Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Kyle Busch drives during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 14, 2020, in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Pocono twin bill weekend loses luster with no fans at track

By Dan Gelston Jun. 26, 2020 02:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2007, file photo, a Confederate flag flies in the infield as cars come out of Turn 1 during a NASCAR auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from its races and venues Wednesday, June 10, 2020, formally severing itself from what for many is a symbol of slavery and racism. (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)
Fans and flags under scrutiny as NASCAR heads to Talladega

By John Zenor Jun. 19, 2020 03:28 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2020, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr. answers questions during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Longtime fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to be the marquee name on NASCAR's 2021 Hall of Fame class, to be announced Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Earnhardt Jr. headlines NASCAR's 2021 Hall of Fame class

By Michael Marot Jun. 16, 2020 06:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2014, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. Longtime fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. is expected to be the marquee name on NASCAR's 2021 Hall of Fame class, to be announced Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
NASCAR-GoBowling.com 400 8/3/2014

Jun. 16, 2020 03:33 PM EDT

Noah Gragson (9) and Harrison Burton (20) battle during a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Sunday, June 14, 2020, in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Briscoe finds a way, wins Xfinity race at Homestead

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 14, 2020 02:58 PM EDT

Harrison Burton (20) drives during a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Saturday, June 13, 2020, in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Earnhardt returns; Burton wins Xfinity race at Homestead

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 13, 2020 06:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2017, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr., front right, prepares to climb into his race car before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is returning to the track Saturday, June 13, 2020, getting behind the wheel for an Xfinity race at Homestead-Miami Speedway -- the place where his Cup Series career ended three years ago. (AP Photo/Gaston De Cardenas, File)
Junior to savor Homestead again, but virus upends routine

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 12, 2020 12:59 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

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2006, file photo, Chase Miller slides his Dodge past an old Georgia flag and a Confederate stars on bars flag during running of a NASCAR Truck series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. NASCAR has a checkered racial history, from a long-time affinity for Confederate flags among the fan base to a driver losing his job just this season for casually uttering a racial epitaph. (AP Photo/Craig Hellman, File)
NASCAR looks to steer clear of protests over George Floyd

By Paul Newberry Jun. 06, 2020 11:13 AM EDT

Noah Gragson (9) drives to victory past Chase Briscoe (98) during NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Bristol Motor Speedway Monday, June 1, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Gragson wiggles past Allgaier to win Xfinity race at Bristol

Jun. 01, 2020 10:16 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2016, file photo, NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, left, speaks to the media as announcer Mike Joy, right, listens during a news conference before practice for the Daytona 500 Sprint series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR will have a much different feel when it resumes this weekend as the two-man broadcast team for Fox will not travel to Darlington Raceway and instead call the race from a studio in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Safety protocols include Fox calling NASCAR race from studio

By Jenna Fryer May. 13, 2020 04:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, driver Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Hamlin closed NASCAR's iRacing Series virtual auto race with a victory at a simulation of throwback North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, May 9, 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Hamlin closes NASCAR's iRacing Series with another victory

By Jenna Fryer May. 09, 2020 04:50 PM EDT

Mike Tatoian, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway, stands near the finish line while waiting for a news conference at the track, Monday, April 27, 2020, in Dover, Del. The track was scheduled to host a NASCAR auto race this weekend, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the race is bring run virtually on NASCAR's iRacing circuit. Sports will eventually start again and all signs indicate NASCAR is racing full speed ahead of the other major leagues in resuming competition. The sanctioning body is currently working on a revised schedule that could have NASCAR back on track in roughly three weeks.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Checkered flag nears for pro drivers in virtual racing boom

By Dan Gelston May. 02, 2020 11:04 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, William Byron celebrates after winning the second of the two NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR virtual race Sunday, April 19, 2020, by holding off Timmy Hill — the driver who moved him out of the way to win an earlier iRacing event — in a race finally low on dramatics. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Byron wins 2nd NASCAR virtual race in a drama-free event

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 19, 2020 03:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this image taken from video provided by iRacing IndyCar, Pato O'Ward, foreground, heads into a turn during the opening lap of the American Red Cross Grand Prix virtual IndyCar auto race at Watkins Glen International. The mind-boggling success of virtual racing has put motorsports out front in the race to create competition during the sports shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. (iRacing IndyCar via AP)
Virtual racing drama dulls shine on popular NASCAR platform

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 17, 2020 04:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, Acura Team Penske driver Simon Pagenaud, left, signs autographs before the Rolex 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Pagenaud won IndyCar's first iRace on an oval as he used strategy to win at virtual Michigan International Speedway. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Simon Pagenaud wins IndyCar's 1st virtual race on an oval

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 11, 2020 04:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 file photo,Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR eased off the brake in the real sports world brought to a sudden halt by the coronavirus and introduced the country to iRacing with some of the sports biggest stars. Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner, beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner Sunday, March 22, 2020 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the bizarre spectacle. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Burton, Earnhardt, Edwards headline Hall of Fame nominees

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 07, 2020 04:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons smiles while speaking at a news conference before an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons in Philadelphia. Video games have become a go-to hobby for millions self-isolating around the world, and athletes from preps to pros have eagerly grabbed the controls. Stars like Ben Simmons and Luka Doncic have turned to gaming to stay connected with fans.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Pros, preps and weekend warriors go virtual amid pandemic

By Jake Seiner Mar. 25, 2020 02:06 AM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 file photo,Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR eased off the brake in the real sports world brought to a sudden halt by the coronavirus and introduced the country to iRacing with some of the sports biggest stars. Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner, beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner Sunday, March 22, 2020 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the bizarre spectacle. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
IN THE PITS: Virtual race a real success for bored NASCAR

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 23, 2020 05:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 file photo,Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR eased off the brake in the real sports world brought to a sudden halt by the coronavirus and introduced the country to iRacing with some of the sports biggest stars. Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner, beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. off the final corner Sunday, March 22, 2020 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the bizarre spectacle. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Barefoot Hamlin wins virtual Homestead as NASCAR races again

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 22, 2020 04:37 PM EDT