Younger Sprint Cup drivers making their presence felt (The Associated Press)

When Kyle Larson was trying to hold off Chase Elliott at Michigan International Speedway last weekend, this much was certain: One of them was going to win a Sprint Cup race for the first time. The next generation of NASCAR standouts has quite an opportunity over these next couple months. With Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart fading from prominence and Dale Earnhardt Jr. sidelined with concussion problems, a handful of younger drivers have emerged in impressive fashion of late.

First lady Of NASCAR Betty Jane France dies (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Betty Jane France, a longtime community leader considered by many to be the first lady Of NASCAR, has died.

Larson finally finds his way to victory lane after 3 years (The Associated Press)

Kyle Larson first took off his steering wheel and hung it out the window as he did celebratory burnouts. A day after one of the most demonstrative victory celebrations in at least a decade, Larson seemed sheepish about the exuberance he showed at Michigan International Speedway. ''I probably went a little overboard,'' Larson said Monday.

Buescher still holding on to 30th place after poor showing (The Associated Press)

Chris Buescher remained in position to reach the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Buescher felt fortunate to finish 35th on Sunday in the NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway after dealing with engine problems, and he managed to stay in 30th place in the Cup standings. ''It definitely could have been a lot worse,'' Buescher said.

Larson takes advantage of late restart for first Cup victory (The Associated Press)

Kyle Larson raced to his first Sprint Cup victory Sunday, taking the lead on a restart with nine laps remaining and holding off Chase Elliott at Michigan International Speedway in a duel between two of NASCAR's up-and-coming standouts. Elliott had a comfortable lead before a tire problem on Michael Annett's car brought out the yellow flag. Larson had the better restart and went on to win by 1.5 seconds.

Moffitt wins Trucks race with final-lap pass (The Associated Press)

Brett Moffitt passed Timothy Peters and William Byron on the final lap to win the NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday. Peters was two laps away from what would have been his first victory of the season, but Byron nosed ahead with a lap to go, and Moffitt was then able to move to the outside and take over the lead.

Michael McDowell wins NASCAR Xfinity race at Road America (The Associated Press)

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (AP) -- Michael McDowell won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Road America on Saturday, edging Brendan Gaughan following an overtime restart.

Time running low for winless drivers as Chase draws near (The Associated Press)

With time running out on his bid to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup, Greg Biffle is back at the site of his most recent victory. In June of 2013, Biffle won at Michigan International Speedway - his fourth victory at the track and second in a row. Biffle is the active leader in wins at Michigan, but he finished 19th at the track earlier this season.

Bowman excited to fill in for Earnhardt again (The Associated Press)

Alex Bowman should have plenty of fans this weekend at Michigan International Speedway in his return to NASCAR Sprint Cup racing. Not only will he be filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr., but his No. 88 Chevrolet will be adorned with a special University of Michigan paint scheme. Maybe that'll be enough to turn Bowman into a college football diehard.

Logano wins another pole at Michigan (The Associated Press)

BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) -- Joey Logano has won the pole for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

Weekend preview: Youth movement crystal clear at Michigan (The Associated Press)

The winner, a fresh-faced kid from Connecticut who nonetheless seemingly has been in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series forever. Joey Logano (26), Chase Elliott (20) and Kyle Larson (24) finished 1-2-3 in this season's first Michigan race, forming the youngest top three in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history. In Sunday's Pure Michigan 400 (2 p.m. ET on NBCSN), the same aero package will be in play as the June race.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. to miss at least 2 more races (The Associated Press)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not been cleared by doctors to return to racing and will miss at least two more races - at Michigan and Darlington - as he recovers from a concussion.

Top Sprint Cup teams face struggle to stay there (The Associated Press)

Just ask Hall of Fame car owner Rick Hendrick. The NASCAR titan has fielded 11 Sprint Cup champions over the past 21 years, won 242 Sprint Cup races and just two seasons ago had all four of his star drivers- Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne - in the 16-team championship chase. Hendrick understands it's a time of transition for his proud, powerful organization.

