MARK LONG
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

Conor Daly waits for his crew to ready his car during practice for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Friday, May 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pranks, practical jokes turn Indy paddock into silly season

By Mark Long May. 26, 2022 06:00 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Alexander Rossi knows everything and is divulging nothing.

Harrison Burton, right, flips as he wrecks on the backstretch as Christopher Bell, left, and Ross Chastain try but are unable to avoid the crash during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chuck McQuinn)
Double-digit skids continue for 0-for-evers in Daytona 500

By Mark Long Feb. 20, 2022 08:31 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Aric Almirola parked his No. 10 Ford during a brief red

Harrison Burton (21) flips over as he crashes with Denny Hamlin, left, and Alex Bowman (48) on the backstretch during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Don Howard)
Hamlin's chase for 4th Daytona 500 win ends with early crash

By Mark Long Feb. 20, 2022 05:15 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin became a

NASCAR driver Jesse Iwuji poses with the No. 34 Chevrolet Camaro SS he will drive in the upcoming 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. Iwuji will run his first full season in NASCAR with backing from Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and General Motors.(Garry Eller/HHP for Chevy Racing via AP)
Put me in, Coach! Gibbs gets top ride on grandfather's team

By Mark Long Feb. 18, 2022 12:41 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Put me in, Coach! Ty Gibbs is stepping into

Greg Biffle talks with reporters during NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Greg Biffle races into Daytona 500 after 5-year hiatus

By Mark Long Feb. 17, 2022 03:52 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Greg Biffle grabbed a seat on stage and flexed a bicep as

Brad Keselowski prepares for a NASCAR Cup Series auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
'We're going to be timid': Parts shortage shadows Daytona

By Mark Long Feb. 16, 2022 02:11 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR’s qualifying races likely will be tamer than normal

Kyle Busch drives during a qualifying session at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. NASCAR will stage an exhibition auto race Sunday at the Coliseum. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Elusive Daytona 500 'top of the to-do list' for Kyle Busch

By Mark Long Feb. 16, 2022 02:46 AM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Kyle Busch makes no excuses for his Daytona 500 failures.

Brad Keselowski gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Heavy heart: Keselowski trying to honor late dad at Daytona

By Mark Long Feb. 15, 2022 05:13 PM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Brad Keselowski climbed out of his battered race car at

Joe Logano (22) races ahead of Kyle Busch (18) during a NASCAR exhibition auto race at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
'Next Gen' car modernizes NASCAR, potentially levels field

By Mark Long Feb. 15, 2022 02:46 AM EST
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR was long overdue to revamp its aging, arguably

Joey Logano (22) leads a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the end of the second stage as Austin Dillon (3), William Byron (24), Tyler Reddick (8) and Kyle Larson (5) follow at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Reddick lands NASCAR's final playoff spot despite crash

By Mark Long Aug. 29, 2021 03:09 PM EDT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Tyler Reddick parked his taped-together Chevrolet on

Ryan Blaney celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Blaney wins at Daytona, Reddick earns final playoff berth

By Mark Long Aug. 28, 2021 11:14 PM EDT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — For all the potential outcomes that could have