NASCAR to be Monster Energy Cup Series starting next season (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR's top series will be called the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series beginning next year.

Earnhardt says health top priority as he prepares for return (The Associated Press)

It took less than four laps for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to feel back at home in his race car. The test ended months of speculation - should Earnhardt retire? ''When you get something taken away from you, you certainly realize what it's worth,'' Earnhardt said Friday.

NASCAR star Earnhardt cleared to race again after concussion (The Associated Press)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr., who missed the final 18 races of last season because of a concussion, has been medically cleared to return next year.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflects on long concussion recovery (The Associated Press)

The longer Dale Earnhardt Jr. couldn't drive because of the debilitating effects of a concussion, the more uptight he became. ''When I did that I became a better version of myself,'' Earnhardt said. Earnhardt spoke to reporters Friday night after accepting the award as NASCAR's most popular driver for a record 14th straight year.

Johnson, Stewart, Earnhardt honored as NASCAR closes 2016 (The Associated Press)

Jimmie Johnson called winning a record-tying seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup title ''insane'' Friday night, while Tony Stewart was sent off into retirement and Dale Earnhardt Jr. told his adoring fans at the season-ending banquet that he'll be ready to race in 2017. Johnson's dramatic victory in the finale last month at Homestead moved him into a tie with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most series championships. Johnson was introduced by 23-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps at the Wynn Las Vegas.

NASCAR hopes sponsor Monster attracts needed younger fans (The Associated Press)

NASCAR's top circuit has been called the Winston Cup, Nextel Cup and Sprint Cup. Starting in 2017, the sport could have a Cup-less name, one of many changes expected as Monster Energy takes over as title sponsor with a desire to attract younger fans to a sagging sport. ''Young people set trends in fashion and then older people adapt,'' said Mark Hall, Monster's chief marketing officer.

Happy, healthy Stewart leaving NASCAR so he can race more (The Associated Press)

Tony Stewart sat in a casino ballroom wearing a coat and tie he no doubt wanted to rip off and brushed off a question about whether he was happy his NASCAR career was over. ''It's not over yet,'' Stewart said. Stewart's signature biting and cutting remarks arrived on cue this week at NASCAR's awards event that culminated with Friday night's season-ending banquet.

Delayed goosebumps for Johnson's crew chief Chad Knaus (The Associated Press)

Chad Knaus had been a champion for six days, but the NASCAR title was so improbable, so unlikely, it still hadn't sunk in for Jimmie Johnson's crew chief. Knaus received the Champion Crew Chief Award on Thursday, a day before Johnson will be honored for capturing their seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup title together. Also on Thursday, the National Motorsports Press Association awarded its prestigious Myers Brothers Award to the late philanthropist Betty Jane France for her NASCAR contributions.

Caffeine rush: Monster Energy to sponsor NASCAR's top series (The Associated Press)

NASCAR has announced Monster Energy will take over as title sponsor of its top series in 2017, ending a lengthy process of finding a replacement for Sprint. It was not immediately announced what Corona, California-based Monster Beverage Corporation will pay for the naming rights deal or how long the agreement runs. NASCAR Chairman Brian France made the announcement Thursday at the Wynn Las Vegas, site of Friday's season-ending awards banquet.

Jack Roush's once-elite NASCAR program will scale to 2 teams (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Roush Fenway Racing will be a two-car Cup program next season and its third charter will be leased to JTG Daugherty Racing.

Ty Dillon to drive for Germain Racing in 2017 (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Ty Dillon will race full time in NASCAR's top series next year for Germain Racing.

Biffle, Roush Fenway Racing part ways after 19 seasons (The Associated Press)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Greg Biffle and Roush Fenway Racing have parted ways after 19 seasons, the last 14 in the Sprint Cup Series.

It looked bleak for Johnson until he snatched a 7th title (The Associated Press)

Jimmie Johnson walked across the stage after driver introductions to find his car inexplicably missing from pit road. In a dramatic start to his race for a record-tying seventh championship, Johnson learned NASCAR's inspectors had yanked his Chevrolet off the pre-race grid and sent it back through tech. The Hendrick Motorsports team had been accused of manipulating a body panel, and Johnson had to start last in the field.

Another painful championship loss in finale for Carl Edwards (The Associated Press)

Carl Edwards' latest championship loss may have been even more painful than his first. Leading the NASCAR season finale with 10 laps to go and closing in on his first title, Edwards wrecked while blocking Joey Logano on a restart Sunday night. Logano turned Edwards sideways and sent him back across traffic at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Tony Stewart takes final NASCAR ride of championship career (The Associated Press)

His mood lightened, Tony Stewart sounded at peace heading into his final NASCAR race. Stewart kept distractions at bay and close friends nearby before Sunday's race. Stewart, clean-shaven, was all smiles as he posed for photo after photo, and hugged or wrapped his arm around crew members, and even the troops.

