INSIDER
Kevin Harvick heads into final race of NASCAR career looking toward next phases of racing life
Read full article: Kevin Harvick heads into final race of NASCAR career looking toward next phases of racing lifeThe plans to retire at the end of this year had been in place so long that every race weekend of Kevin Harvick’s 23rd season felt fairly routine.
Kyle Busch internalizes his driving style as he faces elimination from NASCAR playoffs
Read full article: Kyle Busch internalizes his driving style as he faces elimination from NASCAR playoffsAnother crash has Kyle Busch last in the playoff standings and in danger of elimination Sunday on The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Head-and-neck restraints and soft walls top list of NASCAR's biggest safety improvements
Read full article: Head-and-neck restraints and soft walls top list of NASCAR's biggest safety improvementsTo mark NASCAR’s 75th season, The Associated Press interviewed 12 key contributors to the industry on multiple topics.
Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus join Donnie Allison as NASCAR Hall of Fame selections
Read full article: Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus join Donnie Allison as NASCAR Hall of Fame selectionsJimmie Johnson and former crew chief Chad Knaus, who combined to win a record-tying seven Cup Series championships, have been selected for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Kyle Busch and Richard Childress, once enemies, now winning NASCAR combination
Read full article: Kyle Busch and Richard Childress, once enemies, now winning NASCAR combinationRichard Childress and Kyle Busch were hardly on good terms 12 years ago, when they got into a fight after a Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway.
Chastain's video game-inspired ride puts more eyes on NASCAR
Read full article: Chastain's video game-inspired ride puts more eyes on NASCARRoss Chastain’s video game-inspired ride along the wall at Martinsville carried him across the finish line, into the NASCAR championship finale and around the world.
Bell wins Charlotte as champion Larson bumped from playoffs
Read full article: Bell wins Charlotte as champion Larson bumped from playoffsChristopher Bell saved his title chances with an overtime win Sunday on the road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway in a stunning finish that knocked reigning NASCAR champion Kyle Larson from the playoffs.
Busch leaving Gibbs, Toyota to drive for Childress in 2023
Read full article: Busch leaving Gibbs, Toyota to drive for Childress in 2023Kyle Busch will move to Richard Childress Racing next season, ending a 15-year career with Joe Gibbs Racing because the team could not come to terms with NASCAR’s only active multiple Cup champion.
Dixon still in IndyCar title fight despite Indy 500 gaffe
Read full article: Dixon still in IndyCar title fight despite Indy 500 gaffeScott Dixon knows IndyCar’s tightest championship race in nearly 20 years would have probably been long decided if not for a rare gaffe by The Iceman in the Indianapolis 500.
Hamlin vows to get even with Chastain after Gateway wreck
Read full article: Hamlin vows to get even with Chastain after Gateway wreckDenny Hamlin has warned Ross Chastain that there's still some retribution due after the eighth-generation watermelon farmer wrecked him in Sunday's race at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Joey Logano beats Kyle Busch in overtime at Gateway
Read full article: Joey Logano beats Kyle Busch in overtime at GatewayJoey Logano jockeyed for the lead with Kyle Busch in overtime, got around him for good just before the white flag flew and cruised to the victory Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series debut at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Kyle Busch steals Bristol win as Reddick and Briscoe crash
Read full article: Kyle Busch steals Bristol win as Reddick and Briscoe crashKyle Busch slipped past the spinning cars of Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe to steal his first Cup win of the season Sunday night on slick, wet, dirt-covered Bristol Motor Speedway.
Briscoe races to first Cup win, pulls away late in Phoenix
Read full article: Briscoe races to first Cup win, pulls away late in PhoenixChase Briscoe raced to his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, executing two great restarts over the final 20 laps to pull away from Ross Chastain and Tyler Reddick on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.
Ricciardo rips laps in "hero" Earnhardt's classic No. 3
Read full article: Ricciardo rips laps in "hero" Earnhardt's classic No. 3Daniel Ricciardo lived his childhood dream at the Circuit of the Americas when he turned a few laps and spun some donuts in the late Dale Earnhardt's 1984 No. 3 Wrangler Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Mets, Yankees and more pay tribute on 9/11 20th anniversary
Read full article: Mets, Yankees and more pay tribute on 9/11 20th anniversaryThe Mets and Yankees held a Subway Series game on Sept. 11 for the first time on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, as stadium’s around the country paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 killed in the terrorist attacks.
The Latest: Keselowski has no regrets about Daytona 500 end
Read full article: The Latest: Keselowski has no regrets about Daytona 500 endRacers crash during the last lap in the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Latest on the Daytona 500 (all times local):12:35 a.m.Brad Keselowski has no regrets about the way he handled the final lap of the Daytona 500. ___12:15 a.m.Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500 after Penske Racing teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski wrecked on the final lap. ___3:25 p.m.Derrike Cope was knocked out after only three laps, an ignominious end for the 62-year-old driver who won the 1990 Daytona 500. ___2 p.m.Bubba Wallace’s car failed inspection twice for the Daytona 500 and will have to start at the back of the field. AdWallace drives a new entry owned by NBA great Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.
