STEVE REED
NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth arrives at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where he will be inducted in the 2023 class at the ceremony in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
2-time Daytona 500 winner Kenseth inducted into Hall of Fame

By Steve Reed Jan. 20, 2023 01:07 PM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Two-time Daytona 500 champion Matt Kenseth finally reached the

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 29, 2022, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Coca-Cola 600 long, unpredictable and immensely entertaining

By Steve Reed May. 30, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — The Coca-Cola 600 was many things — excruciatingly long, wildly

Kyle Busch (18), William Byron (24) and Tyler Reddick (8) compete to the finish line during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 29, 2022, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Hamlin holds off Busch in OT in wild Coca-Cola 600

By Steve Reed May. 30, 2022 12:19 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — This was the one race Denny Hamlin has been dreaming about.

Hamlin takes pole for Coca-Cola 600; Larson starts in back

By Steve Reed May. 28, 2022 09:11 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — If Kyle Larson hopes to repeat as Coca-Cola 600 champion, he’ll

The pit crew of Josh Berry celebrates winning a NASCAR Xfinity auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 28, 2022, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Berry outduels Allgaier to win Xfinity race at Charlotte

By Steve Reed May. 28, 2022 05:12 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Josh Berry outdueled teammate Justin Allgaier to give JR

Bubba Wallace, right, pours a drink on Ryan Blaney in Victory Lane after Blaney won the NASCAR All-Star auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Hot Ticket: NASCAR hub gets sellout for Memorial Day weekend

By Steve Reed May. 28, 2022 02:12 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR is very much still a hot ticket in its Charlotte hub.

Kyle Larson stands in pit row during qualifying for the NASCAR All-Star Race auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, May 21, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Deja vu? Larson hopes Coca-Cola 600 can ignite run to title

By Steve Reed May. 27, 2022 11:00 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Larson is hoping a return to victory lane Sunday at the

FILE - In this Saturday, July 18, 2009, file photo, Hershel McGriff stands next to his car at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Ore. McGriff was elected to NASCAR's Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 4 2022. (Ross William Hamilton/The Oregonian via AP, File)
Kenseth, McGriff and Shelmerdine join NASCAR Hall of Fame

By Steve Reed May. 04, 2022 05:29 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matt Kenseth was doing yardwork when wife Katie came outside

NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Dale Earnhardt Jr., right, and Kyle Petty smile prior to the induction ceremony Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
Earnhardt brings Junior Nation into NASCAR Hall of Fame

By Steve Reed Jan. 21, 2022 08:19 PM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. was voted NASCAR’s most popular driver a

Ryan Newman makes a pit stop during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, July, 11, 2021, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)
With eye on legacy, Keselowski buys a stake in Roush Fenway

By Steve Reed Jul. 20, 2021 11:00 AM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Brad Keselowski is ready to begin the “next evolution”

Driver Denny Hamlin, right, talks to Rick Hendrick before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, May 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Larson gives Hendrick record-breaking win at Coca-Cola 600

By Steve Reed May. 30, 2021 07:35 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — The first thing Rick Hendrick thought about as Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson fist bumps a member of his crew after qualifying in pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 29, 2021 in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Hendrick eyes all-time Cup Series win record at Charlotte

By Steve Reed May. 29, 2021 12:19 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Those who’ve been around Hendrick Motorsports over the

Panthers' McCaffrey eager to drive pace car at Coca-Cola 600

By Steve Reed May. 25, 2021 08:53 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey is used to going fast on the

FILE - In this Feb, 8, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson climbs into his car as he gets ready for a NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Despite being suspended for six months for the use of a racial slur, Kyle Larson remains a popular figure in dirt track racing. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Larson still popular on dirt tracks, despite racial slur

By Steve Reed Nov. 10, 2020 03:25 PM EST
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Donald Reed drove more than seven hours to North Carolina

Driver Tyler Ankrum waits for the start of a NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Tuesday, May 26, 2020 in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Elliott ends Busch's win streak, collects $100,000 bounty

By Steve Reed May. 26, 2020 10:45 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Chase Elliott gained a measure of revenge against Kyle

Ross Chastain waits for the start of a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Monday, May 25, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Busch passes Cindric in OT to win Xfinity race at Charlotte

By Steve Reed May. 25, 2020 11:05 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch passed Austin Cindric on the final lap in

Kurt Busch (1) leads the pack as the green flag is waved at the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday, May 24, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
No fans, no problem: Some Coca-Cola 600 fans turn out anyway

By Steve Reed May. 24, 2020 07:25 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Chris “Pops” Bowyer sat in a lawn chair wearing a plain

View from a condominium at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Fans aren't allowed to watch NASCAR races live yet due to the coronavirus restrictions -- unless you happen to own a condominium at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The condos at the track create a unique loophole in the rules where owners who live there -- and four of their friends or family -- will be able to watch the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday from the comfort of their trackside condos. (AP Photo/Steve Reed)
Best seats at the track: Race viewing from comfort of condo

By Steve Reed May. 22, 2020 03:21 PM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Robin Trivette is a popular person this week with the Coca

Martin Truex Jr. celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, May 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Four-wide pass lifts Truex to second Coca-Cola 600 victory

By Steve Reed May. 27, 2019 02:06 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Maybe it should be called the four-wide slide.

Kyle Busch covers his ears as he looks out of the garage before practice for Sunday's NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 Cup series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Thursday, May 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Most drivers want NASCAR's longest race to remain 600 miles

By Steve Reed May. 25, 2019 08:54 AM EDT
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — With a furrowed brow NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip scoffed at