NASCAR

11:13 PM ET Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Brad Keselowski entered NASCAR’s playoffs certain he has as good a chance at the Cup championship as favorites Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin. He even predicted he’d win at Richmond Raceway. His confidence was correct as Keselowski indeed won Saturday night at Richmond, the second playoff race,

5:02 PM ET Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Justin Allgaier saw a more than nine-second lead evaporate when a late caution flag flew, but he pulled away again on a restart with 13 laps to go to complete a sweep of a NASCAR Xfinity series doubleheader weekend at Richmond Raceway on Saturday. Allgaier, who lost

9:48 PM ET Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Justin Allgaier gave up the lead, bided his time and then took it back. Allgaier caught front-running Justin Haley with 29 laps to go Friday night and held him off the rest of the way to win the NASCAR Xfinity race at Richmond Raceway, giving him his

10:00 AM ET ESPN Betting Insiders The NASCAR playoffs began last week, with Kevin Harvick‘s victory in the Southern 500, and will continue with the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET). Who will take the checkered flag? Senior writer Ryan McGee and editor Scott Symmes offer their best bets.

10:52 PM ET Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Grant Enfinger bounced back from a tire rub that dropped him well back in the field and rallied to win the NASCAR truck race at Richmond Raceway on Thursday night. Enfinger took the lead with seven laps to go, passing reigning champion Matt Crafton for his third

1:30 PM ET NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace will be leaving Richard Petty Motorsports after the 2020 season, he announced on social media Thursday. “This was not an easy decision as I have nothing but the utmost respect for Richard Petty and his family, but I believe it’s time for someone else to take over the

11:09 AM ET Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson will transition from NASCAR to IndyCar with Chip Ganassi Racing in a partnership that could pair two of the most dominant drivers of this generation on one team. The seven-time NASCAR champion will work with the Ganassi organization to finalize sponsorship on a two-year program

7:27 PM ET Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer will be without their crew chiefs for Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway. Both crew chiefs will be serving one-race NASCAR suspensions after Busch and Bowyer finished Sunday’s race at Darlington with two lug nuts that were either loose or missing completely. Busch and

11:07 PM ET Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. — There was no doubt which of his two Darlington Raceway victories this year Kevin Harvick enjoyed more. “The first thing I want to say is, ‘Welcome back fans! This is a hell of a lot more fun with you guys up there,” he told the crowd Saturday

5:04 PM ET Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. — Ben Rhodes moved to the front when he stayed out instead of pitting during overtime and held on for his first Truck Series win in two years on Sunday. Sheldon Creed, who came in after winning two of the past three races, was cruising in front with

4:15 PM ET Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. — Ryan Blaney was penalized 10 points and sent to the back of the field before NASCAR’s first playoff race on Sunday. Blaney’s car was found to have improperly mounted ballast. Blaney’s crew chief, Todd Gordon, was also suspended for the Southern 500 at Darlington. Blaney’s owner, Team

4:29 PM ET Associated Press DARLINGTON, S.C. — Brandon Jones played it out in his mind over and over as he drove behind leaders Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain. When the moment arrived, Jones was ready to pounce. Jones swept past leaders Chastain and Hamlin two laps from the end to win the Xfinity Series

8:41 PM ET Associated Press Clint Bowyer was as puzzled as anyone last May returning to Darlington Raceway about whether NASCAR could handle a pandemic. He remembers seeing scores of people camping out at a dragstrip not far from the South Carolina racetrack — “Packed to the gills with people in the pit area,” he

10:00 AM ET ESPN Betting Insiders After William Byron picked up his first career Cup Series win in the final race of the regular season last weekend, the NASCAR playoffs begin with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday (6 p.m. ET). Who will take the checkered flag? Editor Scott Symmes and

4:32 PM ET Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has decided it will not grant COVID-19 relief during the playoffs, meaning a positive coronavirus test will end a driver’s championship bid. The playoffs begin Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina without a safety net for the 16 participants during the pandemic. It’s up to

3:46 PM ET Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. — William Byron, fresh off his first career Cup Series victory, now has a contract extension through 2022 at Hendrick Motorsports. The extension was finalized in early August and announced Tuesday, just days after Byron’s win at Daytona International Speedway earned him a berth in NASCAR’s playoffs. “I’m

4:21 PM ET Associated Press MADISON, Ill. — Sheldon Creed beat Sam Mayer on a restart with 13 laps to go Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway to win his third Truck Series race of the season and a $100,000 bonus. Creed’s victory pushed his bonus earnings to $150,000 this year in the Triple Truck

1:42 PM ET Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Long after a fireworks extravaganza lit up Daytona International Speedway and well after William Byron and his Hendrick Motorsports team ended their celebration in victory lane, Jimmie Johnson found a moment to reflect. On his night. On his emotions. On his legacy. He pretty much covered