Column: Hype, new format didn't equal must-watch Daytona 500 (The Associated Press)

Owen ''Lightning McQueen'' Wilson was on hand, and so was Waka Flocka Flame , Gronk and nearly two dozen women decked out in scantily-clad Monster Energy outfits. One thing NASCAR had for its season opener was a much-needed spark and an atmosphere worthy of the hype associated with its biggest race. The sport's leaders had worked so hard to make a splash and push the message that this was a new NASCAR.

Party Time! Outlaw, Smoke, Gronk turn Daytona 500 into bash (The Associated Press)

The Outlaw, Smoke and Gronk turned the Daytona 500 into party central. The good times were just getting started in victory lane Sunday night. Flanked by sexy models, the triumphant trio chugged drinks and gave NASCAR the buzz it craved in the season opener.

Waltrip ends racing career with 8th-place finish at Daytona (The Associated Press)

Michael Waltrip ended his racing career exactly how he hoped. The only way it could have topped his NASCAR finale, which came at the track where he earned half of his four career Cup victories, would have been to end up in victory lane. Waltrip took the checkered flag in eighth at Daytona International Speedway, providing him the ideal conclusion to a career that began in 1985, spanned more than three decades and included 784 Cup Series starts.

Chase Elliott suffers more heartbreak, this time at Daytona (The Associated Press)

Chase Elliott thought he would be celebrating the first Cup victory of his career in the prestigious Daytona 500. Instead, he wound up a passenger in a car driven by his father out the gates of Daytona International Speedway after a crushing defeat.

At last, Stewart finds his way to Daytona 500 victory lane (The Associated Press)

Tony Stewart needed to retire to win the Daytona 500. Just months into retirement, Stewart finally got to celebrate in victory lane. ''If I had known all I had to do was retire, I would have retired 17 years ago if I knew it was what it took to win the race,'' Stewart said.

Earnhardt returns from concussion, feels fine after crash (The Associated Press)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. climbed out of his wrecked race car, surveyed the damage, chatted with his team and hopped on a golf cart for a trip to the infield care center. Eight minutes after checking in with doctors, Earnhardt walked out. Earnhardt's team was unable to repair all the damage to his No. 88 Chevrolet, forced to make an early exit in NASCAR's signature race.

Elliott on the Daytona 500 pole again, alongside Earnhardt (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- It's Daytona Day!

The Latest: Hamlin trying to join exclusive Daytona 500 club (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The Latest on the Daytona 500 (all times local):

Reed grabs Xfinity Series win in wreck-fest at Daytona (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Ryan Reed picked up the second Xfinity Series victory of his career - both at Daytona International Speedway - by winning the wreck-filled season-opener Saturday.

Gibbs, Penske defend NASCAR as having bright future (The Associated Press)

Joe Gibbs joined the list of heavy hitters defending NASCAR during one of its shakiest periods in decades. The owner of powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing said NASCAR has a bright future and noted top-level companies would not participate if the sport was a sinking ship. The season opens Sunday with the Daytona 500, the showcase piece of NASCAR's 11-month schedule.

Stewart enjoying new role, puts Le Mans on 'bucket list' (The Associated Press)

Tony Stewart can show up late, leave early or not even attend NASCAR practices these days. Stewart is at Daytona International Speedway solely as a team owner for the first time in his career. ''I'll be honest, it's been kind of nice,'' Stewart said Saturday.

Suarez carries Mexican banner into NASCAR's top series (The Associated Press)

Daniel Suarez wore a suit but ditched the tie the first time he spoke at the White House. Suarez was invited to talk as part of President Barack Obama's My Brother Keeper's initiative, designed to help young people stay on track and think broadly about their future. Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, where Suarez's love of cars blossomed as he tagged along at his father's auto-restoration shop, the White House may as well have been as far away as the moon.

Nature's Bakery counters suit over Patrick's sponsorship (The Associated Press)

Nature's Bakery filed a response to a $31 million breach of contract suit brought by Stewart-Haas Racing because the company severed its sponsorship with Danica Patrick. The counterclaim in North Carolina Superior Court came a little more than a day before the season-opening Daytona 500. Patrick is to start 12th in Sunday's race.

Grala wins NASCAR Truck Series opener after Crafton flips (The Associated Press)

Rookie Kaz Grala won the NASCAR Truck Series season opener Friday night, getting through a massive wreck on the final lap at Daytona International Speedway. The 18-year-old Grala became the youngest winner in a NASCAR national series at Daytona. Two-time series champion Matt Crafton was leading the 100-lap race when he got turned sideways and went for a wild ride that included several spins and a harrowing flip.

