Danica brings new eyes to NASCAR and Daytona 500
Danicamania is in full bloom at Daytona — and with a brand new audience.
Dozens hurt after Daytona crash debris hits stands
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — At least 33 fans were injured Saturday during a NASCAR race when a car flew into the fence at Daytona International Speedway, hurling a tire and large pieces of debris into the stands.
Start 'em up: NASCAR season arrives with a buzz
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- There's a buzz about NASCAR and the season-opening Daytona 500 that has nothing to do with an exploding jet dryer or a well-timed tweet from a driver.. The new Gen-6 race car makes its long-awaited debut at Daytona International Speedway, and the success
Five-time champ turns heat up on Keselowski
Jimmie Johnson is the king of mind games -- he doesn't fall victim to them -- and he's got five trophies as proof.
Wolfe initially said no to Keselowski's job offer
Paul Wolfe wasn't interested in working with Brad Keselowski when the driver first approached him about a potential pairing back in August 2009.
Keselowski standing in Johnson's way of sixth title
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Denny Hamlin has conceded his championship chances, and Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne are fading fast.. So what's stopping Jimmie Johnson from cruising to a sixth NASCAR championship?. Brad Keselowski.. Johnson's win last weekend at Martinsville pushed him into the points lead with three races remaining in
Big changes from last year for Bowyer and Edwards
KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer returned to home track Kansas Speedway a year ago at very different points in their careers.
Show goes on at Charlotte without Earnhardt Jr.
CONCORD, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. grew up one town away from Charlotte Motor Speedway, running wild with his friends through the infield as his daddy thrilled the hometown crowd.. He became NASCAR's most popular driver, the only North Carolina native who drives full-time in a series whose origins
Gordon slowly moving up in Chase standings
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If nothing else this season, Jeff Gordon has proved to be a man of his word.. He promised to grow back the cheesy mustache he sported at the start of his career if he made the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, and made good on it
NASCAR outlines 2013 rules and regulations
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- NASCAR met briefly with drivers Saturday morning at Talladega Superspeedway to discuss new rules and procedures that will be implemented next season.. Among the changes is the return of a random draw to set the qualifying order, and the elimination of the top-35 qualifying rule. NASCAR
Kahne leads drivers in Talladega qualifying
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Ride or race was the question NASCAR's title contenders are considering as they prepare for Talladega Superspeedway.. The fourth race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup could be the one that shuffles the 12-driver championship field. The use of restrictor plates bunches the field, and
Earnhardt Jr. racing for win at Talladega
Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows exactly what strategy he needs at Talladega Superspeedway.
Still time to get back into NASCAR title hunt
It doesn't take long for the pretenders to be separated from the contenders in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Sometimes, through bad luck or mediocre performance, a driver leaves the Chase opener sentenced to an also-ran status for the remainder of the season.
Hamlin heads home with confidence soaring
There was a noticeable change in Denny Hamlin three years ago when he finally broke through for his first career victory at his home track in Richmond.
Jimmie kisses the bricks — again — at Indy
For the fourth time in his sparkling NASCAR career, Jimmie Johnson wins the prestigious Brickyard 400 on Sunday in Indy.
