NASCAR - Chattanooga Times Free Press

NASCAR 2021 preview: New teams, new tracks, new energy

NASCAR's 2021 Cup Series schedule is still more than a week away from the season-opening Daytona 500, but that hasn't kept broadcast partner Fox from engaging in a little marketing hyperbole. "Best Season Ever" will take some time to truly be earned, though.

By JENNA FRYER / The Associated Press February 3, 2021

AP photo by Ralph Freso / Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott holds up the NASCAR Cup Series 2020 season championship trophy as he celebrates after winning on Nov. 8 at Phoenix Raceway.

Nashville Superspeedway rebrands ahead of Cup Series race in June

Nashville Superspeedway has undergone a rebranding campaign ahead of a NASCAR tripleheader in June that includes the track's inaugural Cup Series race.

By Associated Press December 9, 2020

AP photo by Mark Humphrey / NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick takes the checkered flag at the finish line to win the Nashville 300 on April 3, 2010, at Nashville Superspeedway in Gladeville, Tenn. NASCAR is set to return to the track in 2021.

Georgia’s Chase Elliott wins first NASCAR Cup Series championship

The new face of NASCAR circled Phoenix Raceway for a celebratory lap of his finest achievement.

By JENNA FRYER / The Associated Press November 8, 2020

AP photo by Ralph Freso / Chase Elliott holds up the NASCAR Cup Series championship trophy for the 2020 season as he celebrates with his crew in victory lane at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. Elliott won the race and the title despite going from pole position to the rear of the field when his car failed inspection before the finale.

NASCAR Cup Series title contenders set for Sunday showdown

Four drivers will battle for the season championship at Phoenix Raceway, and while Kevin Harvick surprisingly won't be one of them, the most dominant driver this year could certainly be a factor in the race.

By JENNA FRYER / The Associated Press November 6, 2020

AP photo by Nell Redmond / From left, NASCAR Cup Series drivers Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski race on Oct. 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Those three drivers and Joey Logano are eligible for the title in Sunday's season finale at Phoenix Raceway, with the championship going to the one with the best finish in the desert.

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team partners with Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota

Michael Jordan expects to field a winning team when 23XI Racing begins NASCAR competition next season.

By JENNA FRYER / The Associated Press October 31, 2020

Toyota Racing photo via AP / NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and basketball legend Michael Jordan have partnered to form 23XI racing, which will run the No. 23 Toyota Camry in Cup Series competition next year in its debut season.

NASCAR: Kyle Larson will return in 2021 with Hendrick Motorsports

Kyle Larson signed a multiyear contract Wednesday with Hendrick that ended his seven-month banishment from NASCAR for using a racial slur while competing online in a virtual race this past spring.

By JENNA FRYER / The Associated Press October 28, 2020

AP photo by Terry Renna / Kyle Larson, reinstated by NASCAR last week after being suspended for months due to his use of a racial slur, has landed a ride with Hendrick Motorsports for the 2021 Cup Series season.

NASCAR playoffs rained out for third consecutive day at Texas

NASCAR will make a fourth attempt to complete its playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway on Wednesday after persistent mist and cold temperatures continued the long delay.

By Associated Press October 27, 2020

Drying trucks continue to prepare the track for a possible NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. The race was stopped on Sunday because of drizzle and misty conditions that allowed drivers to complete just 52 of 334 laps. Another 115 laps have to be completed to get to the halfway mark of 167 laps that would make Texas an official race. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

NASCAR’s Cup playoff at misty Texas put on hold another day

The NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Texas was pushed back yet another day without drivers completing any more laps Monday.

By STEPHEN HAWKINS / The Associaed Press October 26, 2020

Drying trucks continue to dry the track in an attempt to get it ready for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race after morning rain prevented the 9 a.m. rescheduled start at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

Weather delays, then postpones NASCAR Cup Series race to Monday

The NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway was postponed Sunday night after 52 laps on a misty day in which the conditions slowly deteriorated to drizzle.

By SCHUYLER DIXON / The Associated Press October 25, 2020

Josef Newgarden wins IndyCar finale, can’t deny Scott Dixon sixth series title

Scott Dixon controlled his own fate and simply needed a smooth Sunday drive to win a sixth IndyCar championship.

By JENNA FRYER / The Associated Press October 25, 2020

More in NASCAR, page 98