Party in a pandemic: NASCAR fans power through at Daytona
Read full article: Party in a pandemic: NASCAR fans power through at DaytonaBubba Wallace makes a pit stop during the second of two qualifying auto races for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Wallace finished in second place. They came to soak in the Daytona 500 atmosphere, or whatever they found among the campers killing time with games of cornhole and flip cup. AdMark Minadeo of Boca Raton was attending his ninth Daytona 500 and bought a motorhome for Speedweeks. The mood is in stark contrast to last year when NASCAR fans were revved for then-President Donald Trump’s visit. The majority had never been to a NASCAR race.
Denny Hamlin seeks historic 3rd straight Daytona 500 victory
Read full article: Denny Hamlin seeks historic 3rd straight Daytona 500 victoryHe instead points to a pair of Southern 500 trophies, a Bristol night race victory, three road course wins, six at Pocono and the big daddy of them all, the Daytona 500. AdWith only three practice sessions and the 150-mile Duel qualifying races, there is no clear indication who has cars capable of winning the Daytona 500. Chase Elliott is the reigning series champion but hasn't had enough time to show if he's a contender for his first Daytona 500 victory. Austin Dillon won the second duel, setting him up for a possible second Daytona 500 victory on the 20th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death. “I felt like a mouse trying to find the cheese,” Hamlin said of trying to get to to the traditional ring ceremony for last year's Daytona 500 victory.
Lasting legacy: Earnhardt’s death saved lives, forced change
Read full article: Lasting legacy: Earnhardt’s death saved lives, forced changeBut losing Earnhardt forced the stock car series to confront safety issues it had been slow to even acknowledge, let alone address. The dramatic upgrades since have saved multiple lives — NASCAR hasn't suffered a racing death in its three national series since — and are the hallmark of Earnhardt’s legacy. Earnhardt's death changed everything. But Earnhardt Jr. feuded with his father’s widow and moved to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. He realizes Earnhardt’s death saved his life.
AP Was There: Earnhardt killed in 2001 Daytona 500 crash
Read full article: AP Was There: Earnhardt killed in 2001 Daytona 500 crash“I guess someone got into Dale because Dale got into me and then we went up,” Schrader said. We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt,” Helton said. The death of Earnhardt left NASCAR reeling in the wake of a 2000 season in which three of its young stars were killed in separate accidents. All three died of the same type of head injuries that apparently killed Earnhardt. “The only reason I won this race is Dale Earnhardt,” Waltrip said.
NASCAR to hold pre-race Daytona 500 concert with Luke Combs
Read full article: NASCAR to hold pre-race Daytona 500 concert with Luke CombsNASCAR will attempt some normalcy at the season-opening Daytona 500 with a live pre-race concert featuring country music star Luke Combs. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR will attempt some normalcy at the season-opening Daytona 500 with a live pre-race concert — the first big performance at a track during the pandemic — featuring country music star Luke Combs. Born in Charlotte but raised in Asheville, Combs made NASCAR races a weekly viewing staple alongside his grandfather. “If you would’ve told me back then that I’d be performing at the Daytona 500 one day, I wouldn’t have believed you,” said Combs, a longtime fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Live music is a way for us to be able to disconnect from everything else, and just be there in the moment,” Combs said.
Alex Bowman shuffled to the No. 48 to replace Jimmie Johnson
Read full article: Alex Bowman shuffled to the No. 48 to replace Jimmie JohnsonThe most coveted seat in NASCAR went to Alex Bowman in a Hendrick Motorsports lineup shuffle to replace seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson in the iconic No. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The most coveted seat in NASCAR belongs to Alex Bowman in a Hendrick Motorsports lineup shuffle to replace seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson in the iconic No. Bowman and crew chief Greg Ives, who won five championships with Johnson as his engineer, will move from the No. “Every season, Alex gets better. “He earned his way into the 88 car through hard work and dedication and doing the stuff nobody else wanted to do," Johnson said.
Jimmie Johnson teams with Ganassi on 2-year IndyCar program
Read full article: Jimmie Johnson teams with Ganassi on 2-year IndyCar programFILE - In this image provided by Jimmie Johnson Racing II, Inc., seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson poses with an IndyCar during testing with Chip Ganassi Racing on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Indianapolis. Jimmie Johnson will transition from NASCAR to IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing in a partnership that could pair two of the most dominant drivers of this generation on one team. (Jimmie Johnson Racing II, Inc. via AP, File)CHARLOTTE, N.C. Jimmie Johnson will transition from NASCAR to IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing in a partnership that could pair two of the most dominant drivers of this generation on one team. If funding is secured, Johnson would be teammates with five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon. Both were instrumental in piquing Johnson's interest in IndyCar and Dixon assisted Johnson at the July test.