France won't talk Trump support as NASCAR closes season (The Associated Press)

NASCAR chairman Brian France refused Sunday to discuss his political support of President-elect Donald Trump and quickly pivoted the conversation toward his own efforts at improving diversity in his sport. France addressed the media hours before Sunday's title-deciding season finale, and a day after Mexican Daniel Suarez became the first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR national title. Earlier in the 17-minute news conference, France declared that Suarez would never have been in position to win the Xfinity Series championship if not for France's diversity efforts.

The Latest: CEO France defends NASCAR in annual address (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- The Latest on NASCAR's season finale (all times local):

NASCAR to crown champion, send off Stewart at season finale (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- It's NASCAR championship day!

El campeon! Daniel Suarez becomes NASCAR's 1st foreign champ (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Daniel Suarez won the Xfinity Series title at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, becoming the first foreign champion in a NASCAR national series.

ONLY ON AP: Jimmie Johnson has record 7th title within reach (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- On the eve of Jimmie Johnson's attempt to make NASCAR history, the six-time champion planned to go for a little run.

King reluctant to share NASCAR title throne with Johnson (The Associated Press)

Petty, NASCAR's career leader with 200 wins, has yet to speak to Johnson since the Hendrick Motorsports star earned a spot in the season finale with a championship berth on the line. Johnson would match Petty and Dale Earnhardt with seven Cup championships should be best Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch in Sunday's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The King knew the year would come when he would have to share his championship throne.

Edwards fastest of champion contenders in final practice (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Carl Edwards was the fastest championship contender in the category that is the best indicator for race readiness.

Johnny Sauter wins 1st Truck Series championship (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Johnny Sauter won his first NASCAR championship by edging three other contenders in the inaugural Chase for the Camping World Truck Series.

NASCAR championship drivers stumble in qualifying (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski crashed the championship and swept the front row in qualifying Friday for the NASCAR finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Busch is overshadowed but far from overmatched in repeat bid (The Associated Press)

Kyle Busch is hardly the people's choice. Busch might even be the man to beat in the NASCAR finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. ''I think winning the championship last year definitely impacted us,'' Busch said.

Smoke, Out: 3-time champ Stewart ready for final NASCAR race (The Associated Press)

Stewart will retire from NASCAR competition Sunday after nearly two decades on the hamster wheel. Stewart owns race tracks, teams, a sprint car series and he's part-owner of NASCAR's elite Stewart-Haas Racing. Friends Jason Leffler and Bryan Clauson died in accidents, Stewart badly broke his leg in a 2013 crash, his car struck and killed a competitor that had walked onto the racing surface to confront him.

A look at NASCAR great Tony Stewart by the numbers (The Associated Press)

A by-the-numbers look at Tony Stewart's career in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series:

Tyler Reddick to run partial schedule for Chip Ganassi (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Tyler Reddick will leave Brad Keselowski's race team to drive a partial Xfinity Series schedule next year for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NASCAR season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway sold out (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- The NASCAR championship race Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway is sold out.

Sadler looks to cap career renaissance with Xfinity title (The Associated Press)

Elliott Sadler raced in NASCAR's inaugural Chase, competing with Mark Martin, Jeremy Mayfield and Jimmie Johnson for a shot at the championship. Twelve years later, Sadler is back in another first-year Chase, this time in the second-tier Xfinity Series. It's been a long road for the journeyman driver to his best Xfinity ride, driving for buddy Dale Earnhardt Jr. and poised to bust through Saturday and win the series championship.

Earnhardt expects medical clearance in December to race (The Associated Press)

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. should be medically cleared from his concussion in December and ready to race in the 2017 Daytona 500.

ONLY ON AP: At just 26, Logano on cusp of a NASCAR title (The Associated Press)

Joey Logano still has a youthful exuberance - the kind of guy who would watch ''Boy Meets World'' to relax the night before a championship race. It took a second chance at only 22 given by Roger Penske for Logano to flourish, in and out of the race car. ''I wouldn't say I wasn't mature for my age, but I've got more experience now doing what I'm doing and racing up front and racing the best,'' he told The Associated Press.

Tommy Baldwin Racing sells charter to Leavine Family Racing (The Associated Press)

Tommy Baldwin Racing has sold its NASCAR Sprint Cup charter to Leavine Family Racing. Regan Smith drives the No. 7 Chevrolet for TBR. Smith has two top-10 finishes this season and was eighth in the Daytona 500.

Stewart to carry SHR employees along for final NASCAR race (The Associated Press)

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Tony Stewart will carry each of his Stewart-Haas Racing employees with him for his final NASCAR race.

