STEVE REED
FILE - In this Saturday, July 18, 2009, file photo, Hershel McGriff stands next to his car at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Ore. McGriff was elected to NASCAR's Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 4 2022. (Ross William Hamilton/The Oregonian via AP, File)
Kenseth, McGriff and Shelmerdine join NASCAR Hall of Fame

By Steve Reed May. 04, 2022 05:29 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matt Kenseth was doing yardwork when wife Katie came outside

NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Dale Earnhardt Jr., right, and Kyle Petty smile prior to the induction ceremony Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Earnhardt brings Junior Nation into NASCAR Hall of Fame

By Steve Reed Jan. 21, 2022 08:19 PM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. was voted NASCAR’s most popular driver a

Ryan Newman makes a pit stop during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July, 11, 2021, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)
With eye on legacy, Keselowski buys a stake in Roush Fenway

By Steve Reed Jul. 20, 2021 11:00 AM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Brad Keselowski is ready to begin the “next evolution”

Driver Denny Hamlin, right, talks to Rick Hendrick before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, May 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Larson gives Hendrick record-breaking win at Coca-Cola 600

By Steve Reed May. 30, 2021 07:35 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — The first thing Rick Hendrick thought about as Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson fist bumps a member of his crew after qualifying in pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 29, 2021 in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Hendrick eyes all-time Cup Series win record at Charlotte

By Steve Reed May. 29, 2021 12:19 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Those who’ve been around Hendrick Motorsports over the

Panthers' McCaffrey eager to drive pace car at Coca-Cola 600

By Steve Reed May. 25, 2021 08:53 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey is used to going fast on the

FILE - In this Feb, 8, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson climbs into his car as he gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Despite being suspended for six months for the use of a racial slur, Kyle Larson remains a popular figure in dirt track racing. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Larson still popular on dirt tracks, despite racial slur

By Steve Reed Nov. 10, 2020 03:25 PM EST
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Donald Reed drove more than seven hours to North Carolina

Driver Tyler Ankrum waits for the start of a NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Tuesday, May 26, 2020 in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Elliott ends Busch's win streak, collects $100,000 bounty

By Steve Reed May. 26, 2020 10:45 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Chase Elliott gained a measure of revenge against Kyle

Ross Chastain waits for the start of a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Monday, May 25, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Busch passes Cindric in OT to win Xfinity race at Charlotte

By Steve Reed May. 25, 2020 11:05 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch passed Austin Cindric on the final lap in

Kurt Busch (1) leads the pack as the green flag is waved at the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday, May 24, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
No fans, no problem: Some Coca-Cola 600 fans turn out anyway

By Steve Reed May. 24, 2020 07:25 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Chris “Pops” Bowyer sat in a lawn chair wearing a plain

View from a condominium at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Fans aren't allowed to watch NASCAR races live yet due to the coronavirus restrictions -- unless you happen to own a condominium at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The condos at the track create a unique loophole in the rules where owners who live there -- and four of their friends or family -- will be able to watch the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday from the comfort of their trackside condos. (AP Photo/Steve Reed)
Best seats at the track: Race viewing from comfort of condo

By Steve Reed May. 22, 2020 03:21 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Robin Trivette is a popular person this week with the Coca

Martin Truex Jr. celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, May 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Four-wide pass lifts Truex to second Coca-Cola 600 victory

By Steve Reed May. 27, 2019 02:06 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Maybe it should be called the four-wide slide.

Kyle Busch covers his ears as he looks out of the garage before practice for Sunday's NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 Cup series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Thursday, May 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Most drivers want NASCAR's longest race to remain 600 miles

By Steve Reed May. 25, 2019 08:54 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — With a furrowed brow NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip scoffed at

William Byron poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the pole position during qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Thursday, May 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Byron hopes strong qualifying runs translate to first win

By Steve Reed May. 24, 2019 02:29 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — William Byron knows how to qualify. Now, he is looking to prove

William Byron poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the pole position during qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Thursday, May 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Byron becomes youngest ever to capture Coca-Cola 600 pole

By Steve Reed May. 23, 2019 08:01 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — The hometown kid is starting out front in NASCAR's longest race.

Images of NASCAR's Hall of Fame Class of 2020, from left, Tony Stewart, Joe Gibbs, Waddell Wilson, Buddy Baker and Bobby Labonte are shown on a screen after an announcement in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Joe Gibbs says success all about finding the right people

By Steve Reed May. 23, 2019 06:02 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — When Joe Gibbs decided to venture off from the NFL and form a

FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1999 file photo, Bobby Labonte, left, of Corpus Christi, Texas celebrates in victory lane with team owner Joe Gibbs after winning the pole position for Sunday's UAW-GM 500 race at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Tony Stewart headlines a Joe Gibbs racing trio that has been elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The three-time Cup Series champion will be inducted alongside car owner Joe Gibbs and former teammate Bobby Labonte. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Stewart, Gibbs, Labonte elected to NASCAR Hall of Fame

By Steve Reed May. 22, 2019 05:26 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Tony Stewart and friends are heading to the NASCAR Hall of

Clint Bowyer poses with the award in Victory Lane after winning the pole position for Saturday's NASCAR All-Star auto race during qualifying at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Clint Bowyer captures pole for NASCAR All-Star race

By Steve Reed May. 17, 2019 08:09 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Clint Bowyer joked about what he would do if he wins his first

Brad Keselowski prepares before practice for Saturday's NASCAR All-Star Cup series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
NASCAR to use All-Star race for research, development again

By Steve Reed May. 17, 2019 06:14 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR's All-Star race has arrived, and so has the tinkering of

Daniel Hemric heads out to the track during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Hometown kid Hemric looks to fulfill All-Star race dream

By Steve Reed May. 16, 2019 07:33 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — The idea of having even a slim chance to race his way into the