NASCAR seeks boost to steep decline with strong Daytona 500 (The Associated Press)

The good news for NASCAR is that all signs indicate Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a legitimate shot to win the Daytona 500. A victory for NASCAR's most popular driver, in his return to racing after a concussion sidelined him the second half of last season, would be a massive boost for the sagging series. Earnhardt's star power has been one of the bright spots of Speedweeks and his strength on the track has been obvious every time he's behind the wheel of his Chevrolet.

Monster Energy tries to give NASCAR buzz as title sponsor (The Associated Press)

Kurt Busch's car could have been parked at an auto show. Monster had sponsored Busch, the 2004 NASCAR champion, in the Cup series the last two seasons. The initial buzz wore off when Busch slammed the car nose first into the wall early in NASCAR's kickoff race, crunching the hood and leaving the squiggly ''M'' claw flapping as the car skidded across the track and into the infield grass.

Retired NASCAR great Gordon to drive Daytona 500 pace car (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon will drive the honorary pace car for Sunday's Daytona 500.

Penske signs Joey Logano and Shell-Pennzoil to new deal (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Team Penske has locked down a major portion of its NASCAR program by signing driver Joey Logano, crew chief Todd Gordon and sponsor Shell-Pennzoil to extensions that run through ''2022 and beyond.''

Going, going, gone: NASCAR stars starting to step away (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Jeff Gordon is working in the broadcast booth. Carl Edwards is spending time with family. Tony Stewart is hanging out at dirt tracks.

LaJoie uses wreck, Johnson pitch to land Daytona 500 spot (The Associated Press)

Corey LaJoie's pitch to BK Racing for a ride in the Daytona 500 was going nowhere. LaJoie texted a friend - just seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson - to help give his cause a needed boost. Johnson was happy to put in a good word and called the decision-makers at BK Racing to lobby on LaJoie's behalf.

Chase Elliott grabs 1st Cup win in Daytona qualifier (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Chase Elliott finally has his first victory in NASCAR's top series, and even though it was only an exhibition race, new rules earned Elliott a solid 10 points before the start of the season.

Earnhardt's confidence sky high amid return for Daytona 500 (The Associated Press)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. traded in his T-shirt, jeans and sneakers for a head-to-toe pilot uniform, climbed up the portable stairs and slipped into the cockpit of the iconic Goodyear Blimp. Retired Marine Corps sergeant major Paul Siverson settled into his seat near Earnhardt - unbeknownst that his ''first, second and third favorite NASCAR driver'' was at the controls of the 246-foot helium-filled airship. When Earnhardt turned and said hello, Siverson jumped in delight .

Hamlin gets contract extension from Gibbs and sponsor FedEx (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Denny Hamlin has signed a contract extension with both Joe Gibbs Racing and longtime sponsor FedEx.

Earnhardt's confidence sky high amid return for Daytona 500 (The Associated Press)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. traded in his T-shirt, jeans and sneakers for a head-to-toe pilot uniform, climbed up the portable stairs and slipped into the cockpit of the iconic Goodyear Blimp. Retired Marine Corps sergeant major Paul Siverson settled into his seat near Earnhardt - unbeknownst that his ''first, second and third favorite NASCAR driver'' was at the controls of the 246-foot helium-filled airship. When Earnhardt turned and said hello, Siverson jumped in delight .

Truex forced to relive closest 2nd in Daytona 500 history (The Associated Press)

Martin Truex Jr. saw his Daytona 500 victory vanish in just a blink of an eye. Truex might want to keep his eyes closed for a bit longer around Daytona. At the speedway, reminders are everywhere that Truex was edged by an eyelash at the finish line by Denny Hamlin in last year's race.

Earnhardt wants to win a title then ride into retirement (The Associated Press)

Upon further review, hoisting a championship trophy is exactly how Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to end his career. NASCAR's most popular driver caused a stir on ''The Dan Patrick Show'' when he claimed he would immediately retire if he wins the title this year. The statement followed him to media day for the Daytona 500, and there was no question about it.

Talking 'bout AI: Gaughan recalls Hoya days with Iverson (The Associated Press)

Brendan Gaughan was the only NASCAR driver to earn a shoutout in Allen Iverson's Hall of Fame induction speech last fall. Yup, meet the Daytona 500 driver who had his ankles broken by AI. Before Gaughan started a lengthy NASCAR career and Iverson became of the NBA's greats with the Philadelphia 76ers, they were teammates in the 1990s at Georgetown.

