Erik Jones
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, Erik Jones celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/John Raoux, FIlre)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Sep. 21, 2020 09:35 PM EDT

Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 09:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2020, file photo, Bubba Wallace (43) runs during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Darlington, S.C. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, FIle)
NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington

Sep. 21, 2020 01:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, file photo, driver Bubba Wallace waits for the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire

Sep. 21, 2020 01:55 PM EDT

Brad Keselowski (2) and Kevin Harvick (4) drive into turn one during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Kevin Harvick nabs 9th win of season to roll into 2nd round

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 20, 2020 12:10 AM EDT

FILE - Daniel Suarez talks to the media before practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Suarez, who landed his ride two weeks before the season-opening Daytona 500, will not return to Gaunt Brothers Racing next season. The team said Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, it was a mutual decision for the Mexican driver to leave the team. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Suarez on the move again after parting with Gaunt Brothers

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 15, 2020 10:25 AM EDT

Kevin Harvick (4) wins the NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Harvick takes Southern 500 after leaders Elliott, Truex bump

By Pete Iacobelli Sep. 06, 2020 10:32 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. (19) and Kevin Harvick (4) race on the front stretch during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Sep. 02, 2020 04:33 PM EDT

William Byron stands with his trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Byron wins to reach Cup Series playoffs, knocks out Johnson

By Mark Long Aug. 29, 2020 11:06 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin (11) and Joey Logano (22) race for the lead during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'

By Mark Long Aug. 28, 2020 01:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2019, file photo, Joey Logano is shown prior to the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Logano was sitting in his motorhome watching television when a shell-shocked Erik Jones was interviewed about his firing from Joe Gibbs Racing. Logano knew exactly how Jones felt. Logano had been in that exact spot eight years earlier. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Jones gets advice on life after Joe Gibbs Racing from Logano

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 27, 2020 01:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2020, file photo, Christopher Bell takes a parade lap in front of fans before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Bell understands the path to his new seat at Joe Gibbs Racing was bumpy in that it cost Erik Jones his job. But Bell's current team is closing at the end of the year and if Gibbs didn't pull him into the organization, he's not sure his Cup career would have continued. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Bell promotion to Gibbs' car bittersweet because of Jones

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 11, 2020 01:35 PM EDT

Erik Jones waits to enter his car before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Bell returning to Joe Gibbs Racing, replacing Erik Jones

Aug. 10, 2020 04:10 PM EDT

Driver Brad Keselowski holds a giant lobster to celebrate his victory in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Keselowski still seeking 1st win at home track in Michigan

By Noah Trister Aug. 07, 2020 04:40 PM EDT

Erik Jones (20) and William Byron (24) head into the first turn during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Erik Jones won't return to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 06, 2020 08:14 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin (11) battles Josh Bilicki (53) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Thursday, July 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Denny Hamlin downright dominant as NASCAR season pushes on

By Dave Skretta Jul. 25, 2020 12:46 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Thursday, July 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Hamlin holds off Keselowski for fifth Cup victory of season

By Dave Skretta Jul. 23, 2020 11:20 PM EDT

Kyle Busch, left, and Clint Bowyer, right, talk on pit road prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Bowyer heads to Kansas Speedway without his typical crowd

By Dave Skretta Jul. 22, 2020 02:33 PM EDT

A pit crew member is silhouetted while stacking tires as the sun sets during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Sunday, June 28, 2020, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Hamlin caps marathon day of racing at Pocono with 4th win

By Dan Gelston Jun. 28, 2020 08:59 PM EDT

Chase Briscoe drives down the front straight during a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Sunday, June 28, 2020, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Briscoe holds off Chastain to win Xfinity race at Pocono

By Dan Gelston Jun. 28, 2020 03:44 PM EDT