NASCAR: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Larson Reach Long-Term Contract Extension

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Kyle Larson, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, will remain the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports for years to come.

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Hendrick extends Cup champ Larson through '31

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has signed a five-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports through 2031.

William Byron News / Total Apex Sports / February 11

Can William Byron Make History With A Daytona 500 Three-Peat?

The Daytona 500 is NASCAR’s Super Bowl, a chaotic, high-speed chess match where luck often plays as big a role as horsepower. But as the engines fire up this February, William Byron is sitting on the edge of history.

NASCAR News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NASCAR Clash winners' quiz

How many of the annual NASCAR Clash preseason exhibition race winners since 2000 can you name in five minutes?

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

The 'Drivers in the NASCAR Hall of Fame' quiz

The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / February 11

NASCAR insider warns Riley Herbst ‘under a microscope’ at 23XI with Corey Heim waiting in the wings

Heading into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Riley Herbst should feel a little more comfortable after getting his feet wet as a rookie last season. But only a little more comfortable.

NASCAR News / The SportsRush / February 11

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sees a Special Dynamic Between Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen: ‘They’re Good for Each Other’

When Shane van Gisbergen stepped up to the NASCAR Cup Series from Xfinity last year, Connor Zilisch arrived to make his Xfinity debut and expressed his gratitude that he would not have to share a rookie season with SVG.

Kevin Harvick News / 5 GOATs / February 11

NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass selects driver that benefits most from Chase format, Kevin Harvick responds

The 2026 NASCAR season is officially upon us. And there will be a new championship format this year, with the Chase returning in a 10-race format at year’s end.

Connor Zilisch News / Yardbarker / February 11

Connor Zilisch's Daytona 500 perspective much different than it once was

Four years ago, Connor Zilisch watched the Daytona 500 like 100,000 other people — high atop the grandstands at Daytona International Speedway.

Mark Martin has high praise for NASCAR phenom Connor Zilisch

Denny Hamlin working his way into 2026 season ahead of Daytona 500

Bubba Wallace isn't very confident in Toyota's ability to qualify well for Daytona 500

Joey Logano reveals the worst feeling a driver can have in the Daytona 500

Austin Cindric paces first Daytona 500 practice session

The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

Denny Hamlin News / Field Level Media / February 11

Denny Hamlin working his way into 2026 season ahead of Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Denny Hamlin hasn't lost his competitive edge. Simply put, it has been dormant for a few months-and understandably so. In 2025, Hamlin, 45, made a wholehearted effort to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Ken Schrader News / Total Apex Sports / February 11

Schrader Remembers Earnhardt’s Legacy 25 Years Later

Earnhardt’s legacy lives on as Ken Schrader reflects on the 2001 Daytona tragedy and how NASCAR was forever changed by his life and loss. Here’s what the legendary driver has to say 25 years on.

Jimmie Johnson News / Racing America on SI / February 11

Jimmie Johnson Relieved to Be in Daytona 500 Field Despite OEP Cons

Last season, Jimmie Johnson turned back the clock with an impressive third-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

Denny Hamlin News / Yardbarker / February 11

Fans made Denny Hamlin 'feel like a champion' after 2025 title loss

Fans made Denny Hamlin 'feel like a champion' after crushing 2025 title loss

Over the years, Denny Hamlin has begun to lean into the role of NASCAR's heel, antagonizing fans and being unapologetic for the way he races.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. blasts NASCAR superspeedway racing: 'We don't like it'

Assessing each active NASCAR Cup Series champion's shot at winning first Daytona 500

Why NASCAR crew chief Mike Kelley couldn't celebrate first Daytona 500 win

Mark Martin has high praise for NASCAR phenom Connor Zilisch

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / ESPN / February 11

Who has won Daytona 500? All-time NASCAR winners list

Richard Petty won more Daytona 500 races than any other driver, with seven titles. Take a peek at the all-time NASCAR winners list now.

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / February 11

Bubba Wallace isn't very confident in Toyota's ability to qualify well for Daytona 500

Bubba Wallace still isn't that confident in his ability to qualify up front for the "Great American Race" on Wednesday evening.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. blasts NASCAR superspeedway racing: 'We don't like it'

Assessing each active NASCAR Cup Series champion's shot at winning first Daytona 500

Why NASCAR crew chief Mike Kelley couldn't celebrate first Daytona 500 win

Mark Martin has high praise for NASCAR phenom Connor Zilisch

The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

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The 'Super Bowl winning QBs' quiz

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The 'Super Bowl halftime show artists' quiz

Brad Keselowski News / Yardbarker / February 11

Keselowski wasn't sure if he was going to be able to walk after breaking leg

Brad Keselowski wasn't sure if he was going to be able to walk after breaking his leg

When Keselowski broke his right femur on a December ski trip, his 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season was immediately thrust into jeopardy.

Brad Keselowski cleared to race in the Daytona 500

Brad Keselowski's recovery form broken leg will continue throughout 2026 NASCAR season

Assessing each active NASCAR Cup Series champion's shot at winning first Daytona 500

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / February 11

Joey Logano reveals the worst feeling a driver can have in the Daytona 500

In 2015, Joey Logano won the Daytona 500 and experienced the highest high a NASCAR driver can fathom. But the three-time Cup Series champion hasn't won the "Great American Race" since.

Preseason NASCAR power rankings: Where field stacks up ahead of Daytona

Assessing each active NASCAR Cup Series champion's shot at winning first Daytona 500

Dale Earnhardt Jr. blasts NASCAR superspeedway racing: 'We don't like it'

Why NASCAR crew chief Mike Kelley couldn't celebrate first Daytona 500 win

The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

Dale Earnhardt Jr. News / The Spun / February 11

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Has 'Goosebumps' After Watching Video Of His Dad

Next Wednesday will mark 25 years to the day that the racing world lost the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. in an accident at the Daytona 500. Ahead of that

Austin Cindric News / Total Apex Sports / February 11

Cindric Sets The Early Benchmark In Opening Daytona 500 Practice

The opening practice session for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 provided the first meaningful indication of where teams stand as Speedweeks begins.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / February 11

Daytona 500: Fastest times after Practice 1 for NASCAR Cup Series

Speedweeks is finally underway for the NASCAR Cup Series, with the first practice for the 2026 Daytona 500 in the books. Leading the way was none other than Team Penske’s Austin Cindric.

NASCAR News / The SportsRush / February 11

Kyle Petty Predicts Carson Hocevar Will Have A Breakout Season in 2026

Carson Hocevar enters the 2026 Cup Series season riding a wave of momentum. He delivered a solid performance at the Cook Out Clash, finishing 15th, and also signed a contract extension with Spire Motorsports that guarantees him a starting spot through at least 2030.

Kurt Busch News / The SportsRush / February 11

'I Wrecked Your Son': Kurt Busch Still Remembers Getting A Taste of Dale Earnhardt’s Intimidation

Kurt Busch has played a small part in the newly released “We’ve Lost Dale Earnhardt: 25 Years Later” documentary, where he offered his insights into the time he spent racing against Dale Earnhardt Sr., and one of the more interesting stories he narrates is how the legend intimidated him thoroughly at Homestead-Miami Speedway.