Hamlin insists he didn't let retiring Stewart win in Sonoma (The Associated Press)

Denny Hamlin insists he didn't let retiring NASCAR star Tony Stewart win last week at Sonoma Raceway. Asked about his runner-up finish at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, Hamlin made it clear that his mistake was the main reason Stewart got by him in the final turn Sunday. Stewart passed Hamlin on the inside going into tricky Turn 11 and held on to break an 84-race winless streak.

NASCAR teams use decals to honor Orlando shooting victims (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NASCAR teams are running a decal on their cars at Daytona International Speedway to honor the victims of the mass shooting in nearby Orlando.

Earnhardt hopes new Chevrolet gets him a Daytona victory (The Associated Press)

Amelia is in the graveyard located in the woods of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s property in North Carolina, where he collects ruined race cars. The beloved Chevrolet failed Earnhardt in the Daytona 500 and again at Talladega. After the Talladega wreck, he retired Amelia and added her to his eclectic graveyard.

NASCAR spokesman Tharp named president of Darlington track (The Associated Press)

NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp has been hired to be the new president at Darlington Raceway. The track announced Wednesday that Tharp will start his new job July 18. Tharp has worked with NASCAR media relations since 2005, rising to become the organization's senior director of racing communications.

NASCAR Trucks team staying competitive after shop fire (The Associated Press)

Results indicate a well-oiled machine in the NASCAR Truck Series, and not one reeling from a devastating fire to the team's 100,000-square foot shop in Sandusky, Ohio, earlier this month. ''We're making it up as we go,'' general manager David Pepper said in a telephone interview. Rookie Ben Rhodes had a career-best second-place finish in last week's event at Gateway Motorsports Park after winning the pole, and is close to qualifying for the series' first Chase playoff, which begins in September.

Vintage Smoke recaptures his glory days with Sonoma victory (The Associated Press)

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) -- Tony Stewart sat slumped on the stairs inside his team transporter a year ago reflecting on the worst slump of his NASCAR career.

Spencer Gallagher apologizes for fight with John Wes Townley (The Associated Press)

Spencer Gallagher apologized Monday for his role in a fight with John Wes Townley during NASCAR's Truck Series race at Gateway Motorsports Park. After both drivers climbed from their damaged trucks, Townley charged at Gallagher and knocked him to the ground. Townley landed several punches to Gallagher's face as he held him in a headlock.

Tony Stewart wins at Sonoma to snap 84-race drought (The Associated Press)

Tony Stewart snapped an 84-race losing streak that dated to 2013 with a popular victory Sunday on the road course at Sonoma Raceway. The 45-year-old Stewart took the lead on fuel strategy during a caution with 24 laps to go, and had to hold on after another yellow flag stalled the race. The final restart came with 14 laps remaining - the same number as Stewart's race car - and he held off a trio of Toyota drivers for his third career victory at Sonoma.

NASCAR chairman quashes weeknight races, more road courses (The Associated Press)

NASCAR is unlikely to add a road course to the Chase for the championship schedule because it would be hard to get one moved into the Sprint Cup schedule. France also dismissed the idea of holding races on weeknights but didn't rule out moving the annual All-Star race from Charlotte Motor Speedway. ''There's a lot of interest in that very interesting event, and Charlotte has been good to us for a lot of reasons, but we'll always keep that open,'' France said.

Christopher Bell wins wild NASCAR Truck race at Gateway (The Associated Press)

Christopher Bell prevailed in a two-lap sprint after the last of three re-starts for his first victory of the season in the rain-delayed NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race Saturday night. The 20-year-old Bell held on to beat Ben Rhodes, the pole sitter in the 200-mile race. It was the 50th victory in the series for Kyle Busch Motorsports and the third this season by three drivers.

Carl Edwards takes the pole for road course race at Sonoma (The Associated Press)

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) -- Carl Edwards has won the pole for Sunday's road course race at Sonoma Raceway.

Tony Stewart ready for final season to come to an end (The Associated Press)

There was a twinge of nostalgia in Tony Stewart's voice as he was inducted into the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame. Then his mood quickly turned as he talked about the reasons he's retiring from NASCAR competition at the end of the season. ''I'm ready to go run stuff that makes me happy, and driving a Sprint Cup car does not make me happy right now,'' Stewart said Friday.

Kyle Larson eyeing Sonoma as site of 1st Sprint Cup victory (The Associated Press)

Over the last 20 days, Kyle Larson went to victory lane in NASCAR's second tier Xfinity Series and picked up a pair of wins in his sprint car. Now it's time for Larson to produce in his full-time job. Larson is riding a wave of momentum into NASCAR's first road course race of the season, and he believes it could translate into his long overdue first career Sprint Cup series win.

Company employing suspect in NASCAR attack loses contract (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A concert venue in Charlotte has ended its contract with a landscaping company that employed one of the people charged in an assault on NASCAR driver Mike Wallace and his daughter last week.

Nemechek docked 10 points for failing post-Iowa inspection (The Associated Press)

John Hunter Nemechek's Camping World Truck Series team was docked 10 points for failing to meet the proper ride height in a post-race inspection at Iowa Speedway. The loss of those points dropped Nemechek from sixth place to a tie for ninth in the standings. Nemechek was also fined $5,000 and placed on probation through the end of 2016 for approaching the race area following an incident with Austin Wayne Self.

NASCAR driver Mike Wallace attacked after Charlotte concert (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR driver Mike Wallace says he and his daughter were attacked after a Rascal Flatts concert in North Carolina.

Sam Hornish Jr. wins Xfinity race in Iowa (The Associated Press)

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) -- Sam Hornish Jr. led 183 of 250 laps in his first race of 2016 and cruised to victory in Sunday's NASCAR Xfinity race at the Iowa Speedway.

