Darrell Waltrip
FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2001, file photo, Dale Earnhardt waves to fans during race introduction before the start of the Daytona 500 auto race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Earnhardt, the greatest stock car star of his era, was killed in a crash on the last turn of the last lap of the race that day as he tried to protect Michael Waltrip's victory (AP Photo/Russell Williams, File)
AP Was There: Earnhardt killed in 2001 Daytona 500 crash

By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2021 04:31 PM EST

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

William Byron leans against his car during activities before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Byron wins virtual Bristol; Bubba 'rage quits' early in race

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 05, 2020 04:16 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2009, file photo, former NASCAR driver and owner Junior Johnson smiles as he speaks to media about being named to the NASCAR Hall of Fame during a news conference at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Johnson, who won 50 NASCAR Cup Series races as a driver and 132 as an owner and was part of the inaugural class inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010, has died at 88. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan, File)
Junior Johnson, "The Last American Hero," dies at 88

Jenna Fryer Dec. 20, 2019 07:04 PM EST

FILE - In this July 29, 2016, file photo, racing legend Richard Petty, right, stands with Jimmie Johnson (48) in the garage area of Pocono Raceway during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 auto race in Long Pond, Pa. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson says 2020 will be his final season of full-time racing. The winningest driver of his era will have a 19th season in the No. 48 Chevrolet and once again chase a record eighth championship. Johnson made the announcement in a video posted on social media, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
7-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson to retire after 2020

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 20, 2019 01:01 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson greets fans during driver introductions for the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup series auto race at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Johnson's sponsor stays on Hendrick 48 car through 2023

By Dan Gelston Oct. 04, 2019 11:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2012, file photo, driver Tony Stewart throws his helmet at Matt Kenseth's car after the two collided during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. The track forever marketed itself as a raging tempest for drivers to lose their cool and explode in aggressive anger. Jeff Gordon once shoved Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart threw a helmet, middle fingers are the common form of communication, and tempers are typically teetering right at the boiling point. (Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)
Column: Bristol needs "cage rattling" to spark playoff push

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 12, 2019 02:41 PM EDT

Daniel Hemric (8) and William Byron (24) drive into "The Carousel" at Sonoma Raceway during a NASCAR Cup Series practice Friday, June 21, 2019 in Sonoma, Calif. The track has put the tricky carousel turn back into its layout for the first time since 1997. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)
The Latest: Truex holds off Busch to defend Sonoma title

Jun. 23, 2019 03:34 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr., center, celebrates after winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Martin Truex Jr. holds off KyBusch to defend Sonoma title

By Greg Beacham Jun. 23, 2019 01:03 PM EDT

Erik Jones navigates the Carousel during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Sonoma Raceway on Friday, June 21, 2019, in Sonoma, Calif. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat via AP)
Break finished, NASCAR takes a Carousel ride at Sonoma

By Greg Beacham Jun. 22, 2019 06:53 PM EDT

Joey Logano drives enroute to the pole during qualifying for the NASCAR cup series race at Michigan International Speedway, Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Brooklyn, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan

Jun. 08, 2019 01:20 PM EDT

William Byron (24) brings his car through the front stretch during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, May 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Latest: Martin Truex Jr. wins NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

May. 26, 2019 07:26 AM EDT

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

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

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

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

Brad Keselowski speaks after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race was postponed due to inclement weather conditions Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover postponed to Monday

By Dan Gelston May. 05, 2019 02:00 PM EDT

Drivers race through Turns 1 and 2 early in the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Bristol, Tenn. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP)
Empty seats at Bristol expose NASCAR attendance challenges

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 09, 2019 01:27 PM EDT

Ryan Blaney (12) leads Jimmie Johnson (48) and Erik Jones (20) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, April 7, 2019, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
The Latest: Kyle Busch wins at Bristol for 8th time

Apr. 07, 2019 02:33 PM EDT

Kyle Busch, facing camera, gets a hug from brother Kurt Busch after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Kyle Busch beats brother to grab 8th Bristol win

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 07, 2019 01:10 PM EDT