Race and ethnicity
FILE - In this Feb, 8, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson climbs into his car as he gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Despite being suspended for six months for the use of a racial slur, Kyle Larson remains a popular figure in dirt track racing. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Larson still popular on dirt tracks, despite racial slur

By Steve Reed Nov. 10, 2020 03:25 PM EST

Urban Youth Racing School founder Anthony Martin, left, and his wife Michelle Martin pose for a photo at the school, Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, in Philadelphia. The school has made it its mission to introduce inner-city youngsters, most of them black, to the motorsports world. (AP Photo/Dan Gelston)
Racing school for minorities extends olive branch to Larson

By Dan Gelston Nov. 04, 2020 11:18 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

FILE - In this Feb, 8, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson climbs into his car as he gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Larson will be back in NASCAR next season driving the flagship No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Larson signed a multi-year contract Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, 2020, with Hendrick that ended his seven-month banishment from NASCAR for using a racial slur while playing an online racing game. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Hendrick hires banished Kyle Larson to drive flagship No. 5

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 28, 2020 11:46 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson greets fans before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Larson has been working behind the scenes to educate himself on racial issues since his firing from NASCAR for using a racial slur. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Kyle Larson reinstated to compete in NASCAR in 2021

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 19, 2020 04:47 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

Black Lives Matter protesters and counter protesters clash in Yorba Linda, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. Police eventually declared the event an unlawful gathering and cleared the streets near Yorba Linda and Imperial. Authorities said people were struck by a car and injured during a Black Lives Matter protest and counter-protest about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Orange County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun says the injured were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the driver was detained. (Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register via AP)
California prosecutor: Driver tried to kill Trump supporters

By Brian Melley Sep. 29, 2020 08:34 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

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

Buffalo Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott runs practice form the middle of the field with a mask on during the second day of training camp opened to the media at ADPRO Sports Training Center's outdoor field in Orchard Park, N.Y., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. P (James P. McCoy/Buffalo News via AP, Pool)
The Latest: Tennessee cancels practice because of virus

By The Associated Press Aug. 28, 2020 09:49 AM 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)
Hamilton won't boycott F1 race amid racism protests in US

By Jerome Pugmire Aug. 27, 2020 12:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, Kyle Larson sits in his car before the final practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Kyle Larson has been working behind the scenes to educate himself on racial issues since his firing from NASCAR for using a slur. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
NASCAR's Kyle Larson to AP on slur: 'I was just ignorant'

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 19, 2020 05:23 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson greets fans before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Larson has been working behind the scenes to educate himself on racial issues since his firing from NASCAR for using a racial slur. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
NASCAR's Kyle Larson to AP on slur: 'I was just ignorant'

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 19, 2020 05:03 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Aug. 13, 2020 11:32 AM EDT
Aug. 16 1920 — Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman is hit in the head with a pitch by New York’s Carl Mays. Chapman suffers a fractured skull...

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain inspects puncture on his car after winning the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Bryn Lennon/Pool via AP)
Hamilton wins British GP to close in on Schumacher's record

Aug. 02, 2020 11:00 AM EDT

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP talk in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on Thursday, July 30, 2020 in Silverstone, England. (AP Photo/Mario Renzi via Getty Images)
F1's pandemic pause spurs Hamilton to race on for 2-3 years

Jul. 30, 2020 03:29 PM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain takes the knee beside the drivers prior the the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix race at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, Hungary, Sunday, July 19, 2020. (Mark Thompson/Pool via AP)
Hamilton wants more support from F1 & drivers against racism

By Jerome Pugmire Jul. 19, 2020 03:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 22, 2020, file photo, team owner Richard Petty, right, stands next to driver Bubba Wallace during the national anthem prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. NASCAR is ready to embrace all genders, ethnicities and backgrounds as moves ahead in its push for racial diversity. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
'Yes we exist' - Black fans eye NASCAR's work to diversify

By Dan Gelston Jul. 17, 2020 02:20 AM EDT

Bubba Wallace stands for the National Anthem before the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Sparta, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Column: Wallace deserves a slot in NASCAR's All-Star race

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 13, 2020 03:07 PM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Styrian Formula One Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, Austria, Sunday, July 12, 2020. (Joe Klamar/Pool via AP)
F1 star Hamilton raises right fist in fight against racism

By Jerome Pugmire Jul. 12, 2020 01:04 PM EDT