NASCAR appeal officer upholds decision to revoke Austin Dillon's playoff berth after win at Richmond
Austin Dillonโs overly aggressive victory at Richmond Raceway wonโt land him a spot in the Cup Series playoffs.
NASCAR regular-season title and playoff spots at stake down the stretch at Daytona and Darlington
NASCAR has just two races remaining in the regular season and a pair of competitions are on the line.
Tyler Reddick wins rain-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Michigan, his 2nd victory of 2024
Tyler Reddick took the lead on a restart in the second overtime to win at Michigan International Speedway, opening up another spot for a driver in NASCARโs playoffs.
NASCAR Cup race at Michigan suspended until Monday after rain, rain wouldn't go away
NASCAR suspended the FireKeepers 400 until Monday, running out of time Sunday to run a race that was delayed and interrupted by rain.
NASCAR revokes Dillon's playoff eligibility; driver keeps controversial Richmond win
NASCAR has ruled that Austin Dillonโs win at Richmond Raceway will not count toward eligibility for the Cup Series playoffs.
Dillon spins Logano on final lap, prevails in overtime at Richmond for first victory in 2 years
Austin Dillon raced to his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in nearly two years, sending Joey Logano into a spin on the final lap to win in overtime at Richmond.
Joey Logano, Michael McDowell lead Ford sweep of Daytona 500 front row. Hendrick is locked out
Ford has swept the front row in qualifying for the Daytona 500 with former race winners Joey Logano and Michael McDowell shocking powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports.
Kyle Busch and Richard Childress, once enemies, now winning NASCAR combination
Richard Childress and Kyle Busch were hardly on good terms 12 years ago, when they got into a fight after a Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway.
Buescher wins Bristol; Harvick, Busch, RCR out of playoffs
Chris Buescher closed out a bizarre first round of NASCARโs playoffs in which none of the title contenders won a race by becoming the 19th winner this season with his victory Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Busch leaving Gibbs, Toyota to drive for Childress in 2023
Kyle Busch will move to Richard Childress Racing next season, ending a 15-year career with Joe Gibbs Racing because the team could not come to terms with NASCARโs only active multiple Cup champion.
Wallace holds off boss, title contenders to win at Kansas
Bubba Wallace won his second career NASCAR Cup Series race and denied the playoff field of an automatic spot in the next round for the second straight week when he held off championship contenders Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell to win at Kansas Speedway.
Martinsville: Byron races to NASCAR Cup-leading 2nd victory
William Byron took the lead on pit road after Stage 2 pit stops and held it pretty much the rest of the way at Martinsville Speedway to become the first repeat winner this season in NASCARโs Cup Series.
![Keselowski seeks another title round in final Penske season](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/RCXRCN39mV0VlOB-8BhJxywTYds=/800x548/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4TNOTD6LHVDZRKWCVY4C22JDTE.jpg)
Keselowski seeks another title round in final Penske season
Brad Keselowski is in the final two races of his NASCAR career with Team Penske and would love nothing more than to close his 12-year run with another Cup championship.
![Denny Hamlin wins Southern 500 to open NASCAR Cup playoffs](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/nfmux691A6zuvuChiVm_oeUSRDI=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HVRSIRDK7JAHRAJNQYSGFOWAJI.jpg)
Denny Hamlin wins Southern 500 to open NASCAR Cup playoffs
Denny Hamlin held off Kyle Larson after their cars hit nose to tail racing to the finish line Sunday night in the Southern 500 to open the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
![Blaney wins at Daytona, Reddick earns final playoff berth](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/V0KeRp6sMYB-HkZ467KsEJHJpQk=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TGY5VZXV2BBHPKD2WME7M2ZWKI.jpg)
Blaney wins at Daytona, Reddick earns final playoff berth
Ryan Blaney won for the second consecutive week when the race Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway ended under caution in overtime with a typical fiery finish.
![Blaney takes lead on final restart, holds on to win Michigan](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/N-XWtm0AFp1I8MEboColMFsRt8Y=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TRV5ZZFDVVGKXPG3CSUYEAYRUM.jpg)
Blaney takes lead on final restart, holds on to win Michigan
Ryan Blaney took the lead from William Byron on a late restart and bobbed and weaved his way across the final seven laps to win at Michigan International Speedway.
![Hendrick trio sets pace at re-opened Nashville Superspeedway](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Ub5ar-oYYt6ZyJk2vm31WKjiWpI=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YOXDBA24UFAFHGHWITDCEU6XC4.jpg)
Hendrick trio sets pace at re-opened Nashville Superspeedway
William Byron, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott paced the first ever Cup Series practice at Nashville Superspeedway in yet another display of how dominant Hendrick Motorsports is right now.
