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Rally drivers protest the swearing ban that has sparked a backlash in Formula 1
James Ellingworth, Associated Press | Posted March 19 - 12:38 p.m. | Save Story
As Formula 1 drivers grumble about their governing body's crackdown on swearing, their counterparts in rallying have staged a protest. The FIA has sought to cut down on swearing in its sports since last year when it punished F1 champion Max Verstappen for using an expletive in a news conference. New rules for 2025 mean drivers who repeatedly swear or make political or religious statements could be suspended or docked points, as well as being fined. Rally drivers have refused to give interviews, or only spoke languages other than English, following test runs for the latest championship event in Kenya.
Formula 1 in 2025: How to watch the Chinese Grand Prix on TV and what to know
The Associated Press | Posted March 19 - 2:33 a.m. | Save Story
Here is a guide that tells you everything you need to know about Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix. It's the second race in the 2025 Formula 1 series.
F1 CEO hails 'impressive' plans for a grand prix in Thailand after meeting prime minister
The Associated Press | Posted March 18 - 5:43 a.m. | Save Story
Formula 1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali has praised Thailand's "impressive plans" to host a grand prix in Bangkok after he met with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Thailand is among several countries hoping to join or return to the F1 calendar. Domenicali signaled on Tuesday there will be more talks soon. F1 plans to rotate between some established races could open up opportunities for new venues. The Belgian Grand Prix is one that is set to be dropped from the calendar in alternate years in future.
In NASCAR antitrust fight, Michael Jordan's manager goes from adviser to stock car series to target
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Updated March 17 - 1:06 p.m. | Save Story
Long before the battle over the charter system led to the antitrust lawsuit now engulfing NASCAR, its executives found Michael Jordan and his small group of advisers a beneficial resource in discussing growth for the top racing series in the United States.
F1 teams face tougher tests to stop flexible rear wings which could give an advantage
The Associated Press | Posted March 17 - 10:56 a.m. | Save Story
Formula 1's governing body will use stricter tests starting at this week's Chinese Grand Prix to stop teams using rear wings which could potentially bend at speed to give a pace advantage. The FIA says it took the decision after viewing footage filmed in practice sessions for last week's season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The FIA adds that all cars from last week's Australian GP were "deemed fully legal" after passing the tests in use at the time.
McLaren has ominous pace, Lewis Hamilton has work to do: 5 takeaways from F1's season-opener
James Ellingworth, Associated Press | Posted March 17 - 4:20 a.m. | Save Story
Lando Norris heads to the second round of the Formula 1 season in China with a lead over champion Max Verstappen after winning a thrilling race in Australia. Among the takeaways ahead of Sunday's race in Shanghai are that McLaren is the team to beat and that Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari have a lot of work to do.
Josh Berry races to 1st Cup Series victory, gives Wood Brothers 101st win with Las Vegas score
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Updated March 16 - 6:37 p.m. | Save Story
Josh Berry raced to the first Cup Series victory of his career, taking NASCAR's oldest team to victory lane Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Berry, in his first season driving the famed No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing, had the first victory for a Ford team through five races this season. William Byron opened the year with a Daytona 500 victory in a Chevrolet and Christopher Bell in a Toyota won the next three races. Berry, meanwhile, had to run down Daniel Suarez following a restart with 19 laps remaining to take control. Although Harrison Burton won at Daytona last summer for the Wood Brothers, Berry's victory is the first not at a superspeedway since 2017.
McLaren's Lando Norris wins wet and wild Australian Grand Prix. Hamilton finishes 10th
Stewart Bell, Associated Press | Updated March 16 - 4:35 a.m. | Save Story
McLaren's Lando Norris has won a chaotic rain-affected Australian Grand Prix, his first victory at Albert Park, with the British driver just managing to stay ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen following a third safety car late in the race. Mercedes' George Russell closed out the top-three. Lewis Hamilton had a miserable Ferrari debut. The seven-time champion finished 10th and was annoyed by constant radio messages from his pit team. The Melbourne race had a thrilling start with Racing Bull's Isack Hadjar out on the formation lap, and Alpine's Jack Doohan and Williams' Carlos Sainz crashing on the opening lap.