NASCAR drivers cautious of COVID-19 as playoffs begin
Read full article: NASCAR drivers cautious of COVID-19 as playoffs beginCHARLOTTE, N.C. NASCAR has decided it will not grant COVID-19 relief during the playoffs, meaning a positive coronavirus test will end a driver's championship bid. The playoffs begin Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina without a safety net for the 16 participants during the pandemic. Jimmie Johnson and Austin Dillon both missed one race during the season following a positive COVID-19 test and earned zero points. NASCAR made no changes for the 10-race playoff series, so missing a race would would effectively end a driver's championship chances. Johnson was not suffering symptoms but was tested after his wife received a positive test; Dillon was experiencing mild symptoms.
Denny Hamlin downright dominant as NASCAR season pushes on
Read full article: Denny Hamlin downright dominant as NASCAR season pushes onIn fact, team owner Joe Gibbs and crew chief Chris Gabehart didn't even mention the season-ending race at Homestead. He gave me a list of probably six guys in history that won X number of races. That's the number he hit Thursday night at Kansas Speedway, where he led four times for a race-high 57 laps. The win broke a tie with Kevin Harvick for the most this season and gave Hamlin at least five for the second straight year. 11 team and Hamlin, who was coming off his first winless season since his 2005 rookie year.
Pocono twin bill weekend loses luster with no fans at track
Read full article: Pocono twin bill weekend loses luster with no fans at trackAfter allowing a small number of fans into races in Florida and Alabama, none will be allowed at this weekend's races at Pocono. The absence stings a bit more this season for a track that first held a Cup race in 1974. Pocono is the site of a Cup Series twin bill, with one race on Saturday, one on Sunday, and the second race comes with a twist. Igdalsky, who said he did not have to lay off or furlough any Pocono employees, never considered asking to move the race weekend in hopes of accommodating fans later. It will be a busy weekend: After an ARCA race Friday, the Truck Series and Cup race were set for Saturday and the Xfinity Series was scheduled Sunday ahead of the second Cup race.
Earnhardt Jr. headlines NASCAR's 2021 Hall of Fame class
Read full article: Earnhardt Jr. headlines NASCAR's 2021 Hall of Fame classLongtime fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to be the marquee name on NASCAR's 2021 Hall of Fame class, to be announced Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)All Dale Earnhardt Jr. needed was a chance to prove he could win in stock cars. Now the longtime fan favorite and two-time Daytona 500 winner will join his famous, late father in NASCAR's Hall of Fame after being selected as one of three members of the 2021 class. Earnhardt Jr. received 76% of the votes in his first appearance on the ballot. Stefanik will be enshrined with Earnhardt in the smallest Hall of Fame class in NASCAR history.
Briscoe finds a way, wins Xfinity race at Homestead
Read full article: Briscoe finds a way, wins Xfinity race at HomesteadHOMESTEAD, Fla. Chase Briscoe lost much of his team and got a win for them. Its just a testament to our team, Briscoe said. With 15 laps to go, it was basically down to a two-car race: Gragson was leading, about 2 1/2 seconds ahead of Briscoe. Gragson never had control of the race again, and Briscoe wound up in victory lane. That was a team win, for sure, Briscoe said.
Briscoe finds a way, wins Xfinity race at Homestead
Read full article: Briscoe finds a way, wins Xfinity race at HomesteadHOMESTEAD, Fla. Chase Briscoe lost much of his team and got a win for them. Its just a testament to our team, Briscoe said. With 15 laps to go, it was basically down to a two-car race: Gragson was leading, about 2 1/2 seconds ahead of Briscoe. Gragson never had control of the race again, and Briscoe wound up in victory lane. That was a team win, for sure, Briscoe said.
Earnhardt returns; Burton wins Xfinity race at Homestead
Read full article: Earnhardt returns; Burton wins Xfinity race at HomesteadBurton, Gragson and Austin Cindric were three-wide going into that last lap, and it was Burton the 19-year-old son of former Cup star Jeff Burton, who wound up in front in a wild finish. I love you.Cindric was second and Gragson third, two spots ahead of Earnhardt part of his cars JR Motorsports ownership. It was Earnhardts third Xfinity Series appearance since retiring as a full-time Cup Series driver in 2017. Hed also raced there five times in the Xfinity Series, placing second in 1999 for his best finish. The Xfinity cars are back on the track Sunday before the Cup Series race at Homestead.
