Social issues
FILE - Ernie Francis Jr. is introduced before an SRX Series auto race Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Ernie Francis Jr. has been hired to drive in Indy Lights this season in a move that could promote him into IndyCar as part of the series’ Race for Equality & Change initiative. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Francis Jr. to race Indy Lights, eyes spot in IndyCar

By Jenna Fryer Jan. 27, 2022 01:14 PM EST

Britain's Andy Murray hits a backhand to Reilly Opelka of the United States during their match at the Sydney Tennis Classic in Sydney, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP Image via AP)
Unlike other sports stars, Andy Murray won't play in Saudi

By Rob Harris Jan. 14, 2022 12:14 PM EST

FILE - Four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Al Unser, poses with the Borg-Warner Trophy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Al Unser was the third member of one of America’s most-accomplished racing families to die in 2021, following his older brother Bobby, a three-time Indy champion, and Bobby Unser Jr. Al Unser was one of four drivers who won the Indy 500 a record four times, with victories in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
Aaron, Elder overcame hate to achieve records, milestones

By Bernie Wilson Dec. 27, 2021 03:41 PM EST

FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron holds aloft the ball he hit for his 715th career home in Atlanta. Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth but went on to break the career home run record in the pre-steroids era, died early Jan. 22, 2021. He was 86. (AP Photo, File)
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2021

By Bernard Mcghee Dec. 10, 2021 01:48 PM EST

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber performs at a concert marking the end of Formula One, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Justin Bieber performs at Saudi F1 race after boycott calls

Dec. 06, 2021 03:32 AM EST

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco in action during practice session for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jiddah, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Hamilton fastest in both practices ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

Dec. 03, 2021 09:46 AM EST

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson poses with the NASCAR Cup Series championship trophy in front of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, two days after winning the series championship in Avondale, Ariz. Larson toured Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday, the first driver to get an up-close look at what NASCAR plans when it shifts to the season-opening exhibition Busch Clash Feb. 6 on a purpose-built track inside the Coliseum. Larson, as the champion, is the only driver locked into the field so far.(AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
Larson comes full circle with Hendrick in winning 1st title

By Jenna Fryer Dec. 02, 2021 03:11 PM EST

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain arrives at the Formula One corniche circuit, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. The F1 race, which will take place from Dec. 3-5, will be the first time Saudi Arabia hosts the premier sporting event. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Sister of man imprisoned in Saudi Arabia writes to Hamilton

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 02, 2021 10:58 AM EST

A man runs in front of a Formula One countdown clock on the corniche walkway in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. The Formula One race takes place from Dec. 3-5 along the Red Sea city of Jiddah's coast, marking the first time the premier sporting event is held in Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi critic's fiancee urges Justin Bieber to cancel F1 show

By Aya Batrawy Nov. 21, 2021 04:31 AM EST

A general view of the Al Thumama Stadium is seen during official inauguration ceremony in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 The stadium will be one of the venueas for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
A year to go, Qatar World Cup still feels heat of scrutiny

By Rob Harris Nov. 20, 2021 11:09 PM EST

FILE - This photo provided by Sayed ahmed Alwadaei, Director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), shows a drawing made in 2020 of Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton's racing car by 11-year-old Ahmed, with an appeal for help in saving his father from execution. Hamilton, the seven-time F1 champion, said Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, that Formula One is “duty bound” to raise awareness of human rights issues as the series closes its season in the Middle East. (Ahmed/BIRD via AP, File)
Hamilton: F1 'duty bound' to raise awareness of human rights

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 18, 2021 01:12 PM EST

Man convicted in Virginia rally death in 2017 loses appeal

Nov. 16, 2021 07:54 PM EST
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Ohio man sent to prison for driving his car into a crowd of counterprotesters during a white nationalist rally in Virginia four years...

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2016, file photo, Richard Spencer, who leads a movement that mixes racism, white nationalism and populism, speaks at the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas. A trial is beginning in Charlottesville, Virginia to determine whether white nationalists who planned the so-called “Unite the Right” rally will be held civilly responsible for the violence that erupted. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Woman recalls total 'terror' of Charlottesville car attack

By Denise Lavoie Nov. 08, 2021 02:41 PM EST

Fans attend a NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Column: NASCAR ends season with new champions, new energy

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 08, 2021 02:09 PM 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

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

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 02:24 AM 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

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, leads Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, during the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Hamilton-Verstappen rivalry is F1's best duel in years

By Jim Vertuno Nov. 03, 2021 02:49 AM EDT

Alex Bowman (48) leads the field during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Bowman wins as tension builds ahead of NASCAR title race

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 31, 2021 06:30 PM EDT