AUTO RACING: NASCAR heads east; F1 starts in the Middle East

FILE - Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, center, celebrates with members of his team after winning the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021. After losing the Formula One title on the last lap last year, Lewis Hamilton is more motivated than ever to wrestle it back from Max Verstappen. But Hamilton’s also worried that Mercedes is not quick enough to win races and that both Verstappen’s Red Bull team and Ferrari could be the early pace-setters when the season begins Sunday, March 20, 2022 in Bahrain. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

Chase Briscoe, top, celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Chase Briscoe, front, celebrates with his trophy after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Chase Briscoe, top, celebrates winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)