Formula 1
The highest class of open-wheel formula racing, this series of Grand Prix races is often referred to as “the most expensive sport in the world,” with annual team budgets reaching hundreds of millions. The races occur worldwide, most notably in countries like Turkey, Germany, Australia, China and United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit www.formula1.com.

Check out our blog for The Curious Case of Jenson Button

NASCAR
Short for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, NASCAR is the largest sanctioning body of motor sports in the United States. Each year, NASCAR holds three major series in North America, the most well-known being the Nextel Cup, which includes the popular Daytona 500 in Daytona, Fla. For more information, visit www.nascar.com.

Indianapolis 500
This classic open-wheel American race is one of the oldest motor events in existence, with a history that began in 1911. Nicknamed “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the event is held annually over Memorial Day weekend at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For more information, visit www.indy500.com.

Indy Racing League
The Indy Racing League (IRL) is the sanctioning body of two championship open-wheel racing series in the United States, which includes the famous Indianapolis 500. After splitting from Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1994, IRL succeeded while CART floundered financially. In 2008, CART, which had been renamed to Champ Car following bankruptcy, merged with IRL. For more information, visit www.indycar.com.

IMSA
The International Motorsport Association pulls together the ALMS (American Le Mans Series) the Star Mazda Championship, the GT3 Cup Challenge, the Lites series, Formula BMW USA, and the Panoz Racing Series under one American sanctioning roof. Fans enjoy thrilling races as well as the many opportunities to meet drivers and team members across the country, but the best known is the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring which kicks off the ALMS Series annually in Florida. www.imsaracing.net

World Rally Championship
Not the average car race, the WRC is a series of rally races in 16 different countries, on some of the harshest terrain on the planet. Teams enter multiple cars in each race, which occurs in multiple stages, most off-road and not open to the public. Instead of racing against each other, cars race against time; teams with the fastest overall times earn points to determine the WRC winner. WRC locations range far across the world and include places like Sweden, Mexico, New Zealand, Cyprus and France. For more information, visit www.wrc.com

A1 Grand Prix
This open-wheel racing series is unique in that racers represent their country rather than a sponsor or team owner. Some refer to it as the world cup of auto racing. For a level playing field, all teams receive a mechanically identical car so that driving skill and team work become the central focus. Countries from all over the world compete in races held in generally warmer climates around the globe, because of most races being held during winter months.