Rookie Isack Hadjar crashes on formation lap and delays start of F1 Australian GP
Stewart Bell, Associated Press | Updated March 15 - 11:29 p.m. | Save Story
Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has lost control of his car on the formation lap of the Australian Grand Prix, with the French driver sliding into a barrier at turn two and out of the race. The 20-year-old has impressed through the weekend, but was one of the least prepared of the six rookies on the F1 grid with fewer than 500 laps in a Grand Prix car ahead of the race. The race will now go ahead with 19 runners, with the cars returned to the grid ahead of a second formation lap that is scheduled at 3.15pm local time (0415 GMT). Intermittent rain and strong winds are expected throughout the race.
Lewis Hamilton has tough start with Ferrari, qualifying eighth in F1 Australian GP
Stewart Bell, Associated Press | Posted March 15 - 3:05 a.m. | Save Story
Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari odyssey got off to a tough start on Saturday after the British driver qualified in eighth for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.
Formula 1 in 2025: How to watch the Australian Grand Prix on TV and what to know
The Associated Press | Updated March 15 - 2:41 a.m. | Save Story
the year's first Formula 1 race.
Lewis Hamilton 8th in qualifying in Ferrari debut as Norris takes pole for F1 race in Australia
Stewart Bell, Associated Press | Updated March 15 - 2:17 a.m. | Save Story
Lewis Hamilton qualified eighth-fastest in his Ferrari debut as McLaren's Lando Norris claimed pole position for the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. "Not a bad way to start the year, thanks everyone," Norris said on his team radio shortly after the qualifying session ended Saturday ahead of Sunday's opening race of the Formula 1 season. Norris went into the third session of final qualifying on the back foot after his first lap was deleted for track limit infringements at turn four, where he had all four wheels off the track. Norris' teammate and Melbourne-born Oscar Piastri was second, enabling McLaren to lock out the front row for the second straight race, following 2024's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Jessie Holmes says his dogs deserve all the credit for his 'magical' first Iditarod win
Becky Bohrer, Associated Press | Updated March 14 - 6:07 p.m. | Save Story
Musher Jessie Holmes has won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Bundled-up well wishers lined a street along the Bering Sea coastline in the early morning darkness Friday, cheering him across the finish line in the Gold Rush town of Nome. The former reality television star finished the 1,128-mile long course in 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes and 41 seconds, three hours ahead of the second place finisher. Holmes says he bred all of the 10 dogs that took him to victory and that "they deserve all the credit." It was his eight Iditarod and his third time among the top three finishers.
Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes wins longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska
Mark Thiessen And Becky Bohrer, Associated Press | Updated March 14 - 4:20 p.m. | Save Story
Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes has won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. Holmes was first to the finish line Friday in the Gold Rush town of Nome, on the Bering Sea coast. The race began March 3 in Fairbanks after a lack of snow forced changes to the route and starting point. That made the normally 1,000-mile race a staggering 1,129 miles across the wilderness. Holmes was competing for the eighth time. He previously finished in the top 10 five times, including third last year and in 2022. In his first Iditarod in 2018, his seventh-place finish earned him Rookie of the Year honors.
Inothewayurthinkin wins Cheltenham Gold Cup to deny Galopin Des Champs a third straight victory
The Associated Press | Updated March 14 - 11:07 a.m. | Save Story
Galopin Des Champs has been denied a third straight win in horse racing's Cheltenham Gold Cup after he was beaten by Inothewayurthinkin in the prestigious jumps race in England. Only four horses, including greats Arkle and Best Mate, have won three Gold Cups in a row in the race's 101-year history. Galopin Des Champs was put in a great position to become the fifth but was overtaken at the last fence by Inothewayurthinkin, which pulled away to win by around 3-4 lengths on Friday. Galopin Des Champs' trainer, Willie Mullins, was looking to claim a remarkable fifth straight race victory on the final day of the festival. His first was a 100-1 shot, Poniros.
Top jockey Frankie Dettori says he will file for bankruptcy
The Associated Press | Posted March 13 - 2:42 p.m. | Save Story
Frankie Dettori, one of the most successful jockeys in horse racing history, has announced he will file for bankruptcy to resolve a dispute with British tax authorities. The 54-year-old Italian is now based in the United States and still racing. He has been involved in a legal dispute with HM Revenue and Customs, which denied some tax deductions that he had claimed. In a statement widely reported by British media Thursday, he says "Regretfully, I will be filing for bankruptcy. I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome." Dettori has ridden more than 3,350 winners.
