Spencer Neff

Twitter:@NeffOnSports11

Hope everyone had a great week. These are some of the big headlines for the weekend in racing.

1. The Chase for the Sprint Cup begins this weekend in Chicagoland with the Contender Round. 16 drivers will battle over the next three races for 12 spots in the Contender Round. Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske have won the past nine races and I would be shocked if that streak ended, aside from Hendrick Motorsports’ Jimmie Johnson, who is looking for a record-tying seventh title.
2. The Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series will also be in action at Chicagoland for a triple-header. Chase Elliott won last week at Richmond and could be primed for a run at consecutive titles before replacing Jeff Gordon in Cup. In Truck Series, Erik Jones won the last time out at Mosport and took over the points lead. The way Jones has dominated, it could be the year of the young guns in the two lower series.

3. The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series begins their Countdown to the Championship in Charlotte. 10 drivers in each of the four professional series will compete over the final six national events for the championship.

In Top Fuel and Funny Car, the Don Schumacher Racing teammates of eight-time champ Tony Schumacher and 2012 title winner Jack Beckman have dominated of late. While in Pro Stock, defending champion Erica Enders-Stevens is coming off her first US Nationals win and in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Eddie Kraweic will look to win his fourth series title and first since winning back-to-back in 2011-2012.

Have a great weekend and see you soon.