Rick Hendrick
Noah Gragson (9) celebrates on the roof of his car at the finish line after winning a NASCAR Xfinity series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Noah Gragson gives Earnhardt another win at Daytona

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 15, 2020 05:36 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson, right, talks with a crew member in his garage after a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Johnson 'energized' for likely final Daytona 500 start

By Dan Gelston Feb. 15, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Brad Keselowski, left, and Jimmie Johnson talk between interviews during NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
DAYTONA NOTEBOOK: Jimmie Johnson mulls his 2021 options

By Dan Gelston Feb. 12, 2020 05:20 PM EST

Erik Jones (20) gets a push from Denny Hamlin (11) to help him pull away from other cars on the final lap to win the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Darryl Graham)
Column: NASCAR has wild first 48 hours of Speedweeks

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 10, 2020 02:49 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson waves to fans during introductions for the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Keselowski plays repair man in rush to fix Daytona 500 car

By Dan Gelston Feb. 09, 2020 04:30 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2019, file photo, driver Jimmie Johnson smiles during media day for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. As he prepares for his final season of full-time racing, the most accomplished driver of his generation has changed his mindset. “I’m not chasing anything,” said Johnson, who is determined to enjoy his 19th and final Cup season. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Johnson drops "Chasing 8" motto before final NASCAR season

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 07, 2020 01:52 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, Kyle Busch, center, holds up his trophy in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto racing season championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. NASCAR's season officially opens Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Change looming as NASCAR season arrives with Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 03, 2020 03:28 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2011, file photo, car owners Felix Sabates, left, and Chip Ganassi hold a guitar trophy after winning the Grand Am Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Felix Sabates is leaving NASCAR after 30 years as a team owner. His record shows 50 Cup wins, including victories at the crown jewels Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and NASCAR's All-Star race. He also coaxed Ganassi into sports car racing and the IMSA teams won 64 races and seven series championships. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
AP Exclusive: Felix Sabates to retire from NASCAR ownership

Jenna Fryer Dec. 12, 2019 11:18 AM EST

Jimmie Johnson answers a reporter's question during his retirement announcement from NASCAR at a news conference near Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Johnson ready to end NASCAR grind and move on with life

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 21, 2019 05:18 PM EST

FILE - In this July 29, 2016, file photo, racing legend Richard Petty, right, stands with Jimmie Johnson (48) in the garage area of Pocono Raceway during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 auto race in Long Pond, Pa. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson says 2020 will be his final season of full-time racing. The winningest driver of his era will have a 19th season in the No. 48 Chevrolet and once again chase a record eighth championship. Johnson made the announcement in a video posted on social media, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
7-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson to retire after 2020

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 20, 2019 01:01 PM EST

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

Chase Elliott (9) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Column: Wild weekend at home pumps new life into NASCAR

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 30, 2019 02:48 PM EDT

Kyle Busch signs an autograph during practice prior to Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte

Sep. 28, 2019 12:28 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Jimmie Johnson's long, hard road to keep playoff run alive

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 31, 2019 03:59 PM EDT

The burned remains of a plane that was carrying NASCAR television analyst and former driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. lies near a runway Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Elizabethton, Tenn. Officials said the Cessna Citation rolled off the end of a runway and caught fire after landing at Elizabethton Municipal Airport. Earnhardt's sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, tweeted that "everyone is safe and has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation." (WJHL TV via AP)
Earnhardt takes weekend off after plane crash near Bristol

Aug. 15, 2019 05:14 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson gets ready to head out for the second 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)
Column: Hendrick Motorsports making strides from awful 2018

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 05, 2019 03:51 PM EDT

Chase Elliott does a celebratory burnout in front of his pit crew after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, in Watkins Glen, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Chase Elliott wins NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen again

By John Kekis Aug. 04, 2019 12:59 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson drives down the front stretch during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July 28, 2019, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
7-time NASCAR champion Johnson gets new crew chief

By Dan Gelston Jul. 29, 2019 01:01 PM EDT

Justin Haley, left, gets a hug from his mother after he was declared the winner in a rain-shortened NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, July 7, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Column: Spire played the game right and got a NASCAR win

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 08, 2019 02:27 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)
The Latest: Larson pushed to victory at NASCAR All-Star Race

May. 18, 2019 06:53 PM EDT