Get a Grip: Harvick loves new Bristol Motor Speedway (The Associated Press)

Kevin Harvick believes Bristol Motor Speedway is on to something. Bristol officials used a tacky resin to ''polish'' the track and improve grip on the bottom lane so racers would have a two-groove layout and be able to pass down low. The past few years, Harvick said there was no use taking the low side of the high-banked, concrete track because cars were three-or-four tenths of a second slower.

Sprint Cup race at Bristol delayed again (The Associated Press)

BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- Heavy rains have disrupted the Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway again, with Sunday's start delayed because of the weather.

NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol delayed by weather (The Associated Press)

The start of the Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway has been delayed because of bad weather. Jet dryers circled the concrete, half-mile surface instead of Sprint Cup cars as a large crowd awaited the start. Carl Edwards won the pole Friday and will start up front.

Car owner: Dale looks great (The Associated Press)

Car owner Rick Hendrick said injured star Dale Earnhardt Jr. ''looks great,'' but the organization will wait until the driver is 100 percent before he returns to the track. Hendrick said Saturday that Earnhardt is scheduled for a medical check next week and that will help determine if he'll drive at Michigan next week. Earnhardt has missed the past four races and won't be driving at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night.

Surprise: Dillon wins Xfinity race at Bristol in wild finish (The Associated Press)

Austin Dillon took off on a final restart in overtime to win the Xfinity race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday night after leaders Kyle Busch crashed and Brad Keselowski ran out of gas four laps from the scheduled end. For the last 50 laps, the race looked like a classic faceoff between Sprint Cup champions Busch and Keselowski who no one would consider friends. Busch swept past Keselowski five laps from the end, but the Penske driver clipped Xfinity's career victory leader, cutting down a tire and sending Busch into the wall for a final caution.

Race team says Gordon won't be available to drive Michigan (The Associated Press)

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s race team said on Twitter that four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon won't be able to drive the No. 88 car next week in Michigan. Earnhardt has missed the past four races and will sit out the Saturday night event at Bristol Motor Speedway as he recovers from a concussion. Gordon has filled in the last three races and will start 11th Saturday in the Hendrick Motorsports entry.

Carl Edwards leads JGR's 1-2-3 qualifying sweep at Bristol (The Associated Press)

BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- Carl Edwards won his second straight pole at Bristol Motor Speedway, leading Joe Gibbs Racing's Olympic-style sweep of the top three spots in qualifying Friday for the Saturday night race.

Dover speedway adding more SAFER barriers (The Associated Press)

Dover International Speedway is adding more than 500 feet of SAFER barriers in time for the Sprint Cup race in October. Track officials said Friday that it was adding the safety barriers along the outside walls in turns two and four and under a walkover bridge.

Break time is over. Chase concerns start at Bristol (The Associated Press)

With four races left in the Sprint Cup regular season, the push for NASCAR's playoffs revs up at Bristol Motor Speedway with the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race on Saturday night. Sprint Cup drivers got a final week off last weekend and now race uninterrupted through the season-ender in Florida on Nov. 20. The immediate concern for most of those in the garage is making the 16-team Chase field - either insiders shoring up a dicey spot on the end of the grid or outsiders making a last-ditch charge to get in.

Ganassi team on the bubble with Chase looming (The Associated Press)

The next four Sprint Cup series races will go a long way toward determining whether Chip Ganassi's bid to conquer the world of racing is successful. The Sprint Cup is by far the most important of the six series where Ganassis is competing. On the other hand, Larson could win one of the four remaining races before the postseason -- starting at the Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night -- and help Ganassi get both of his drivers into the Chase.

Trucks leader Byron signs with Hendrick Motorsports (The Associated Press)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR truck series points leader William Bryon has signed a multi-year driver agreement with Hendrick Motorsports and will drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr's JR Motorsports team in the Xfinity series next season.

