Dale Earnhardt
FILE - In this May 3, 2001 file photo founder and chairman of Simpson Racing Products, Bill Simpson, is followed by reporters and photographers as he arrives at NASCAR headquarters in Daytona Beach, Fla. The pioneer in safety for race car drivers has died. Bill Simpson died Monday, Dec. 16, 2019 from complications from a stroke. He was 79. (Nigel Cook/Daytona Beach News-Journal via AP)
Motorsports safety pioneer Bill Simpson dies after stroke

By Jenna Fryer Dec. 16, 2019 07:01 PM EST

Thursday Sports in Brief

By The Associated Press Dec. 06, 2019 02:49 AM EST
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa said being assured he'd likely remain a high NFL draft pick could make “the biggest...

NASCAR driver Chase Elliott, left, is interviewed after being named the most popular driver at the NASCAR Cup Series Awards Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Chase Elliott gets 2nd most popular NASCAR driver award

Jenna Fryer Dec. 05, 2019 08:28 PM EST

Team owner Joe Gibbs, left, speaks after being given the Bill France Award of Excellence at the NASCAR Cup Series Awards on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Joe Gibbs honored with NASCAR's award of excellence

Jenna Fryer Dec. 05, 2019 08:00 PM EST

FILE - In this July 20, 2019, file photo, Darius Rucker performs during the Group Therapy Tour at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rucker will perform a pre-race concert before the Daytona 500 in February. It will be Rucker’s fourth appearance at Daytona International Speedway and first at the “Great American Race,” which will again serve as NASCAR’s Cup Series season opener. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
Darius Rucker to perform pre-race concert before Daytona 500

Dec. 03, 2019 10:00 AM EST

Jimmie Johnson answers a reporter's question during his retirement announcement from NASCAR at a news conference near Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Johnson ready to end NASCAR grind and move on with life

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 21, 2019 05:18 PM EST

FILE - In this July 29, 2016, file photo, racing legend Richard Petty, right, stands with Jimmie Johnson (48) in the garage area of Pocono Raceway during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 auto race in Long Pond, Pa. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson says 2020 will be his final season of full-time racing. The winningest driver of his era will have a 19th season in the No. 48 Chevrolet and once again chase a record eighth championship. Johnson made the announcement in a video posted on social media, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
7-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson to retire after 2020

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 20, 2019 01:01 PM EST

Kyle Busch, front left, celebrates with teammates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto racing season championship on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/David Graham)
Column: NASCAR bullish on future after promising rebound

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 18, 2019 05:57 PM EST

Dale Earnhardt Jr. named honorary starter for Daytona 500

Nov. 18, 2019 05:09 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be the honorary starter for the 2020 Daytona 500, making him part of the pre-race ceremonies for the third...

Kyle Busch signs autographs as he enters the garage for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Oh, what a beating! Toyota on a tear entering Cup finale

By Mark Long Nov. 16, 2019 04:51 PM EST

Kevin Harvick waits in the garage for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race practice to begin on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Harvick is one of four drivers racing for the series championship. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Last hurrah for Homestead: track hosts final title races

By Mark Long Nov. 16, 2019 02:26 AM EST

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
NASCAR’s final 4 in fun mode ahead of championship race

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 14, 2019 03:54 PM EST

Rookie NASCAR Cup driver Matt Tifft says he is focused on trying to determine what caused a seizure at Martinsville Speedway last week before a NASCAR auto race at Texas Motor Speedway, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Larry Papke)
Tifft leaves Front Row Motorsports to focus on health

Nov. 13, 2019 05:09 PM EST

Alex Bowman signs autographs before practice for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Hendrick Motorsports in playoff peril at Kansas Speedway

By Dave Skretta Oct. 19, 2019 03:21 PM EDT

Caleb Gober poses with a "Karen the cougar" taxidermy as fans enjoy the new facilities and garages at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega

Oct. 12, 2019 11:39 AM EDT

Jimmie Johnson greets fans during driver introductions for the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup series auto race at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Johnson's sponsor stays on Hendrick 48 car through 2023

By Dan Gelston Oct. 04, 2019 11:00 AM EDT

Chase Elliott (9) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Column: Wild weekend at home pumps new life into NASCAR

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 30, 2019 02:48 PM EDT

AUTO RACING: Auto Racing Glance

By The Associated Press Sep. 04, 2019 10:23 AM EDT
All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES BIG MACHINE VODKA 400 Site: Indianapolis. Schedule: Saturday, practice,...

Earnhardt puts aside plane crash to run at Darlington

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 31, 2019 07:25 PM EDT
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — A joyful Dale Earnhardt Jr. returned to the racetrack Saturday, finishing sixth in the Xfinity event at Darlington Raceway two weeks after he...

Cole Custer poses with the winner's trophy after Denny Hamlin was disqualified for failing a post-race inspection at the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Earnhardt puts aside plane crash to run at Darlington

By Pete Iacobelli Aug. 31, 2019 05:55 PM EDT