Flash.(Briefs)

IRL additions

The IRL confirmed its first race at the new Iowa Speedway for June 24 next season. The seven-eighths-mile track east of Des Moines will be the first to have the energy-absorbing SAFER barrier covering all of its concrete walls.

IRL officials also confirm the oval tracks in Phoenix and Las Vegas are interested in returning to the calendar. Meanwhile a Los Angeles race on a temporary street circuit is gaining momentum. Andretti Green Racing's promotions company is working with a group in Los Angeles to pull it together.

Smackdown aftermath

Champ Car dropped the hammer on Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani for their much-publicized fisticuffs at the San Jose Grand Prix. Tracy and Tagliani tangled after a crash, which occurred when Tracy pulled onto the track from a runoff area right into Tagliani's path. Champ Car placed Tracy on probation for the next three races and docked him seven championship points for the crash. Tracy and Tagliani were fined an undisclosed amount for the fight.

Champ Car also put rookie Katherine Legge on probation for the next three races for "on-track misconduct,'' most notably running Andrew Ranger into the wall trying to pass him, though Legge was seven laps down.

Knaus, Blaney extend deals