Denny Hamlin
FILE - In this Sunday, May 9, 2021, file photo, Kyle Larson uses his cell phone before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Larson took time out from his NASCAR schedule to Zoom in with the class at Philadelphia’s Urban Youth Racing School. The Philly-based program that creates opportunities in racing for minorities extended an olive branch last year to Larson after the driver was caught using a slur during an iRacing event in April.(AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Larson repays Urban Youth Racing School with virtual visit

By Dan Gelston May. 15, 2021 02:07 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
AUTO RACING: Monster Mile beckons NASCAR

By The Associated Press May. 12, 2021 05:59 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. drives into Turn 1 during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Martin Truex Jr. dominates at Darlington for 3rd win of year

By Pete Iacobelli May. 09, 2021 07:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 17, 2020, file photo, the grandstands are empty at Darlington Raceway before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Darlington, S.C. Darlington Raceway officials are excited about hosting the first of two scheduled NASCAR weekends, something the track hadn’t featured since 2004. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Harvick looks to jumpstart winless year again at Darlington

By Pete Iacobelli May. 08, 2021 12:06 PM EDT

The 2022 Next Gen Ford Mustang Cup car was unveiled during a NASCAR media event in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
NASCAR returns to roots with sleek new pony cars for 2022

By Jenna Fryer May. 06, 2021 02:01 AM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Portugal Formula One Grand Prix at the Algarve International Circuit near Portimao, Portugal, Sunday, May 2, 2021.(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
AUTO RACING: Tripleheader at Darlington next up for NASCAR

By The Associated Press May. 05, 2021 04:27 PM EDT

Driver Denny Hamlin talks about Toyota Camry Next Gen Cup car that will be used in the 2022 season during the NASCAR media event in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
NASCAR's future is here: Next Gen car finally arrives

By Jenna Fryer May. 05, 2021 11:09 AM EDT

Brad Keselowski crosses the start/finish line as he heads down a straightaway during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, May 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Busch celebrates birthday with win at Kansas Speedway

By Dave Skretta May. 02, 2021 06:46 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin (11) gets service in the pits during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., Sunday, April 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Harvick, Hamlin still looking for a win heading to Kansas

By Dave Skretta May. 01, 2021 02:24 PM EDT

Brad Keselowski (2) celebrates with a burnout after winning the Geico 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 25, 2021, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
AUTO RACING: Kansas and Texas highlight NASCAR, Indy slate

By The Associated Press Apr. 28, 2021 11:40 AM EDT

NASCAR driver Harrison Burton drives away with his gas can still attached after a pit stop during the Geico 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway Sunday, April 25, 2021 in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Keselowski claims 6th win at Talladega with overtime pass

By John Zenor Apr. 25, 2021 06:22 PM EDT

Two fans watch during the General Tire 200 ARCA Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Phelps: NASCAR not considering requiring COVID vaccinations

By John Zenor Apr. 25, 2021 02:51 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin, right, talks to a crew member prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., Sunday, April 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Penske drivers aiming to avoid Daytona repeat at Talladega

By John Zenor Apr. 24, 2021 03:29 PM EDT

Alex Bowman (48) crosses the start/finish line to win a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., Sunday, April 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
AUTO RACING: NASCAR goes from short to long at Talladega

By The Associated Press Apr. 21, 2021 03:56 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin waves to the crowd during driver introductions prior to the state of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., Sunday, April 18, 2021. A #fedexstrong hashtag was added to the car after the shootings at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Bowman denies Hamlin with swift late move at Richmond

By Hank Kurz Jr. Apr. 18, 2021 06:50 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. (19) does a burnout as he celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, April 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Elliott would love to find a way to be different at Richmond

By Hank Kurz Jr. Apr. 17, 2021 05:29 PM EDT

FILE - Hooters 500 winner Bill Elliott, left, and NASCAR Winston Cup champion Alan Kulwicki celebrate in Victory Lane following the Hooters 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., in this Nov. 15, 1992, file photo. Chase Elliott will honor the late Alan Kulwicki by racing the same Hooters paint scheme that was on Kulwicki’s car in the 1992 season finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway when Kulwicki beat Bill Elliott for the Winston Cup title. Chase Elliott will run the paint scheme at Darlington Raceway on May 9, 2021. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
NASCAR, motorsports approach to virus vaccine varies greatly

By Hank Kurz Jr. Apr. 16, 2021 05:05 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. gives a thumbs-up as he celebrates with a fan after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, April 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
AUTO RACING: NASCAR's short track swing wraps up at Richmond

By The Associated Press Apr. 14, 2021 10:57 AM EDT

wld Denny Hamlin (11) approaches the third turn during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, April 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Latest: NASCAR's Bubba Wallace urging COVID vaccinations

By The Associated Press Apr. 14, 2021 09:36 AM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. (19) celebrates with the winners' trophy after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, April 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Truex outlasts teammate Hamlin to win again at Martinsville

By Hank Kurz Jr. Apr. 11, 2021 08:29 PM EDT