Johnson gets some clarity regarding pit road, pace car (The Associated Press)

Six-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has some clarity regarding his pit road penalty last week in Phoenix. ''There's been quite a few voicemails back and forth,'' Johnson said Thursday as NASCAR previewed its upcoming championship weekend. NASCAR picked last week at Phoenix to enforce a rule against passing the pace car when a driver dips onto pit road for a stop.

NASCAR drivers cozy up in very cordial championship preview (The Associated Press)

As expected, NASCAR's four championship rivals were cordial, candid and comical. ''Sorry we're letting you down,'' six-time champion Jimmie Johnson quipped Thursday. The winner-take-all championship race Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway should be creating a semblance of tension between four rival drivers.

Crafton eyes history with 3rd NASCAR Truck Series title (The Associated Press)

Matt Crafton had the luxury of winning one NASCAR Truck Series championship just by starting the race and grabbed a second title by finishing in the back of the pack. Under the revamped Truck playoff system this season, Crafton just may have to win the race to win it all. Crafton, the 2013 and 2014 series champion, should be the favorite to win Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the first year of the Truck Chase format.

Edwards tries to put crushing 2011 loss behind him (The Associated Press)

Carl Edwards detests social media. ''I enjoy normal, social interaction,'' Edwards said. Keselowski, who has tweeted from his car during a race, was the first NASCAR media darling on the social network.

Johnson, Knaus can cement names in record books (The Associated Press)

Jimmie Johnson has been there before - more than any other driver in the past two decades. In the first place, Johnson has his first opportunity to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship under the 16-driver elimination format introduced by the sanctioning body in 2014. Beyond that, in what is the transcendent story of this year's Chase, Johnson has a chance to win a seventh series title, one that would tie him for the all-time lead with NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

Elliott Sadler gets interim crew chief for championship race (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Elliott Sadler will have a new crew chief in the championship-deciding Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend.

Column: Chase isn't always fair, that doesn't make it bad (The Associated Press)

When William Byron's engine exploded less than 10 laps away from his seventh win of the season, his chance to race for the Truck Series championship blew up in a puff of white smoke. - of the elimination-style playoffs NASCAR now uses in all three of its series. Brad Keselowski was particularly upset about Byron's misfortune, even though Keselowski fields rival trucks.

Kenseth's title hopes erased after bizarre turn of events (The Associated Press)

As Matt Kenseth left the garage at Phoenix International Raceway, his crew chief hung his arm over the driver in an attempt to lift their spirits. It was a split-second decision that cost Kenseth his season, but opened the door for teammate Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, his most despised rival a year ago. Bowman bobbled but was still on the bottom line as he and Kenseth entered the corner.

JGR gets 2 through in the Chase, wanted 1 more (The Associated Press)

Matt Kenseth figured he would be in good shape even after a caution with two laps to go. Stay in the lead or at least ahead of the other Chase drivers and he would be one of four drivers in the final round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. ''Disappointing would be the way to put it lightly,'' Kenseth said Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway.

Logano wins Phoenix as he and Kyle Busch complete final 4 (The Associated Press)

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Joey Logano raced his way into NASCAR's championship finale with a victory Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. Defending series champion Kyle Busch finished second to earn the other transfer spot into the final four.

Kyle Busch wins Xfinity race as inaugural Chase field is set (The Associated Press)

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Kyle Busch won for the 10th time in the Xfinity Series this season with a victory at Phoenix International Raceway on the night NASCAR's second-tier series' set its inaugural championship field.

Harvick completely at ease in must-win situation at Phoenix (The Associated Press)

Kevin Harvick has been backed into a corner before in NASCAR's elimination-style playoffs. Harvick sat relaxed on the wall along pit road with the cavalier attitude of a driver who isn't at all worried about winning Sunday. ''We just have to control the things that we can control, try and put ourselves in position to where we usually do and see where it all falls,'' Harvick said.

Suarez wins Truck race at Phoenix, championship field set (The Associated Press)

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Daniel Suarez won the Truck Series race Friday night at Phoenix International Raceway, where four drivers advanced to the inaugural championship finale.

Bowman wins pole at Phoenix as Chase drivers seek more speed (The Associated Press)

Alex Bowman has won the pole at Phoenix International Raceway, where he led a trio of drivers not in the playoffs to the top of the leaderboard. Bowman turned a lap at 140.521 mph Friday to win the first pole of his career. Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott qualified second and third as Chevrolets swept the top three.

Gibbs drivers walk fine line on teamwork and title hopes (The Associated Press)

It's tense at Joe Gibbs Racing, regardless of what the drivers want you to believe as they head into a showdown with their seasons at stake. There's only two spots left in NASCAR's title-deciding final race, and three Gibbs drivers want them. The trio of Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin are separated by a whisper-thin two points in the standings but no matter what happens Sunday, only two of them can advance to the championship.

