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.