Celebrity causes
FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2020 file photo, Milo Ventimiglia arrives at the 25th annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. Ventimiglia will serve as honorary starter for the 105th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, waving the green flag and sending the field of 33 NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers on their epic quest for racing glory. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
This Is Indy: Ventimiglia named Indy 500 honorary starter

May. 28, 2021 11:29 AM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain attends the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix press conference in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, March 25,2021. (Dan Istitene, Pool via AP)
Hamilton: F1 can't ignore race hosts' human rights issues

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 25, 2021 02:57 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, center, talks with Georgia Tech's coach Geoff Collins, left, during the school's Pro Day football workout on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The Latest: 13 sports joins Willie Nelson for vaccine PSA

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2021 12:26 PM EDT

CORRECTS NAME In this undated photo supplied by Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, director of the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), Ahmed holds his drawing of Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton's racing car with his appeal for help in saving his father from execution. The 11-year old Ahmed is son of a Bahraini man on death row and at risk of imminent execution in Bahrain. BIRD has received letters from alleged torture victims in Bahrain, with pleas for seven-time F1 champion Hamilton to help political prisoners in Bahrain. (Photo by mother of Ahmed/BIRD via AP)
F1 star Hamilton vows to fight to improve human rights

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 12, 2020 03:17 PM EST

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain participates in a media conference prior to the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. (Mario Renzi, Pool via AP)
Hamilton praised for urging F1 to help improve human rights

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 27, 2020 02:26 PM EST

An entrance sign for Kentucky Speedway is decorated with a banner honoring driver Jimmie Johnson before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Sparta, Ky. NASCAR's nicest guy will run his final race this week and close a remarkable career. Jimmie Johnson's record-tying seven Cup titles are well celebrated, but his charitable work goes less noticed. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation has donated more than $12 million to schools and programs since it launched. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Column: NASCAR's Johnson leaves lasting charitable mark

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 02, 2020 03:57 PM EST

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Styrian Formula One Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, Austria, Sunday, July 12, 2020. (Joe Klamar/Pool via AP)
F1 star Hamilton raises right fist in fight against racism

By Jerome Pugmire Jul. 12, 2020 01:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 16, 2014, file photo, a student walks through empty seats inside Kenan Stadium at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., where preparations continue for the upcoming college football season. The crippling grip the coronavirus pandemic has had on the sports world has forced universities, leagues and franchises to evaluate how they might someday welcome back fans. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
The Latest: Saints' Thomas donates to help with medical debt

By The Associated Press Jun. 08, 2020 01:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2019, file photo, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, speaks during a news conference following the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday,, in Austin, Texas. Driving around Formula One tracks without fans cheering loudly at Silverstone and Monza would literally feel “very empty” for world champion Lewis Hamilton. The first 10 races this season have been postponed or canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, and if F1 does start this summer no fans can watch. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Hamilton a big sporting voice in Black Lives Matter movement

By Steve Douglas Jun. 08, 2020 09:05 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, March 7, 2020, file photo, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) talks with guard Donovan Mitchell, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, in Detroit. Both players have tested positive for the coronavirus. Gobert's test result forced the NBA to suspend the season. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
The Latest: AP source: Salary reductions for top NBA execs

By The Associated Press Mar. 26, 2020 01:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 14, 2019, file photo, Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy during the presentation after he defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final match of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. The All England Club says it plans to make a decision next week whether to postpone or cancel Wimbledon because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Laurence Griffiths/Pool Photo via AP, File)
The Latest: Hurricanes ask employees to take time off

By The Associated Press Mar. 25, 2020 02:43 PM EDT

- FILE - In this Wednesday, March 4, 2020, file image, F1 driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands drives his car through one of the two banked corners during a test and official presentation of the renovated F1 track in the beachside resort of Zandvoort, western Netherlands. The iconic Monaco Grand Prix was added Thursday to a growing list of Formula One races to be postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The first seven races of the Formula One season have now been postponed, with Netherlands and Spain joining Monaco as the latest to be called off. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
The Latest: Packers helping provide $1.5 million for relief

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2020 07:17 AM EDT

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman lays down a bunt during a spring training baseball practice in North Port, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
The Latest: Big South Conference cancels all spring sports

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2020 12:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 11, 1999, file photo, drivers in the first 125-mile Daytona 500 qualifying race start the race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona Beach became the unofficial "Birthplace of Speed" in 1903 when two men argued over who had the fastest horseless carriage and decided things in a race on the white, hard packed sand along the Atlantic Ocean.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Track: 5th straight sellout for season-opening Daytona 500

Feb. 13, 2020 07:17 PM EST

FILE - In this July 13, 2007, file photo, John Andretti smiles as he climbs from his car after qualifying for the NASCAR auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. Andretti, a member of one of racing's most families, has died following a battle with colon cancer, according to a Twitter post from Andretti Autosports on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2020. He was 56. (AP Photo/Warren Wimmer< File)
Versatile race-car driver John Andretti dies at 56

By Michael Marot Jan. 30, 2020 06:09 PM EST

Dale Earnhardt Jr. named honorary starter for Daytona 500

Nov. 18, 2019 05:09 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be the honorary starter for the 2020 Daytona 500, making him part of the pre-race ceremonies for the third...

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Toru Hanai)
Hamilton and drivers say F1 should be more eco-friendly

By Jim Vertuno Oct. 24, 2019 03:31 PM EDT

Matt DiBenedetto enters a turn at the end of the back straight during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
DiBenedetto falls short of win but earns immense respect

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 18, 2019 04:15 PM EDT

Matt Damon arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Catch-22" at TCL Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Matt Damon, Christian Bale to serve as Indy 500 starters

By Michael Marot May. 16, 2019 11:38 AM EDT

Actor Hartley to wave green flag for IndyCar Grand Prix

May. 08, 2019 03:11 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Television star Justin Hartley will be the honorary starter for Saturday afternoon's IndyCar Grand Prix. Hartley plays Kevin...