Aric Almirola
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, Erik Jones celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/John Raoux, FIlre)
Jones lands iconic No. 43 with Richard Petty Motorsports

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 21, 2020 08:39 AM EDT

Chase Elliott leads the way out of turn 7 as he competes in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Elliott won the race. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
AUTO RACING GLANCE: Elliott in hunt as NASCAR goes to Kansas

By The Associated Press Oct. 14, 2020 10:20 AM EDT

Chase Elliott celebrates in victory lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Elliott wins at Roval as champ Busch bounced from playoffs

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 11, 2020 07:58 PM EDT

Chase Elliott (9) leads the way out of Turn 7 in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte

Oct. 11, 2020 03:21 PM EDT

Noah Gragson (9) leads the way as drivers compete in the rain during a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
NASCAR champion Busch tries to stave off elimination

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 10, 2020 04:53 PM EDT

Bubba Wallace (43) and Chase Elliott (9) drive during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Hamlin wins in 3rd overtime of Talladega's longest race

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 04, 2020 07:46 PM EDT

The stands on the backstretch are empty during the NASCAR Truck series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Talladega, Ala.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
NASCAR focused on playoffs upon return to Talladega

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 03, 2020 03:44 PM EDT

Kurt Busch (1) takes the checkered flag to win a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Kurt Busch ends 0-for-21 skid to finally win at home track

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 27, 2020 10:41 PM EDT

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

Brad Keselowski (2) and Kevin Harvick (4) drive into turn one during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Kevin Harvick nabs 9th win of season to roll into 2nd round

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 20, 2020 12:10 AM EDT

Austin Hill crosses the start-finish line during the NASCAR Truck Series auto race Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond

Sep. 10, 2020 08:31 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) wins the NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Harvick takes Southern 500 after leaders Elliott, Truex bump

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 06, 2020 10:32 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Playoffs begin with 14 drivers chasing Harvick and Hamlin

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 05, 2020 02:25 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Column: Everyone chasing Harvick, Hamlin as playoffs begin

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 31, 2020 05:46 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin (11) and Joey Logano (22) race for the lead during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'

By Mark Long Aug. 28, 2020 01:11 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
Harvick dominates at Dover for 7th Cup victory of the season

By Dan Gelston Aug. 23, 2020 08:48 PM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) races Aric Almirola (10) during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Harvick holds off Hamlin for Michigan doubleheader sweep

By Noah Trister Aug. 09, 2020 03:18 PM EDT

Driver Brad Keselowski holds a giant lobster to celebrate his victory in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Keselowski still seeking 1st win at home track in Michigan

By Noah Trister Aug. 07, 2020 04:40 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Thursday, July 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Hamlin holds off Keselowski for fifth Cup victory of season

By Dave Skretta Jul. 23, 2020 11:20 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2019, file photo, Kevin Harvick (4) and Aric Almirola (10) battle for position during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway, in Fort Worth, Texas. The massive grandstands at Texas Motor Speedway stretch about 2/3 of a mile long, and were empty for the last race there. There could still be some feeling of emptiness Sunday, preferable for social distancing, even when the NASCAR Cup Series race becomes the first major sporting event in Texas in more than four months to allow spectators. It will be one of the largest gatherings of any kind in the state since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Larry Papke, File)
Harvick, Hamlin still predictable Cup favorites at hot Texas

By Stephen Hawkins Jul. 18, 2020 02:55 PM EDT