Auto racing (also known as automobile racing, autosport or motorsport) is a sport involving racing automobiles. Motor racing or motorsport may also mean motorcycle racing, and it can further include motorboat racing and air racing. It is one of the world's most popular spectator sports and perhaps the most thoroughly commercialized.

History

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The start

Auto racing began almost immediately after the construction of the first successful petrol-fuelled autos. In 1894, the first contest was organized by Paris magazine Le Petit Journal, a reliability test to determine best performance. That first race now is called Paris to Rouen 1894. Competitors included factory vehicles from Karl Benz's Benz & Cie. and Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach's DMG.

A year later the first real race was staged in France, from Paris to Bordeaux. First over the line was Émile Levassor but he was disqualified because his car was not a required four-seater.

More on [ Auto racing ]

SI.com - Motorsports

Busch clinches Nationwide Series championship
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:19:52 -0500
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Kyle Busch has won the Nationwide Series championship.
Head of Volkswagon to talk to NASCAR officials
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:53:43 -0500
HOMESTEAD, Florida (AP) -- The head of Volkswagen's motor sports program is at Homestead-Miami Speedway, fueling speculation the automaker is interested in joining Toyota as the second foreign manufacturer in NASCAR.
JJ aside, bank on Biffle at Homestead
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:44:37 -0500
While much of the focus this weekend will be on Jimmie Johnson's pending fourth straight championship, do not expect to see the No. 48 blowing the doors off the competition like it did at Phoenix. While Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus may say they go for the win at every race track, the Lowe's Chevy will have one of the more conservative setups in South Beach. So if you have already expended your picks this Chase on other drivers besides Johnson, you will not be disappointed. Expect the eventual champ, who only has to score 25th or better to clinch the title, to be a lock for the top 10 or top 15. That means if you are in the same position as the No. 48 team for your fantasy title, Johnson is a safe, conservative bet -- though he has never won at Homestead.
Johnson will drive with Hendrick through 2015
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:00:58 -0500
BC-CAR--NASCAR-Hendrick-Johnson, 1st Ld-Writethru,0417 Johnson signs extension with Hendrick through 2015 Eds: UPDATES with quotes, details. AP Photo FLLS101, FLLS104 By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
Great start: Johnson takes pole at Homestead
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:36:25 -0500
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson will go for his fourth straight Cup title from the pole.
Game Room: Forza Motorsport 3 for XBOX 360
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:02:30 -0500
The third installment of the Forza series may very well be the best racing game made for the XBOX 360 to date. Read ahead for a complete review.

ESPN.com - NASCAR

Jimmie Johnson on verge of one of NASCAR's defining moments
Terry Blount Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:12:51 -0800
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Many years from now, lots of people will say, "I was there."The crowd of 75,000 for the Ford 400 on Sunday will grow to about 750,000 in 2020. It's human nature, just a little white lie. It always happens on the rare occasions of a historic sports moment.People want to say they were a part of it: "I saw Jimmie Johnson win his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup title." Or the other memorable possibility: "I saw Mark Martin shock everyone and finally win a Cup title at age 50."Some...
Jimmie Johnson doesn't just want to win the title; he wants to win the last race, too
David Newton Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:32:58 -0800
Jimmie Johnson's hoping to give NASCAR fans something they've only seen once in the modern era. That's to win the championship and the last race of the season, too.
Kyle Busch clinches Nationwide title, wins race over Carl Edwards
Associated Press Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45:40 -0800
Kyle Busch has won the Nationwide Series championship.

USATODAY.com Motor Sports - Top Stories

Busch basks in Nationwide title as Hamlin, Keselowski feud
Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:50:35 -0000
Kyle Busch made it a double dose of celebration, winning the Nationwide Series championship before completing a lap and capping ...
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