Kyle Larson
Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 09:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson gets ready to climb into his car to practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was supposed to be the top free agent this year but was banished to sprint cars after his firing five months ago. Larson is awaiting the appropriate time to apply for reinstatement to NASCAR and if sponsors agree to forgive him, he should get a job. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Sep. 21, 2020 02:13 PM EDT

Ross Chastain is introduced to the crowd before the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Chastain snags Ganassi Cup ride in busy NASCAR free agency

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 08:26 AM EDT

FILE - Daniel Suarez talks to the media before practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Suarez, who landed his ride two weeks before the season-opening Daytona 500, will not return to Gaunt Brothers Racing next season. The team said Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, it was a mutual decision for the Mexican driver to leave the team. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Suarez on the move again after parting with Gaunt Brothers

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 15, 2020 10:25 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2019, file photo, Joey Logano is shown prior to the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Logano was sitting in his motorhome watching television when a shell-shocked Erik Jones was interviewed about his firing from Joe Gibbs Racing. Logano knew exactly how Jones felt. Logano had been in that exact spot eight years earlier. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Jones gets advice on life after Joe Gibbs Racing from Logano

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 27, 2020 01:55 PM EDT

AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Aug. 19, 2020 05:52 PM EDT
All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Drydene 311 Site: Dover, Delaware ...

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, Kyle Larson sits in his car before the final practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Kyle Larson has been working behind the scenes to educate himself on racial issues since his firing from NASCAR for using a slur. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
NASCAR's Kyle Larson to AP on slur: 'I was just ignorant'

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 19, 2020 05:23 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson greets fans before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Larson has been working behind the scenes to educate himself on racial issues since his firing from NASCAR for using a racial slur. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
NASCAR's Kyle Larson to AP on slur: 'I was just ignorant'

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 19, 2020 05:03 PM EDT

In this July 7, 2020 photo provided by NASCAR, Rajah Caruth competes in the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The sport has renewed optimism that its diversity program can field a bumper crop of promising prospects. Caruth might the one who can help lead the way. (NASCAR photo via (AP)
NASCAR banks on minority drivers to broaden sport's exposure

By Dan Gelston Jul. 28, 2020 02:06 AM EDT

FILE - In this June 22, 2020, file photo, team owner Richard Petty, right, stands next to driver Bubba Wallace during the national anthem prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. NASCAR is ready to embrace all genders, ethnicities and backgrounds as moves ahead in its push for racial diversity. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
'Yes we exist' - Black fans eye NASCAR's work to diversify

By Dan Gelston Jul. 17, 2020 02:20 AM EDT

AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Jul. 14, 2020 08:14 PM EDT
All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES All-Star Race Site: Bristol, Tennessee ...

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks before the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday n Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR’s layered relationship with Trump took a sharp turn Monday, July 6, 2020, when Trump blasted the series for banning the Confederate flag and wrongly accused the sport’s only full-time Black driver of perpetrating “a hoax” when a crew member found a noose in the team garage stall.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Trump sideswipes NASCAR, Wallace over flag and noose

By Jill Colvin And Jenna Fryer Jul. 06, 2020 10:09 AM EDT

Kevin Harvick celebrates in the winners circle after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Saturday, June 27, 2020, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Column: NASCAR rolls on, through crisis and controversy

By Jenna Fryer Jun. 29, 2020 02:47 PM EDT

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace is consoled by team owner Richard Petty, right, prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Monday, June 22, 2020. In an extraordinary act of solidarity with Wallace, NASCAR's only Black driver, dozens of drivers pushed his car to the front of the field before Monday's race. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Column: NASCAR rallies around Wallace in poignant moment

By Jenna Fryer Jun. 23, 2020 04:43 PM EDT

Driver Bubba Wallace is interviewed before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
AP Interview: NASCAR'S Bubba Wallace finds voice

By Jenna Fryer Jun. 12, 2020 04:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2015, file photo, a Confederate flag flies in the infield before a NASCAR Xfinity auto race at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Bubba Wallace, the only African-American driver in the top tier of NASCAR, calls for a ban on the Confederate flag in the sport that is deeply rooted in the South. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
NASCAR bans Confederate flag from its races, venues

By Dan Gelston Jun. 10, 2020 04:55 PM EDT

A NASCAR official kneels during the national anthem before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, June 7, 2020, in Hampton, Ga. NASCAR paused before Sunday’s Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway to acknowledge the country’s social unrest. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Ban the Confederate flag? NASCAR could see the end of an era

By Dan Gelston Jun. 09, 2020 04:53 PM EDT

Chase Elliott (9), Aric Almirola (10) and Joey Logano (22) drive during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Sunday, June 7, 2020, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
NASCAR vows to do better job addressing racial injustice

By Paul Newberry Jun. 07, 2020 04:33 PM EDT

Driver Chase Elliott walks along pit road during qualifying prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday, May 24, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Keselowski gets win but Hendrick Motorsports takes 2 losses

By Jenna Fryer May. 25, 2020 01:58 PM EDT

The sun rises behind the pagoda at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 24, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Postponed Indy 500 puts short-track drivers in spotlight

By Michael Marot May. 24, 2020 06:57 PM EDT