The Latest: Patrick says sponsor fight poses no distraction (The Associated Press)

Danica Patrick says she has not been distracted by her ongoing legal wrangling with former sponsor Nature's Bakery. Stewart-Haas Racing has filed a $31 million lawsuit against Nature's Bakery, saying the food company concocted false claims to dump the remaining two years on its deal to sponsor Patrick. Patrick says she thought she had a solid relationship with Nature's Bakery and insists she never promoted any rival products.

Waltrip hoping for top-10 finish in final NASCAR race (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip has a lofty goal for his final NASCAR race.

Johnson's 8th title could stake him as NASCAR's greatest (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson might have had an easier time had his 6-year-old daughter asked for help with a school art project. Genevieve Johnson instead left dad briefly bewildered with a messier question:

Johnson's 8th title could stake him as NASCAR's greatest (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson might have had an easier time had his 6-year-old daughter asked for help with a school art project. Genevieve Johnson instead left dad briefly bewildered with a messier question:

Optimism in high gear at Daytona for NASCAR's top teams (The Associated Press)

Optimism abounds after the opening weekend at Daytona International Speedway, especially for NASCAR's top teams. Teamwork at Joe Gibbs Racing appears as solid as ever despite adding rookie Daniel Suarez to the mix, evidenced by Denny Hamlin, Suarez, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch running 1-2-3-4 for much of the Clash at Daytona.

Elliott nips Earnhardt to win 2nd straight Daytona 500 pole (The Associated Press)

Chase Elliott nipped Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the final qualifying lap to win his second straight pole for the Daytona 500. Elliott turned a lap at 192.872 mph on Sunday to just edge Earnhardt's speed of 196.864. Elliott and Earnhardt gave Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet a 1-2 front row for NASCAR's biggest race.

Logano takes advantage of late crash, wins Clash at Daytona (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Joey Logano has won the Clash at Daytona, stealing a victory when leader Denny Hamlin and second-place Brad Keselowski wrecked on the final lap.

Rain delays start of exhibition Clash at Daytona (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The first official NASCAR event of Speedweeks has been delayed by rain at Daytona International Speedway.

Hamlin could become 4th repeat Daytona 500 champion (The Associated Press)

Denny Hamlin rode the escalator to a stadium concourse and spotted his Daytona 500 championship show car on display and wrapped to resemble its appearance moments after the race. The No. 11 Toyota was scuffed up on the sides, a mark of 200 laps of rugged racing. Not far from away at the Toyota foyer, there hung a banner of Hamlin with his arms raised toward the sky in celebration of his first Daytona 500 victory.

Earnhardt makes NASCAR return, practices for Daytona 500 (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. has made his return to NASCAR by taking part in the first Daytona 500 practice of Speedweeks.

Ford looking for championships with upgraded NASCAR lineup (The Associated Press)

Ford's courtship of Stewart-Haas Racing was nothing short of clandestine. No matter how Ford crunched the numbers, it was at a significant deficit in car count. It hindered the manufacturer's ability to win a championship - Ford last won a Cup title in 2004 - and new leadership recognized an immediate need to add a top-tier team.

Bowman ready for final shot as Earnhardt's super substitute (The Associated Press)

Alex Bowman will race 75 laps in the car that belongs to NASCAR's most popular driver, hang up the firesuit and head home. A year after making a string of solid starts, Bowman is outside the NASCAR picture following Saturday's opening exhibition Clash race at Daytona International Speedway. The 23-year-old Bowman has no rides lined up in any NASCAR series and knows the Clash may be the last time he competes for Hendrick Motorsports.

NASCAR's Danica Patrick adamant she fairly promoted sponsor (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Danica Patrick is defending her support of former sponsor Nature's Bakery and says she never promoted any rival products.

Bowyer out to revive NASCAR career as Stewart's replacement (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Clint Bowyer hasn't won a race since 2012, hasn't made the playoffs in three years and is coming off an embarrassingly bad season.

NASCAR beefs up concussion testing before season begins (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NASCAR has beefed up its concussion protocol with a consistent screening rule at all venues.

NASCAR driver Greg Biffle won't race full time this season (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NASCAR driver Greg Biffle won't race full time this season.

Kurt Busch sued by former management company (The Associated Press)

Kurt Busch is being sued for nearly $1.5 million by his former sports management company after he terminated his relationship with the agency last March.

