Denny Hamlin
FILE - Aric Almirola celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the first of two qualifying NASCAR auto races for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR veteran Almirola will retire from competition at the end of the 2022 season to spend more time with his young family. Almirola revealed his plans Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, to the employees at Stewart-Haas Racing at the same time Smithfield Foods announced its 11th season sponsoring the driver. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
NASCAR veteran Aric Almirola to retire at end of 2022 season

By Jenna Fryer Jan. 10, 2022 09:55 AM EST

Series champions Ben Rhodes, third from left; Kyle Larson, center; and Daniel Hemric, third from right, join the hosts on stage at the end of the NASCAR Awards on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
NASCAR's love of Nashville creates energized celebration

By Jenna Fryer Dec. 04, 2021 10:36 AM EST

Kyle Larson celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race and championship on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Praise pours in for Kyle Larson following first NASCAR title

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 08, 2021 02:57 AM EST

Chase Elliott leads the field during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Elliott's bid for second championship comes up short

By John Marshall Nov. 07, 2021 08:26 PM EST

From left to right, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Martin Truex Jr. pose before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Hamlin falls short one again at JGR for NASCAR championship

By Dan Gelston Nov. 07, 2021 08:00 PM EST

Kyle Larson is introduced to the fans before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Larson wraps up comeback season with 1st NASCAR title

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 07, 2021 07:02 PM EST

Daniel Hemric celebrates after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. Hemric won the season title. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Hemric snatches Xfinity Series title as Gibbs wins a title

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 06, 2021 11:45 PM EDT

Kyle Larson walks after winning the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix

Nov. 06, 2021 08:23 PM EDT

Driver Kyle Larson speaks during media day ahead of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Larson tops teammate Elliott for NASCAR championship pole

By Dan Gelston Nov. 06, 2021 08:07 PM EDT

Fans cheer Chandler Smith (18) as he enters Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Truck Series auto race Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
NASCAR basks in Phoenix glow of full championship experience

By Dan Gelston Nov. 06, 2021 02:24 PM EDT

Driver Denny Hamlin speaks during media day ahead of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
NASCAR championship pits best at Hendrick vs. best at Gibbs

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 06, 2021 02:08 PM EDT

Austin Cindric, center, speaks during media day ahead of Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Cup Series championship auto race Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Allmendingers ready to reign as 1st family of racing, runway

By Dan Gelston Nov. 05, 2021 01:32 PM EDT

Driver Chase Elliott speaks during media day ahead of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series championship auto race on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Champ Elliott: NASCAR star goes for 2nd Cup championship

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 05, 2021 02:33 AM EDT

Driver Chase Elliott speaks during media day ahead of Sunday's NASCAR championship auto race on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Hamlin thriving amid chaos as he chases first NASCAR title

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 04, 2021 07:55 PM EDT

FILE - NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. walks to his car before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, May 30, 2021. The NASCAR championship will pit Rick Hendrick against Joe Gibbs as both team owners put a pair of drivers in the final four. Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson will represent Hendrick in a pair of Chevrolets. Gibbs will field Toyotas for Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)
Truex quietly chases 2nd NASCAR Cup championship at Phoenix

By Dan Gelston Nov. 04, 2021 06:29 PM EDT

FILE - Kyle Larson (5) poses in victory lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Nashville Superspeedway, Sunday, June 20, 2021, in Lebanon, Tenn. Rick Hendrick, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history, is sending Kyle Larson and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott to Phoenix Raceway next Sunday in search of a 14th title for mighty Hendrick Motorsports. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Larson seeks to cap comeback season with NASCAR championship

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 04, 2021 02:23 AM EDT

Alex Bowman (48) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
NASCAR's Bowman drives on, shrugs off Hamlin 'hack' label

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 02, 2021 05:02 PM EDT

FILER - Denny Hamlin walks pit row during a rain delay in a NASCAR Cup series auto race Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Talladega, Ala. Long recognized alongside Mark Martin as the greatest NASCAR driver to never win a championship, Hamlin has a fifth try Sunday to at long last grab that elusive Cup title. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Column: Time for Hamlin to put up or shut up in title race

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 01, 2021 01:38 PM EDT

FILE - Martin Truex Jr. smiles in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, April 11, 2021. Rick Hendrick, the winningest team owner in NASCAR history, is sending Kyle Larson and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott to Phoenix Raceway next Sunday in search of a 14th title for mighty Hendrick Motorsports. Joe Gibbs, a member of both the NASCAR and NFL Hall of Fames, will counter with Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville

Nov. 01, 2021 11:47 AM EDT

FILE - Denny Hamlin sits in his race car prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. Long recognized alongside Mark Martin as the greatest NASCAR driver to never win a championship, Hamlin has a fifth try Sunday to at long last grab that elusive Cup title. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix

Nov. 01, 2021 11:27 AM EDT