Motor Racing: Breaking Stories and all the Latest from USA Today

Ricciardo all smiles at Monaco GP, Hamilton’s woes continue
While Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo let out a screech of joy after securing the first pole position of his career at the Monaco Grand Prix, Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton struggled to mask his latest disappointment

F1 halo device moves step closer to implementation in 2017
Further tests on the protective halo device will be carried out in June with a view to implementing it in time for the 2017 Formula One season

Red Bull’s Ricciardo takes pole position for Monaco GP
Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo has taken pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes pair Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, whose car stalled in the final part of qualifying

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull to test 2017 tires in August
Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull will be the first Formula One teams to test the new-look Pirelli tires for the 2017 season when testing for wider tires begins in August

Jenson Button relieved and angry over loose drain incident
A loose drain damaged Button’s car during a practice session in Monaco.

Frustrated Vettel looking over his shoulder at Red Bull
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel began the Formula One season with high hopes of challenging dominant Mercedes but has had a disappointing start

6 mouthwatering food options at Indy 500
6 mouthwatering food options for fans at Indy 500

Hamilton needs pole in Monaco GP after 8 races without a win
With pole position so important at the Monaco Grand Prix, the pressure will be firmly on Lewis Hamilton in Saturday’s qualifying as the Formula One champion bids to avoid a ninth race without a win

Drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney having cancerous lung removed
The 75-year-old said she was diagnosed with a Stage 2 tumor in her right lung.

Jules Bianchi’s family taking legal action against F1 following his death
The family of Jules Bianchi is taking legal action against motorsport’s governing body, the Marussia team and Formula One Management following the French racing driver’s death from head injuries

Roger Penske keeps his foot on the gas after 50 years in racing
Roger Penske keeps his foot on the gas after 50 years in racing

Button relieved _ and angry _ as loose drain cover hits car
Jenson Button was both relieved and angry after a loose drain cover flew up and hit his McLaren during a practice session at the Monaco Grand Prix on Thursday

Ricciardo beats Hamilton, Rosberg in 2nd Monaco GP practice
Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo gave improving Red Bull another boost Thursday with the fastest time in the second practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix, quicker than Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton fastest ahead of Rosberg in 1st Monaco GP practice
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time Thursday in an eventful first practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix, a race he has not won since 2008

Bianchi’s family taking legal action following his death
The family of Jules Bianchi is taking legal action against motorsport’s governing body, the Marussia team and Formula One Management following the French racing driver’s death from head injuries

Doug Kalitta races to third straight NHRA Top Fuel victory
Doug Kalitta overcame an ill-handling car to win the NHRA Kansas Nationals on Sunday.

Cool & composed: Verstappen in the spotlight at Monaco GP
As coolly composed as he is preciously talented, the unflappable Max Verstappen seems to be handling the pressure well heading into this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix _ where the 18-year-old will be firmly in the spotlight

Rivals Hamilton and Rosberg at peace despite crash in Spain
In a rare show of unity so absent during their previous bouts of feuding, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg brushed aside any talk of tension in the wake of their crash at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago

Form and history against struggling Hamilton at Monaco GP
Lewis Hamilton heads to the Monaco Grand Prix with form and recent history against him as he bids to close the gap on championship leader Nico Rosberg

Drag racing legend Muldowney having cancerous lung removed
The 75-year-old said she was diagnosed with a Stage 2 tumor in her right lung.

Drag racing legend Muldowney having cancerous lung removed
Drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney is having surgery to remove a cancerous lung

Graphic: Indianapolis 500 safety over the years
How things have changed since 1911.

Doctors say Dave Mirra is The first extreme athlete diagnosed with CTE
The family of BMX legend Dave Mirra revealed he had the brain disease CTE, which may have contributed to his suicide in February.Video provided by Newsy

‘The Stinger’ auctioned to raise money for St. Jude Hospital
A five-year journey to combine Indy 500 history with a good cause will come to fruition Thursday night,

History of the Indianapolis 500

Go faster than you’ve gone before in a Honda Indycar in 360 degrees
Hit triple-digit speeds in the Honda IndyCar 2-seater

Kalitta races to third straight Top Fuel win
Doug Kalitta overcame an ill-handling car to win the NHRA Kansas Nationals on Sunday.

Doug Kalitta races to third straight Top Fuel victory
Doug Kalitta overcame an ill-handling car Sunday in the NHRA Kansas Nationals to race to his third consecutive Top Fuel victory

Doug Kalitta wins NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway
Doug Kalitta beat J.R. Todd in a near dead-heat Sunday.

Photos: Mario Andretti through the years

Mario Andretti through the years

Pit Pass Live Episode 6: Hinchcliffe leads Indy qualifying
Curt Cavin breaks down Saturday’s qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Brittany Force leads qualifying in NHRA Kansas Nationals
Brittany Force took her second No. 1 qualifying position of the season Saturday at the NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka

Matt Hagan, Brittany Force break record in Topeka
Matt Hagan and Brittany Force took advantage of cool conditions and a fast track to set records Friday in the NHRA Kansas Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka

Gabby Chaves adjusting on the fly, flying on the track
Chaves finished with the top time of 227.961 mph at Thursday’s Indy 500 practice.

Cavin: Win the Indy 500 in a Honda? Townsend Bell has no doubts
Honda has given drivers like Bell a lot to be excited about.

Verstappen fastest in F1 testing after 1st win in Spain
Max Verstappen was fastest in Formula One testing on Wednesday, three days after he became the series’ youngest race winner at the Spanish Grand Prix

Max Verstappen becomes youngest F1 winner after Mercedes crash
Teammates Hamilton and Rosberg crashed into each other on the first lap.

Max Verstappen brings new life into Formula 1
The 18-year-old Dutchman who became F1’s youngest race winner Sunday.

Young Verstappen brings new life into Formula 1
Teenager Max Verstappen brings new life into Formula 1 after win at Spanish GP

Force, Rahal balancing May travel for 100th Indy 500
Force, Rahal balancing May travel for 100th Indy 500

Sebastian Vettel fastest in F1 testing in Barcelona
Vettel of Ferrari fastest in Formula One testing, ahead of Rosberg of Mercedes

Buckle up for a 360-degree view of a Honda Indycar lap
Hit triple-digit speeds in the Honda IndyCar 2-seater

Shifting Gears with Ryan Dungey
In Shifting Gears with Ryan Dungey, sponsored by USMC, Dungey explains why being a good person off the track is just as big as his performance on it.

Kalitta wins NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway
Doug Kalitta beat J.R. Todd in a near dead-heat Sunday.

Rosberg and Hamilton refuse to take blame for 1st lap crash
Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg refused to take blame for the devastating first lap crash that left both cars out of the race at Formula One’s Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday