Darrell Waltrip
Fans takes selfie photos with Kevin Harvick, center, in the garage area during a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Harvick goes for win No. 10 at Phoenix in final Cup season

By David Brandt Mar. 11, 2023 02:19 PM EST

Kyle Busch gives autographs before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Harvick heads to Bristol in must-win playoff situation

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 15, 2022 05:07 PM EDT

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper speaks during a press conference announcing that the NASCAR All-Star Race will be held at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May 2023, on the steps of the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP)
NASCAR returning to North Wilkesboro with '23 All-Star Race

By Gary D. Robertson Sep. 08, 2022 01:52 PM EDT

FILE - William Byron talks with a crew member prior to practice for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the Martinsville Speedway on April 8, 2022, in Martinsville, Va. Byron has reached a three-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports that will keep him in the No. 24 Chevrolet through the 2025 season. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Hendrick to run 3 Xfinity races with Larson, Bowman, Byron

By Dave Skretta Jun. 02, 2022 11:03 AM EDT

Kyle Busch, front, and his crew show off their pole position rings after qualifications for the NASCAR All-Star auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, May 21, 2022.(AP Photo/Larry Papke)
Kyle Busch's pit crew All-Stars for qualifying in Texas

By Stephen Hawkins May. 21, 2022 10:07 PM EDT

William Byron (24) celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Martinsville: Byron races to NASCAR Cup-leading 2nd victory

By Hank Kurz Jr. Apr. 09, 2022 11:50 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin, right, talks to a crew member prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., Sunday, April 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Penske drivers aiming to avoid Daytona repeat at Talladega

By John Zenor Apr. 24, 2021 03:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2001, file photo, Dale Earnhardt waves to fans during race introduction before the start of the Daytona 500 auto race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Earnhardt, the greatest stock car star of his era, was killed in a crash on the last turn of the last lap of the race that day as he tried to protect Michael Waltrip's victory (AP Photo/Russell Williams, File)
AP Was There: Earnhardt killed in 2001 Daytona 500 crash

By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2021 04:31 PM EST

Aric Almirola, left, and Clint Bowyer, center, talks to a crew member prior to the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Bowyer to retire and move to Fox NASCAR coverage in 2021

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 08, 2020 07:40 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

FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2009, file photo, former NASCAR driver and owner Junior Johnson smiles as he speaks to media about being named to the NASCAR Hall of Fame during a news conference at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Johnson, who won 50 NASCAR Cup Series races as a driver and 132 as an owner and was part of the inaugural class inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010, has died at 88. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan, File)
Junior Johnson, "The Last American Hero," dies at 88

Jenna Fryer Dec. 20, 2019 07:04 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

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

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2012, file photo, driver Tony Stewart throws his helmet at Matt Kenseth's car after the two collided during a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. The track forever marketed itself as a raging tempest for drivers to lose their cool and explode in aggressive anger. Jeff Gordon once shoved Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart threw a helmet, middle fingers are the common form of communication, and tempers are typically teetering right at the boiling point. (Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)
Column: Bristol needs "cage rattling" to spark playoff push

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 12, 2019 02:41 PM EDT

Daniel Hemric (8) and William Byron (24) drive into "The Carousel" at Sonoma Raceway during a NASCAR Cup Series practice Friday, June 21, 2019 in Sonoma, Calif. The track has put the tricky carousel turn back into its layout for the first time since 1997. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)
The Latest: Truex holds off Busch to defend Sonoma title

Jun. 23, 2019 03:34 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr., center, celebrates after winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Sonoma, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Martin Truex Jr. holds off KyBusch to defend Sonoma title

By Greg Beacham Jun. 23, 2019 01:03 PM EDT

Erik Jones navigates the Carousel during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Sonoma Raceway on Friday, June 21, 2019, in Sonoma, Calif. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat via AP)
Break finished, NASCAR takes a Carousel ride at Sonoma

By Greg Beacham Jun. 22, 2019 06:53 PM EDT

Joey Logano drives enroute to the pole during qualifying for the NASCAR cup series race at Michigan International Speedway, Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Brooklyn, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan

Jun. 08, 2019 01:20 PM EDT

William Byron (24) brings his car through the front stretch during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, May 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Latest: Martin Truex Jr. wins NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

May. 26, 2019 07:26 AM EDT

Kyle Busch covers his ears as he looks out of the garage before practice for Sunday's NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 Cup series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Thursday, May 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Most drivers want NASCAR's longest race to remain 600 miles

By Steve Reed May. 25, 2019 08:54 AM EDT