NASCAR

A small — but growing — group of professional race car drivers are starting their careers virtually and shaking up motorsports.

Despite the All-Star race being a non-points exhibition race, it does satisfy the budget requirement, Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln) told the Associated Press.

NASCAR spokesman Mike Forde said Wednesday the series immediately had its security and racing electronic teams look into the hack. He said Wallace did not hear the remark.

Kyle Larson turned in a dominating effort to win his third All-Star race and earn $1 million in the Cup Series' return to North Wilkesboro Speedway following a 27-year absence.

For the first time since 1996, NASCAR is back at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. The sport will host its All-Star race there this Sunday, and it was made possible, in part, by the use of federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson tells The Associated Press that he is retiring from full-time racing and will turn his focus toward spending time with family. He figures his future schedule will include no more than 10 bucket-list events.

Federal funds helped make the North Wilkesboro Speedway race-ready again. A push from Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Gov. Roy Cooper is bringing NASCAR back for the first time since 1996.

Charlotte Motor Speedway delivered perhaps the most normal weekend since NASCAR returned from its COVID-19 shutdown. Drivers and race organizers believe NASCAR's momentum will continue this summer.

Kyle Larson was dropped from his racing team and quickly lost sponsors after uttering the N-word in April while playing a livestreamed video game. NASCAR has now lifted his suspension.

Denny Hamlin has joined Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan to form a NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace as the driver, a high-profile pairing of a Black…