F1's Mercedes chief Wolff says he's not looking to sign Verstappen for 2026
Stewart Bell, Associated Press | Updated March 13 - 2:18 a.m. | Save Story
Mercedes team principal and chief executive Toto Wolff has denied rumors on the eve of the Australian Grand Prix weekend that he's still seeking to sign reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen for 2026. Mercedes, which has a new driver lineup this year that sees rookie prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli join George Russell, is hoping to emerge from its recent lean spell in F1 that has seen it score just five wins from the last three seasons, four of which came in 2024. But while Verstappen was reportedly on Mercedes' shopping list last year as a top-gun replacement for its then-outgoing star Lewis Hamilton, Silver Arrows' team boss Wolff says extending Russell's contract beyond 2025 is the priority.
Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar ready to learn on the job in his first F1 weekend in Australia
Stewart Bell, Associated Press | Posted March 13 - 12:44 a.m. | Save Story
two more than champion Gabriel Bortoleto, who is now with Sauber. Â The French driver has had just four practice sessions in F1 and last year's post-season test for the Red Bull program. He says "it's enough" ahead of his first F1 race weekend: "I need to do my first race. You need to learn on the job for that."
Oscar Piastri confident he can be the first Aussie to win the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix
Stewart Bell, Associated Press | Posted March 12 - 10:35 p.m. | Save Story
Oscar Piastri is quietly confident he can become the first Aussie driver to win the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. He's aiming for it this weekend. The McLaren driver says "we'll be good from the start of this year." The 23-year-old Piastri grew up living just a short drive from Melbourne's Albert Park circuit and knows the layout well. He made headlines this week with news that he'd signed a new multi-year deal extension to keep him at McLaren beyond 2026. And the good fortune is expected to continue on-track for McLaren, with the team determined to start in Melbourne as it finished the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi – with the victory silverware.
Domenicali agrees to five-year extension to stay on as F1 president and CEO through 2029
Jim Vertuno, Associated Press | Posted March 12 - 3:07 p.m. | Save Story
Stefano Domenicali, who has guided Formula 1 through explosive growth on the calendar and in popularity in recent years, will stay on as president and chief executive through 2029 under a five-year contract extension announced by the the global racing series and ownership group Liberty Media. A 59-year-old Italian, Domenicali has been in charge of F1 since 2021 and has steered the series as it expanded to 24 races, added two new U.S. grand prix races in Miami and Las Vegas, and will expand its grid with an 11th team when American-owned Cadillac Formula 1 joins in 2026.
Queen Camilla attends Cheltenham Festival, comforts girlfriend of jockey who died after recent fall
The Associated Press | Posted March 12 - 2:36 p.m. | Save Story
Queen Camilla has comforted the girlfriend of a jockey who recently died following a fall as the horse forever linked to his career won at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. Camilla kissed and put a reassuring arm on Charlotte Giles. Giles had joined trainer Barry Connell on the winning podium after his horse, Marine Nationale, won the feature race of the day: the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Marine Nationale was ridden to victory in 2023 in another big Cheltenham race, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, by Michael O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan died last month from his injuries following a fall at Thurles Racecourse in his native Ireland.
Formula 1 in 2025: How to watch the Australian Grand Prix on TV and what to know
The Associated Press | Updated March 11 - 11:46 p.m. | Save Story
Get ready for the Australian Grand Prix with a guide that tells you everything you need to know about how to watch the year's first Formula 1 race, what the schedule is and more.
Piastri signs 'multi-year' extension at McLaren ahead of new Formula 1 season
The Associated Press | Posted March 11 - 3:39 p.m. | Save Story
Oscar Piastri has signed a "multi-year" contract extension with McLaren. The F1 team made the announcement five days before the first race of the new season at Piastri's home Australian Grand Prix. Piastri was already under contract at McLaren until the end of next season. The team didn't give details of the extension but said it meant the 23-year-old Piastri would be staying "for the long term." The Australian won two races last year to help McLaren to win the constructors' title. He was fourth in the drivers' standings as Max Verstappen held off a challenge from Piastri's McLaren teammate Lando Norris to win the title.
Meet Formula 1's biggest rookie intake in years. Some already are targeting the podium
James Ellingworth, Associated Press | Posted March 10 - 11:00 p.m. | Save Story
Kimi Antonelli once hid in a stack of tires to get through security and into the Formula 1 paddock. Now the 18-year-old Italian is Lewis Hamilton's successor at Mercedes. Antonelli is part of F1's biggest intake of new drivers in years as top teams put some trust in youth. Six of the 20 drivers on the 2025 grid are starting their first full seasons in F1. Some could potentially compete for wins, while others are already under pressure to retain their seats.
Christopher Bell takes a 3-race winning streak to Las Vegas with Adam Stevens in his corner
John Marshall, Associated Press | Posted March 10 - 11:44 a.m. | Save Story
Nothing seemed to be going right at the start of Christopher Bell's relationship with crew chief Adam Stevens. They struggled to get the right setups and results. It concerned Bell, but Stevens wasn't worried. He previously won a championship with Kyle Busch and could see Bell had the goods to have a successful career after moving to Joe Gibbs Racing. Stevens told Bell they could win together and proved to be right by becoming the first driver to win three straight races in the NextGen car. The pair next head to Las Vegas, where Bell can become the first driver to win four straight races since Jimmie Johnson in 2007.
Meet the Madring: New Formula 1 circuit in Madrid gets a name
The Associated Press | Updated March 10 - 10:35 a.m. | Save Story
The new Formula 1 track in Madrid will be called the Madring. The new venue is due to bring F1 to the Spanish capital from next year with a circuit laid out around an area of exhibition halls near Madrid's main airport, using a mix of existing roads and purpose-built sections of track. Organizers have signed a decade-long contract with F1 through 2035. The choice of Madring echoes the likes of Austria's Red Bull Ring and Hungary's Hungaroring, both regular fixtures on the F1 calendar.
Verstappen bids for 5th title and Hamilton's at Ferrari as F1 prepares for a close fight in 2025
James Ellingworth, Associated Press | Posted March 9 - 11:02 p.m. | Save Story
Lando Norris will have to defy plenty of history to win the Formula 1 title this year. There's his friend-turned-rival Max Verstappen's bid for a fifth title in a row. Just like the only driver to achieve that feat, Michael Schumacher, Verstappen is a hard racer who isn't afraid to bend the rules. Then there's Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time champion going for a record eighth title in 2025. It's his first season with Ferrari, which is itching to end a wait for a drivers' title going back to 2007.
Katherine Legge spins out twice in first NASCAR Cup Series race in Phoenix
The Associated Press | Posted March 9 - 9:14 p.m. | Save Story
Katherine Legge spent 25 years working her way through professional motorsports before getting her shot at driving a NASCAR Cup Series car. Her first go-round was a bumpy ride. The first woman to drive a Cup Series car in seven years, Legge spun out twice and didn't finish the race in her debut at Phoenix Raceway. Legge struggled in qualifying at the mile oval in the desert, so she and the Live Fast Motorsports opted to make several overnight changes to her No. 78 Chevrolet. The English driver struggled with the changes early in the race, spinning out on lap 4. Legge had trouble making up any ground and spun out again late in the race, ending her day in 30th place.
Christopher Bell holds off Denny Hamlin at Phoenix to win third straight NASCAR Cup Series race
John Marshall, Associated Press | Updated March 9 - 6:58 p.m. | Save Story
Christopher Bell became the first NASCAR Cup Series driver to win three straight races in the NextGen car, holding off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin by 0.049 seconds to win the second-closest race in Phoenix Raceway history. Bell started 11th in the 312-mile race after winning at Atlanta and Circuit of America the past two weeks. The JGR driver took the lead out of the pits on a caution and stayed out front on two late restarts to become the first driver to win three straight races since Kyle Larson in 2021. Hamlin pulled alongside Bell over the final two laps after the last restart and the two bumped a couple times before rounding into the final two turns. Bell barely stayed ahead of Hamlin, crossing the checkered flag with a wobble for his 12th career Cup Series win.
Is winning the F1 title in 2025 a trap? A looming rules reset could punish this year's contenders
James Ellingworth, Associated Press | Posted March 8 - 10:04 p.m. | Save Story
Could winning the Formula 1 title in 2025 actually hurt a team? That's the dilemma facing F1's team principals as sweeping regulation changes for 2026 threaten to upend the competitive order. An F1 title fight can often come down to developing and refining a car throughout the year. The problem is that teams that start 2025 poorly could choose to abandon development work on the current car and focus all energy on next year, which brings sweeping changes to cars and engines alike. That could bring big gains for years to come.
