As America grapples with the grief and anger surrounding Tuesday's tragedy, the sporting world tries to determine what to do.

It was a no-brainer for Major League Baseball. Immediate cancellation of their schedule was an easy decision. Tougher is the situation facing weekend activities.

College football's conference commissioners grappled with the logistics of moving squads to assorted sites for Saturday's games. The NFL, cognizant of their faux pax when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and the games proceeded, continue to deliberate about Week 2 of their season. NFL Players Association President Gene Upshaw has suggested that the games be canceled, but awaits a final decision that won't come until Thursday.

Motorsports organizations face their decisions with mixed agendas and desires. NASCAR took the point with its announcement that it would proceed with the New Hampshire 300 in Loudon. The choice was met with both support and criticism.

"Just because we are racing doesn't mean we aren't still concerned and we're not still thinking of their losses," said driver Jeremy Mayfield. "Racing means we think the business of the country should be decided by people in this country, and not by terrorists."

Dale Jarrett suggested that some practicalities must also be considered.

"With what's taken place here, you have to be concerned for safety and we also have to make sure that this is the right thing for us to be doing at this particular time," Jarrett said. "I think we do have to look at that. Is it safe for us to travel, along with the other teams in the other sports?"

NASCAR had little choice. Theirs is a series that travels on roadways. Outside of crews that fly in for race day-only chores, many drivers, cars and equipment arrive at venues via our nation's highway system. In order to be at Loudon in time to stage the event, NASCAR needed to decide quickly on a "go" or "no-go."

CART's decision to proceed with their event in Germany certainly was affected by the closing of U.S. air traffic. But most of their equipment was already in Europe.

The only driver stranded in the U.S. is Michael Andretti. Michael does have a private transoceanic jet at his disposal, ready to fly but, surely some crew members are in jeopardy of missing the event, depending upon when international air travel resumes.

"We are working closely with the U.S. government and, specifically, with the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Dan Coats, in order to ensure that we conduct ourselves in the most appropriate manner relative to this situation," said CART CEO Joe Heitzler in a prepared statement.

"I also want to let you know that measures have been taken by both the U.S. and German governments to ensure the safety and security of the CART contingent here in Germany."

The IRL selected a suitable postponement date for their Chevy 500 on Tuesday. Consultations with Texas Motor Speedway officials put in place a plan to delay their season culminating event. But they waited to take the pulse of the nation.

By Wednesday afternoon, they made their decision.

"Basically we are following what we heard from the President of the United States last night and today," said IRL operations vice president Brian Barnhart. "America is going forward. We mourn those who lost their lives in this senseless attack, but we're going to go forward."

Some adjustments have been made to the schedule. As is the case with NASCAR's Loudon appearance, Friday activities have been canceled. The starting lineup will be based upon points.

In addition, the Championship Banquet scheduled for Monday night at the TMS Speedway Club will also go on as scheduled.