Dale Earnhardt
Kyle Busch stands for the playing of the national anthem before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Busch and Elliott incident could spark new NASCAR rivalry

By Jenna Fryer May. 21, 2020 04:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 5, 2006, file photo, NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, left, Darlington Raceway President Chris Browning, center, and Harold Brasington Jr. look out over Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Brasington Jr.'s father was the track builder. The 70-year-old raceway will host the return of NASCAR Cup Series racing, among the biggest events so far as sports makes a halting comeback from a global shutdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic. (John D. Russell/The Morning News via AP, File)
NASCAR's return latest chapter in Darlington's rich legacy

By Pete Iacobelli May. 15, 2020 02:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2016, file photo, NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, left, speaks to the media as announcer Mike Joy, right, listens during a news conference before practice for the Daytona 500 Sprint series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR will have a much different feel when it resumes this weekend as the two-man broadcast team for Fox will not travel to Darlington Raceway and instead call the race from a studio in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Safety protocols include Fox calling NASCAR race from studio

By Jenna Fryer May. 13, 2020 04:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, driver Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Hamlin closed NASCAR's iRacing Series virtual auto race with a victory at a simulation of throwback North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, May 9, 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Hamlin closes NASCAR's iRacing Series with another victory

By Jenna Fryer May. 09, 2020 04:50 PM EDT

Mike Tatoian, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway, stands near the finish line while waiting for a news conference at the track, Monday, April 27, 2020, in Dover, Del. The track was scheduled to host a NASCAR auto race this weekend, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the race is bring run virtually on NASCAR's iRacing circuit. Sports will eventually start again and all signs indicate NASCAR is racing full speed ahead of the other major leagues in resuming competition. The sanctioning body is currently working on a revised schedule that could have NASCAR back on track in roughly three weeks.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Checkered flag nears for pro drivers in virtual racing boom

By Dan Gelston May. 02, 2020 11:04 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2017, file photo, Matt Kenseth answers questions during NASCAR Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Former NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth will once again come out of retirement to compete for Chip Ganassi Racing as the replacement for fired driver Kyle Larson. Larson lost his job two weeks ago for using a racial slur while competing in a virtual race. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Matt Kenseth back to NASCAR as Larson replacement at Ganassi

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 27, 2020 11:37 AM EDT

Earnhardt race car up for auction to fund virus relief work

Apr. 25, 2020 10:57 AM EDT
WELCOME, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR team owner Richard Childress is auctioning off one of racing legend Dale Earnhardt’s cars to raise money for coronavirus relief...

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, William Byron celebrates after winning the second of the two NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR virtual race Sunday, April 19, 2020, by holding off Timmy Hill — the driver who moved him out of the way to win an earlier iRacing event — in a race finally low on dramatics. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Byron wins 2nd NASCAR virtual race in a drama-free event

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 19, 2020 03:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this image taken from video provided by iRacing IndyCar, Pato O'Ward, foreground, heads into a turn during the opening lap of the American Red Cross Grand Prix virtual IndyCar auto race at Watkins Glen International. The mind-boggling success of virtual racing has put motorsports out front in the race to create competition during the sports shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. (iRacing IndyCar via AP)
Virtual racing drama dulls shine on popular NASCAR platform

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 17, 2020 04:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, Acura Team Penske driver Simon Pagenaud, left, signs autographs before the Rolex 24-hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Pagenaud won IndyCar's first iRace on an oval as he used strategy to win at virtual Michigan International Speedway. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Simon Pagenaud wins IndyCar's 1st virtual race on an oval

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 11, 2020 04:21 PM EDT

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

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)
Burton, Earnhardt, Edwards headline Hall of Fame nominees

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 07, 2020 04:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 11, 2020, file photo, Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons smiles while speaking at a news conference before an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons in Philadelphia. Video games have become a go-to hobby for millions self-isolating around the world, and athletes from preps to pros have eagerly grabbed the controls. Stars like Ben Simmons and Luka Doncic have turned to gaming to stay connected with fans.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Pros, preps and weekend warriors go virtual amid pandemic

By Jake Seiner Mar. 25, 2020 02:06 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

Clint Bowyer gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Race drivers use games to stay sharp as virus shuts tracks

By James Ellingworth And Jake Seiner Mar. 21, 2020 01:42 PM EDT

Dylan Blackthorn boards up Hillside Farmacy restaurant right before the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bans gatherings, shuts down restaurants, bars, schools on Thursday, March 19, 2020. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
The Latest: Pro Motocross cancels season-opening event

By The Associated Press Mar. 19, 2020 11:21 AM EDT

Dale Earnhardt Jr., team owner and TV analyst answers questions during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Earnhardt, Busch sign on for NASCAR esports series

Mar. 17, 2020 10:01 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

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