Landon Cassill
FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, Alex Bowman waves to fans during driver introductions before the first of two Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Bowman scored his first iRacing victory of NASCAR's invitational series by holding off Corey LaJoie and Ryan Preece in a two-lap overtime sprint to the finish at virtual Talladega Superspeedway. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Bowman makes it 3 straight for Hendrick with virtual victory

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 26, 2020 03:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, William Byron celebrates after winning the second of the two NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR virtual race Sunday, April 19, 2020, by holding off Timmy Hill — the driver who moved him out of the way to win an earlier iRacing event — in a race finally low on dramatics. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Byron wins 2nd NASCAR virtual race in a drama-free event

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 19, 2020 03:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this image taken from video provided by iRacing IndyCar, Pato O'Ward, foreground, heads into a turn during the opening lap of the American Red Cross Grand Prix virtual IndyCar auto race at Watkins Glen International. The mind-boggling success of virtual racing has put motorsports out front in the race to create competition during the sports shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. (iRacing IndyCar via AP)
Virtual racing drama dulls shine on popular NASCAR platform

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 17, 2020 04:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 10, 2019, file photo, drivers race at the NASCAR cup series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. IndyCar will race Saturday, April 11, 2020, at Michigan International Speedway, one of the most beloved tracks that long ago fell off the open-wheel racing schedule. The race will be aired on NBC Sports with Dale Earnhardt Jr., just announced as a NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and a driving force in the success of the iRacing phenomenon, making his IndyCar virtual debut. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Virtual racing brings success, complications for sponsors

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 10, 2020 04:11 PM EDT

William Byron leans against his car during activities before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Byron wins virtual Bristol; Bubba 'rage quits' early in race

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 05, 2020 04:16 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

Driver Martin Truex Jr., front right, gives autographs to fans prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at ISM Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix

Nov. 10, 2019 01:12 PM EST

Kurt Busch, left, and team owner Chip Ganassi, right, celebrate after announcing a multi-year contract for Busch with Ganassi racing during a NASCAR news conference at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
NASCAR Cup Series at Texas

Nov. 02, 2019 05:51 PM EDT

Kyle Larson sits in his car before the final practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas

Oct. 18, 2019 08:08 PM EDT

Brad Keselowski, second from right, gives autographs after winning the pole for a NASCAR Monster Energy Cup auto race at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Va., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond

Sep. 20, 2019 07:07 PM EDT

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson (48) makes contact with Kurt Busch (1) in the second turn during the NASCAR Brickyard 400 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Bud Cunningham)
The Latest: Harvick wins crash-marred Brickyard 400

By Michael Marot Sep. 08, 2019 02:11 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. crosses the line in qualifying for a NASCAR Series auto race at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky., Friday, July 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
NASCAR Cup Series at Kentucky

Jul. 12, 2019 10:38 PM EDT

Drivers start a NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., Friday, June 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
NASCAR Cup Series at Chicagoland

Jun. 28, 2019 09:49 PM EDT

Brad Keselowski smiles in the garage area before practice for Saturday's NASCAR All-Star Cup series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte

May. 17, 2019 12:14 PM EDT

Ryan Preece passes through the garage are during practice at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va. Saturday, March 23. (AP Photo/Matt Bell)
NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville

Mar. 23, 2019 12:26 PM EDT

Kyle Busch (18) signs autographs for fans outside the drivers meeting room prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at ISM Raceway, Sunday, March 10, 2019, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix

Mar. 10, 2019 01:53 PM EDT

Corey LaJoie leans over the hood of his car with a likeness of him painted on the front end before a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
New-look Daytona 500 has a certain throwback feel

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 17, 2019 02:42 AM EST

Kevin Harvick holds up his trophy after winning the first of two qualifying auto races for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Fresh faces and new sponsors give Daytona 500 throwback feel

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 16, 2019 07:13 PM EST

In these photos taken in February 2019, qualifying drivers and their cars in the starting field for Sunday's NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race are shown at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. They are, from top, Row 1, William Byron, Alex Bowman, Row 2, Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano. (AP Photo)
Drivers competing in the 2019 Daytona 500

By The Associated Press Feb. 15, 2019 12:43 PM EST

Corey LaJoie leans over the hood of his car with a likeness of him painted on the front end before a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Fresh faces and new sponsors give Daytona 500 throwback feel

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 15, 2019 12:23 PM EST