Danica Patrick
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

Kevin Harvick waits in the garage for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race practice to begin on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Harvick is one of four drivers racing for the series championship. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Last hurrah for Homestead: track hosts final title races

By Mark Long Nov. 16, 2019 02:26 AM EST

Hailie Deegan drives down the front stretch during the ARCA Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Friday, May 31, 2019, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Deegan continues to shine as she races up NASCAR ladder

By Dan Gelston May. 31, 2019 05:12 PM EDT

Fans listen as Tom Hanks speaks on NBC's "Today" show at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Latest: Floyd honored by Dreyer & Reinbold team

May. 23, 2019 09:24 AM EDT

Takuma Sato, of Japan, prepares to drive during practice for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 17, 2019 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
NBC ready to showcase iconic Indianapolis 500 for first time

By Dave Skretta May. 20, 2019 02:07 AM EDT

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press May. 18, 2019 10:26 AM EDT
May 19 1910 — Cy Young, the career leader in major league victories, wins No. 500 as the Cleveland Indians defeat Washington 5-4 in 11 innings. ...

Japan's Sato grabs pole at Barber Motorsports Park

By John Zenor Apr. 06, 2019 05:34 PM EDT
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Takuma Sato, teammate Graham Rahal and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing outshined the powerhouse teams at Barber Motorsports Park. ...

FILE - In this May 27, 2018 file photo, Danica Patrick is interviewed following her release from the infield hospital after being checked following a crash in the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. NBC Sports announced Wednesday, March 20, 2019, that Patrick will be part of its inaugural broadcast of the Indianapolis 500, a project that will return Patrick to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time since she ended her career there last May with the second leg of the “Danica Double.” (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Danica Patrick doesn't miss racing since retiring last year

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 20, 2019 04:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 20, 2018, file photo, Danica Patrick waits during qualifications for the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Patrick, who retired from racing after last year's Indianapolis 500, will join NBC Sports' inaugural coverage of the Indianapolis 500 as a studio analyst alongside host Mike Tirico. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Danica Patrick to join NBC's Indy 500 team

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 20, 2019 07:00 AM EDT

SHR, Hendrick gunning for 1st win under new rules at Fontana

By Greg Beacham Mar. 16, 2019 03:51 PM EDT
FONTANA, Calif. (AP) — Four drivers have earned a victory in the first four weeks of what's shaping up as a competitive NASCAR Cup Series season. Only...

FILE - This April 6, 1978, file photo shows Janet Guthrie posing with a toy race car at a news conference in New York. Guthrie, the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500, was dropped from the list of nominees for NASCAR's Landmark Award that honors contribution to the sport. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)
Guthrie dropped from nominees for contributions to NASCAR

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 14, 2019 01:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 8, 1981, file photo, driver Neil Bonnett, of Hueytown, Ala., sprays champagne in Victory Lane after winning the Atlanta Journal 500 auto race at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Ga. Bonnett, a a popular member of the "Alabama Gang," was nominated for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Gary Gardiner, File)
Tony Stewart headlines new nominees for NASCAR Hall of Fame

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 13, 2019 05:50 PM EDT

In this Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 photo, car owner Joe Gibbs walks down pit road during qualifying for the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, , in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
The Latest: Denny Hamlin wins 2nd Daytona 500 in 4 years

Feb. 17, 2019 10:49 AM EST

Corey LaJoie leans over the hood of his car with a likeness of him painted on the front end before a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
New-look Daytona 500 has a certain throwback feel

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 17, 2019 02:42 AM EST

Kevin Harvick holds up his trophy after winning the first of two qualifying auto races for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Fresh faces and new sponsors give Daytona 500 throwback feel

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 16, 2019 07:13 PM EST

Martin Truex Jr. (19), Denny Hamlin (11), Kevin Harvick (4), Austin Dillon (3), Clint Bowyer (14), Erik Jones (20), Chase Elliott (9), Daniel Suarez (41), Ryan Newman (6), Alex Bowman (88) and Aric Almirola (10) are involved in a multi-car pileup during the NASCAR Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
NASCAR moving away from restrictor plates, not pack racing

By Mark Long Feb. 15, 2019 03:21 PM EST

Corey LaJoie leans over the hood of his car with a likeness of him painted on the front end before a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Fresh faces and new sponsors give Daytona 500 throwback feel

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 15, 2019 12:23 PM EST

Kyle Busch, right, offers up candy provided by his sponsor to his hosts during an interview at NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No female drivers in Daytona 500, but pipeline has potential

By Mark Long Feb. 14, 2019 07:34 PM EST

FILE - In this July 5, 2018, file photo, Kyle Larson laughs with crew members as he gets ready for NASCAR auto racing practice at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. As Larsen enters his sixth season at NASCAR's top level it is clear that once he starts winning on a consistent basis he could become the biggest star in the country. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
NASCAR needs new stars and Kyle Larson may save the sport

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 01, 2019 01:07 PM EST