Denny Hamlin
FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, file photo, Timmy Hill takes a parade lap in front of fans before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Virtual racing has been the small saving grace for motorsports since the coronavirus global pandemic brought nearly everything to a halt. For journeyman driver Timmy Hill, his iRacing victory on national television gave Hill and his sponsors exposure they'd never receive during a normal NASCAR weekend. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
In The Pits: iRacing is fun but won't carry teams for long

By Jenna Fryer 22 hrs ago

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2018, file photo, Denny Hamlin, left, leads the pack at the start of the NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in Homestead, Fla. NASCAR and IndyCar have each called off their races this weekend. NASCAR was scheduled to run Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway without spectators but said Friday, March 13, 2020, it is calling off this weekend and next week’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. IndyCar was scheduled to open its season Sunday on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, but suspended it’s season through the end of April. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Timmy Hill virtual winner of NASCAR's live iRacing event

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 29, 2020 03:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons smiles while speaking at a news conference before an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons in Philadelphia. Video games have become a go-to hobby for millions self-isolating around the world, and athletes from preps to pros have eagerly grabbed the controls. Stars like Ben Simmons and Luka Doncic have turned to gaming to stay connected with fans.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Pros, preps and weekend warriors go virtual amid pandemic

By Jake Seiner Mar. 25, 2020 02:06 AM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 file photo,Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR eased off the brake in the real sports world brought to a sudden halt by the coronavirus and introduced the country to iRacing with some of the sports biggest stars. Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner, beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner Sunday, March 22, 2020 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the bizarre spectacle. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
IN THE PITS: Virtual race a real success for bored NASCAR

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 23, 2020 05:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 file photo,Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR eased off the brake in the real sports world brought to a sudden halt by the coronavirus and introduced the country to iRacing with some of the sports biggest stars. Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner, beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner Sunday, March 22, 2020 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the bizarre spectacle. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Barefoot Hamlin wins virtual Homestead as NASCAR races again

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 22, 2020 04:37 PM EDT

Dylan Blackthorn boards up Hillside Farmacy restaurant right before the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bans gatherings, shuts down restaurants, bars, schools on Thursday, March 19, 2020. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Latest: Pro Motocross cancels season-opening event

By The Associated Press Mar. 19, 2020 11:21 AM EDT

Dale Earnhardt Jr., team owner and TV analyst answers questions during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Earnhardt, Busch sign on for NASCAR esports series

Mar. 17, 2020 10:01 PM EDT

Joey Logano celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
IN THE PITS: NASCAR off to fast start through first month

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 09, 2020 03:47 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) races Chase Elliott (9) for the lead through Turn 4 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Logano holds off Harvick in NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix

By David Brandt Mar. 08, 2020 07:28 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday's race was postponed because of rain. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
More chaos? NASCAR hopes rules changes improve Phoenix drama

By David Brandt Mar. 07, 2020 05:11 PM EST

Chase Elliott, center, talks with crew members in his garage during a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Elliott wins Phoenix pole, 9-time winner Harvick starts 2nd

By David Brandt Mar. 07, 2020 04:34 PM EST

Martin Truex Jr. (19) leads Alex Bowman (88) and Ryan Blaney (12) on lap 130 of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 1, 2020 in Fontana, Calif. (AP Photo/Will Lester)
Bowman holds off Busch bros at Fontana for 2nd NASCAR win

By Greg Beacham Mar. 01, 2020 06:45 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2019, file photo ,Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. Busch says, “Bring it on.” Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson are the latest topflight drivers to accept the challenge of Kevin Harvick, who has offered half of a $100,000 bounty to any Cup Series driver who can beat the versatile Busch in a Truck Series race this year. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Kyle Busch welcomes Truck bounty hunters: 'Bring it on'

By Greg Beacham Feb. 28, 2020 05:18 PM EST

This undated photo provided by Roush Racing shows NASCAR driver Ryan Newman and his daughters, Brooklyn Sage, left, and Ashlyn Olivia, at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. Newman is fully alert, walking around the hospital and joking with staff two days after his frightening accident on the final lap of the Daytona 500 auto race. Roush Fenway Racing said Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, the 42-year-old “continues to show great improvement.” (Roush Racing via AP)
In The Pits: NASCAR regroups after Ryan Newman accident

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 24, 2020 05:04 PM EST

Cars round the track during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)
Joey Logano overcomes missed pit call to win at Las Vegas

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 23, 2020 07:03 PM EST

Ryan Newman (6) gets turned into the wall by Ryan Blaney (12) as Denny Hamlin (11) misses them along the front stretch to win the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Newman suffered head injury, no internal injuries in crash

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 23, 2020 01:53 PM EST

NASCAR drivers sliding back into rhythm after Newman wreck

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 22, 2020 04:09 PM EST
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Some levity returned to NASCAR on a rainy Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As drivers idled inside waiting for the...

Ryan Newman (6) goes airborne after crashing into Corey LaJoie (32) during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday's running of the race was postponed by rain. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Drivers processing the dangers of racing after Newman crash

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 21, 2020 06:56 PM EST

Denny Hamlin's crew celebrates after Hamlin won the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Feb. 19, 2020 02:53 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, file photo, Ryan Newman waves before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Ryan Newman is fully alert, walking around the hospital and joking with staff two days after his frightening crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500. Roush Fenway Racing said Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, the 42-year-old driver “continues to show great improvement.” (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Newman released from hospital; Chastain to race Las Vegas

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 19, 2020 01:06 PM EST