. (ESPN2, 1 p.m., tape).

* Where: Heartland Park Topeka, Topeka, Kan.

* 2006 winners: Ron Capps (funny car), Doug Kalitta (top fuel), Dave Connolly (pro stock).

Associated Press

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STAT OF THE WEEK

* Hendrick Motorsports drivers have the most Nextel Cup victories, 10, at Dover International Speedway, but the Roush Fenway Racing team has won the last three June races at Dover, including Matt Kenseth last year.

-- JIM PELTZ