Daytona 500

Greg Biffle races into Daytona 500 after 5-year hiatus

February 18, 2022 The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Greg Biffle grabbed a seat on stage and flexed a bicep as he posed for pictures. He smiled, exhaled and summed up his return to Daytona International Speedway in four words: […]

RFK Racings teammates Keselowski, Buescher take Daytona duels

February 17, 2022 The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH — Brad Keselowski drove his new team to Victory Lane Thursday night in a Daytona 500 qualifying race. His new teammate wasn’t fair behind. It was a banner day for Keselowski in his […]

Next Gen car brings even more change to NASCAR

February 16, 2022 Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kyle Larson balanced a car seat on a suitcase while the thick strap from another bag pulled tight around his neck. Both his kids were spinning on the metal stanchions outside […]

20 years later: How Earnhardt’s death saved lives, forced change

February 17, 2021 The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Ryan Newman was lying in bed one morning, his two daughters still tucked in down the hall, when a YouTube video of his death-defying crash popped up as a recommended watch. […]

Final-lap wreck collects leaders, gives McDowell first win at Daytona 500

February 15, 2021 The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Michael McDowell stormed through a crash scene to win the Daytona 500, snapping an 0-for-357 streak with a fiery pileup in his rearview mirror. McDowell led just the final lap — […]

Looking back: 20th anniversary of Earnhardt’s death a reminder of his impact

February 12, 2021 The Associated Press

The death of Dale Earnhardt from a crash during the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 is considered the darkest day in the history of NASCAR. The 20th anniversary of his death is Feb. […]

Bowman, Byron give Hendrick sweep of Daytona 500 front row

February 11, 2021 The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — New number, new day, new time, same result for Hendrick Motorsports. Alex Bowman and William Byron swept the front row Wednesday night in qualifying for the Daytona 500, giving Hendrick its […]

Silly season makes way for start of Cup Series racing

February 10, 2021 Cory Lavalette

The green flag flies on the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season with Sunday’s Daytona 500, opening a schedule that features the most changes in recent memory. This year’s slate includes seven road races, five new […]

100 in 100: Cabarrus County’s Dale Earnhardt, The Intimidator

April 3, 2020 Brett Friedlander

North State Journal’s 100 in 100 series will showcase the best athlete from each of North Carolina’s 100 counties. From Alamance to Yancey, each county will feature one athlete who stands above the rest. Some […]

NASCAR makes first 2021 changes, alters Daytona Speedweeks

March 4, 2020 The Associated Press

DAYTONA — NASCAR will hit the road for its first race in 2021, part of a schedule shakeup that starts at Daytona International Speedway. The track announced several changes to the start of the annual […]