Allmendinger denies knowingly taking banned drug
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Eager to resolve his suspension for a failed drug test, AJ Allmendinger said Tuesday that he has formally asked NASCAR to test his second urine sample and insisted that he would never "knowingly" take a prohibited substance.. Allmendinger was informed hours before Saturday night's race at Daytona
NASCAR levies big fines for Daytona infraction
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR on Tuesday penalized two championship contenders -- including suspensions for Nationwide Series driver Austin Dillon's team -- for problems found during qualifying at Daytona.. Three-time champion Tony Stewart was docked six points, and crew chief Steve Addington was fined $25,000 because of a cooling hose
Matt Kenseth wins pole at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth has won the pole for the Saturday night race at Daytona International Speedway.. Kenseth turned a lap at 192.386 mph Friday in his Roush Fenway Racing Ford to earn the top starting spot. He's trying to become the first driver since
France keen on improving NASCAR on-track product
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR chairman Brian France wants to stay away from gimmicks when it comes to improving the on-track product.. But make no mistake, France wants to figure out how to ensure NASCAR has the best racing in the world. He just doesn't think that track promoter
Edwards knows team is better than results show
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Success came quickly for Carl Edwards, who won four times and finished third in the championship race in his first full season at NASCAR's top level.. The next year was a disaster. Edwards failed to win a Sprint Cup race, missed the 2006 Chase, and learned it
Roush gives Stenhouse the nod to replace Kenseth
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Roush Fenway Racing has two young drivers in its stable in need of additional seat time.. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. got the nod this week when the organization picked the defending Nationwide Series champion to replace Matt Kenseth in the Sprint Cup Series when Kenseth leaves at the
Sonoma takes over as track where tempers flare
It used to be that short tracks were the guaranteed place for the bumping, banging and blown tempers. It's now shifted to road courses, specifically Sonoma, where more than a few drivers will likely be raging mad by the end of today's race.
Road at Sonoma might be welcoming for Earnhardt
Earnhardt ended his four-year losing streak last weekend at Michigan. He'd been steadily working his way toward Victory Lane all year, the most consistent driver through the first 15 races.
Hendrick credits Letarte for rebuilding Earnhardt
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Rick Hendrick gave little warning to his crew chiefs when he decided to make widespread organizational changes after the 2010 season.. Among the swaps? Moving Steve Letarte away from four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon after five full seasons for a daunting job -- guiding Dale Earnhardt
After low-key party, Junior focused on Sonoma
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Turns out the victory party for Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn't much of a party at all.. Earnhardt snapped a 143-race winless streak at Michigan International Speedway, then celebrated at home in North Carolina with friends and family.. "It was good, we went home and some of
In The Pits: Junior gives a lesson in perseverance
OK, it's just one win. But there is a level of importance to Earnhardt snapping his 143-race losing streak.
Allmendinger anxious to see results
CONCORD, N.C. -- AJ Allmendinger landed the ride of his life when Penske Racing grabbed him during the offseason after Kurt Busch split with the organization.. On paper, it doesn't seem as if Allmendinger has done very much with his golden opportunity.. In the NASCAR garage, everybody knows better.. Allmendinger
Kurt Busch thinks Newman feud is 'WWE-type' action
CONCORD, N.C. -- Kurt Busch thought he and Ryan Newman were friends. He's learned the hard way this week that he was mistaken.. Maybe that's how it goes between drivers looking to lock down jobs for next year?. Busch is once again in the starring role as NASCAR's resident villain
Penske Racing clicking in NASCAR and IndyCar
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It was just a year ago that Penske Racing, or at least its NASCAR branch, appeared to be in total turmoil.. Kurt Busch used a meltdown over his team radio at Richmond to assail all the shortcomings he saw at Penske. It certainly got the attention of
Logano beats Busch at finish of Nationwide
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Joey Logano nipped Kyle Busch at the finish line Saturday to win the Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway to give Toyota its 200th win in NASCAR.. The race was marred by a late accident that sent Eric McClure to an Alabama hospital by helicopter, but NASCAR
Jeff Gordon wins pole at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Jeff Gordon understands winning a pole doesn't mean very much for the big picture.. But after opening this season with a serious slump, the four-time NASCAR champion is embracing all the small victories he can get.. Gordon grabbed the top starting spot for today's race at
Earnhardt closing in on a win, maybe at Talladega
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It has been almost four years since Dale Earnhardt Jr. won a Sprint Cup Series race.. There have been flashes of hope in the humbling drought, and with each one, his rabid fan base holds it breath and prays for that elusive victory. Off to another solid
SMI to knock down some banking at Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Flanked by billboards declaring "Fans Spoke ... We Listened," track operator Bruton Smith unveiled changes Wednesday to Bristol Motor Speedway that he believes will return the excitement to the once-beloved bullring.. "We are modifying what we have, and I really believe we are doing the right
Cue the dramatic music: IndyCar gets ratings bump
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- IndyCar wanted attention in this season of high expectations but failed to get very much for its first two races of the year.. A new car, a manufacturer battle and the best competition in 15 years was supposed to re-energize a dwindling fan base. Instead
Earnhardt off to strong start
Dale Earnhardt Jr. won a career-high six races in 2004 and mounted a decent challenge for the championship. He's not had a year like that since, not even close.
