Jimmie Johnson

Palou shakes off Indy defeat, takes points lead to Detroit

By Jenna Fryer Jun. 11, 2021 07:23 PM EDT

Fans look on from the stands as some are still wearing mask and others are not during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover International Speedway, Sunday, May 16, 2021, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Bowman parks 48 in familiar spot in victory lane at Dover

By Dan Gelston May. 16, 2021 05:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 17, 2020, file photo, driver Tony Kanaan, of Brazil, stands next to his car during qualifying for an IndyCar Series auto race at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Kanaan’s supposed farewell tour last year fizzled amid nearly empty tracks. Then he was given another chance to extend his IndyCar career, this time before fans. His first two races come this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Kanaan to make IndyCar season debut at Texas doubleheader

Apr. 30, 2021 03:18 PM EDT

FILE - Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, leads the pack of cars past empty stands in the early laps of the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, file photo. The Indianapolis 500 will be the largest sporting event since the start of the pandemic with 135,000 spectators permitted to attend “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” next month. Indianapolis Motor Speedway said Wednesday, April 21, 2021, it worked with the Marion County Public Health Department to determine 40% of venue capacity can attend the May 30 race. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

Column: Vaccine the key to getting 135,000 into Indy 500

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 26, 2021 06:14 PM EDT

Two fans watch during the General Tire 200 ARCA Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Phelps: NASCAR not considering requiring COVID vaccinations

By John Zenor Apr. 25, 2021 02:51 PM EDT

Dalton Kellett, of Canada, waits in his pit box during testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

IndyCar opens season with stacked rookie class chasing Dixon

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 14, 2021 05:08 PM EDT

Martin Truex Jr. gives a thumbs-up as he celebrates with a fan after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, April 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

AUTO RACING: NASCAR's short track swing wraps up at Richmond

By The Associated Press Apr. 14, 2021 10:57 AM EDT

Kyle Larson celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Kyle Larson celebrates return with 1st win since suspension

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 07, 2021 07:07 PM EST

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)

NASCAR revs ahead with new teams, new tracks, new energy

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 03, 2021 04:27 PM EST

Chip Ganassi, owner of Chip Ganassi Racing, takes a break outside his pit stall during a practice session for the Rolex 24 hour race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Kanaan to pair with Johnson to drive oval races for Ganassi

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 23, 2020 09:48 AM EST

Chase Elliott stands on his race car to acknowledge the fans after winning the season championship and the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Column: NASCAR closes stabilized, and energized by Elliott

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 09, 2020 01:45 PM EST

FILE - This Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, file photo shows Dennis Knowles, left, executive director of U.S. stores for Lowe's, NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Highland East Junior High to celebrate the opening of three area school gyms, in Moore, Okla. Johnson and Lowe's were major contributors to rebuilding facilities after a 2013 tornado destroyed homes, business, and schools in Moore. NASCAR's nicest guy will run his final race this week and close a remarkable career. Jimmie Johnson's record-tying seven Cup titles are well celebrated, but his charitable work goes less noticed. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation has donated more than $12 million to schools and programs since it launched. (Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman via AP, File)

Column: NASCAR's Johnson leaves lasting charitable mark

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 02, 2020 03:57 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2019, file photo, Kyle Larson gets into his car during Daytona 500 auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Reinstated last week by NASCAR, Larson on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, signed a multi-year contract with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet next season. Hendrick has sold no sponsorship as of yet for Larson and only needed the blessing of Chevrolet, one of the partners that originally dropped Larson for using the n-word, to finalize the deal. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Rick Hendrick eyeing balanced, stronger 2021 NASCAR season

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 29, 2020 03:02 PM EDT

Josef Newgarden, center, celebrates his win with second-place finisher Pato O'Ward, left, and third-place finisher Scott Dixon following an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Newgarden wins IndyCar finale but can't deny Dixon 6th title

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 25, 2020 05:22 PM EDT

Chip Ganassi speaks about driver Jimmie Johnson joining his IndyCar team for next season at a press conference during the IndyCar race weekend Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

IndyCar back in St. Pete seven months later to finish season

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 24, 2020 06:27 PM EDT

Kyle Busch walks around his car prior to the start of the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Saturday at Brisol Motor Speedway. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP)

NASCAR champion Busch tries to stave off elimination

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 10, 2020 04:53 PM EDT

FILE - Crew members are visible under a COVID-19 alert sign as they push the car of Christopher Bell through the garage area before a scheduled NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Saturday, June 27, 2020, in Long Pond, Pa. NASCAR will not grant COVID-19 relief during the playoffs which means a positive coronavirus test will end a drivers' championship bid. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

NASCAR drivers cautious of COVID-19 as playoffs begin

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 03, 2020 03:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 4, 2017, file photo, Jimmie Johnson, left, poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after he won a NASCAR Cup series auto race at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. Jimmie Johnson has a track-record 11 wins at Dover International Speedway. He’ll have to win No. 12 to guarantee a playoff spot and he has two shots this weekend when the NASCAR Cup series races on Saturday and Sunday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Johnson makes last-gasp playoff push in final year at Dover

By Dan Gelston Aug. 21, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

The Latest: Tennis player tests positive in Prague

By The Associated Press Aug. 15, 2020 01:05 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ A tennis player has tested...