SPORTS CALENDAR

Feb. 3-5

Chief Auto Parts Winternationals

Vroommm! The National Hot Rod Association's drag racing season, which began yesterday, is burning rubber in Pomona, Calif. Before the smoke clears in October, more than 19 events will determine the fastest machines over a quarter mile.

Feb. 3-5 (began Feb. 2)

AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

The tournament that once bore Bing Crosby's name retains some of the fun and frivolity the famous crooner brought to it. Celebrities like Jack Lemmon and Clint Eastwood are among the amateurs who have converged on three Pebble Beach, Calif., courses. Show-biz and corporate types are paired with PGA Tour members, keeping the event serious enough to interest golf fans.

Feb. 3

Chemical Bank Millrose Games (track and field)

The ``off-Broadway Olympics'' are held in New York's Madison Square Garden. Officials wear tuxedos, and the runners whip around a banked, 160-yard wooden track with 11 laps to a mile. The featured event pits Jackie Joyner-Kersee against German long-jumper Heike Drechsler.

Feb. 3-5

Davis Cup tennis

The world's most confusing international sports event begins its 1995 playoffs with eight matches at various sites. Sweden, the defending champion of this venerable men's team competition, plays Denmark in Copenhagen. The United States, with Jim Courier and Todd Martin playing singles, hosts France in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Feb. 5

Pro Bowl (football)

And you thought the National Football League season was over. The best players from the National and American conferences meet in Honolulu for the league's all-star game. Everyone wants to be selected, but some don't seem very eager to play.

Feb. 6-11

US Figure Skating Championships

In this post-Olympic year, pros have hogged the spotlight with an array of made-for-TV competitions and specials. Now the attention shifts to US skaters who have kept their nonprofessional status. The wannabes match moves in Providence, R.I.

Feb. 10-12

National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend

The NBA never settles for just an All-Star Game anymore when it can use a long-distance shootout, a slam-dunk championship, and a rookie game as Hamburger Helper. The main event and sideshows will be held in Phoenix.

Feb. 18-19

World Sprint Championships (speed skating)

Bonnie Blair said at the '94 Olympics that she wanted to skate another year in order to compete before the home crowds at this event. The 500-meter world-record holder and Olympic 500- and 1,000-meter champion will do just that, zipping around the indoor oval at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee in her last US meet. Blair will finish out the season in Europe.

Feb. 19

Daytona 500 (auto racing)

Held in Daytona Beach, Fla., the 500 kicks off the annual NASCAR circuit that runs until November. More than 40 cars are expected to take to the speedway's steeply banked 2.5-mile track.