NASCAR hopes for boost after big swings at spicing it up (The Associated Press)

NASCAR has a new sponsor, a new format and welcomes back its most popular driver, all providing optimism for a series eager to halt a steady decline in attendance, ratings and sponsorship. The on-track product for the stock car series officially reports for work Friday at Daytona International Speedway, which hosts the Feb. 26 season-opening ''Great American Race.'' It will kick off a season of hold-your-breath, we-really-hope-this-works efforts by NASCAR, the networks, tracks, teams and drivers to turn things around. This season begins with Monster Energy roaring into its debut year as title sponsor amid promised marketing to millennials and the opportunity to lure new eyeballs to a sport with an aging audience.

NASCAR overhauls penalty system headed into Daytona 500 (The Associated Press)

NASCAR unveiled a revamped penalty system Thursday that could levy more punishments on race weekends. Scrapping its six-level class, NASCAR moved to a two-level system where penalties assessed during qualifying or inspections at the track will be immediate and not handled later in the week. Potential penalties at the track include loss of practice time, loss of pit selection, an end of field penalty and even the loss of track access.

Arris bumps primary sponsorship on Suarez car to 22 races (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Communications giant Arris has renewed its multi-year sponsorship with Joe Gibbs Racing and will serve as the primary sponsor for 22 races with Daniel Suarez in the No. 19 Toyota.

Nature's Bakery won't let Stewart-Haas Racing 'bully us' (The Associated Press)

Nature's Bakery says it won't let Stewart-Haas Racing ''bully us'' with a $31 million breach-of-contract lawsuit tied to a sponsorship dispute involving driver Danica Patrick. The Nevada-based food company, one of the smallest primary sponsors in NASCAR, severed its sponsorship agreement with SHR and Patrick after the first year of a three-year deal. SHR responded with a scathing lawsuit in which it accused Nature's Bakery of having cash-flow issues and concocting reasons for its decision to pull out.

NASCAR sets stage lengths for 2017 season (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NASCAR has set the stage lengths for races this season, part of a radical revamp designed in hopes of making every lap matter.

Danica Patrick gets sponsorship help days before Daytona 500 (The Associated Press)

One of Danica Patrick's sponsors has stepped up to fill a sudden funding void created when Stewart-Haas Racing sued her primary backer for $31 million in a breach-of-contract lawsuit. Aspen Dental said Tuesday it will be the lead sponsor for Patrick and debut on her car during the Feb. 26 season-opening Daytona 500. Patrick and SHR were left with 20-some races to fill less than two weeks before teams report to Daytona International Speedway because of a nasty split between the team and primary sponsor Nature's Bakery.

ESPN's Craven: Patrick is 'getting long in the tooth' (The Associated Press)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Former NASCAR driver Ricky Craven says the window for Danica Patrick to win a Cup race is starting to dwindle in a career he says is ''getting long in the tooth.''

NASCAR creates traveling safety team for 2017 (The Associated Press)

NASCAR will have a traveling safety crew starting this season, creating a consistent medical staff that drivers have been pushing for the last several years. The safety crew will come from American Medical Response and ensure that a physician and paramedics are in the safety vehicle at all Monster Energy Cup events. AMR will also provide a small group that will travel to each race, and a physician who will serve as NASCAR's primary doctor.

APNewsBreak: Danica Patrick's sponsor sued by racing team (The Associated Press)

Stewart-Haas Racing has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Nature's Bakery, accusing the company of refusing to pay millions of dollars it owes the team to sponsor Danica Patrick this season. Nature's Bakery was scheduled to sponsor at least 20 races this NASCAR season, the second year of a three-year deal to be the primary sponsor for Patrick. The lawsuit filed Friday in state superior court indicates Nature's Bakery had cash flow issues not long after signing its sponsorship agreement and asked to rework the payment schedule on the more than $15 million the company owes the team each season.

NFL great Tomlinson named honorary starter for Daytona 500 (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NFL great LaDainian Tomlinson, who could be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame later this week, has been named honorary starter for the upcoming Daytona 500.

Suarez gets first run in Cup car at Phoenix (The Associated Press)

Daniel Suarez has driven a NASCAR Xfinity Series car to a championship and a rookie of the year award. ''It was quite a bit different,'' Suarez said. Su�rez drove at Phoenix International Raceway for his first test run in a Cup Series car on Tuesday, joining a group that included Dale Earnhardt Jr, Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick, who has won six of the previous nine races at Phoenix.