Darrell Wallace Jr.
FILE - Daniel Suarez stands next to his car before a NASCAR cup series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. in this Monday, June 10, 2019, file photo. New NASCAR team Trackhouse Racing has brought entertainer Pitbull on as an ownership partner for an organization making its debut next month at the Daytona 500. Trackhouse was launched late last year by former driver Justin Marks. The team has hired driver Daniel Suarez. It will not be NASCAR’s first pairing of a Hispanic driver and team owner. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Mr. WorldWide to NASCAR: Pitbull joins Trackhouse ownership

By Jenna Fryer Jan. 15, 2021 01:24 PM EST

FILE - Naomi Osaka, of Japan, wears a protective mask due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, featuring the name "George Floyd", while arriving on court to face Shelby Rogers, of the United States, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, in this Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, file photo. In a most unusual year already thrown into chaos by the coronavirus pandemic, many athletes took unprecedented steps when a nationwide reckoning on race spilled into the streets of American cities after the killing of Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Athletes act: Stars rise up against racial injustice in 2020

By Cliff Brunt Dec. 29, 2020 01:41 PM EST

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, fans sit in a mostly empty Greensboro Coliseum after the NCAA college basketball games were cancelled at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C. Scrubbing last year's March Madness due to coronavirus concerns cost the NCAA some $375 million, and another loss like that would have ripple effects throughout college sports. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
Lamentation for sports in 2020: A year of living virally

By Fred Lief Dec. 24, 2020 11:03 AM EST

23XI Racing fully funded for debut season with Bubba Wallace

By Jenna Fryer Dec. 14, 2020 12:58 PM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — 23XI Racing announced a full slate of sponsorship Monday to back the new NASCAR team owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. ...

FILE- In this Aug. 22, 2020, file photo, Chase Elliott (9) sits in his car during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. Denny Hamlin will be racing for the Cup against Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, as well as Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports. (AP Photo/Jason Minto, File)
NASCAR claims victory in finishing season during pandemic

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 07, 2020 05:06 PM EST

FILE- In this June 30, 2016, file photo, Brad Keselowski, left, and Joey Logano talk in their garage during NASCAR Sprint Cup auto racing practice at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Denny Hamlin will be racing for the Cup against Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, as well as Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Denny Hamlin faces tough field for elusive 1st NASCAR title

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 07, 2020 01:47 PM EST

FILE - Bubba Wallace walks away from his damaged car, next to a NASCAR Safety Team member, during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. Wallace has been named the Comcast Community Champion of the Year. The industry award honors NASCAR members for philanthropic efforts. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez, File)
Bubba Wallace, who urged Confederate flag ban, honored

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 06, 2020 11:05 AM EST

A voter drops off their ballot on Election Day outside State Farm Stadium early, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Voting, activism replace practice, games in US sports world

By Howard Fendrich Nov. 03, 2020 06:43 PM EST

An entrance sign for Kentucky Speedway is decorated with a banner honoring driver Jimmie Johnson before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Sparta, Ky. NASCAR's nicest guy will run his final race this week and close a remarkable career. Jimmie Johnson's record-tying seven Cup titles are well celebrated, but his charitable work goes less noticed. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation has donated more than $12 million to schools and programs since it launched. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Column: NASCAR's Johnson leaves lasting charitable mark

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 02, 2020 03:57 PM EST

FILE - In this June 10, 2020, file photo, Denny Hamlin (11) and Kyle Busch (18) come through a turn during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at in Martinsville, Va. Hamlin's dazzling season could potentially collapse if things go sideways Sunday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR's oldest and shortest track that has been slotted as the final playoff elimination race. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville

Oct. 31, 2020 06:07 PM EDT

Track officials talk prior to the NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. (AP Photo Lee Luther Jr.)
NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Martinsville

Oct. 30, 2020 07:27 PM EDT

This image provided by Toyota Racing, shows the new No. 23 Toyota Camry at at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. Hall of Fame basketball player and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan expects to field a winning team when 23XI (pronounced twenty-three eleven) Racing begins NASCAR competition next season. The car will be driven by Bubba Wallace and will be a Toyota in an alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing. (Toyota Racing via AP)
Michael Jordan's NASCAR team partners with Gibbs, Toyota

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 30, 2020 05:04 PM EDT

Drying trucks continue to prepare the track for a possible NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. The race was stopped on Sunday because of drizzle and misty conditions that allowed drivers to complete just 52 of 334 laps. Another 115 laps have to be completed to get to the halfway mark of 167 laps that would make Texas an official race. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
NASCAR playoffs rained out for 3rd consecutive day at Texas

Oct. 27, 2020 08:01 PM EDT

NASCAR Truck Series driver Sheldon Creed (2) and driver Austin Hill (16) cross the start/finish line during an auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday Oct. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
NASCAR Cup Series at Texas

Oct. 25, 2020 01:03 PM EDT

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