Spencer Neff

Twitter:@NeffOnSports11

Hope everyone had a great week. Here are some of this weekend’s racing storylines.

1. NASCAR returns to Bristol for the annual night race. There are just three races left until the Chase. For this weekend, expect Joe Gibbs Racing to continue their recent hot streak, especially Kyle Busch (Busch missed the April race but does have an astounding track record. Also look for the Stewart-Haas Racing teammates of Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch to continue the success they had in April as they each look for their third win in 2015.

2. Michael Waltrip Racing announced it will no longer field a full-time Cup team after this year. Co-Owner Rob Kaufman announced that he has bought a stake in Chip Ganassi Racing. It is always troubling when a team ceases full-time operation, especially one as high-profile as MWR. The interesting part will be seeing where this leaves Clint Bowyer and David Ragan. Ragan came over after a stint subbing for Kyle Busch early this year and could go back to Front Row Motorsports.

3. IndyCar runs its last oval of the season at Pocono on Sunday. As the double-point finale at Sonoma looms next week, the 500-mile race will be pivotal in deciding the championship. Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya leads Graham Rahal by just nine points. Rahal has said that the race could be like Indy,where he finished fifth to Montoya. If so, Montoya, the defending Pocono winner, could be in for a big day and perhaps his third win of the season.

4. NHRA returns with a stop in Brainerd. Two weeks separate the drivers from the US Nationals and the last race prior to the countdown. Pro Stock Motorcycle remains the only class where drivers outside of the top 10 are within two rounds of the countdown. Drivers in the other classes will need to have a strong run the last two rounds to cement their spot in the sport’s playoffs.

Have a great weekend and see you soon.