What’s up next for racing

The Rolex 24 is the first major race of 2017

Racing engines will fire again in less than a week, as 2017 racing season gets under way on Jan. 6 with the test session for the Daytona Rolex 24 Hour endurance classic. The race itself is scheduled for January 28-29, and the 13-race season for the series ends at Atlanta on Oct. 6-7. Next to hit the track will be the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series, starting with the Pomona Winternationals February 9-12. The season will consist of 24 races, ending at California’s Auto Club Speedway November 9-12.

The NASCAR season kicks off at Daytona on Feb. 18, with the Monster Energy Cup pole winners from 2016 contesting the Clash. The Daytona 500 begins the 36-race points season on Feb. 26, which will end with the championship round at Homestead on Nov. 12. The Chase format is expected to be unchanged for 2017.

On March 26 the two major open-wheel series begin their seasons with Formula One in Australia and the IndyCar series at St. Petersburg. Formula One will race at venues throughout the world in 20 races, culminating in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 16. The IndyCar season will consist of 17 races, all in North America, with the season finale at Sonoma on Sept. 17. The 101st running of the Indy 500 is slated for May 28.