Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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

Clint Bowyer gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Race drivers use games to stay sharp as virus shuts tracks

By James Ellingworth And Jake Seiner Mar. 21, 2020 01:42 PM EDT

Dylan Blackthorn boards up Hillside Farmacy restaurant right before the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bans gatherings, shuts down restaurants, bars, schools on Thursday, March 19, 2020. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Latest: Pro Motocross cancels season-opening event

By The Associated Press Mar. 19, 2020 11:21 AM EDT

Dale Earnhardt Jr., team owner and TV analyst answers questions during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Earnhardt, Busch sign on for NASCAR esports series

Mar. 17, 2020 10:01 PM EDT

Alex Bowman drives to Victory Lane with the checkered flag after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 1, 2020 in Fontana, Calif. (AP Photo/Will Lester)
IN THE PITS: Bowman makes case to keep his Hendrick ride

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 02, 2020 02:26 PM EST

AP Sportlight

Compiled By Paul Montella Feb. 21, 2020 03:20 PM EST
Feb. 23 1935 — George "The Iceman" Woolf makes history, riding Azucar to victory in the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap. Azucar beats such...

Car owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., right, hugs driver Noah Gragson in Victory Lane after he won the NASCAR Xfinity series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Dale Jr. alters approach to flying after scary plane crash

By Mark Long Feb. 16, 2020 12:47 PM EST

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

Clint Bowyer gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Ready for closeup? NASCAR funnyman Bowyer expands Fox gig

By Mark Long Feb. 15, 2020 02:16 AM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 11, 1999, file photo, drivers in the first 125-mile Daytona 500 qualifying race start the race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Daytona Beach became the unofficial "Birthplace of Speed" in 1903 when two men argued over who had the fastest horseless carriage and decided things in a race on the white, hard packed sand along the Atlantic Ocean.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Track: 5th straight sellout for season-opening Daytona 500

Feb. 13, 2020 07:17 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

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

William Byron prepares to go out on the track during a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Hendrick extends primary sponsorship deal with Axalta

Feb. 10, 2020 04:04 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

Thursday Sports in Brief

By The Associated Press Dec. 06, 2019 02:49 AM EST
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa said being assured he'd likely remain a high NFL draft pick could make “the biggest...

NASCAR driver Chase Elliott, left, is interviewed after being named the most popular driver at the NASCAR Cup Series Awards Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Chase Elliott gets 2nd most popular NASCAR driver award

Jenna Fryer Dec. 05, 2019 08:28 PM EST

Team owner Joe Gibbs, left, speaks after being given the Bill France Award of Excellence at the NASCAR Cup Series Awards on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Joe Gibbs honored with NASCAR's award of excellence

Jenna Fryer Dec. 05, 2019 08:00 PM EST

Kyle Busch, front left, celebrates with teammates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto racing season championship on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/David Graham)
Column: NASCAR bullish on future after promising rebound

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 18, 2019 05:57 PM EST