US wins gold in mixed skeleton race at world championships, with Britain 2nd and China 3rd
The Associated Press | Posted March 8 - 6:56 p.m. | Save Story
The U.S. won the mixed skeleton world championship for the first time Saturday night, after not even medaling in the first four editions of the event. The team of Austin Florian and Mystique Ro won at Mount Van Hoevenberg with a combined time of 1 minute, 54.53 seconds. Britain won the silver with the team of world men's champion Matt Weston and Tabitha Stoecker finishing in 1:54.63. China got the bronze, with Dan Zhao and Qinwei Lin finishing in 1:54.81.
A diaper dandy? NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart ready to take steps in NHRA and fatherhood
Mark Long, Associated Press | Posted March 8 - 10:54 a.m. | Save Story
duties. Stewart and Pruett welcomed their first child, Dominic James Stewart, in November. And the baby boy has been along for the ride ever since. Stewart and Pruett provided a glimpse into their new normal Friday.
Katherine Legge's long, varied journey in motorsports leads to NASCAR Cup Series debut
David Brandt, Associated Press | Posted March 7 - 4:55 p.m. | Save Story
Katherine Legge has raced in just about every series possible during her 25-year journey in professional motorsports, ranging from dirt tracks to IndyCar. Even so, she doesn't mind admitting to being nervous about potentially rubbing fenders with the likes of Joey Logano, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell in her first NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Legge is set to become the first woman in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick made her final start in the Daytona 500 seven years ago. She'll drive the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports.
Britain's Matt Weston finishes a dominant run to the men's skeleton world title in Lake Placid
Tim Reynolds, Associated Press | Updated March 7 - 1:09 p.m. | Save Story
in 3 minutes, 35.48 seconds. Weston's winning margin of 1.90 seconds was the second-largest in a men's world championships since skeleton was restored to the Olympic program about a quarter-century ago.
Cadillac F1 receives approval to enter global series as expanded 11th team in 2026
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Updated March 7 - 10:22 a.m. | Save Story
Cadillac's Formula 1 team has received official approval to join the grid in 2026 and its owners insist the team will be ready to compete. Although the grid expansion was approved last November, it was not until Friday that governing body FIA and Formula One Management said the Cadillac F1 effort meets all the requirements to become the 11th team in the series next season. The team will function out of locations in Silverstone, England, the Indianapolis area and in Concord, North Carolina. Team owners say they have a 2026 car built that has already been in the wind tunnel.
Britain's Weston builds huge lead halfway through men's skeleton world championship in Lake Placid
Tim Reynolds, Associated Press | Updated March 6 - 3:46 p.m. | Save Story
In football, this would be a five-touchdown lead. In basketball, the subs would be in. In boxing, someone might consider throwing a towel. Matt Weston of Britain has a lead of 0.89 seconds at the halfway point of the world skeleton championships, after he cruised through his first two runs on Thursday. He will try to finish off the title with two more runs at Mount Van Hoevenberg on Friday. That lead might not sound like much. But in a sliding sport, where races are often decided by hundredths of a second, it's an eternity. Meanwhile, Kimberley Bos of the Netherlands is the leader at the midpoint of the women's skeleton race.
Lewis Hamilton wants to win another F1 title at 40 with Ferrari. It hasn't been done since the 1960s
James Ellingworth, Associated Press | Posted March 5 - 10:27 p.m. | Save Story
Lewis Hamilton isn't about to let age stop him pursuing an historic eighth Formula 1 title with his new team Ferrari. An eighth world title would be an all-time record but winning after turning 40 has been a challenge for even the greatest drivers in F1 history. No driver has won a race past the age of 40 since 1994, and there's hasn't been a 40-plus world champion in 59 years.
