Darrell Wallace Jr.
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, Erik Jones celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/John Raoux, FIlre)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

24 hrs ago

Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

By Jenna Fryer 24 hrs ago

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson gets ready to climb into his car to practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was supposed to be the top free agent this year but was banished to sprint cars after his firing five months ago. Larson is awaiting the appropriate time to apply for reinstatement to NASCAR and if sponsors agree to forgive him, he should get a job. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Sep. 21, 2020 02:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2020, file photo, Bubba Wallace (43) runs during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Darlington, S.C. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, FIle)
NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington

Sep. 21, 2020 01:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, file photo, driver Bubba Wallace waits for the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire

Sep. 21, 2020 01:55 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

FILE - Daniel Suarez talks to the media before practice for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. Suarez, who landed his ride two weeks before the season-opening Daytona 500, will not return to Gaunt Brothers Racing next season. The team said Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, it was a mutual decision for the Mexican driver to leave the team. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Suarez on the move again after parting with Gaunt Brothers

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 15, 2020 10:25 AM EDT

Bubba Wallace (43) runs during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Wallace leaving Richard Petty Motorsports at season's end

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 10, 2020 01:42 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson drives his damaged car on pit road during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Jimmie Johnson proud of ending NASCAR career with 7 titles

By Mark Long Aug. 30, 2020 01:36 PM EDT

William Byron stands with his trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Byron wins to reach Cup Series playoffs, knocks out Johnson

By Mark Long Aug. 29, 2020 11:06 PM EDT

FILE - Bubba Wallace, center, stands on pit road during the playing of "America the Beautiful" prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, July 19, 2020. NASCAR drivers don't plan to boycott Saturday night's, Aug. 29 race at Daytona International Speedway to raise awareness of social and racial injustices. Bubba Wallace, the only fulltime Black driver in the elite Cup Series, said that decision should not be interpreted as "turning away from the dark and evil acts that have taken over our nation.” (AP Photo/Ray Carlin, File)
Wallace says racing doesn't mean NASCAR is 'standing down'

By Mark Long Aug. 29, 2020 07:42 PM 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

Denny Hamlin (11) and Joey Logano (22) race for the lead during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'

By Mark Long Aug. 28, 2020 01:11 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

FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2020, file photo, Bubba Wallace takes part in an interview during NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Corporate interest in Bubba Wallace has picked up momentum and NASCAR’s only black full-time driver has signed a new sponsor that includes funding for his Richard Petty Motorports team. Columbia Sportswear signed a multiyear sponsorship with Wallace as a brand ambassador that will also put the company on the No. 43 at Dover later this month. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace adds another sponsorship deal

Aug. 14, 2020 12:22 PM EDT

Driver Bubba Wallace stands during the national anthem before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Bubba Wallace, Columbia Sportswear sign sponsorship deal

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 12, 2020 10:32 AM EDT

Driver Brad Keselowski holds a giant lobster to celebrate his victory in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Keselowski wins in New Hampshire for 3d win since shutdown

By Jimmy Golen Aug. 02, 2020 06:43 PM EDT

In this July 7, 2020 photo provided by NASCAR, Rajah Caruth competes in the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The sport has renewed optimism that its diversity program can field a bumper crop of promising prospects. Caruth might the one who can help lead the way. (NASCAR photo via (AP)
NASCAR banks on minority drivers to broaden sport's exposure

By Dan Gelston Jul. 28, 2020 02:06 AM EDT

Denny Hamlin celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Thursday, July 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Hamlin holds off Keselowski for fifth Cup victory of season

By Dave Skretta Jul. 23, 2020 11:20 PM EDT

Bubba Wallace (43) waits for the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Sparta, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Bubba bumper: Wallace, McDowell agree for good cause

Jul. 18, 2020 04:48 PM EDT