DOWN TO THE WIRE

For the first time since California Speedway opened in 1997, all three races this weekend will decide major championships.

* In Sunday’s Marlboro 500, Dario Franchitti, a Scotsman who drives for Team Kool Green, holds a nine-point margin over rookie driver Juan Montoya, a Colombian who drives for Chip Ganassi, in the CART FedEx championship series. The maximum number of points available is 22, one for the fastest qualifier Saturday, one for the driver who leads the most laps Sunday and 20 for the race winner.

Franchitti can clinch the $1-million PPG Cup bonus by finishing third or better. If the two tie in points, Montoya will be the champion because he has won more races--seven to three.

* In Saturday’s NAPA Auto Parts 200, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck race, Greg Biffle holds a 21-point margin over 1997 champion Jack Sprague, with Dennis Setzer another four behind. Biffle can win by finishing third or better.

This is the first time three drivers have been this close since the series began in 1995. The three represent each of the series manufacturers--Ford with Biffle, Chevrolet with Sprague and Dodge with Setzer.

* In Indy Lights, the CART development series, Spain’s Oriol Servia carries a 14-point lead over Bakersfield’s Casey Mears. They are Dorricott Racing teammates. Servia can clinch his first title with a fifth-place finish or better, even if Mears wins.