Kennedy passes Byron to win NASCAR Truck race at Bristol (The Associated Press)

BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- Ben Kennedy moved past NASCAR Truck season leader William Byron with 19 laps to go and held at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday night for his first series victory.

Correction: NASCAR-Stewart-Ward story (The Associated Press)

In a story July 29 about a ruling in a lawsuit against NASCAR driver Tony Stewart in the death of a fellow driver, The Associated Press failed to note the decision was first reported by the Watertown Daily Times and improperly used the content and wording of the newspaper story without additional reporting. NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will have to foot the bill for his own defense against a lawsuit brought by the family of a driver who died after being struck by Stewart's car, after a federal judge ruled Stewart's insurance carrier is not responsible to defend him. UTICA, N.Y. (AP) - NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will have to foot the bill for his own defense in a lawsuit brought by the family of a driver who died after being struck by Stewart's car during a race, after a federal judge ruled his insurance company does not have to defend or indemnify him.

Justin Marks wins NASCAR Xfinity race at rainy Mid-Ohio (The Associated Press)

LEXINGTON, Ohio (AP) -- Justin Marks splashed through the rain at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday for his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory.

Sam Hornish Jr. wins NASCAR Xfinity pole at Mid-Ohio (The Associated Press)

LEXINGTON, Ohio (AP) -- Sam Hornish Jr. took the pole position Friday for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race Saturday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Team Penske to expand to 2 Xfinity Series cars next season (The Associated Press)

Team Penske will expand its Xfinity Series entries to two full-time cars in 2017. The second Mustang will allow Ford Performance to use the entry in its driver development program. Stewart-Haas Racing will also field a new Xfinity team next year, giving Ford two new entrants in NASCAR's second-tier series.

Childress Racing searches for first win of season at Mid-Ohio (The Associated Press)

It's been 59 races since a full-time Richard Childress Racing NASCAR XFINITY Series driver won a race. The last time a full-time RCR wheelman celebrated in Victory Lane was when Brendan Gaughan triumphed at Kentucky on Sept. 20, 2014, leading a team sweep of the top-three positions. Brian Scott took second, while Ty Dillon finished third.

Denny Hamlin's Daytona 500 replica trophy has typo (The Associated Press)

Denny Hamlin might want to keep his own engraver on standby. The Daytona 500 winner tweeted a picture Tuesday after he received a replica version of the Harley J. Earl Trophy, which goes to drivers who win ''The Great American Race.'' The silver plate read 2015 instead of 2016. Daytona officials said Thursday that Hamlin had tweeted a picture of a one-third-scale replica trophy that teams order from an outside manufacturer.

Denny Hamlin's Daytona 500 trophy has a typo (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA, Florida (AP) -- Denny Hamlin might want to keep his own engraver on standby.

Denny Hamlin wins at Watkins Glen (The Associated Press)

Denny Hamlin prevailed in a four-lap dash to the checkered flag to win a wreck-fest at newly paved Watkins Glen International on Sunday. It's the first road course win of Hamlin's career as he survived a race that had eight cautions for 24 laps and two red flags for 30 minutes. On the final lap, Hamlin, who was beaten on the road course at Sonoma in June by Tony Stewart in a bang on the last turn, held a slim lead over Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski as the three ran nose-to-tail entering the final turns of the 90-lap race.

Furniture Row adds second car to stable; Erik Jones to drive (The Associated Press)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- Three days after signing Martin Truex Jr. to a contract extension, Furniture Row Racing announced Sunday that it was adding a second car to its Sprint Cup lineup to be driven next season by Xfinity rookie Erik Jones.

Derrike Cope's car explodes at Watkins Glen (The Associated Press)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- Derrike Cope had his signature moment in NASCAR when he won the Daytona 500 in 1990. Now, he has another - at age 57.

