Darrell Wallace Jr.
Denny Hamlin smiles during NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Picking the car number for Michael Jordan's new NASCAR team was a slam dunk: Bubba Wallace will drive the No. 23 car when the team makes its debut next season. Jordan and Hamlin announced last month they had formed a NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace as the driver. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
23XI Racing name for new Jordan NASCAR team bit of balance

Oct. 23, 2020 02:32 PM EDT

Slam Dunk: Jordan picks 23 for car number of new NASCAR team

Oct. 22, 2020 12:39 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Picking the car number for Michael Jordan's new NASCAR team was a slam dunk: Bubba Wallace will drive the No. 23 car when the team makes...

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)
Jones lands iconic No. 43 with Richard Petty Motorsports

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 21, 2020 08:39 AM EDT

Bubba Wallace (43) and Chase Elliott (9) drive during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Hamlin wins in 3rd overtime of Talladega's longest race

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 04, 2020 07:46 PM EDT

The stands on the backstretch are empty during the NASCAR Truck series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Talladega, Ala.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
NASCAR focused on playoffs upon return to Talladega

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 03, 2020 03:44 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 22, 2020, file photo, Driver Bubba Wallace is consoled by team owner Richard Petty prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. The Cup Series returns to Talladega on Sunday. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega

Oct. 03, 2020 02:59 PM EDT

Pit crews work to change tires and refuel Johnny Sauter (13) and Ben Rhodes (99) during the NASCAR Truck series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Talladega, Ala.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega

Oct. 03, 2020 02:47 PM EDT

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 Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson gets ready to climb into his car to practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was supposed to be the top free agent this year but was banished to sprint cars after his firing five months ago. Larson is awaiting the appropriate time to apply for reinstatement to NASCAR and if sponsors agree to forgive him, he should get a job. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Sep. 21, 2020 02:13 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

Ross Chastain is introduced to the crowd before the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Chastain snags Ganassi Cup ride in busy NASCAR free agency

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 08:26 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

Bubba Wallace (43) runs during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Wallace leaving Richard Petty Motorsports at season's end

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 10, 2020 01:42 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson drives his damaged car on pit road during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Jimmie Johnson proud of ending NASCAR career with 7 titles

By Mark Long Aug. 30, 2020 01:36 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

FILE - Bubba Wallace, center, stands on pit road during the playing of "America the Beautiful" prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 19, 2020. NASCAR drivers don't plan to boycott Saturday night's, Aug. 29 race at Daytona International Speedway to raise awareness of social and racial injustices. Bubba Wallace, the only fulltime Black driver in the elite Cup Series, said that decision should not be interpreted as "turning away from the dark and evil acts that have taken over our nation.” (AP Photo/Ray Carlin, File)
Wallace says racing doesn't mean NASCAR is 'standing down'

By Mark Long Aug. 29, 2020 07:42 PM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain participates in a media conference prior to the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. (Florent Gooden, Pool via AP)
NASCAR races, Wallace says fight for racial equality goes on

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 28, 2020 02:40 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