Cindric penalized by NASCAR for hooking Ty Dillon at COTA. Team Penske driver avoids suspension
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Posted March 5 - 2:44 p.m. | Save Story
NASCAR has penalized Austin Cindric 50 points and fined him $50,000 for intentionally spinning Ty Dillon in last weekend's Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas. Dillon moved Cindric up the track early in the race and Cindric quickly retaliated by hooking Dillon in the right rear, spinning Dillon's car. NASCAR has made clear they will not tolerate drivers hooking competitors in the right rear to spin them because of the potential hazards. Bubba Wallace and Chase Elliott have both previously been suspended for similar actions. The penalty drops Cindric of Team Penske from 11th to 35th in the standings heading into this weekend's race in Phoenix.
Chase Briscoe wins appeal over modified spoiler during Daytona 500 pole-winning run
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Posted March 5 - 2:36 p.m. | Save Story
Chase Briscoe and Joe Gibbs Racing won their appeal when the National Motorsports Appeals Panel said his Toyota did not have an illegally modified spoiler when he won the Daytona 500 pole. The victory restores the 100 points and 10 playoff points NASCAR had penalized Briscoe for the spoiler violation. The team also gets its 100 points and 10 playoff points back, and crew chief James Small's four-race suspension was rescinded, as was the $100,000 fine to the team. Briscoe is now tied for 14th in the season standings with Carson Hocevar headed into Sunday's race at Phoenix Raceway.
NASCAR countersues 23XI and Front Row, as well as Michael Jordan's manager, in dispute over charters
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Updated March 5 - 1:36 p.m. | Save Story
NASCAR has filed a counterclaim against Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports alleging they "willfully" violated antitrust laws in connection with the most recent charter agreements. 23XI and Front Row were the only two teams out of 15 that refused to sign the agreements presented to teams last September in a take-it-or-leave-it offer 48 hours before the start of NASCAR's playoffs. In the counterclaim filed Wednesday that names longtime Jordan business manager Curtis Polk as a defendant, NASCAR said 23XI and FRM, led by Polk, "willfully violated the antitrust laws by orchestrating anticompetitive collective conduct in connection with the terms of the 2025 Charter Agreements."
NHRA driver Tony Schumacher lands a part-time ride with Rick Ware Racing for 2025 season
The Associated Press | Posted March 5 - 12:10 p.m. | Save Story
"The Sarge" is back for another NHRA season. Eight-time Top Fuel champion and 88-time race winner Tony Schumacher will run a partial schedule for Rick Ware Racing this season. The winningest Top Fuel driver in NHRA history hopes to turn the part-time gig into a full-time ride in 2026. Schumacher says he expects to compete "at a high level immediately" with RWR and alongside teammate Clay Millican. Schumacher earned his "Sarge" nickname while driving an Army-sponsored dragster for years. He won Top Fuel championships in 1999, 2004-09 and 2014. The NHRA Mission Foods Series kicks off this weekend at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida.
World's oldest llama enjoys comforting chronically ill children in North Carolina
Hallie Golden, Associated Press | Updated March 5 - 12:49 a.m. | Save Story
A bucktoothed llama that spends his days comforting chronically ill children at a North Carolina camp founded by NASCAR royalty has been crowned the world's oldest llama in captivity. The Guinness World Records announced last week that at 27 years and 251 days, the selfie- and snuggle-loving llama called Whitetop has dethroned Dalai Llama. Whitetop was donated to the Victory Junction camp in 2006, just two years after race car driver Kyle Petty and his family founded the camp in honor of Petty's son, who was killed in a racing crash. Whitetop has become known for his relaxed, sweet and empathetic personality.
Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari is having a cultural impact far beyond Formula 1
James Ellingworth, Associated Press | Posted March 5 - 12:11 a.m. | Save Story
with its biggest brand reaches people who don't consider themselves F1 fans. Hamilton's move is already a marketing triumph in some respects. His first race for Ferrari is set for next week in Australia. That follows 13 months of hype since he announced his decision to join the team from Mercedes before 2024 even began.
In Lake Placid, a pair of athletes are sliding for Ukraine. They hope better days are ahead
Tim Reynolds, Associated Press | Posted March 4 - 1:26 p.m. | Save Story
The final race of the headfirst-sliding sport known as skeleton awaits Ukrainian athletes Vladyslav Heraskevych and Yaroslav Lavreniuk. After that, they're going home. They don't know what awaits when they get there. Heraskevych and Lavreniuk are the only athletes from Ukraine competing at the world bobsled and skeleton championships that start Thursday and run through next weekend in Lake Placid, New York. The house they're sharing for a few more days is easy enough to find; it's the one with a giant Ukrainian flag hanging off the porch.
