The show will include a report on how the troubled American auto industry is affecting NASCAR. Another topic is Tony Stewart's new role as a driver/owner.

This week's race

 

Lifelock.com 400

Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, Ill.

When: Saturday, 8 p.m.

TV/Radio: TNT/ESPN (950-AM), WNPV (1440-AM), WDSD (94.7-FM)

Course/distance: 1.5-mile oval/400 miles (267 laps)

Last year's race winner: Kyle Busch

Last year's pole winner: None; qualifying rained out; starting grid determined by points

Track qualifying record: Jimmie Johnson, 188.147 mph (July 2005)

Track facts: Kyle Busch led 165 laps, including the last two, in winning last year's race. Jimmie Johnson was runner-up; Kevin Harvick was third. Harvick won the first two Cup races at the track, in 2001 and '02 ... Tony Stewart is the only other two-time winner at Chicagoland ... Regan Smith's 12th-place finish Saturday at Daytona was his best in 10 starts this season. He was rookie of the year last season (34th in points) ... This will be Craig Rust's first race as the new president of Chicagoland Speedway. Rust is a former president of Watkins Glen International and the defunct Nazareth Speedway ... As expected, NASCAR asked a federal appeals court to reinstate the suspension of Jeremy Mayfield, calling him "a proven methamphetamine user."

2009 wins: Kyle Busch and Mark Martin, 3 each; Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, 2 each; Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, David Reutimann, Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, 1 each.

SPRINT CUP STANDINGS

Through 18 of 36 races

1. Tony Stewart (1 last week) 2719 -

2. Jeff Gordon (2) 2539 -180

3. Jimmie Johnson (3) 2525 -194

4. Kurt Busch (4) 2414 -305

5. Carl Edwards (5) 2317 -402