![Rain swamps Bristol dirt track; NASCAR to try again Monday](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/18LL5mWbaDAJj8CvdTKEXkcxTBQ=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CVE2HQGW7NBUHEE6OFDZB3U4WM.jpg)
Rain swamps Bristol dirt track; NASCAR to try again Monday
NASCAR canceled all Sunday activity because even if Bristol's converted dirt track could eventually be readied for night racing, the entire facility was a swampy mess. The first Cup Series race on dirt since 1970 was rescheduled for 4 p.m. Monday; trucks were set to run at noon. He openly fretted that a bad show at Bristol would damage the future of NASCAR dirt racing โ and NASCAR itself seemed to admit it was a valid concern. Stewart, who has insisted Eldora can successfully host the Cup Series, declined to comment Sunday when reached by The Associated Press. โPeople need to understand this is not how dirt racing is and I think they need to try and appreciate how hard this is to pull off.
![What a Mess: NASCAR worried about first Bristol dirt race](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/VisT4sFTuptkQKcVYCAICedaH8Q=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/B73SOHS2IZD4TPSOGZRSDIJ6SU.jpg)
What a Mess: NASCAR worried about first Bristol dirt race
AdBristol also made a bold change this year by converting its facility into a dirt race as part of radical changes to the 2021 schedule. NASCAR needed a major shakeup and the dirt race joined an influx of road courses and new venues for the most adventurous schedule in sport history. So when NASCAR broadcast partner Fox pushed for a dirt race on the Cup schedule, Speedway Motorsports said Bristol would be the guinea pig. โThat's probably the most uncomfortable I've ever been in a race car,โ said Kevin Harvick, running his first Truck Series race since 2015. The first NASCAR Cup Series points-paying sanctioned race in the inaugural 1949 season was on dirt at Charlotte (Old) Speedway.
![NASCAR's 'unique' winners already altering playoff landscape](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/GyXVv7UJhuPdJRPFTQYMJX7_9dM=/1600x1114/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LMNH5IPYFNEIXG4NFNPD6FNSRY.jpg)
NASCAR's 'unique' winners already altering playoff landscape
Christopher Bell celebrates at the finish line after winning the NASCAR Cup Series road course auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)HOMESTEAD, Fla. โ NASCARโs postseason landscape has been altered after just two Cup Series races. โThe number of unique winners is really going to change how many cars get in on points, right? Although Bell drives for powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing, he was a rookie for that top team and in his second full season in the Cup series. The Cup Series opened on a superspeedway, then raced on a road course, and now heads to an intermediate track. Whether thatโs different markets, different racetracks, it has to be different from year to year.
![Allmendinger back at Daytona in 1st Cup race since 2018](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/OIC5g6Up1QjUCm6h4WBrreoYvqc=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/M2Q7XN2QEZBIRP6BJJFNMQQXOE.jpg)
Allmendinger back at Daytona in 1st Cup race since 2018
Allmendinger will run his first Cup race since the 2018 season finale in Kaulig's first Cup race not at a superspeedway. AdโI am pumped to be racing in the Cup Series for Kaulig Racing,โ Allmendinger said. The longshot Daytona 500 win earned McDowell his first playoff berth and FRM now is positioned to build a once unthinkable cushion. This road course race was added to NASCAR's schedule in December because COVID-19 restrictions would not allow a stop at Fontana, California. Dillon missed the Cup race in August because he'd received a positive COVID-19 test.
![McDowell beats 100-1 odds for upset Daytona 500 victory](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/5Y81EZzXFLLVd6C3uc7-rUH1T2A=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3BRVBN6ODBDXLB475OFTWBSHAI.jpg)
McDowell beats 100-1 odds for upset Daytona 500 victory
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. โ Michael McDowell was glued to Brad Keselowski's bumper, watching and waiting for his chance to win the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin was trying for a record third-consecutive Daytona 500 victory, and the team he started with Michael Jordan was debuting with driver Bubba Wallace. Kyle Larson was back after nearly a year in exile for using a racial slur, and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott was going for his first Daytona 500 win. And all the way at the back of the field, 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope made what he said would be his final NASCAR start. โI wanted to make the pass to win the Daytona 500 and it ended up really bad,โ Keselowski said.
