• Newman-Haas race team leaving IndyCar in 2012: One of the biggest names in IndyCar racing is leaving the series next season. Newman-Haas Racing, the team started by late actor Paul Newman, has decided it will not compete in 2012. It’s the first time since 1982 Newman-Haas will not field an open-car team. Carl Haas, the team’s co-founder, made the announcement in a one-sentence statement indicating the team had trouble finding sponsorship.

• Earnhardt again named NASCAR’s most popular driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr. was named NASCAR’s most popular driver for the ninth consecutive year. Earnhardt’s string of most-popular-driver awards is only one shy of Bill Elliott’s record 10 straight titles. Elliott won the award 16 times overall and won 10 straight from 1991 through 2000. He then asked to not be included any more in the voting. Earnhardt thanked fans in accepting the award, and said he was glad they voted before the season finale at Homestead.