Richard Petty
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

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...

El auto de Ryan Newman se desliza por la pista envuelto en llamas tras una colisión y volcadura en la recta final de las 500 Millas de Daytona, el lunes 17 de febrero de 2020 (AP Foto/David Graham)
Hamlin and Newman contrast risk and reward at Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 18, 2020 09:56 AM EST

Jimmie Johnson greets fans during driver introductions before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/David Graham)
Johnson fails to finish following wreck in final Daytona 500

By Dan Gelston Feb. 17, 2020 09:02 PM EST

Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates in front of the grandstands after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Denny Hamlin wins 3rd Daytona 500; Ryan Newman hospitalized

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 17, 2020 12:04 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson shakes hands with fans during driver introductions before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Johnson is making his last Daytona 500 start. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
2-time Daytona 500 champ Johnson ready for one final ride

By Dan Gelston Feb. 16, 2020 04:19 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

FILE - In this July 4, 1984, file photo, President Ronald Reagan congratulates stock car driver Richard Petty, who won the Firecracker 400 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. President Donald Trump will look to rev up his appeal with a key voting demographic Sunday — NASCAR fans — as he takes in the Daytona 500. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, File)
Trump looks to rev up his base at Daytona 500

By Kevin Freking Feb. 15, 2020 12:39 AM EST

FILE - In this May 23, 2019, file photo, Team owner Joe Gibbs looks down pit road before qualifications for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. NASCAR's season officially opens Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
With champs in tow, Gibbs stands tall as class of NASCAR

By Dan Gelston Feb. 14, 2020 08:37 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 April 28, 2007, file photo, Bobby Labonte, left, and Tony Stewart, right, celebrate Labonte's win in the NASCAR Busch Series' Aaron's 312 auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Joe Gibbs, already an NFL Hall of Famer, will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame alongside Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte, two drivers who helped him build one of NASCAR’s top teams while giving “Coach Joe” three of the organization’s five titles. (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)
Stewart headlines celebratory night for Joe Gibbs Racing

By Jenna Fryer Jan. 31, 2020 08:49 PM EST

FILE - In this July 13, 2007, file photo, John Andretti smiles as he climbs from his car after qualifying for the NASCAR auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. Andretti, a member of one of racing's most families, has died following a battle with colon cancer, according to a Twitter post from Andretti Autosports on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2020. He was 56. (AP Photo/Warren Wimmer< File)
Versatile race-car driver John Andretti dies at 56

By Michael Marot Jan. 30, 2020 06:09 PM EST

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, file photo, Kyle Busch climbs in his car for a turn to drive during testing for the upcoming Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Although his bid for a third championship doesn’t begin until the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, his racing season starts this weekend with a cameo appearance in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Kyle Busch has 2 NASCAR titles and an eye on at least 5 more

Jenna Fryer Jan. 21, 2020 02:56 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

Matt Crafton celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Truck Series auto racing season championship, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Crafton grabs Truck Series championship in winless season

Nov. 15, 2019 11:20 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, Bubba Wallace prepares by his car for qualifying for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. On Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, Wallace was fined $50,000 by NASCAR for causing a caution the week before at Texas that affected the race for at least one playoff driver. (AP Photo/Larry Papke, File)
Wallace fined $50,000 by NASCAR for intentional spin

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 09, 2019 11:58 AM EST

Drivers start the Drydene 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff auto race, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Jason Minto)
The Latest: Larson wins playoff to race at Dover to advance

Oct. 06, 2019 03:05 PM EDT