![Cindric starts new season with big Xfinity win at Daytona](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/VeDL8ZMmBH8MsHM8p7sLoKyAlQ0=/1600x1067/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7KYOQ4KU4NFX7CYI3N7BEMEMGA.jpg)
Cindric starts new season with big Xfinity win at Daytona
Austin Cindric celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. โ Austin Cindric launched his bid for a second consecutive Xfinity Series title with a victory in Saturday night's season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Cindric makes his Cup Series debut Sunday in the Daytona 500. โWhat a way to start the season,โ Cindric said. Cindric won the Xfinity Series debut on Daytonaโs road course last August as well as a rallycross event early in his career. The 22-year-old has this final season in Xfinity before moving next year to Cup to drive for Penske-supported Wood Brothers Racing.
![Hiccup for Hendrick Motorsports ahead of Daytona 500](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/CkQgb8jjHeBrRXMb1HKOnm5ytG4=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7LRAKDIS4ZG35OYYVQAIFTQCNQ.jpg)
Hiccup for Hendrick Motorsports ahead of Daytona 500
Alex Bowman and William Byron were slated to lead the Daytona 500 field to green but that's in danger following Thursday night's qualifying races. Byron was collected in a crash in the second Duel and it ruined his Chevrolet. AdAustin Cindric and Kaz Grala both earned their first berths into the Daytona 500 by claiming the two available transfer positions in the Duels. He was the leader on the final lap of the second Duel until Dillon crossed to Wallaceโs inside and inched ahead. โWeโve got an incredible race car and I canโt wait for the Daytona 500.โ
![Elliott wins at Roval as champ Busch bounced from playoffs](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/PV_-Im8Z_vKdL80IbZd7D9-54gQ=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RQSQK4OJPVCBDBKMXNXS7XXR6M.jpg)
Elliott wins at Roval as champ Busch bounced from playoffs
Chase Elliott won on the hybrid road course-oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Busch and three others were trimmed from title contention. Elliott, meanwhile, won for the second consecutive year at โThe Rovalโ and third time this season. โBest way to get into the next round is to win,โ Elliott said. Bowman battled anxiety through the race as he worried Kyle Busch would win and bump him from the playoffs. When Busch didn't pit, Bowman nervously asked his Hendrick Motorsports team if he was about to be eliminated.
![NASCAR champion Busch tries to stave off elimination](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/5tOdu6LCpTrSdxr0egnMjIbktwM=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/V3UYVFJ5WVC2HCXQXSYEV4YMWA.jpg)
NASCAR champion Busch tries to stave off elimination
Busch doesn't need to win on the โRovalโ to advance, but there's only five races remaining for him to improve his season. The Sunday forecast calls for an 80% chance for rain and the road course portion of the Roval permits NASCAR to race in wet conditions. The Cup drivers have never before used rain tires in competition. NASCAR stopped the Xfinity Series race for about 40 minutes Saturday so its track dryers could push water off the racing surface. "What is the drainage like at that racetrack through the infield road course?
![Hamlin wins in 3rd overtime of Talladegaโs longest race](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/r3gkHoXwpnAVcnpY1Jp9ucJnDHM=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UIRJNSIH3REKZIWJMA6L4T6CZE.jpg)
Hamlin wins in 3rd overtime of Talladegaโs longest race
Denny Hamlin (11) races William Byron (24) and Matt DiBenedetto (21) to the finish line during the YellaWood 500 NASCAR auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Talladega, Ala. Hamlin won. His sweeping three-wide pass in triple overtime Sunday brought an end to the sloppiest race of the season. โTo win the championship, you have to win the last race and you have to get to the last race. But Talladega's finish line is unusually close to Turn 1 and Elliott had not made it there before a crash behind him. DiBenedetto was initially denied his first career victory a year ago by Hamlin the same week DiBenedetto learned he was out of a job.
![Kurt Busch ends 0-for-21 skid to finally win at home track](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/x1ts1QuKqCHmU8JL42XDWwdjnxw=/1600x964/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TXTU752MVBGP3JTVQDSBONRXAY.jpg)
Kurt Busch ends 0-for-21 skid to finally win at home track
LAS VEGAS โ Two decades of heartbreak at his home track finally ended for Kurt Busch when a little bit of luck fell his way at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Busch then took the checkered flag to the finish line and smacked it on each of the letters in Las Vegas. Kyle Busch appreciated the milestone his older brother achieved in finally winning at Las Vegas. Not only had Kurt Busch never won before at Las Vegas, but he had just five top-10 finishes before the win. โIt was pretty cool to finally see him get a victory here in Las Vegas and score a hometown win.
