Richard Childress
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, driver B.J. McLeod, waits to get into their cars before qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race in Dover, Del. NASCAR will have another new team in 2021 — bringing the total to three new ownership groups in the Cup Series — with the formation of Live Fast Motorsports. The team formally announced Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, is owned by drivers Matt Tifft and B.J. McLeod. (AP Photo/Brien Aho, File)
Live Fast Motorsports becomes 3rd new NASCAR team for 2021

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 20, 2020 02:13 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2019, file photo, Kyle Larson gets into his car during Daytona 500 auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Reinstated last week by NASCAR, Larson on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, signed a multi-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet next season. Hendrick has sold no sponsorship as of yet for Larson and only needed the blessing of Chevrolet, one of the partners that originally dropped Larson for using the n-word, to finalize the deal. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Rick Hendrick eyeing balanced, stronger 2021 NASCAR season

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 29, 2020 03:02 PM EDT

Chase Elliott (9) leads Joey Logano (22) on the first lap of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Cup chase at Texas more about a win than points now

By Stephen Hawkins Oct. 24, 2020 02:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, Erik Jones celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/John Raoux, FIlre)
Jones lands iconic No. 43 with Richard Petty Motorsports

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 21, 2020 08:39 AM EDT

Chase Elliott celebrates in victory lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Elliott wins at Roval as champ Busch bounced from playoffs

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 11, 2020 07:58 PM EDT

Aric Almirola, left, and Clint Bowyer, center, talks to a crew member prior to the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Bowyer to retire and move to Fox NASCAR coverage in 2021

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 08, 2020 07:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, Erik Jones celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/John Raoux, FIlre)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Sep. 21, 2020 09:35 PM EDT

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

Austin Dillon (3) drives into turn one during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: Dillon out to bust brackets with fast playoffs start

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 14, 2020 04:33 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) wins the NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Harvick takes Southern 500 after leaders Elliott, Truex bump

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 06, 2020 10:32 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick drives through Turn 3 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Road king: Elliott wins at Daytona for 3rd straight roadie

By Mark Long Aug. 16, 2020 06:47 PM EDT

The Latest: NASCAR driver Austin Dillon tests positive

By The Associated Press Aug. 15, 2020 10:34 AM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ NASCAR driver Austin Dillon has...

Austin Dillon crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Jul. 25, 2020 10:08 PM EDT

Kyle Busch, left, and Clint Bowyer, right, talk on pit road prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Bowyer heads to Kansas Speedway without his typical crowd

By Dave Skretta Jul. 22, 2020 02:33 PM EDT

The grandstand is viewed at Texas Motor Speedway during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Column: Houff crash renews debate on NASCAR's standards

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 20, 2020 03:55 PM EDT

William Byron makes a pit stop during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Dillon leads 1-2 RCR finish in Cup race before fans at Texas

By Stephen Hawkins Jul. 19, 2020 07:39 PM EDT

Bubba Wallace stands for the National Anthem before the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Sparta, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Column: Wallace deserves a slot in NASCAR's All-Star race

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 13, 2020 03:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2017, file photo, former NBA player and players union deputy Roger Mason, left, listens as entertainer Ice Cube, right, announces the launch of the BIG3, a new 3-on-3 professional basketball league, in New York. Hundreds of sports-related businesses got in line for the government-funded Payroll Protection Plan designed to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the four North American major sports leagues — the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball — applied, but both Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League were represented. Rapper Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league says it returned almost half of the $1.6 million it received, but givebacks were rare. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Sports jumps on PPP bandwagon, but big leagues take a pass

By The Associated Press Jul. 06, 2020 10:07 PM EDT

Matt Kenseth waits for the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Kevin Harvick looks to sweep NASCAR's return at Darlington

By Jenna Fryer May. 19, 2020 03:43 PM EDT

This March 8, 2020 photo shows Brad Keselowski during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Keselowski will start on the pole when the NASCAR season resumes Sunday, May 17, 2020 in Darlington, S.C. The 2012 Cup champion earned the top starting spot through a random draw. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Keselowski draws pole for NASCAR's return to Darlington

By Michael Marot May. 14, 2020 08:33 PM EDT