MARK LONG
FILE- Former NASCAR driver and new NHRA team owner Tony Stewart waits for the Top Fuel dragsters to run at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals drag races Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. The 51-year-old Stewart is embarking on his first season as a full-time NHRA driver. He will race a Top Alcohol dragster for McPhillips Racing when the season begins next week with the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)
Hagan takes Tony Stewart to winner's circle in NHRA opener

By Mark Long Mar. 12, 2023 04:51 PM EDT
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tony Stewart ended up in the NHRA winner's circle to start

FILE- Former NASCAR driver and new NHRA team owner Tony Stewart waits for the Top Fuel dragsters to run at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals drag races Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. The 51-year-old Stewart is embarking on his first season as a full-time NHRA driver. He will race a Top Alcohol dragster for McPhillips Racing when the season begins next week with the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP, File)
Stewart follows heart, begins full-time drag-racing career

By Mark Long Mar. 01, 2023 03:13 PM EST
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tony Stewart usually lets guys with families hit the runway

Brad Keselowski climbs into his car during a practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Champs Keselowski, Busch, Truex miss again in Daytona 500

By Mark Long Feb. 19, 2023 08:48 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Brad Keselowski trudged out of the infield care center,

Joey Logano, left, talks to a crew member after a practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Jimmie Johnson tops Daytona 500 practice in return to NASCAR

By Mark Long Feb. 17, 2023 07:15 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Seven-time is officially back. Jimmie

Kyle Busch, second from right, leaves his car to be taken to the infield care center after he crashed during the second of two qualifying auto races for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was evaluated and released from the care center a short time later. (AP Photo/Mike Troxell)
Updated Next Gen car to get real-world test in Daytona 500

By Mark Long Feb. 17, 2023 05:20 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The latest version of NASCAR’s Next Gen car is still

NASCAR Cup Series driver Aric Almirola (10) participates in a qualifying round ahead of a NASCAR exhibition auto race at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Daytona 500 proves elusive for many, even some series champs

By Mark Long Feb. 17, 2023 06:00 AM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Kyle Busch peered at a handful of Powerball tickets left

Bill France, founder of NASCAR, back center, and other founding members are seen in this historical photo displayed in the lobby of the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Friday, Jan 27, 2023. The Streamline Hotel, which opened in 1941 and was recognized as the birthplace of NASCAR because of its history of hosting meetings between drivers and officials, has once again become an icon near the famous beach. (AP Photo/Mark Long)
Streamline Hotel provides glimpse into NASCAR's storied past

By Mark Long Feb. 16, 2023 05:58 AM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Vintage racecars crowded into the parking lot of the

Jimmie Johnson autographs NASCAR memorabilia during Daytona 500 auto race media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Johnson, Pastrana land spots in Daytona 500 as Daly breaks

By Mark Long Feb. 15, 2023 04:34 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Conor Daly’s first call after getting offered a chance to

LAFC's Chico Arango, center left, poses for a photo with NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez, right, after Suarez gave Arango a ride in a pace car ahead of a NASCAR exhibition auto race at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
NASCAR's Suárez signs multiyear deal with Trackhouse Racing

By Mark Long Feb. 15, 2023 09:16 AM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Daniel Suárez has signed a second extension in six months

FILE - Red Farmer (61) goes airborne after hitting a hole on the four-mile Daytona Beach road course during the 100-mile Modified and Sportsmen type stock car race in Daytona Beach, Fla., Feb. 14, 1953. NASCAR marks its 75th year in 2023, recalling both its highs and lows. (AP Photo/James P. Kerlin, File)
NASCAR 75: Car evolution includes stock, wings, safety. EV?

By Mark Long Feb. 15, 2023 06:00 AM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR’s next 75 years almost certainly will include at

FILE - NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain speaks during the NASCAR Championship media day, Nov. 3, 2022, in Phoenix. NASCAR has essentially banned the “Hail Melon” video-game move driver Ross Chastain used at Martinsville Speedway to race his way into the championship finale. (AP Photo/Matt York, FILE)
NASCAR bans Chastain's wall-hugging move at Martinsville

By Mark Long Jan. 31, 2023 04:10 PM EST
NASCAR has essentially banned the “Hail Melon” video-game move driver Ross Chastain

Frankie Muniz, an actor, musician and writer, walks on the red carpet at the River Centre in St. Paul, Minn., Sunday, July 17, 2016. Muniz, best known for his leading role in “Malcolm in the Middle," is planning to compete full time as a race car driver. He will drive the No. 30 Ford for Rette Jones Racing in the ARCA Menards Series (Isaac Hale/Star Tribune via AP)
Frankie Muniz, best known as 'Malcolm,' starts NASCAR career

By Mark Long Jan. 13, 2023 03:23 PM EST
There might be a reboot on the horizon for actor Frankie Muniz, one aptly titled

FILE - Chris Buescher (17), Daniel Suarez (99), Denny Hamlin (11), Justin Haley (31), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47), Aric Almirola (10) and others get involved in a multi-car accident between Turns 1 and 2 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway on Aug. 28, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. The most meticulously designed and intently controlled racecar in NASCAR history leveled the field in 2022. The so-called Next Gen car resulted in 19 different winners over 36 races and laded two guys their first shot at a championship in the season finale. (AP Photo/David Graham, File)
Next Gen car leveled NASCAR field in 2022, possibly beyond

By Mark Long Dec. 27, 2022 11:32 AM EST
The most meticulously designed and intently controlled racecar in NASCAR history

Austin Dillon walks away from his car on pit road after a thunderstorm caused a red flag stoppage during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Dillon, Blaney nab last playoff spots at rain-soaked Daytona

By Mark Long Aug. 28, 2022 04:38 PM EDT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Austin Dillon's wife was doing a rain dance during a

Landon Cassill (10), Matt Mills (78) and Blaine Perkins, right, collide in Turn 3 during a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Chilton)
Clements wins at crash-filled Daytona, reaches postseason

By Mark Long Aug. 27, 2022 01:46 AM EDT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jeremy Clements won a crash-filled Xfinity Series race at

Daniel Suarez answers questions from reporters during a media availability before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Daniel Suarez returning to Trackhouse Racing next season

By Mark Long Aug. 26, 2022 05:28 PM EDT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Daniel Suarez says he was never concerned about his racing

Aric Almirola pulls in for a pit stop during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Keselowski, 14 others vying for last 2 NASCAR playoff spots

By Mark Long Aug. 26, 2022 10:50 AM EDT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Brad Keselowski likes his chances at Daytona International

Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, heads down the main straightaway during the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 29, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
An Indy 500 ending to forget for 6-time series champ Dixon

By Mark Long May. 29, 2022 05:20 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Scott Dixon answered a few questions and started to trudge down

Tyrone Garrison plugs in a semi that is battery operated at the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 20, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indy 500 waves green flag on sustainability with lofty goals

By Mark Long May. 28, 2022 04:15 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Parked a few feet from the iconic pagoda at Indianapolis Motor

Alex Palou, of Spain, climbs into his car before qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
High-speed art: Indy 500 driver helmets styled to stand out

By Mark Long May. 27, 2022 02:43 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Stefan Wilson’s first racing helmet was a hand-me-down from his