Jeff Gordon
FILE - Team owner Rick Hendrick laughs on pit road during qualifying for the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 10, 2019. The NASCAR championship will pit Rick Hendrick against Joe Gibbs as both team owners put a pair of drivers in the final four. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Rick Hendrick to collect Cup for 14th NASCAR championship

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 30, 2021 11:53 AM EST

Ben Rhodes (99) lifts the cup after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway, Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
In The Pits: NASCAR caps 2021 looking ahead to future growth

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 29, 2021 02:50 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson, left, listens to crew chief Chad Knaus, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at Road Atlanta Raceway in Braselton, Georgia. Johnson and Knaus won a record-tying seven NASCAR championships together before their relationship fractured and they split in 2019 after 17 seasons together. The two have been reunited by work four times this season as Knaus has run a sports car team that Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports put together in partnership with Action Express in four IMSA endurance sports car races this year. Both say their relationship is currently in a good place. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Knaus thriving in management role at Hendrick Motorsports

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 19, 2021 10:54 AM EST

Jimmie Johnson speaks to a fan alongside his teammates Simon Pagenaud of France, center, and Kamui Kobayashi of Japan, left, ahead of the 10-hour Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Johnson & Pastrana to represent USA in Race of Champions

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 17, 2021 08:00 AM EST

Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson stands in the doorway of the team hauler at Road Atlanta Raceway in Braselton, Georgia, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, talking with Chad Knaus, right, his former crew chief, and Gary Nelson, team manager of the IMSA sports car Action Express Racing team. Johnson and Knaus have long had an on-and-off relationship that ended in 2019 after 17 seasons together. The two have been reunited by work four times this season as Knaus has run a sports car team that Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports put together in partnership with Action Express for four IMSA endurance sports car races this year. Both say their relationship is currently in a good place. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
On again, off again: Johnson & Knaus relationship now solid

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 15, 2021 02:13 AM EST

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson poses at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, two days after winning the NASCAR Cup Series championship in Avondale, Ariz. Larson was the first driver to get an up-close look at what NASCAR plans when it shifts to the season-opening exhibition Busch Clash Feb. 6 on a purpose-built track inside the Coliseum. Larson, as the champion, is the only driver locked into the field so far. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
NASCAR's new champion takes scouting trip to La-La-Land

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 09, 2021 05:16 PM EST

Fans attend a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Column: NASCAR ends season with new champions, new energy

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 08, 2021 02:09 PM EST

Kyle Larson, right, and his son Owen celebrate after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race and championship on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Larson shares NASCAR title with supportive race school

By Dan Gelston Nov. 08, 2021 03:03 AM EST

Kyle Larson celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race and championship on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Praise pours in for Kyle Larson following first NASCAR title

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 08, 2021 02:57 AM EST

Chase Elliott leads the field during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Elliott's bid for second championship comes up short

By John Marshall Nov. 07, 2021 08:26 PM EST

From left to right, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Martin Truex Jr. pose before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Hamlin falls short one again at JGR for NASCAR championship

By Dan Gelston Nov. 07, 2021 08:00 PM EST

Kyle Larson is introduced to the fans before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Larson wraps up comeback season with 1st NASCAR title

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 07, 2021 07:02 PM EST

Driver Kyle Larson speaks during media day ahead of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Larson tops teammate Elliott for NASCAR championship pole

By Dan Gelston Nov. 06, 2021 08:07 PM EDT

Driver Denny Hamlin speaks during media day ahead of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
NASCAR championship pits best at Hendrick vs. best at Gibbs

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 06, 2021 02:08 PM EDT

Driver Chase Elliott speaks during media day ahead of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Champ Elliott: NASCAR star goes for 2nd Cup championship

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 05, 2021 02:33 AM EDT

FILE - Kyle Larson (5) poses in victory lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Nashville Superspeedway, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Lebanon, Tenn. Rick Hendrick, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history, is sending Kyle Larson and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott to Phoenix Raceway next Sunday in search of a 14th title for mighty Hendrick Motorsports. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Larson seeks to cap comeback season with NASCAR championship

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 04, 2021 02:24 AM EDT

FILE - Kyle Larson (5) poses in victory lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Nashville Superspeedway, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Lebanon, Tenn. Rick Hendrick, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history, is sending Kyle Larson and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott to Phoenix Raceway next Sunday in search of a 14th title for mighty Hendrick Motorsports. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Larson seeks to cap comeback season with NASCAR championship

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 04, 2021 02:23 AM EDT

Tires sit ready on pit road before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville

Oct. 31, 2021 12:01 PM EDT

Ross Chastain (42) and Alex Bowman (48) get sideways during a NASCAR Cup series auto race Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Greg McWilliams)
Out of the way! NASCAR contenders want traffic to pull aside

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 23, 2021 10:36 AM EDT

Kyle Larson (5) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Randy Holt)
Larson 1st into NASCAR's championship 4 in a comeback season

By Stephen Hawkins Oct. 18, 2021 03:22 AM EDT