Can chasers who need win defeat Harvick in Phoenix? (The Associated Press)

Kevin Harvick, who hails from Bakersfield, Calif., is a tough man to beat on the mile oval in Phoenix - the place he considers his home track. It was his only loss at Phoenix since 2013. It's a remarkable record and Harvick could be forgiven if he doesn't add another trophy on Sunday.

Brian Scott to retire from NASCAR racing at end of season (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR driver Brian Scott plans to retire after next week's season finale to spend more time with his family.

If Harvick wins Phoenix, there's only 1 spot left in Chase (The Associated Press)

Only an amateur would fill out a Chase for the Sprint Cup championship bracket and not mark Kevin Harvick down for a win at Phoenix. Harvick has won six of the last nine races at Phoenix, finished second in two of his losses and is guaranteed to show up this weekend with a car capable of demoralizing the field. Assuming it will take nothing short of a freak incident to keep Harvick out of victory lane, there's essentially only one spot in the finale up for grabs Sunday.

After rain in Texas, 6 drivers with 1 race for 2 final spots (The Associated Press)

After the rain, Carl Edwards will be racing for a championship in NASCAR's season finale. Edwards got the victory he so desperately needed to advance when he won a rain-shortened race at Texas. There's a lot of pride in that,'' Edwards said.

Edwards wins rain-shortened Texas race for Chase finale spot (The Associated Press)

Carl Edwards got the victory he desperately needed to earn a championship-contending spot in the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale, winning at Texas on Sunday night in a race shortened by 41 laps because of rain after the start was delayed nearly six hours. With his fourth career win at Texas, Edwards joined Jimmie Johnson as drivers locked into the championship-contending spots in Homestead. Edwards entered the second-to-last race before the Nov. 20 season finale eighth in points among the drivers still eligible for the championship.

Rain again delaying NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Texas (The Associated Press)

The NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Texas is being delayed during efforts to dry the track following a rain shower just before the race was scheduled to start. The spring Cup race at Texas in April was delayed more than two hours because of rain and didn't end until after midnight.

Earnhardt pulled over for speeding to NASCAR race at Texas (The Associated Press)

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still driving fast, even though he has been sidelined from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series because of a concussion.

DiBenedetto out of Cup race because of concussion protocol (The Associated Press)

Matt DiBenedetto was held out of the Sprint Cup race Sunday at Texas because of NASCAR's concussion protocol. While DiBenedetto said he felt fine, doctors didn't clear him to drive in the AAA Texas 500 a day after being involved in a hard crash during the Xfinity Series race at the track. DiBenedetto said he would be in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday morning to get checked by doctors.

Larson wins Xfinity in Texas, 4 title-chasing spots open (The Associated Press)

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Kyle Larson held off Brad Keselowski to win the NASCAR Xfinity race at Texas on Saturday, leaving all four spots in the chase for the series championship open going into the final elimination round.

Joe Gibbs quartet still pushing for Sprint Cup title shot (The Associated Press)

All four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers are still in contention for the three spots left to race for the NASCAR Sprint Cup season championship. Plus, JGR teammates Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards aren't the only drivers trying to join Jimmie Johnson for a title shot in the Chase-deciding finale at Homestead in two weeks.

Sauter wins 2nd consecutive NASCAR trucks Chase race (The Associated Press)

Johnny Sauter won his second consecutive Chase race in the NASCAR Truck Series, making a late pass that prevented anyone else from clinching a spot in the title-clinching race like he already had. Sauter went high around Chase contender Matt Crafton just before the line with two laps remaining Friday night at Texas Motor Speedway. It was Sauter's third win this season.

Out of Chase, Dillon on pole for Sprint Cup race in Texas (The Associated Press)

Austin Dillon is on the pole for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Texas two weeks after a heartbreaking finish knocked him out of the championship chase. Dillon had a fast lap of 192.301 mph in the final round of qualifying Friday to earn his third career pole. Joey Logano qualified second, and will be the highest starter Sunday in the AAA Texas 500 of the eight drivers still eligible for the season championship.

After brain tumor, Tifft has full-time ride with JGR in '17 (The Associated Press)

Matt Tifft has gone from uncertainty about his NASCAR future this summer while recovering from surgery for a brain tumor to a full-time ride next season in the Xfinity Series. Joe Gibbs Racing said Friday that the 20-year-old Tifft, who is finishing partial Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series schedules this season, will drive for the team in all 33 Xfinity races in 2017. On Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway, Tifft will make his third Xfinity start since his return from surgery.

Jimmie Johnson drive for 5 at Texas before shot at 7th Cup (The Associated Press)

Jimmie Johnson gets to make a drive for five in Texas with no pressure before going for his record-tying seventh NASCAR championship. Already locked into the Sprint Cup title-deciding race at Homestead, Johnson doesn't have to worry about the Chase like seven other drivers who have only two more chances to get a title shot. Johnson has won six Cup races overall at Texas, twice as many as any other driver.