DARLINGTON, S.C. -- NASCAR owner Gene Haas said Friday he has been granted a license from Formula Ones governing body to start a U.S.-based entry in the global series, perhaps as early as next season. Haas received documents from the FIA on Thursday and the organization confirmed the application had been approved. "If he wants, he can join next season, its up to him," FIA spokesman Matteo Bonciani said. The last attempt for an American Formula One team came in 2010, but the entry lacked funding and development to join. Money is not expected to be a problem for the deep-pocketed Haas, owner of CNC machine manufacturer Haas Automation and the Windshear wind tunnel in North Carolina. Haas co-owns a NASCAR team with Tony Stewart that fields drivers Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Danica Patrick and new addition Kurt Busch. Haas pays for Busch himself. "Obviously, were extremely pleased to have been granted a Formula One license by the FIA. Its an exciting time for me, Haas Automation and anyone who wanted to see an American team return to Formula One," Haas said in a statement. Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone said at last weekends Bahrain Gran Prix that the U.S.-backed team led by Haas would likely join the series next season. Now its official. "Now, the really hard work begins. Its a challenge we embrace as we work to put cars on the grid," Haas said. Haas team would be Americas first F1 entrant since Penske Racing competed from a base in England from 1974 to 1978. And it would be the first U.S.-based F1 team since Mario Andretti raced for Parnelli Jones Racing from 1974-76. The last American team competing in F1 was run by Carl Haas (no relation to Gene) and Teddy Mayer in 1985-86. At the IndyCar race in Long Beach, Calif., drivers wondered if a U.S.-based team would actually come to fruition. "Theres not a great track record so far, and those are the data points we have to go off of," said James Hinchcliffe. But his teammate believed Haas might be able to pull it off. "With Gene Haas buying the team, Id say thats the likeliest chance of it finally happening," said Ryan Hunter-Reay. Asked if thered be any interest in the paddock for a shot to drive for Haas in Formula One, the normally reserved Carlos Munoz immediately perked up. "I would," the Colombian said. "Id love to do it." Haas founded his NASCAR team based in Kannapolis, N.C., in 2002. Seven years later, he brought Stewart aboard in a co-owner role to bring legitimacy to the team and help get the cars to Victory Lane. Stewart has delivered. Haas also operates the Windshear, one of the worlds most sophisticated wind tunnels for the testing of car aerodynamics, which would aid any new F1 entry. He said Haas Automation, one of the largest machine tool builders in the world, currently does $1 billion in annual sales, and he believes entering Formula One could help him double that number. "Its not that were trying to individually sell machines. Were trying to make people aware of Haas Automation as a company," he said. He added: "Were just trying to bring our awareness up and Formula One is even more important because half our sales are outside the country. So we think Formula One would be a really great way of bringing us awareness and increasing our sales." His team would be based in North Carolina, next to the existing NASCAR shop. "We want to be an American team. We think that has the most sizzle to it," Haas said in January. Stitched Avalanche Jerseys . The alley-oop looked easy -- just like everything else after halftime for the Miami Heat. James scored 32 points, Wade added 22 points and eight assists, and the Heat trailed by 11 early in the second half before running away to a 107-88 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Colorado Avalanche Pro Shop . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/. Hughes, 30, is a former Major Leaguer with the Baltimore Orioles, having played in 14 games with the Os in 2010. He played with Class AA Binghamton of the Eastern League in the New York Mets system last season. Colorado Avalanche Store .com) - Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant combined for 51 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder took down the struggling Bucks 114-101 on Tuesday. Avalanche Jerseys 2020 . The Kelowna, B.C. rink made the announcement on their facebook page on Thursday night.MONZA, Italy -- Lewis Hamilton broke Mercedes teammate Nico Rosbergs recent stranglehold on pole position by qualifying ahead of the championship leader at the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday -- although the rivalry between the pair remains as heated as ever. Rosberg had taken four straight poles and six of the last seven. Hamilton clocked 1 minute, 24.109 seconds at the Monza circuit, Rosberg was second in 1:24.383 and Valtteri Bottas of Williams qualified third in 1:24.697. Its Hamiltons fifth pole of the season and 36th of his career. He hasnt started first since the Spanish GP back in May. "Tomorrow will be really good to get another 1-2 for the team," Hamilton said. "And I hope we have some competition as that will be great for the fans." Rosberg enters Sundays race with a 29-point lead over Hamilton in the drivers standings -- the biggest it has been all season. A big part of that gap was built in the controversial Belgian GP two weeks ago, when Rosberg finished second after crashing into Hamilton early and sending his teammate out of the incident-packed race. Rosberg didnt seem interested in congratulating Hamilton on his pole position. Likewise, Hamilton appeared to do his best to ignore Rosberg after both drivers got out of their cars. After taking off his helmet, Hamilton flashed a victory sign to photographers while Rosberg appeared to frown behind him. Rosberg was disciplined by Mercedes for the incident at Spa and while no team orders were installed, the pair was told explicitly not to make contact again. When Hamilton was asked what effect the teams warning would have on him Sunday, he replied: "It wont be ringing in my ears. We are free to race. That was the decision last week so it continues as usual." Rosberg reportedly received a hefty fine for the Spa incident but hee, too, didnt appear ready to change tactics.dddddddddddd "It has not changed since before we started the season," Rosberg said. "The message has been clear. There is no real change at the moment. It is the same as always." Racing conditions were ideal, with sunny skies and a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit). More good weather was forecast for Sunday. Felipe Massa of Williams qualified fourth and Kevin Magnussen of McLaren was fifth. Home Ferrari favourite Fernando Alonso was only seventh, defending champion Sebastian Vettel was eighth and his Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who won the past two races, was ninth. "I was really at the limit today," Alonso said. "I had exactly the same lap time each lap so I think (if) I do it 100,000 times I would still get the same lap times. The important thing is to do a good race tomorrow." Mercedes dominance was clear on the sports fastest track, where speeds average about 250 kph (155 mph) and top speeds exceed 350 kph (around 220 mph). Hamilton missed an hour of practice on Friday due to electrical problems and Rosberg was slowed in Saturdays third and final practice with a gearbox glitch, making their performances all the more impressive. "Inside the garage theyve obviously been through the difficult times with me and theyve done a remarkable job in bouncing back," Hamilton said. "Its great to have a 1-2." Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso posted the 11th-best time but will start 21st on the grid due to a 10-place penalty for a sixth engine change -- becoming the first driver this season to be sanctioned by new power unit regulations. Ferraris Kimi Raikkonen went out in Q2 after abandoning a lap due to traffic. The 2007 F1 champion placed 12th but will start 11th due to Kvyats penalty. ' ' '