Denny Hamlin
Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 09:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson gets ready to climb into his car to practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was supposed to be the top free agent this year but was banished to sprint cars after his firing five months ago. Larson is awaiting the appropriate time to apply for reinstatement to NASCAR and if sponsors agree to forgive him, he should get a job. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Sep. 21, 2020 02:13 PM EDT

Ross Chastain is introduced to the crowd before the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Chastain snags Ganassi Cup ride in busy NASCAR free agency

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 08:26 AM EDT

Brad Keselowski (2) and Kevin Harvick (4) drive into turn one during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Kevin Harvick nabs 9th win of season to roll into 2nd round

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 20, 2020 12:10 AM EDT

Sam Mayer celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Truck Series auto race, Thursday Sept. 17, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Ryan Blaney hopes to avoid playoff elimination at Bristol

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 18, 2020 03:02 PM EDT

Tyler Ankrum (26) and Sheldon Creed (2) drive into Turn Four during a NASCAR Truck Series auto race Thursday Sept. 17, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol

Sep. 17, 2020 08:45 PM EDT

Brad Keselowski collects the checkered flag after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (James H. Wallace/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Sep. 16, 2020 06:15 PM EDT

Brad Keselowski collects the checkered flag after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (James H. Wallace/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
NASCAR: Keselowski dominates in playoff win at Richmond

By Hank Kurz Jr. Sep. 12, 2020 11:44 PM EDT

Austin Hill crosses the start-finish line during the NASCAR Truck Series auto race Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond

Sep. 10, 2020 08:31 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin (54) moves during a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Brandon Jones takes lead late to win Darlington Xfinity race

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 05, 2020 03:24 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Playoffs begin with 14 drivers chasing Harvick and Hamlin

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 05, 2020 02:25 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Darlington: From racing's restart to start of playoffs

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 04, 2020 05:10 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. (19) and Kevin Harvick (4) race on the front stretch during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Sep. 02, 2020 04:33 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Column: Everyone chasing Harvick, Hamlin as playoffs begin

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 31, 2020 05:46 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson drives his damaged car on pit road during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Jimmie Johnson proud of ending NASCAR career with 7 titles

By Mark Long Aug. 30, 2020 01:36 PM EDT

William Byron stands with his trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Byron wins to reach Cup Series playoffs, knocks out Johnson

By Mark Long Aug. 29, 2020 11:06 PM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain participates in a media conference prior to the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. (Florent Gooden, Pool via AP)
NASCAR races, Wallace says fight for racial equality goes on

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 28, 2020 02:40 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin (11) and Joey Logano (22) race for the lead during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'

By Mark Long Aug. 28, 2020 01:11 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) does a burnout after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Aug. 26, 2020 05:03 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Harvick dominates at Dover for 7th Cup victory of the season

By Dan Gelston Aug. 23, 2020 08:48 PM EDT