Racing News: Jimmie Johnson Claims His Record Fifth-Straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship

FIFTH ELEMENT: Jimmie Johnson came from 15 points behind entering the season finale to claim his record fifth-straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship Sunday afternoon at Florida’s Homestead-Miami Speedway.

MEXICAN FLAVOR: Gustavo Vildosola Sr. and Jr. became the first Mexican national team to capture the overall title in the 43rd running of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race.

NEW HORSEPOWER: Lotus will join Chevrolet and Honda as engine suppliers in the IZOD IndyCar Series during the 2012 season.

WESTERN CASH: Donny Schatz bagged the $15,000-to-win Western World Championships sanctioned by the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Saturday night at USA Raceway in Tucson, Arizona.

SEALED: The Schwanke LS-based Chevrolet sealed engine has been approved as an option for the USAC Western and Rocky Mountain sprint-car divisions next year.

TECH DAY: Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host the 100th anniversary Indy 500 Emerging Tech Day May 7, a place for young minds to display innovative renewable technologies for the automotive industry.

BOUNCED: Nico Hulkenberg will not return to the Williams Formula One team next season. Rubens Barrichello has been retained by Williams and will compete in his 19th Formula One season.

OUT: Austin Coil has left his role as crew chief for 15-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force at John Force Racing.

STAFF CUTS: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team Richard Petty Motorsports began its restructuring program Monday, releasing approximately 60% of its work force.

BACK TO THE OLD: Sundance Vacations Speedway in St. John’s, Pennsylvania., will revert to its former name (Mountain Speedway) after negotiations with Sundance Vacations for a third season under the Sundance banner fell through.

NEW BOSS: World Racing Group will lease Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y., to veteran central New York promoter Eric Kingsley in 2011.

A FIRST: Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung, who serves as a reserve and test driver for the Renault Formula One team, made history over the weekend by becoming the first Chinese driver to take the wheel of an IndyCar during a test with the FAZZT Race Team at Sebring International Raceway.

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