![NASCAR: Keselowski dominates in playoff win at Richmond](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/2CKxLKE3iWjf_l0Sks2ZanlqFrw=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FU5HR3FD2FHRLGFYQMCFVTVP5M.jpg)
NASCAR: Keselowski dominates in playoff win at Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. โ Brad Keselowski entered NASCAR's playoffs certain he has as good a chance at the Cup championship as favorites Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin. His confidence was correct as Keselowski indeed won Saturday night at Richmond, the second playoff race, and advanced into the second next round. Harvick, the title favorite, won last weekโs opener to earn the automatic berth into the second round. Harvick, Hamlin and Keselowski are the only drivers locked into the next round of the playoffs. Harvick finished seventh.
![Harvick takes Southern 500 after leaders Elliott, Truex bump](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/DY4m9NIJMGzaX33fiWPzCkGJyTo=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/J7M4YV77INCEJCKQD3ST4V5CGQ.jpg)
Harvick takes Southern 500 after leaders Elliott, Truex bump
Harvick didnt dominate the Southern 500 in his series-best eighth victory of the season. The leaders got tangled up there and the next thing you know we were racing for the win, Harvick said. PLAYOFF PUSHAlmiorola is now squarely on the bubble ranked 12th among the 16 drivers after the first playoff race. BLANEY PENALTYBlaney's title chances took a hit just hours before the first playoff race began. UP NEXTThe second playoff race is at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night.
![Playoffs begin with 14 drivers chasing Harvick and Hamlin](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/hmKHkY_1EQ3dQ4kGxtAa6HnwDdM=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UJBIEDOMO5DYJIY4FWZM723MHY.jpg)
Playoffs begin with 14 drivers chasing Harvick and Hamlin
Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin are expected to race head-to-head for the NASCAR Cup title when the 10-week playoff series begin Sunday at Darlington Raceway. That theoretically leaves the 14 other drivers racing for just two spots in the winner-take-all race. Busch joins his older brother, Kurt, Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer and DiBenedetto as drivers without a win as the playoffs begin. Logano won twice in the first four weeks of the season, while Elliott scored his two wins after racing resumed. Others have been labeled dark horses, but Truex has very quietly made himself a strong challenger to Harvick and Hamlin.
![NASCAR drivers cautious of COVID-19 as playoffs begin](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/LLnWCqJ1CWrMt7OmOfIh5I_6srA=/1600x1067/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/COEHGKVZIBGSFDIDOWKFP4DPXU.jpg)
NASCAR drivers cautious of COVID-19 as playoffs begin
CHARLOTTE, N.C. NASCAR has decided it will not grant COVID-19 relief during the playoffs, meaning a positive coronavirus test will end a driver's championship bid. The playoffs begin Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina without a safety net for the 16 participants during the pandemic. Jimmie Johnson and Austin Dillon both missed one race during the season following a positive COVID-19 test and earned zero points. NASCAR made no changes for the 10-race playoff series, so missing a race would would effectively end a driver's championship chances. Johnson was not suffering symptoms but was tested after his wife received a positive test; Dillon was experiencing mild symptoms.
![Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/ESeuIl5bS6jwNLPIbTTk4_dMTVI=/1600x948/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BNPI5TZ6TJCUHCM4P3UYFCZTYI.jpg)
Higher stakes at Daytona mean 'crazy things will happen'
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Racing at Daytona International Speedway always comes with a hefty dose of drama. Nearly half the field is looking to clinch a postseason berth with a victory, including seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson. Crazy things will happen.Thats exactly what NASCAR envisioned when it moved Daytonas summertime extravaganza to the regular-season finale. Cup races at Daytona already were considered wild-card events in which just about anyone could end up in victory lane. Throw in the raised stakes, and it's sure to create an ultra-intense couple of hours on the track.
![Hamlin holds off Keselowski for fifth Cup victory of season](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/C-uiLf2VGcDHmi1x2TC3qtzqqb4=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7EOK2C3BG5AHJE47FFOTAIBHMM.jpg)
Hamlin holds off Keselowski for fifth Cup victory of season
KANSAS CITY, Kan. Denny Hamlin raced to his his series-leading fifth NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season Thursday night, passing Kevin Harvick in the closing laps and holding off Brad Keselowski to make it back-to-back victories at Kansas Speedway. Joey Logano led early before his night went sideways and took some playoff contenders with him. His problems began when a tire got loose on pit road during the first stage, sending him to the back. He was working his way forward early in the final stage when his left front tire went down, sending Logano into the outside wall. Weve had some really bad weeks, Stenhouse said.