Byron wins in Iowa for 2nd straight NASCAR Truck victory (The Associated Press)

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) -- William Byron held onto the lead on a late restart to win the NASCAR Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway on Saturday night for his second straight victory.

Erik Jones wins NASCAR Xfinity pole in Iowa (The Associated Press)

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) -- Erik Jones will start first Sunday in the NASCAR Xfinity race at Iowa Speedway after winning his sixth pole of the season.

Mexico's Daniel Suarez sets sights on NASCAR Xfinity title (The Associated Press)

Daniel Suarez had his breakout moment last weekend, holding off Kyle Busch at Michigan to become the first Mexican winner in NASCAR national series history. Suarez will enter the Xfinity stand-alone race Sunday at Iowa Speedway atop the standings through 13 races in a bid to become the first foreign driver to win a NASCAR series championship.

NASCAR fines Larson's crew chief, punishes team and owner (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Sprint Cup team of Kyle Larson has been punished by NASCAR for the second consecutive race.

Tony Stewart loves NASCAR's new aero package, hates restarts (The Associated Press)

Tony Stewart raved about NASCAR's aerodynamic package and ranted about its restarts after one of his best performances of his farewell season. ''I absolutely love it,'' Stewart said. ''The restarts are stupid,'' Stewart said.

Joey Logano wins NASCAR race at Michigan, his 1st of year (The Associated Press)

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) -- Joey Logano pulled away from the pack to win the FireKeepers Casino 400, becoming the 10th driver to win a NASCAR race this season.

Earnhardt to match career high with 34rd start at Michigan (The Associated Press)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. slipped through sliding doors of his hauler, and parted into a sea of memorabilia-toting fans. ''Make a hole please!'' a man working for Hendrick Motorsports shouted as he walked with Earnhardt. Does he have a lot of memories at Michigan International Speedway?

Suarez passes Busch, wins Xfinity Series race at Michigan (The Associated Press)

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) -- Daniel Suarez passed Kyle Busch toward the end of the Xfinity Series race at Michigan and held on for his first career victory in NASCAR's second-tier circuit.

Rookie Byron passes veteran Crafton for Texas truck win (The Associated Press)

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Rookie driver William Byron passed Matt Crafton with five laps to go to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas on Friday night.

NASCAR makes another change to aero package at Michigan race (The Associated Press)

NASCAR is making aerodynamic changes, again, hoping to create more competitive racing. ''The rules package is what is on everyone's mind,'' Brad Keselowski said Friday after a practice session at Michigan International Speedway's two-mile oval. Part of the intrigue revolves around the fact that no one - including the drivers, engineers and NASCAR officials - is sure how the changes will shake out during the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday, when Joey Logano will be on the pole.

Logano wins pole at Michigan, 2nd of season, 16th of career (The Associated Press)

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) -- Joey Logano posted a lap of 199.557 mph Friday to win the pole for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

Kyle Larson crew chief suspended over lug nut violation (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Chad Johnston became the fourth crew chief suspended this season by NASCAR over loose lug nuts on a car during a Sprint Cup race.

Keselowski angered by Gordon's comments in booth (The Associated Press)

Brad Keselowski's car took a shot in the pits and then he took aim at Jeff Gordon. Keselowski, the pole sitter for Monday's race at Pocono Raceway, ran into early trouble when he was called back to the pits because of unapproved body modifications on his No. 2 Ford. One of his pit crew members threw a shoulder block into a side panel, which caused a dent that potentially could give the car more sideforce and an aerodynamic edge on the track.

Kurt Busch conserves fuel and wins at Pocono Raceway (The Associated Press)

Kurt Busch stretched his fuel to the checkered flag and won the Sprint Cup race Monday at Pocono Raceway. Busch was urged to save fuel and go hard on the final lap. The 2004 champion did all he could to save fuel in the No. 41 Chevy and shut off the engine headed into the turns.

Rain postpones NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono to Monday (The Associated Press)

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) -- Rain has postponed the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway until Monday.

Kyle Larson wins rain-shortened Xfinity race at Pocono (The Associated Press)

Kyle Larson needed rain in Pocono to snap a victory drought. Larson had the lead when the Xfinity Series race was red-flagged and won at Pocono Raceway for his first NASCAR victory of the season. ''I'm happy with it,'' Larson said.

Kyle Larson wins rain-shortened Xfinity race at Pocono (The Associated Press)

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) -- Kyle Larson has won the rain-shortened Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway for his first NASCAR victory of the season.

Earnhardt hopes to shake winless streak at Pocono (The Associated Press)

Fitting, perhaps, because Earnhardt has found nothing but dead ends as he tries to race into victory lane for the first time in 2016. Earnhardt's late-career renaissance in the No. 88 Chevrolet really took off at Pocono in 2014 when he swept both races. Long NASCAR's most popular driver, Earnhardt said he wasn't worried yet his winless streak.

Keselowski leads Team Penske sweep with Pocono pole (The Associated Press)

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) -- With rain falling, Brad Keselowski led a Team Penske front-row sweep and won the pole at Pocono Raceway.

NASCAR suspends 3 crew chiefs for infractions at Charlotte (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR has suspended three Sprint Cup Series crew chiefs for infractions at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Since economic downtown, NASCAR fighting to get fans back (The Associated Press)

At the zenith of its popularity a decade or so ago, many NASCAR tracks could count on sellout crowds for every Sprint Cup Series race. Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell equated the present challenge of attracting fans to NASCAR's formative years. Overnight ratings are down by double digits for seven of the 13 Sprint Cup races so far this year, and six hit a multi-year low.