Darrell Wallace Jr.
FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2012, file photo, Mario Andretti, left, talks to Willy T. Ribbs before the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. IndyCar is making an improved push to diversify its fanbase and its driving field. Ribbs and George Mack are the only two drivers to ever start an Indianapolis 500. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
IndyCar courts Black fans, drivers in its push to diversify

By Dan Gelston May. 28, 2021 03:22 AM 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

Lisa Robinson of Washington, reacts on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Washington, as the guilty verdict in Minneapolis, in the murder trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was announced. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Following verdict in Floyd case, USC football reflects

By Tim Reynolds Apr. 20, 2021 08:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 24, 2019 file photo, NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski greets fans during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va. Keselowski didn’t get the finish he hoped for last weekend of April 4, 2021, when NASCAR’s Cup Series ran on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway, but the 2012 champion didn’t dwell too long on his 11th place finish. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
NASCAR, motorsports approach to virus vaccine varies greatly

By Hank Kurz Jr. Apr. 16, 2021 05:05 PM EDT

wld Denny Hamlin (11) approaches the third turn during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, April 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Latest: NASCAR's Bubba Wallace urging COVID vaccinations

By The Associated Press Apr. 14, 2021 09:36 AM EDT

Bubba Wallace, left, congratulates Kyle Larson after Larson won a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
One year later, NASCAR reflects on a COVID-changed sport

By David Brandt Mar. 13, 2021 04:32 PM EST

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

Noah Gragson (9), Michael Annett (1), Jeffrey Earnhardt (0), and Ryan Vargas (6) crash coming out of turn 4 as Brandon Gdovic (26) and Stefan Parsons (99) go high to avoid the wreck during the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NFL's Kamara races into NASCAR as a team sponsor at Daytona

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 19, 2021 05:11 PM EST

Bubba Wallace gets into his car 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)
Wallace becomes 1st Black driver to lead lap at Daytona 500

By Dan Gelston Feb. 15, 2021 12:43 AM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2020, file photo, former basketball superstar Michael Jordan speaks during a news conference ahead of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Milwaukee Bucks in Paris. The Associated Press asked eight of the greatest current and former champions, including Jordan, from seven different sports to find out what impressed them most about Tom Brady. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
Jordan set to make NASCAR debut with Wallace at Daytona 500

By Dan Gelston Feb. 13, 2021 04:16 PM EST

Bubba Wallace removes his helmet in his garage after a NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race practice session at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Wallace turned the fastest time for the practice session. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Denny Hamlin seeks historic 3rd straight Daytona 500 victory

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

Austin Dillon (3) takes the checkered flag to win the second NASCAR Daytona 500 duel qualifying auto race Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Drivers competing in the 2021 Daytona 500

By The Associated Press Feb. 12, 2021 01:38 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

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2020, file photo, Washington Football Team wide receiver Isaiah Wright adjusts his helmet before the team's NFL football game against Philadelphia Eagles in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
2020 sports quiz: Brady to Bundesliga, Big Ten to Brooklyn

By Fred Lief Dec. 30, 2020 11:04 AM EST

FILE - Naomi Osaka, of Japan, wears a protective mask due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, featuring the name "George Floyd", while arriving on court to face Shelby Rogers, of the United States, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, in this Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, file photo. In a most unusual year already thrown into chaos by the coronavirus pandemic, many athletes took unprecedented steps when a nationwide reckoning on race spilled into the streets of American cities after the killing of Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Athletes act: Stars rise up against racial injustice in 2020

By Cliff Brunt Dec. 29, 2020 01:41 PM EST

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, fans sit in a mostly empty Greensboro Coliseum after the NCAA college basketball games were cancelled at the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C. Scrubbing last year's March Madness due to coronavirus concerns cost the NCAA some $375 million, and another loss like that would have ripple effects throughout college sports. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
Lamentation for sports in 2020: A year of living virally

By Fred Lief Dec. 24, 2020 11:03 AM EST

A crew member, right, hands driver Sheldon Creed a season champion banner after Creed's victory in the NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
NASCAR claims victory in finishing season during pandemic

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 07, 2020 05:06 PM EST

Editorial Roundup: North Carolina

By The Associated Press Nov. 04, 2020 02:13 PM EST
Recent editorials from North Carolina newspapers: ___ Nov. 3 The Greensboro News & Record on a...

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

Driver Bubba Wallace stands during the national anthem before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Bubba Wallace, Columbia Sportswear sign sponsorship deal

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 12, 2020 10:32 AM EDT