Dario Franchitti News

The "Sleeping Giant" that is Chip Ganassi Racing has woken up and that could spell change for the Verizon IndyCar Series.

The series upped the number of Chase participants from 12 to 16 this year and is rewarding race winners like never before.

The goals of the RTA include lowering costs for NASCAR teams and creating one voice on issues facing the teams.

This weekend, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Loudon, N.H., for Sunday's running of the Camping World RV Sales 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

This is a May 17, 2014 file photo showing Jack Hawksworth, of England, posed for a photo after his qualification run on the first day of qualifications for Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.

"I love driving race cars, I love driving next to sharks more dangerous than these," said Brendan Gaughn as he was in the middle of the shark tank at the Tennessee Aquarium.

It ruined what he said would have been 'a great points day,' and he returned to North Carolina feeling angry and disappointed.

There will be pressure on Fort Kent's Austin Theriault Saturday afternoon, when he will drive his second of three NASCAR Nationwide Series races for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s JR Motorsports team at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Mike Helton, president of NASCAR walks through the garages during a rain shower prior to the Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 5, 2014.

Rahal would get same Funny Car 101 basic training that Force used to teach his daughters, one of whom dates the IndyCar driver John Force prepared to teach IndyCar's Graham Rahal drag racing basics Rahal would get same Funny Car 101 basic training that Force used to teach his daughters, one of whom dates the IndyCar driver Check out this story on ... (more)

The Chase math is shrinking, getting skinny for those winless teams seeking a precious win to catapult their efforts this year.

After winning a round of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship at an unfamiliar venue, Corvette Racing heads this weekend to more recognizable surroundings.

Patrick is introduced to fans before to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 5, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Camping World Truck Series teams up with the Verizon IndyCar Series for this weekend's action at Iowa Speedway , with the Trucks headlining on Friday night in the American Ethanol 200.

Aric Almirola waited two days to experience one of the highlights of his first victory in NASCAR's premier series.

But in NASCAR, there are different race trophies every week. Martinsville Speedway has its infamous clock.

Aric Almirola was the surprise winner Sunday at Daytona International Speedway and now it appears he will make the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the first time in his career.

Schedule: Friday, practice , qualifying ; Saturday, practice ; Sunday, race, 1 p.m. .

The NASCAR Next driver has won the last four East races, one short of the series record set by former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ricky Craven in 1991 under the old NASCAR Busch North banner.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon before last weekend's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.