After two thrilling races in the streets of St. Petersburg and Long Beach, the American Le Mans Series heads back to a natural terrain road course this weekend at Miller Motorsports Park. The Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix presented by the Grand and Little America Hotels is shaping up to provide a new set of challenges to teams and drivers, as the outer course layout of the facility will be used for the first time.

In the landscape of American motorsports, it doesn't get much more glamorous than the Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend. After a sensational debut in 2007, the American Le Mans Series returns again this weekend for the Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach, Round 3 of the 2008 season.

For the second year in a row, the American Le Mans Series hit the streets of St. Petersburg in the first of three races on a temporary street circuit. The exotic sports cars of the American Le Mans Series ran an abbreviated 1 hour and 55 minute event with Audi taking top honors on the Tampa Bay waterfront.

he anticipation of the unknown turned into the appreciation for knowlege Saturday in the GAINSCO Grand Prix of Miami for the two new Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Daytona Prototype car constructors. Teams using both the new Lola and Dallara bodywork were hopeful their cars would challenge for greatness and even victories in Saturday's race, and their wishes were granted and any questions were answered as both constructors ran up front.

The 2007 American Le Mans Series was a magical one for Penske Racing. The 2008 season may be even better if the 12 Hours of Sebring was any indication. Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Emmanuel Collard drove to an historic overall win at the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida.

I don’t think I can recall an American Le Mans Series winter test as upbeat and promising as this most recent. And, while there wasn’t a “major” story that everyone typically hangs their hopes on, there was plenty of great news. Perhaps all the news was the big story?

In a race that featured Grand-Am Rolex Series and Rolex 24 records for car leaders (15), driver leaders (25) and lead changes (60), the Ganassi team stayed out of trouble to complete 695 laps and march to a two-lap victory over defending series champions No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Lowe’s Pontiac Riley of Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty, joined by back-to-back NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and former Champ Car champion Jimmy Vasser.

The first outing of the year was greeted by cool temperatures and a new set of chassis specs. All the usual suspects turned out and the cream was rising to the top.

The 10th running of this fall classic continued a long time tradition of great racing at Road Atlanta. It was a terrific week at one of the best tracks on the planet!

A full season of wheel-to-wheel battles in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve will culminate with a one-race shootout to determine the Daytona Prototype driver’s champion. With only the Sunchaser 1000k at Miller Motorsports Park remaining, the Rolex Series championship remains the closest in series history and the tightest motorsports title chase in the world.

While other markets may be more populated and familiar to the American Le Mans Series paddock, none can match the strategic importance of Detroit. The world's leading sports car series visits the Motor City this weekend for the Detroit Sports Car Challenge presented by Bosch, part of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix weekend.

Just as they lauded Road America two weeks ago, American Le Mans Series drivers are ever eager to heap praise on Mosport International Raceway. The site of this weekend's Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport is a 2.459-mile layout just outside of Toronto that is blindingly fast and keeps drivers on their toes throughout the 10-turn lap.

There may not be a track in North America that gets a driver's heart thumping and pounding more than Road America. A drive around the circuit offers four miles and 14 turns of adrenaline-pumping thrills that go up, down, around and through rural Wisconsin. No wonder it's a favorite of drivers in the American Le Mans Series, who get their annual crack at Road America in this weekend's for-hour Generac 500.

Joining Detroit Grand Prix officials, along with representatives from Audi, and race sponsor Bosch, was two-time American Le Mans Series champion, driver of the Audi R10 LMP1, Allan McNish. McNish was extremely enthusiastic about the venue and the potential competitiveness of the track. McNish concurred with race officials that the design of the track and the attention to detail showed all the makings of a great race track. McNish was especially impressed with the widening of the turns and the increased visibility for the drivers.

History may look back and declare the Mid-Ohio American Le Mans weekend as a turning point in the resurgence of sports car racing in North America. Attendance numbers pushed the track capacity to overflow.

The American Le Mans appearance at the historic Lime Rock Park provided one of the largest crowds the track as seen in years.

The Grand Am series put all four classes through their paces on one of America's most picturesque road courses.

Classic sports car racing on a legendary natural terrain road course.. Watkins Glen.

In a one-off GT only event, the SPEED World Challenge Series took on the high banks of Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte... under the lights!

Miller Motorsports Park is the longest track on the ALMS circuit.An amazing facility providing a long dusty run through the desert.

Not the prettiest venue on the circuit, but the cars and close action make up for it.

This was the first appearance of the American Le Mans Series at this classic southern California street venue. Great fit!

St. Pete provides a beautiful backdrop for the Acura Sports Car Challenge. Race cars by the bay!

If you can only get to one Grand Am event in a given year, make it to the 24 Hours at Daytona. There's nothing like seeing war torn gladiators and day break.

Some personal favorites from the 12 Hours of Sebring. Great racing action and fantastic photo opportunities.

A look at the annual spring training for the American Le Mans Series.

The Seventeenth Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony.

The SCCA Pro racing community enjoys an evening at the race shop of 3R Racing

These were shots I pulled for our Exploring Speed & Light Gallery but didn't make the cut as we are allowed only six each. Enjoy!

These are photos taken during our visit to The Racers Group facility on a recent trip to Sonoma. Look closely at the cars on hand and the beautiful wine tasting room. Truly a first class operation.

Party at the Gloria Ferrer Winery sponsored by ALMS, Yokohama and Racer Magazine.