Michael McDowell
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 Nov. 18, 2018, file photo, Denny Hamlin, left, leads the pack at the start of the NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in Homestead, Fla. NASCAR and IndyCar have each called off their races this weekend. NASCAR was scheduled to run Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway without spectators but said Friday, March 13, 2020, it is calling off this weekend and next week’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. IndyCar was scheduled to open its season Sunday on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, but suspended it’s season through the end of April. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Timmy Hill virtual winner of NASCAR's live iRacing event

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 29, 2020 03:37 PM EDT

Joey Logano crosses the finish line to win the first of the two NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Joey Logano leads final practice before Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 15, 2020 01:56 PM EST

Erik Jones (20) leads Christopher Bell (95), Kyle Busch (18), Denny Hamlin (11) and Martin Truex Jr. (19) in a draft during practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Manufacturers to stick with brand loyalty in Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 15, 2020 01:39 PM EST

Denny Hamlin answers questions form members of the media during NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NASCAR's guessing game: Trying to predict the Daytona 500

By Mark Long Feb. 13, 2020 04:58 PM EST

Daniel Suarez gets NASCAR ride 2 weeks before Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer Jan. 28, 2020 06:16 PM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Daniel Suarez landed a job two weeks before the NASCAR season begins when Gaunt Brothers Racing signed the Mexican driver for the No. 96...

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