Lung disease
Driver Kyle Larson (5) pushes Christopher Bell (20) after a wreck during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Monday, March 29, 2021, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
COLUMN: Bristol avoided the mess most feared for a dirt race

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 30, 2021 07:05 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

FILE - Roger Penske looks over the track from the grandstand at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Thursday, July 2, 2020, file photo. There will be fans at this year's Indianapolis 500, Penske said Monday, March 22, 2021, but how many remains a moving target based on pandemic restrictions. Penske said more than 170,000 tickets have already been sold for the May 30 race. His first Indy 500 as owner of the historic property ran in front of empty grandstands last year. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer, File)
Roger Penske bullish on large crowd for Indianapolis 500

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 22, 2021 04:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 11, 2020 file photo, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands reacts after qualifying at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The season starts Sunday March 28, 2021 with the Bahrain Grand Prix and ends in December 2021 at Abu Dhabi. Red Bull star Max Verstappen won last year’s final race in Abu Dhabi in style and looked hugely confident in testing. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, Pool, File)
Driving diversity: Hamilton ready to chase 8th F1 title

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 22, 2021 01:21 AM EDT

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson, left, talks to the owner of the NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports, Rick Hendrick, right, before a NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Blaney wins at Atlanta after Larson fades on old tires

By Paul Newberry Mar. 21, 2021 07:14 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick makes a pit stop during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
NASCAR returns to its roots with 1st of 2 visits to Atlanta

By Paul Newberry Mar. 20, 2021 02:14 PM EDT

NASCAR's Stewart engaged to drag racer Pruett

Mar. 19, 2021 06:48 PM EDT
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (AP) — NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Tony Stewart is engaged to Leah Pruett, the drag racer he began dating at the start of the pandemic. ...

Kyle Larson celebra tras ganar la NASCAR Cup Series en Lasa Vegas el domingo 7 de mar
Kyle Larson celebrates return with 1st win since suspension

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 07, 2021 08:12 PM EST

Patients arrive to receive the the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine during the state's first mass vaccination clinic at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, March 5, 2021, in Indianapolis. The state health department said nearly 17,000 people had filled up four days of appointments for the speedway clinic being held Friday through Monday. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indiana governor gets virus shot at state's 1st mass clinic

By Tom Davies Mar. 05, 2021 01:40 PM EST

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates after winning the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Rudy Carezzevoli, Pool via AP)
Portuguese GP to be held on May 2 at Portimao Circuit

Mar. 05, 2021 09:36 AM EST

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, centre, in action between Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain and Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland during the Formula One at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Dec.13, 2020. (Hamad Mohammed, Pool via AP)
No fans allowed at Azerbaijan F1 GP amid virus concerns

Mar. 05, 2021 09:34 AM EST

Fans line up outside Madison Square Garden for an NBA basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors in New York on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman)
Another wave of fans returning to sports despite COVID-19

By Jay Cohen Feb. 25, 2021 01:47 PM EST

AJ Allmendinger climbs out of his car in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Allmendinger back at Daytona in 1st Cup race since 2018

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 20, 2021 04:41 PM EST

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David (54) during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
NFL's Kamara races into NASCAR as a team sponsor at Daytona

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 19, 2021 05:11 PM EST

Bubba Wallace gets into his car after a weather delay during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Wallace becomes 1st Black driver to lead lap at Daytona 500

By Dan Gelston Feb. 15, 2021 12:43 AM EST

FILE - In this May 22, 2010, file photo, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan practices waving the green flag before a NASCAR All-Star auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. NASCAR needs to roll out the red carpet when the Daytona 500 opens the season Sunday. Michael Jordan and the rapper Pitbull, racing’s newest team owners, are expected to attend. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Jordan set to make NASCAR debut with Wallace at Daytona 500

By Dan Gelston Feb. 13, 2021 04:16 PM EST

Anthony Alfredo (38), David Ragan (36), Kaz Grala (16), Garrett Smithley (13), and Chase Briscoe (14) crash during the second NASCAR Daytona 500 duel qualifying auto race Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Party in a pandemic: NASCAR fans power through at Daytona

By Dan Gelston Feb. 13, 2021 02:48 AM EST

Austin Dillon, left, talks with car owner Richard Childress on pit road before the start of the second of two qualifying NASCAR auto races for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Denny Hamlin seeks historic 3rd straight Daytona 500 victory

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 12, 2021 05:26 PM EST

Austin Dillon (3) takes the checkered flag to win the second NASCAR Daytona 500 duel qualifying auto race Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Drivers competing in the 2021 Daytona 500

By The Associated Press Feb. 12, 2021 01:38 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2006, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr., puts on his helmet and protective HANS device during preparations the day before the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR mandated the use of head-and-neck restraints in late 2001. Drivers had resisted using the U-shaped neck restraint made of carbon fiber because they found it cumbersome and restrictive. They became required equipment after 25-year-old Blaise Alexander was killed in a crash at Charlotte Motor Speedway some eight months after Earnhardt's death.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Lasting legacy: Earnhardt's death saved lives, forced change

By Jenna Fryer, Dan Gelston And Mark Long Feb. 11, 2021 04:06 PM EST