Dale Earnhardt
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

Joey Logano celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
IN THE PITS: NASCAR off to fast start through first month

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 09, 2020 03:47 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

This undated photo provided by Roush Racing shows NASCAR driver Ryan Newman and his daughters, Brooklyn Sage, left, and Ashlyn Olivia, at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. Newman is fully alert, walking around the hospital and joking with staff two days after his frightening accident on the final lap of the Daytona 500 auto race. Roush Fenway Racing said Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, the 42-year-old “continues to show great improvement.” (Roush Racing via AP)
In The Pits: NASCAR regroups after Ryan Newman accident

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 24, 2020 05:04 PM EST

NASCAR drivers sliding back into rhythm after Newman wreck

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 22, 2020 04:09 PM EST
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Some levity returned to NASCAR on a rainy Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As drivers idled inside waiting for the...

Ryan Newman (6) goes airborne after crashing into Corey LaJoie (32) during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday's running of the race was postponed by rain. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Drivers processing the dangers of racing after Newman crash

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 21, 2020 06:56 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...

Ryan Newman (6) goes airborne after crashing into Corey LaJoie (32) during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday's running of the race was postponed by rain. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Ryan Newman Daytona 500 crash shows racing never truly safe

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 18, 2020 06:49 PM EST

Rescue workers arrive to check on Ryan Newman after he was involved in a wreck on the last lap of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday's race was postponed because of rain. (AP Photo/David Graham)
Newman awake, speaking after horrific Daytona 500 crash

Feb. 18, 2020 04:14 PM EST

Ryan Newman (6) goes airborne after crashing into Corey LaJoie (32) during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sunday's running of the race was postponed by rain. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Blaney's attempted push of Newman led to violent crash

By Mark Long Feb. 18, 2020 02:58 PM EST

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

Rescue workers remove Ryan Newman from his car after he was involved in a wreck on the last lap of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/David Graham)
Ryan Newman's latest terrifying crash sends him to hospital

By Mark Long Feb. 17, 2020 09:44 PM 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