Mario Andretti
FILE - In this May 17, 2020, file photo, the grandstands are empty at Darlington Raceway before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Darlington, S.C. Darlington Raceway officials are excited about hosting the first of two scheduled NASCAR weekends, something the track hadn’t featured since 2004. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Darlington Raceway set for first of 2 NASCAR weekends

By Pete Iacobelli May. 06, 2021 04:41 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 24, 1981, file photo, Bobby Unser holds three fingers aloft after winning his third Indianapolis 500 auto race ,in Indianapolis, Ind. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser has died. He died of natural causes at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sunday, May 2, 2021. He was 87. (AP Photo/File)
Bobby Unser, 87, Indy 500 champ in great racing family, dies

By Jenna Fryer May. 03, 2021 12:04 PM EDT

The car of driver Ed Jones is towed to the garage after a multiple-car wreck at the beginning of an IndyCar Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
O'Ward gets 1st IndyCar win at Texas after big 1st-lap crash

By Stephen Hawkins May. 02, 2021 08:02 PM EDT

Brad Keselowski crosses the start/finish line as he heads down a straightaway during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, May 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Busch celebrates birthday with win at Kansas Speedway

By Dave Skretta May. 02, 2021 06:46 PM EDT

Scott Dixon fires a pair of six-shooters after winning the IndyCar Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Dixon wins IndyCar at Texas again ahead of rookie McLaughlin

By Stephen Hawkins May. 01, 2021 09:25 PM EDT

Colton Herta prepares for testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Colton Herta matches dad, grabs pole in tight IndyCar field

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 24, 2021 03:57 PM EDT

FILE - Race driver Alexander Rossi waits for the start of practice for the IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, in this Friday, July 3, 2020, file photo. Alexander Rossi doesn't mince words about last season, when Andretti Autosport won just one race as an organization. "I just think we sucked globally," he said of the effort. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Michael Andretti builds different racing name as team owner

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 22, 2021 07:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 25, 1997, file photo, John Andretti, left, grins as his wife Nancy hugs his father Aldo after the younger Andretti won the pole for the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Mario Andretti feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew John lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother Aldo and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
Andretti navigates personal loss, loneliness of pandemic

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 19, 2021 07:13 PM EDT

FILE - Driver Scott Dixon, left, and team owner Chip Ganassi celebrate after winning the NTT IndyCar Series Championship following an IndyCar auto race in St. Petersburg, Fla., in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. The upcoming IndyCar season will be headlined by the six-time IndyCar champion. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson, File)
Scott Dixon seeks motorsports milestone 7th championship

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 16, 2021 07:29 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Apr. 01, 2021 12:58 PM EDT
April 3 1930 — The Montreal Canadiens win the NHL Stanley Cup with a two-game sweep of the Boston Bruins. 1933 — Ken...

Kyle Larson celebra tras ganar la NASCAR Cup Series en Lasa Vegas el domingo 7 de mar
Kyle Larson celebrates return with 1st win since suspension

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 07, 2021 08:12 PM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Feb. 25, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Feb. 26 1935 — Babe Ruth is released by the New York Yankees and signed by the Boston Braves. 1938 — Glenn Cunningham...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 18, 2021 12:51 PM EST
Feb. 24 1960 — Bill Cleary’s four goals lead the United States to a 9-1 victory over West Germany in the hockey championship round of the...

FILE - Marco Andretti walks in the pits during the final practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in this Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, file photo. Marco Andretti will not run a full IndyCar schedule in 2021 as last year’s Indianapolis 500 pole-winner said he’s reprioritizing his racing. He’s still expected to compete in the Indy 500.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Marco Andretti to step back from full-time IndyCar racing

By Jenna Fryer Jan. 15, 2021 03:01 PM EST

Scott Dixon kisses his wife Emma Davies after winning the NTT IndyCar Series Championship following an IndyCar auto race Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Newgarden wins IndyCar finale but can't deny Dixon 6th title

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 25, 2020 05:22 PM EDT

Joey Logano celebrates in victory lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
AUTO RACING: NASCAR heads to Texas as finale draws near

By The Associated Press Oct. 21, 2020 03:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, file photo, team owner Chip Ganassi, left, and 2003 IRL champion Scott Dixon, right, celebrate following the IRL Chevy 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Ganassi knew Dixon as a quiet kid in a paddock full of superstars when he hired him four races into the 2002 season. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
Column: Quiet and calm Dixon closes in on 6th IndyCar title

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 19, 2020 06:02 PM EDT

Josef Newgarden leads Jack Harvey, of England, into a turn an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Dixon's struggles open door to Newgarden for IndyCar title

By Michael Marot Oct. 04, 2020 12:25 PM EDT

Alexander Rossi drives through a turn during an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Power goes wire to wire for Indy win as Newgarden closes gap

By Michael Marot Oct. 03, 2020 11:50 AM EDT

Josef Newgarden steers his car during a practice session for an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Dixon, Honda look to wrap up IndyCar titles at Indianapolis

By Michael Marot Oct. 01, 2020 07:22 PM EDT