Junior to savor Homestead again, but virus upends routine
Read full article: Junior to savor Homestead again, but virus upends routineHell change into driver gear, hop into his race car about 10 minutes before the flag drops and, without the benefit of any practice, hope for the best. Im experiencing this for the first time, Earnhardt Jr. said on his podcast this week. Once that engine fires up, things should seem normal again for Earnhardt Jr., who will take to the Homestead track Saturday for the first time since his NASCAR Cup Series career ended. Hes in the field for one of the two Xfinity Series races at Homestead this weekend, his third start in an Xfinity car since retiring. But on Saturday, the only fans watching Earnhardt Jr. in the No.
NASCAR vows to do better job addressing racial injustice
Read full article: NASCAR vows to do better job addressing racial injusticeThe governing body vowed to to do a better job of addressing racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd's death. Our country must do better.A black NASCAR official took a knee along pit road, mimicking a gesture used by protesters in tribute to former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The time is now to listen, to understand and to stand against racism and racial injustice, Phelps said. After Phelps spoke to the NASCAR drivers, they observed a 30-second moment of silence. ___Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pnewberry1963 and find his work at https://apnews.com___More AP NASCAR: https://apnews.com/NASCAR and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Harvick cruises with another dominant performance in Atlanta
Read full article: Harvick cruises with another dominant performance in AtlantaHarvick came into the day having led 1,138 laps on the 1.54-mile Atlanta trioval, far more than any other driver in the 40-car field. Harvick now has three victories in Atlanta, following up his triumphs in 2001 and 2018. I love to win here.On a reverse victory lap, Harvick held three fingers outside his car, a tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt. A few weeks later, Harvick captured his first Cup victory in Atlanta. During the shutdown, NASCAR driver Kyle Larson was fired after casually uttering a racial slur while competing in a video racing game.
NASCAR looks to steer clear of protests over George Floyd
Read full article: NASCAR looks to steer clear of protests over George FloydAt the end of the day, theres a lot to talk about. When you sit down and listen, you realize theres a lot of injustices taking place across a broad spectrum. "But it's still an emotional and special moment to go back to tracks for what could be the final time." Johnson acknowledged that taking a stand against racism and police brutality could spark a backlash from some NASCAR fans. Im still trying to find that voice, but Im being pulled this way more than I have other times.
Gragson wiggles past Allgaier to win Xfinity race at Bristol
Read full article: Gragson wiggles past Allgaier to win Xfinity race at BristolBRISTOL, Tenn. Noah Gragson squeezed past JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier with four laps remaining, a move that caused Allgaier to crash, and Gragson held on at Bristol Motor Speedway for his second win of the season. His victory Monday night was set up by a caution with 13 laps remaining that wiped away Allgaier's lead. The Chevrolet teammates lined up side-by-side for the restart with seven laps remaining but Allgaier cleared him on the restart. I really apologize to Justin and the (number) 7 team, thats not how I want to race, Gragson said. I was terrible here in trucks and Xfinity, Gragson said.
Drivers processing the dangers of racing after Newman crash
Read full article: Drivers processing the dangers of racing after Newman crash(AP Photo/John Raoux)LAS VEGAS, Nev. – NASCAR rolled west this week, shifting from the Daytona 500 to Las Vegas Motor Speedway without Ryan Newman. I can’t wait to have Rocketman Ryan Newman back at the track racing as hard as ever.”Ross Chastain will drive the No. The not knowing was difficult for a generation of drivers who have been fortunate to avoid the inherent danger of auto racing. Dillon recalled racing a week after his 2015 crash at Daytona. It’s part of what we do as race car drivers and I think that’s why people come watch us.
Blaney's attempted push of Newman led to violent crash
Read full article: Blaney's attempted push of Newman led to violent crashWhen Ryan Blaney pushed fellow Ford driver Ryan Newman in the final lap of the Daytona 500, it was something both men have done hundreds of times on superspeedways. Then Newman's car angled back into traffic, creating the most violent and frightening wreck at Daytona since the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001. “We pushed Newman there to the lead and then we got a push from (Hamlin). Newman’s car again landed on its roof and skidded past the finish line to a stop, spewing sparks and fuel that caused a fire. A car running alone in the pack without a drafting partner is often shuffled back in the field.
Johnson fails to finish following wreck in final Daytona 500
Read full article: Johnson fails to finish following wreck in final Daytona 500Johnson was collected in a late-race wreck at the Daytona 500, and his #OneFinalTime kickoff in the final full season of his NASCAR career ended with a 35th-place finish. Dressed in khakis and a black polo shirt, Johnson surveyed the empty track, where hours later he would make his expected final Daytona 500 start. Hootie and the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker said he wanted to play the pre-race concert because it was Johnson's final Daytona 500. His daughters hugged him, whispered advice and didn't want dad to go before the finished his final ride at Daytona. "The prerace stuff, the rainout, staying occupied today, there was a lot of wait in the activities outside of the car," Johnson said.