Garrett Smithley
FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, Alex Bowman waves to fans during driver introductions before the first of two Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Bowman scored his first iRacing victory of NASCAR's invitational series by holding off Corey LaJoie and Ryan Preece in a two-lap overtime sprint to the finish at virtual Talladega Superspeedway. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Bowman makes it 3 straight for Hendrick with virtual victory

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 26, 2020 03:21 PM EDT

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 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 Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, file photo, Kyle Busch climbs in his car for a turn to drive during testing for the upcoming Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Although his bid for a third championship doesn’t begin until the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, his racing season starts this weekend with a cameo appearance in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Kyle Busch has 2 NASCAR titles and an eye on at least 5 more

Jenna Fryer Jan. 21, 2020 02:56 AM EST

Justin Haley heads down pit road after crashing during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Randy Holt)
NASCAR Xfinity Series at Texas

Nov. 02, 2019 07:00 PM EDT

Kurt Busch, left, and team owner Chip Ganassi, right, celebrate after announcing a multi-year contract for Busch with Ganassi racing during a NASCAR news conference at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
NASCAR Cup Series at Texas

Nov. 02, 2019 05:51 PM EDT

NASCAR Xfinity drivers finish an early lap during a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Jones tops Xfinity playoff contenders in wild Kansas race

By Dave Skretta Oct. 19, 2019 05:59 PM EDT

NASCAR Xfinity drivers take the green flag during an NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
NASCAR Xfinity Series at Kansas

Oct. 19, 2019 03:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, file photo ,Kyle Busch prepares for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nev. The NASCAR playoffs didn't start the way Busch wanted, with him relegated to a middle-of-the-pack finish at Las Vegas that dropped him to fourth in the championship race. Now, though, the series arrives at Richmond Raceway, where no one else in the field can touch his six career victories. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens, File)
Busch looks to rebound as NASCAR playoffs move to Richmond

By Hank Kurz Jr. Sep. 20, 2019 06:59 PM EDT

Kyle Busch prepares for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)
Kyle Busch criticism highlights NASCAR's financial disparity

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 17, 2019 02:42 PM EDT

Kyle Busch prepares for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)
Truex races into 2nd round with win in opening playoff race

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 15, 2019 06:05 PM EDT

Drivers lineup for the start of a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan

Aug. 10, 2019 01:35 PM EDT

NASCAR's new rule package shrouded in unknowns before debut

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 22, 2019 06:18 PM EST
HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — NASCAR rolled into Atlanta Motor Speedway ready to begin a new era of racing that is shrouded in unknowns. Will it be racier? That...