Richard Petty
Kyle Busch stands for the playing of the national anthem before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Busch and Elliott incident could spark new NASCAR rivalry

By Jenna Fryer May. 21, 2020 04:02 PM EDT

People leave the infield at Darlington Raceway after the NASCAR Xfinity series auto race was postponed because of rain Tuesday, May 19, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Rain postpones Xfinity Series' return at Darlington

By Pete Iacobelli May. 19, 2020 06:10 PM EDT

Matt Kenseth waits for the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Kevin Harvick looks to sweep NASCAR's return at Darlington

By Jenna Fryer May. 19, 2020 03:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 4, 1984, file photo, Firecracker 400 winner Richard Petty showers the crowd with champagne in Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. It's weeknight racing at Darlington as NASCAR's comeback from the coronavirus continues with its first Wednesday race in 36 years on May 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Jann Zlotkin, File)
Primetime: NASCAR set for first Wednesday start since 1984

By Pete Iacobelli May. 19, 2020 01:16 PM EDT

Alex Bowman (88) makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Column: NASCAR managed small miracle in problem-free return

By Jenna Fryer May. 18, 2020 06:03 PM EDT

A gate is locked outside Darlington Raceway Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. NASCAR, which has been idle since March 8 because of the coronavirus pandemic, makes its return at the track with the Real Heroes 400 Nascar Cup Series auto race Sunday. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
NASCAR fans outside Darlington: 'Time to hear the engines'

By Pete Iacobelli May. 17, 2020 05:31 PM EDT

This March 8, 2020 photo shows Brad Keselowski during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Keselowski will start on the pole when the NASCAR season resumes Sunday, May 17, 2020 in Darlington, S.C. The 2012 Cup champion earned the top starting spot through a random draw. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
NASCAR putting its safety plan to test as racing restarts

By Jenna Fryer May. 15, 2020 04:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 5, 2006, file photo, NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, left, Darlington Raceway President Chris Browning, center, and Harold Brasington Jr. look out over Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Brasington Jr.'s father was the track builder. The 70-year-old raceway will host the return of NASCAR Cup Series racing, among the biggest events so far as sports makes a halting comeback from a global shutdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic. (John D. Russell/The Morning News via AP, File)
NASCAR's return latest chapter in Darlington's rich legacy

By Pete Iacobelli May. 15, 2020 02:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2017, file photo, Matt Kenseth answers questions during NASCAR Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Former NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth will once again come out of retirement to compete for Chip Ganassi Racing as the replacement for fired driver Kyle Larson. Larson lost his job two weeks ago for using a racial slur while competing in a virtual race. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Matt Kenseth back to NASCAR as Larson replacement at Ganassi

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 27, 2020 11:37 AM EDT

FILE - In this June 10, 2019, file photo, drivers race at the NASCAR cup series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. IndyCar will race Saturday, April 11, 2020, at Michigan International Speedway, one of the most beloved tracks that long ago fell off the open-wheel racing schedule. The race will be aired on NBC Sports with Dale Earnhardt Jr., just announced as a NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and a driving force in the success of the iRacing phenomenon, making his IndyCar virtual debut. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Virtual racing brings success, complications for sponsors

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 10, 2020 04:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 1, 2020, file photo, Jimmie Johnson is introduced to the crowd during activities as he carries his youngest daughter Lydia as his oldest daughter Genevieve and wife Chandra follow prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Fontana, Calif. Jimmie Johnson wanted to retire from full-time racing to step away from NASCAR's 11-month grind. The coronavirus pandemic has brought his final season to an unexpected pause, and now the seven-time champion isn't sure what his future holds. (AP Photo/Will Lester, File)
Jimmie Johnson mulls future in red-flagged farewell season

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 09, 2020 02:32 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

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Feb. 21, 2020 03:20 PM EST
Feb. 23 1935 — George "The Iceman" Woolf makes history, riding Azucar to victory in the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap. Azucar beats such...

El auto de Ryan Newman se desliza por la pista envuelto en llamas tras una colisión y volcadura en la recta final de las 500 Millas de Daytona, el lunes 17 de febrero de 2020 (AP Foto/David Graham)
Hamlin and Newman contrast risk and reward at Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 18, 2020 09:56 AM EST

Jimmie Johnson greets fans during driver introductions before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/David Graham)
Johnson fails to finish following wreck in final Daytona 500

By Dan Gelston Feb. 17, 2020 09:02 PM EST

Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates in front of the grandstands after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Denny Hamlin wins 3rd Daytona 500; Ryan Newman hospitalized

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 17, 2020 12:04 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson shakes hands with fans during driver introductions before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Johnson is making his last Daytona 500 start. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
2-time Daytona 500 champ Johnson ready for one final ride

By Dan Gelston Feb. 16, 2020 04:19 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson, right, talks with a crew member in his garage after a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Johnson 'energized' for likely final Daytona 500 start

By Dan Gelston Feb. 15, 2020 02:22 PM EST

FILE - In this July 4, 1984, file photo, President Ronald Reagan congratulates stock car driver Richard Petty, who won the Firecracker 400 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. President Donald Trump will look to rev up his appeal with a key voting demographic Sunday — NASCAR fans — as he takes in the Daytona 500. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, File)
Trump looks to rev up his base at Daytona 500

By Kevin Freking Feb. 15, 2020 12:39 AM EST

FILE - In this May 23, 2019, file photo, Team owner Joe Gibbs looks down pit road before qualifications for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. NASCAR's season officially opens Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
With champs in tow, Gibbs stands tall as class of NASCAR

By Dan Gelston Feb. 14, 2020 08:37 PM EST