Michael McDowell
Driver Martin Truex Jr., front right, gives autographs to fans prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at ISM Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix

Nov. 10, 2019 01:12 PM EST

Kurt Busch, left, and team owner Chip Ganassi, right, celebrate after announcing a multi-year contract for Busch with Ganassi racing during a NASCAR news conference at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
NASCAR Cup Series at Texas

Nov. 02, 2019 05:51 PM EDT

Chase Elliott talks with a crew member in the garage at Martinsville Speedway In Martinsville, Va., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. Elliott had an engine failure less than five minutes into the opening practice for the third round of NASCAR's playoffs. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville

Oct. 26, 2019 12:10 PM EDT

Daniel Hemric walks through the garage area after qualifying for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Hemric beats playoff drivers for NASCAR pole at Kansas

By Dave Skretta Oct. 19, 2019 02:30 PM EDT

Brendan Gaughan (62) flips in Turn 3 as driver Kurt Busch (1) and David Ragan (38) pass underneath during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Monday, Oct 14, 2019, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Greg McWilliams)
Blaney beats Newman in photo finish to advance in playoffs

By John Zenor Oct. 14, 2019 02:23 PM EDT

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott wins the pole for the 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, Oct 12, 2019, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Chevy vs. Ford vs. Toyota at Talladega playoff race

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 12, 2019 06:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 29, 2018, file photo, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., talks to media during a practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Roush Fenway Racing will split at the end of the season and Chris Buescher will replace him in 2020. Although his contract is believed to run through 2021, the team said Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, it will part ways with the two-time Xfinity Series champion at the end of the year. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Stenhouse firing makes for frenzied NASCAR free agency

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 27, 2019 05:41 PM EDT

NASCAR: McDowell misses Charlotte practice with kidney stone

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 27, 2019 01:02 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Michael McDowell missed the only Cup practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway Friday because he was taken to the hospital to be treated for a kidney...

Brad Keselowski, second from right, gives autographs after winning the pole for a NASCAR Monster Energy Cup auto race at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Va., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond

Sep. 20, 2019 07:07 PM EDT

Driver Kevin Harvick makes his was around the track during practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol

Aug. 16, 2019 12:34 PM EDT

Chase Elliott (9) drives through the area of the course called "The Bus Stop" during a practice run for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in Watkins Glen, New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Chase Elliott wins pole at The Glen for Sunday's Cup race

By John Kekis Aug. 03, 2019 08:13 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. crosses the line in qualifying for a NASCAR Series auto race at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky., Friday, July 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
NASCAR Cup Series at Kentucky

Jul. 12, 2019 10:38 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson, right, gives autographs to fans after a NASCAR auto race news conference at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, July 5, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Jul. 05, 2019 04:26 PM EDT

Austin Dillon holds the pole flag after winning the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Saturday, June 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Austin Dillon wins pole for NASCAR Cup Series race

By Jay Cohen Jun. 29, 2019 07:43 PM EDT

Daniel Hemric (8) and William Byron (24) drive into "The Carousel" at Sonoma Raceway during a NASCAR Cup Series practice Friday, June 21, 2019 in Sonoma, Calif. The track has put the tricky carousel turn back into its layout for the first time since 1997. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)
The Latest: Truex holds off Busch to defend Sonoma title

Jun. 23, 2019 03:34 PM EDT

Daniel Hemric (8) and William Byron (24) drive into "The Carousel" at Sonoma Raceway during a NASCAR Cup Series practice Friday, June 21, 2019 in Sonoma, Calif. The track has put the tricky carousel turn back into its layout for the first time since 1997. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)
Sonoma's new turn: NASCAR takes a ride on "The Carousel"

By Greg Beacham Jun. 21, 2019 07:01 PM EDT

Daniel Hemric (8) and Michael McDowell (34) lead the field out of Turn 4 for the start of the NASCAR All-Star Open auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte

May. 18, 2019 06:45 PM EDT

Aric Almirola (10) leads the pack as he wins Stage 1 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The Latest: Chase Elliott wins at Talladega

Apr. 28, 2019 02:53 PM EDT

A crew member for Ryan Preece burns rubber off a tire during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Chase Elliott wins Cup race at Talladega, 1st win for Chevy

By John Zenor Apr. 28, 2019 12:47 PM EDT

Fans watch the team of Joey Logano as they work on the car in the garage at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., Friday, April 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond

Apr. 12, 2019 05:10 PM EDT