![Dillon leads 1-2 RCR finish in Cup race before fans at Texas](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/9j8rMeOMzBerjFxRI1SxVneJCXY=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4PAM6U5O4JFI3EEM3GG5YMMH5Q.jpg)
Dillon leads 1-2 RCR finish in Cup race before fans at Texas
Dillon raced to his third career win and first since Daytona at the start of the 2018 season. On the final restart, Dillon got a good jump and raced to the checkered flag ahead of his rookie teammate and some veteran drivers. After leading six times for 150 laps, both highs for the race, Blaney finished seventh. It was 30 degrees warmer than it was on March 29, when the race had been scheduled before the pandemic. The spectators were spread out along the frontstretch, which was fully shaded late in the race, and there were also people in about 40 suites.
![Denny Hamlin wins on a long day at Homestead](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/nM_FR08R07QZo-bBApP-rpRhyCI=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NNDNYV3JRVH7JLODDQOKDIGRAI.jpg)
Denny Hamlin wins on a long day at Homestead
HOMESTEAD, Fla. Denny Hamlin found the magic at Homestead-Miami Speedway, once again. Hamlin went to the lead for the final time with 30 laps left and held off Chase Elliott for his record-tying NASCAR Cup Series victory at Homestead. At Homestead, he led 137 of 267 laps on the 1 1/2-mile track in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. Most of those fans were gone when Hamlin drove under the checkered flag at 10:46 p.m., ending the marathon day. Austin Dillon had a day hell never forget, though his seventh-place finish wasnt even close to the most significant development.
![Keselowski wins 600 to extend Johnson's losing streak](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/5zrSHGn8sXk_YnL8MPEO7ypug-w=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AL2OSFZSBZEJ7BHKQDJ33B36QA.jpg)
Keselowski wins 600 to extend Johnson's losing streak
Keselowski extended Jimmie Johnson's losing streak to 102 races by holding off the seven-time NASCAR champion in overtime early Monday to win the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race on the NASCAR schedule. It was the first win for Keselowski this season, his first Coca-Cola 600 victory and the first win at this event for Ford since 2002. I wanted to win the 600 my whole life and wanted to win in front of everybody, Keselowski said. But almost two hours after the race, NASCAR disqualified Johnson because his Chevrolet failed post-race inspection. I was a lap-and-a-half away from winning the 600, Elliott said.
![NASCAR grabs much-needed momentum in return to live racing](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/RqYCHWccw5HVlNA2varCG-fvoXA=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OMET5IY2IBGYZD72NYFMFHMN5A.jpg)
NASCAR grabs much-needed momentum in return to live racing
The coronavirus pandemic put those plans on hold and NASCAR is frantically trying to recover from a 10-week layoff. Reeling from the loss, Briscoe was able to hold off Busch, the best driver in Xfinity Series history, for his second win of the season. I know its gained a lot of traction and theres a lot of people talking about it, so that was ultimately a win for the sport, Elliott said Friday. The series rolls into the event with huge momentum and confidence from North Carolina Gov. I know a lot of people are looking forward to this live sporting event on TV I know that I am, Cooper said.
![Daytona tweaks Speedweeks, moves Clash onto road course](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/l-KjbtlGoj7i6HQyh6-xO_Vv8ug=/1600x1064/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/NKDLYCIWXRH4NKYSI6SXA3D6MM.jpg)
Daytona tweaks Speedweeks, moves Clash onto road course
NASCAR will hit the road for its first race in 2021, part of a schedule shakeup that starts at Daytona International Speedway. They include running the exhibition Busch Clash on the 3.56-mile road course that winds through the Daytona infield and packing seven races as well as Daytona 500 pole qualifying into a six-day span. The tweaks eliminate two traditional โdark daysโ at the track during Speedweeks and should provide a better fan experience leading into NASCARโs premier event, the Daytona 500. Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson also have Rolex experience on the road course. โIt is a very unique road course,โ Wile said.
![Big rain and big wreck lead to Haley's 1st career Cup win](https://media.wsls.com/theme/images/placeholder-16x9-wsls.png)
Big rain and big wreck lead to Haley's 1st career Cup win
A 500-1 longshot making just his third career Cup start, Haley won the rain-postponed, rain-shortened race at Daytona on Sunday. He inherited the lead after a 17-car accident decimated the field and a lightning strike forced NASCAR to stop the race. "I had no expectation to win this race," said Haley, admitting he'd have quickly been passed for the lead if the race resumed. "It's obviously a huge, huge moment to win at the pinnacle of our sport, at Daytona no less. KESELOWSKI CRASH: Brad Keselowski has crashed out of five of his last six Cup races at Daytona.