Joey Logano sets sights on another road course win (The Associated Press)

A year ago, Joey Logano came to Watkins Glen International hoping for a road course breakthrough to add to his resume. Logano, who will start seventh Sunday in the Cup race, has finished seventh or better in four of his last five starts at Watkins Glen, and in his last two starts at NASCAR's other road course in Sonoma he was fifth last year and third in June in his No. 22 Team Penske Ford.

Joey Logano outduels Brad Keselowski, wins again at The Glen (The Associated Press)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- Joey Logano won the Xfinity race at Watkins Glen International for the second straight year Saturday.

Carl Edwards wins Sprint Cup pole at Watkins Glen (The Associated Press)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- Carl Edwards won the pole for the Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International on Saturday.

Joey Logano wins Xfinity pole at Watkins Glen (The Associated Press)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- Joey Logano has won his second straight the pole for the Xfinity race at Watkins Glen International.

Chris Buescher shoots for NASCAR's Chase (The Associated Press)

Chris Buescher is a giant step closer to qualifying for the Chase for the Sprint Cup after notching a victory at Pocono. Now, he has to take that small step - make it into the top 30 in points, the cutoff needed to become eligible for NASCAR's postseason. ''I absolutely think we can get into the top 30,'' the rookie said Friday before practice on the road course at Watkins Glen.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: "I want to race. I'm not ready to quit." (The Associated Press)

In his first public appearance since suffering a concussion, Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he's not ready to stop racing. Earnhardt gave no timetable for his return, leaving that decision to his doctors, who told him his latest injury occurred June 12 at Michigan International Speedway.

Martin Truex Jr. signs 2-year extension with NASCAR team (The Associated Press)

Martin Truex Jr. has signed a two-year contract extension with Furniture Row Racing, keeping him with his NASCAR team through the 2018 season. The Denver-based operation also announced Thursday that Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats will increase their primary sponsorship on the No. 78 Toyota from 12 to 16 races in 2017. ''Martin has proved over and over that he is one of the blue-chip drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and we are elated that he will continue to drive our No. 78 Toyota,'' Furniture Row Racing President Joe Garone said in a statement.

Watkins Glen poses big challenges for Chase contenders (The Associated Press)

For Sprint Cup drivers who are contenders to make NASCAR's version of the postseason, there are many ways the race can go right or wrong on Sunday at Watkins Glen. The only safe prediction -- whether by team owners, crew chiefs, drivers or journalists -- is that stuff happens at the 2.45-mile road course with a majority of right hand corners instead of left hand turns. When it comes to the Chase standings, there are 10 drivers in the running for the remaining five places currently available for getting into the Chase on points.

Danica Patrick disappointed with Sprint Cup showing so far (The Associated Press)

Danica Patrick is grateful and humbled by the popularity and platform she has had over four seasons of Sprint Cup racing. Patrick expressed frustration this week at her inability so far to become a consistent top-15 finisher. ''I feel a certain amount of responsibility slash guilt when things don't go better,'' Patrick said.

Tony Stewart to drive 'throwback' car at Southern 500 (The Associated Press)

Tony Stewart is hoping that going old school will change his luck at Darlington Raceway for his final Southern 500. Stewart announced Wednesday that his No. 14 Coca-Cola Chevrolet will feature a paint scheme that replicates one on the car Bobby Allison drove to wins at the 1971 and 1972 Southern 500s. Stewart is a three-time NASCAR champion who has won 49 races, but none at Darlington.

Earnhardt to miss 2+ more races because of concussion (The Associated Press)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss at least two more races while he recovers from a concussion.

Buescher emerges in the fog at Pocono for 1st career Cup win (The Associated Press)

Chris Buescher waited out a foul-weathered end on pit road to become a stunning winner in Monday's Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. Buescher, who drives for underfunded Front Row Motorsports and hadn't finished better than 14th all season, was the beneficiary on a rare Monday race postponed a day by rain. Buescher entered the race outside the top 30 in points, and cracking the top 30 was one of the two major requirements of making the Chase.