Arts and entertainment
FILE - In this April 25, 1997, file photo, John Andretti, left, grins as his wife Nancy hugs his father Aldo after the younger Andretti won the pole for the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Mario Andretti feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew John lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother Aldo and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
Andretti navigates personal loss, loneliness of pandemic

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 19, 2021 07:13 PM EDT

Williams driver George Russell of Britain attends a press conference ahead of Sunday's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix, at the Imola track, Italy, Friday, April 16, 2021. (Xpbimages/Pool via AP)
Wolff: Russell has lots to learn after crash with Bottas

By Daniella Matar Apr. 18, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

Driver Kyle Larson (5) pushes Christopher Bell (20) after a wreck during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Monday, March 29, 2021, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Logano takes the checkered flag in a haze of Bristol dirt

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 29, 2021 07:36 PM EDT

FILE - Peter Falk of "Columbo" gives Jessica Walter of "Amy Prentice" a kiss after both won Emmys on May 19, 1975. Walter won for best actress in a limited series while Falk was named best actor in a lined series. Walter, who played a scheming matriarch in TV's "Arrested Development," has died. She was 80. Walter's death was confirmed Thursday, March 25, 2021, by her daughter, Brooke Bowman. The actor's best-known film roles included playing the stalker in Clint Eastwood's 1971 thriller, "Play Misty for Me." (AP Photo, File)
'Arrested Development' actor Jessica Walter dies at 80

By Lynn Elber Mar. 25, 2021 03:27 PM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain attends the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix press conference in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, March 25,2021. (Dan Istitene, Pool via AP)
Hamilton: F1 can't ignore race hosts' human rights issues

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 25, 2021 02:57 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, center, talks with Georgia Tech's coach Geoff Collins, left, during the school's Pro Day football workout on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The Latest: 13 sports joins Willie Nelson for vaccine PSA

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2021 12:26 PM EDT

NASCAR's Stewart engaged to drag racer Pruett

Mar. 19, 2021 06:48 PM EDT
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (AP) — NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Tony Stewart is engaged to Leah Pruett, the drag racer he began dating at the start of the pandemic. ...

FILE - NASCAR driver Bill Lester gets ready for a rain delayed start of the NASCAR Golden Corral 500 auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, in Hampton, Ga., in this Monday, March 20, 2006, file photo. Bill Lester, one of the first Black drivers to compete in NASCAR's Truck Series, will return to competition 14 years after his last start. Lester will drive for David Gilliland Racing on Saturday, March 20, 2021, in the Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It will be the first NASCAR start for the 60-year-old since 2007. (AP Photo/Ric Feld, File)
Bill Lester returning to a more welcoming, diverse NASCAR

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 16, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

Daniel Suarez (99) and Kyle Larson (5) race through Turn 4 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. Suarez was a guest analyst on Fox Sports for Saturday's Xfinity race. Suarez is the first Mexican analyst used in the broadcast of a NASCAR national series race and called a lap in his native Spanish. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Column: Suarez makes historical mark for himself, NASCAR

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 15, 2021 06:19 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 25, 2021 03:41 PM EST
Feb. 27 1918 — The first neutral site game in NHL history is held in Quebec City. Frank Nighbor scores twice in the first period to lead...

Joey Logano stands by his car on pit road before the start of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Logano wants peace at Penske following Daytona 500 crash

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 19, 2021 03:50 PM EST

Drivers return to their cars after a weather delay during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
AUTO RACING: Daytona road course takes spotlight for NASCAR

By The Associated Press Feb. 17, 2021 05:03 PM EST

Michael McDowell crosses the finish line ahead of Austin Dillon to win the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Latest: Keselowski has no regrets about Daytona 500 end

By The Associated Press Feb. 14, 2021 02:28 PM EST

Austin Dillon, left, talks with car owner Richard Childress on pit road before the start of the second of two qualifying NASCAR auto races for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Denny Hamlin seeks historic 3rd straight Daytona 500 victory

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 12, 2021 05:26 PM EST

Bubba Wallace makes a pit stop during the second of two qualifying auto races for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Wallace finished in second place. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Hall of Famer Jordan set for biggest leap yet into NASCAR

By Dan Gelston Feb. 12, 2021 04:56 PM EST

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

FILE - This Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, shows a SAFER barrier wall in Turn 4 during qualifying for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race qualifying at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Steel And Foam Energy Reduction Barrier was designed to absorb and reduce kinetic energy during high-speed crashes. "Soft walls” have been gradually added to nearly every NASCAR track, first in high-impact areas, The Steel And Foam Energy Reduction Barrier was designed to absorb and reduce kinetic energy during high-speed crashes. "Soft walls” have been gradually added to nearly every NASCAR track, first in high-impact areas and later, after Kyle Busch broke both legs in a 2015 crash at Daytona, in place of nearly every spot of exposed wall. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Lasting legacy: Earnhardt's death saved lives, forced change

By Jenna Fryer, Dan Gelston And Mark Long Feb. 11, 2021 04:07 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2006, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr., puts on his helmet and protective HANS device during preparations the day before the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR mandated the use of head-and-neck restraints in late 2001. Drivers had resisted using the U-shaped neck restraint made of carbon fiber because they found it cumbersome and restrictive. They became required equipment after 25-year-old Blaise Alexander was killed in a crash at Charlotte Motor Speedway some eight months after Earnhardt's death.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Lasting legacy: Earnhardt's death saved lives, forced change

By Jenna Fryer, Dan Gelston And Mark Long Feb. 11, 2021 04:06 PM EST

Chase Elliott, right, talks with a crew member in his garage during a NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race practice session at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Chasing a repeat: Elliott out for 2nd straight NASCAR title

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 10, 2021 03:25 PM EST

FILE - Reed Sorenson races in a casr showing Fake Steak signage during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., in this Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, file photo. Kevin James stars as crew chief Kevin Gibson in Netflix’s new comedy series, “The Crew,” the latest in a line of NASCAR-themed TV shows and movies where the source material traditionally bordered on good ol’ boys satire or sensationalism rather than grounded in reality. The team fields the No. 74 Fake Steak-sponsored car. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Blart Your Engines: James stars in new Netflix NASCAR comedy

By Dan Gelston Feb. 10, 2021 02:10 PM EST