Katherine Legge to be the 1st woman in 7 years to compete in NASCAR Cup Series race
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Updated March 4 - 8:17 a.m. | Save Story
Katherine Legge will become the first woman in a NASCAR Cup Series race since Danica Patrick in 2018 when the veteran makes her debut Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. Legge will drive the No. 78 Chevrolet for Liv Fast Motorsports. She becomes the first woman since Patrick made her final Cup Series start in the Daytona 500 eight years ago. Legge is a 44-year-old native of England. She has five career starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. She most recently raced in a NASCAR race at Road America in 2023. She ran the ARCA race last month at Daytona International Speedway.
AP spent the IndyCar opener with Andretti leadership, including Jill Gregory in her debut race
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Updated March 3 - 3:19 p.m. | Save Story
The Associated Press was embedded with Andretti Global for the first IndyCar race of the season to watch the team operate under its new leadership. It was Dan Towriss' first race as the controlling owner of Michael Andretti's former team and Jill Gregory's first as the only woman team president in IndyCar. The AP had exclusive access to both Towriss and Gregory for everything but the pre-race strategy meeting.
Bell makes late charge for lead and holds off Byron at COTA for 2nd straight NASCAR victory
Jim Vertuno, Associated Press | Updated March 2 - 6:31 p.m. | Save Story
Christopher Bell passed Kyle Busch with five laps to go, then held off Daytona 500 winner William Byron to win NASCAR's first road course race of the season at the Circuit of the Americas. Bell raced to his second consecutive victory after an overtime win in Atlanta a week ago. Once Bell cleared Busch, the Oklahoma driver had to make a desperate bid stay in front of hard-charging Byron and 2023 race winner Tyler Reddick of 23X1 Racing's Toyota. Busch led 43 of 95 laps but faded to fifth to stretch his winless streak to 60 races.
Michael Andretti enjoying retirement as he takes in IndyCar opener as a fan instead of team owner
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Posted March 2 - 1:06 p.m. | Save Story
or maybe he was going back to his triple-decker yacht docked near Turn 10. He has no responsibilities since selling controlling interest of Andretti Global to business partner Dan Towriss,
The world's most famous sled dog race is longer than ever. Here's a look at Iditarod, by the numbers
Mark Thiessen, Associated Press | Updated March 1 - 6:52 p.m. | Save Story
The world's most famous sled dog race will have its longest course ever this year. A lack of snow north of the Alaska Range has forced a new route, increasing the race mileage by more than 100 miles. A stretch of barren ground also forced the official start of the race to Fairbanks. The parade-like ceremonial start is Saturday in Anchorage. The official start of the race was delayed by a day, until Monday, so mushers and die-hard fans can drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks for the start. The winner is expected in about 10 days in the old Gold Rush town of Nome, 1,128 miles away.
Journalism beats odds-on favorite Barnes to win San Felipe on road to Kentucky Derby
The Associated Press | Posted March 1 - 6:34 p.m. | Save Story
Journalism ran down odds-on favorite Barnes in the stretch to win the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita and move into contention for the Kentucky Derby in May. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.24. He paid $8.20, $2.80 and $2.10 at 3-1 odds. He's trained by Michael McCarthy. Barnes was second and Rodriguez was third. Both are trained by Bob Baffert. His third entry, Mellencamp, was fourth in the field of five 3-year-old colts.
Power struggles on 44th birthday as he begins IndyCar season seeking a Penske contract extension
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Posted March 1 - 2:03 p.m. | Save Story
Will Power had a rough 44th birthday when he lost power in his car, brushed the wall during practice and had his hybrid engine changed before qualifying for IndyCar's season-opening race. Then he failed to advance out of the first round of qualifying while teammates Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden both did move on. Power will start 13th, while McLaughlin won the pole for Sunday's race on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg. It's not the best way for Power to start what is the final season of his current Team Penske contract. He wants an extension.
Jamie Little's return to IndyCar part of a busy year for Fox Sports announcer
Joe Reedy, Associated Press | Posted March 1 - 4:00 a.m. | Save Story
will be filling in for Georgia Henneberry, who recently had a baby and will miss the first couple races.
