Jimmie Johnson
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 9 minutes ago

FILE - In this March 1, 2020, file photo, Jimmie Johnson is introduced to the crowd during activities as he carries his youngest daughter Lydia as his oldest daughter Genevieve and wife Chandra follow prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Fontana, Calif. Jimmie Johnson wanted to retire from full-time racing to step away from NASCAR's 11-month grind. The coronavirus pandemic has brought his final season to an unexpected pause, and now the seven-time champion isn't sure what his future holds. (AP Photo/Will Lester, File)
Jimmie Johnson mulls future in red-flagged farewell season

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 09, 2020 02:32 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

In this image taken from video provided by iRacing IndyCar, IndyCar Pato O'Ward, foreground, heads into a turn during opening lap of the American Red Cross Grand Prix virtual IndyCar auto race at Watkins Glen International, Saturday, March 28, 2020. (iRacing IndyCar via AP)
McLaughlin wins virtual IndyCar event racing from Australia

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 04, 2020 05:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2018, file photo, Denny Hamlin, left, leads the pack at the start of the NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, in Homestead, Fla. NASCAR and IndyCar have each called off their races this weekend. NASCAR was scheduled to run Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway without spectators but said Friday, March 13, 2020, it is calling off this weekend and next week’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. IndyCar was scheduled to open its season Sunday on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, but suspended it’s season through the end of April. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Timmy Hill virtual winner of NASCAR's live iRacing event

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 29, 2020 03:37 PM EDT

IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan, of Brazil, practices on his racing simulator in his home in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 28, 2020. Kanaan, along with other IndyCar drivers and NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson will compete in the series' inaugural virtual racing event Saturday. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
IndyCar goes iRacing as latest series to offer fans content

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 28, 2020 05:47 PM EDT

A car drives past the entrance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 28, 2020. Roger Penske, at 83 and considered high risk to the coronavirus as a 2017 kidney transplant recipient, still makes the daily three-minute commute to his Bloomfield Hills, Mich, office. He works 12 or more hours a day from his conference room at Penske Corp., which has a skeleton crew all practicing social distancing. Penske also had the small matter of planning his first Indianapolis 500. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
AP Interview: Roger Penske talks postponing Indianapolis 500

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 28, 2020 04:38 PM EDT

Driver Jimmie Johnson acknowledges fans as he walks to the drivers' meeting prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson eyes IndyCar, enters virtual race

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 27, 2020 01:20 PM EDT

The areas around the track and grandstands are nearly empty at the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. NASCAR and IndyCar have postponed their weekend schedules at Atlanta Motor Speedway and St. Petersburg, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
IndyCar goes virtual racing as it waits to get back on track

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 26, 2020 10:08 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

Jon Jenney, sits alone with no fans in the stand while working in the VIP area overlooking pit lane, at the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. NASCAR and IndyCar have postponed their weekend schedules at Atlanta Motor Speedway and St. Petersburg, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
'Right now is strange' - NASCAR and IndyCar call off racing

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 13, 2020 12:14 PM EDT

Joey Logano does a burnout across the start/finish line after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Mar. 11, 2020 04:28 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

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning 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/John Raoux)
More chaos? NASCAR hopes rules changes improve Phoenix drama

By David Brandt Mar. 07, 2020 05:11 PM EST

Crew members push Jimmie Johnson (48) back to the garage area during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
NASCAR 7-time champ Jimmie Johnson to test IndyCar in April

By David Brandt Mar. 07, 2020 03:58 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2019, file photo ,Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. Busch says, “Bring it on.” Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson are the latest topflight drivers to accept the challenge of Kevin Harvick, who has offered half of a $100,000 bounty to any Cup Series driver who can beat the versatile Busch in a Truck Series race this year. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Mar. 04, 2020 01:36 PM EST

Air Force One, carrying President Donald Trump, makes a pass over Daytona International Speedway before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Daytona tweaks Speedweeks, moves Clash onto road course

By Mark Long Mar. 04, 2020 01:20 PM EST

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

Martin Truex Jr. (19) leads Alex Bowman (88) and Ryan Blaney (12) on lap 130 of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 1, 2020 in Fontana, Calif. (AP Photo/Will Lester)
Bowman holds off Busch bros at Fontana for 2nd NASCAR win

By Greg Beacham Mar. 01, 2020 06:45 PM EST