NASCAR revs ahead with new teams, new tracks, new energy
FILE - Workers begin turning Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., into a dirt track in this Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, file photo. NASCAR is being heavily promoted by a broadcast partner as about to embark on “The Best Season Ever” and on paper that could be true. NASCAR this year will race on dirt for the first time since 1970, the schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are among new team owners entering the sport in 2021 and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, is the reigning champion. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)

FILE - Workers begin turning Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., into a dirt track in this Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, file photo. NASCAR is being heavily promoted by a broadcast partner as about to embark on “The Best Season Ever” and on paper that could be true. NASCAR this year will race on dirt for the first time since 1970, the schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are among new team owners entering the sport in 2021 and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, is the reigning champion. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)

Feb. 03, 2021 08:53 AM EST
FILE - Pitbull smiles during a hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, in this Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, file photo. NASCAR is being heavily promoted by a broadcast partner as about to embark on “The Best Season Ever” and on paper that could be true. NASCAR this year will race on dirt for the first time since 1970, the schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are among new team owners entering the sport in 2021 and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, is the reigning champion. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Pitbull smiles during a hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, in this Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, file photo. NASCAR is being heavily promoted by a broadcast partner as about to embark on “The Best Season Ever” and on paper that could be true. NASCAR this year will race on dirt for the first time since 1970, the schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are among new team owners entering the sport in 2021 and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, is the reigning champion. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

Feb. 03, 2021 08:54 AM EST
FILE - In this Feb. 14, 1953, file photo, Red Farmer (61) of Miami, is airborne after hitting a hole on the four-mile road course during the 100-mile Modified and Sportsmen stock car auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR is being heavily promoted by a broadcast partner as about to embark on “The Best Season Ever” and on paper that could be true. NASCAR this year will race on dirt for the first time since 1970, the schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are among new team owners entering the sport in 2021 and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, is the reigning champion. (AP Photo/James P. Kerlin, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 1953, file photo, Red Farmer (61) of Miami, is airborne after hitting a hole on the four-mile road course during the 100-mile Modified and Sportsmen stock car auto race in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR is being heavily promoted by a broadcast partner as about to embark on “The Best Season Ever” and on paper that could be true. NASCAR this year will race on dirt for the first time since 1970, the schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are among new team owners entering the sport in 2021 and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, is the reigning champion. (AP Photo/James P. Kerlin, File)

Feb. 03, 2021 08:52 AM EST
FILE - Chase Elliott holds up the season championship trophy as he celebrates with his race crew in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, file photo. NASCAR is being heavily promoted by a broadcast partner as about to embark on “The Best Season Ever” and on paper that could be true. NASCAR this year will race on dirt for the first time since 1970, the schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are among new team owners entering the sport in 2021 and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, is the reigning champion. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)

FILE - Chase Elliott holds up the season championship trophy as he celebrates with his race crew in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, file photo. NASCAR is being heavily promoted by a broadcast partner as about to embark on “The Best Season Ever” and on paper that could be true. NASCAR this year will race on dirt for the first time since 1970, the schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. Michael Jordan and Pitbull are among new team owners entering the sport in 2021 and Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, is the reigning champion. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)

Feb. 03, 2021 08:53 AM EST
FILE - In this Saturday, July 4, 2020, file photo, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Chase Briscoe drives through a turn during the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The 2021 NASCAR schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, July 4, 2020, file photo, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Chase Briscoe drives through a turn during the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The 2021 NASCAR schedule includes a whopping seven road courses and five venues new to the Cup Series. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Feb. 03, 2021 08:55 AM EST