Sadler wins Nationwide Series race at Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Elliott Sadler went 14 years without a victory in the Nationwide Series. Now, he has two in the last three weeks.. Sadler picked up his second victory of the season Saturday when his crew chief left him out on the track on old tires during the final
Kurt Busch hoping to snap streak of bad luck
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- If Kurt Busch had any doubt he's stuck in a run of bad luck, it was probably confirmed when he hit a bird in one of the final practices for the Daytona 500.. "It was like hitting a six-pound bowling ball," he grimaced Saturday.. Alas
Street in St. Petersburg named for Dan Wheldon
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- When Dan Wheldon won the inaugural IndyCar race in his adopted hometown of St. Petersburg, he celebrated hours after the victory by jumping into the Tampa Bay.. That was one of the many memories of Wheldon shared Wednesday after a street was named for the late
Stewart, Kenseth win Daytona qualifying races
Roush Fenway Racing will have three cars at the front of the season-opening Daytona 500. Matt Kenseth won the second of the twin 150-mile qualifying races Thursday with a bold pass of teammate Greg Biffle.
Edwards shows class and dignity in losing title
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Carl Edwards did everything right in his quest to win NASCAR's championship.. He was strong and steady for 10 consecutive weeks, he salvaged solid finishes on the days his Roush Fenway Racing team struggled, and he stood steely in the path of Tony Stewart's unyielding verbal assault
Stewart edges Edwards to win NASCAR championship
Tony Stewart held off Carl Edwards to win his third NASCAR championship with a powerful and relentless drive Sunday in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Edwards qualifies 1st at Homestead, Stewart 15th
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Tony Stewart has run his mouth for almost a month trying to rattle Carl Edwards in the race to NASCAR's championship.. Edwards has tuned it all out, and on Saturday he did his talking on the track.. Edwards won the pole for today's season finale at Homestead
NASCAR chairman defends secret fines
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- NASCAR chairman Brian France defended the policy of fining drivers who make critical comments about the series, and said Friday he saw no benefit in making those penalties public.. The Associated Press on Thursday reported Brad Keselowski was fined $25,000 for critical comments made last week about
Smoke rising toward third NASCAR title
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- When Tony Stewart passed Jimmie Johnson in the outside lane to win at Martinsville Speedway, he'd made, in his mind, a statement that nothing will get in his way of a third NASCAR championship.. He celebrated with a customary victory lap, and as he came around the
With 4 to go, some counting JJ out of contention
It's easy for outsiders to cross Jimmie Johnson off the list of title contenders. They don't work side by side with the five-time defending NASCAR champion every week, and have no idea just how hard it is to beat him.
Martin, Johnson lead solid Hendrick effort at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- For the first time since Dan Wheldon's fatal accident, the focus was back on the race track.
Martin, Johnson lead solid Hendrick effort at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- For the first time since Dan Wheldon's fatal accident, the focus was back on the race track.. Hendrick Motorsports proved Saturday it has the best superspeedway program in NASCAR with a sweep of the front row in qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway.. Mark Martin won the pole with
Wheldon's death returns safety issue to NASCAR forefront
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The death of Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon has sparked safety discussions throughout motorsports just as NASCAR heads to one of the fastest tracks on its circuit.
Wheldon's death returns safety issue to NASCAR forefront
Fast Talladega track sparks even more discussion about dangers of driving
Kurt Busch fending off crew chief distractions
CONCORD, N.C. -- Kurt Busch learned his crew chief was leaving right before NASCAR's title race began two years ago. The impending split never distracted him, and Busch won a race and finished fourth in the final 2009 standings.. He could be forced to do the same thing again this
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