Colton Herta hedges on if he wants one of the Cadillac F1 seats because of his dedication to IndyCar
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Posted Feb. 28 - 2:28 p.m. | Save Story
Colton Herta raised eyebrows when the IndyCar driver said he'd have to think about a move to Formula 1 with the new Cadillac team should he earn eligibility for the global series. Herta does not have the super license required to compete in F1 but would earn it this season by finishing fourth or higher in the IndyCar standings. He finished second last year. When the F1 effort first started under Michael Andretti it was designed to be an American team with Herta as the American driver. The project no longer involves Andretti because TWG Motorsports, run by former Andretti business partner Dan Towriss, became the majority owners of Andretti Global.
Mercedes driver George Russell is fastest on final day of F1 preseason testing
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 28 - 10:23 a.m. | Save Story
George Russell has posted the fastest time on the final day of Formula 1 preseason testing in Bahrain after the afternoon session was briefly interrupted when a shuttle bus drove on the track. The Mercedes driver ended F1's three days of testing by beating Max Verstappen, who was 0.021 of a second off the pace at Bahrain International Circuit on Friday. In a bizarre scene early in the afternoon session, testing was halted when a white bus drove slowly on a runoff area of the track. The first race of the season is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.
Lewis Hamilton is enjoying his new Ferrari as Carlos Sainz goes fastest in testing
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 27 - 10:39 a.m. | Save Story
Lewis Hamilton says he's "really enjoying" driving his new Ferrari after he was narrowly beaten in Formula 1 testing results in Bahrain by the driver he replaced at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Jr. Hamilton's time from the morning session was the fastest for much of the day until new Williams driver Sainz beat it by .031 of a second. Hamilton's Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was third fastest, .083 off the pace. There was a sizeable gap to Mercedes' George Russell in fourth, .43 off Sainz's time.
Verstappen and Norris 'respect' each other while joking about their F1 rivalry
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 27 - 5:24 a.m. | Save Story
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have dismissed suggestions their Formula 1 rivalry has turned into a personal feud. They went so far as to joke on Thursday they've been reduced to brawling in a pub. Verstappen deadpanned that they have a "terrible relationship" as Norris chuckled beside him at preseason testing in Bahrain and brought up the supposed pub fight. Norris was Verstappen's closest challenger last season as the Dutch driver won a fourth consecutive F1 title. Hard-edged and controversial battles on track sparked debate about whether F1 rules do enough to deter aggressive or risky driving.
NASCAR stars enjoy immersive Mexico City visit ahead of first international Cup Series race
Jenna Fryer, Associated Press | Posted Feb. 27 - 4:00 a.m. | Save Story
Daniel Suarez led a quartet of NASCAR stars through the streets of Mexico City in search of a nightcap following a full day of showcasing his native country to his fellow competitors. It was part of an immersive experience ahead of NASCAR's planned first points-paying international Cup Series race in modern history. The June race announcement was initially met with excitement. But as the 2025 season has started there have been industry questions about security. But after Suarez showed Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell around the city, the quartet left Mexico City raving about the culture and the experience and created the messaging NASCAR hoped for.
Lando Norris is fastest and Lewis Hamilton 13th as a power cut disrupts F1 testing
The Associated Press | Updated Feb. 26 - 10:19 a.m. | Save Story
Lando Norris was fastest and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton 13th as Formula 1 teams had to deal with a power outage that disrupted preseason testing. In an early sign favoring Norris' bid to beat defending champion Max Verstappen, the McLaren driver was fastest by .157 seconds from Mercedes' George Russell. Verstappen was third-fastest and Hamilton's new Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc fourth. The afternoon session was suspended for around an hour because of a power cut which plunged pit lane garages into darkness and disabled some floodlights around the track.
FIA confirms 2 pit stops for F1's Monaco Grand Prix to liven up dull racing
The Associated Press | Posted Feb. 26 - 9:33 a.m. | Save Story
Formula 1 drivers will have to make at least two pit stops at the Monaco Grand Prix in an attempt to inject some jeopardy into a glamorous race where overtaking is almost impossible. F1's governing body, the FIA, has confirmed it will mandate using at least three sets of tires "with the primary intent of improving the sporting spectacle of this race given the notable difficulty in overtaking at this circuit." Recent races in Monaco have often been decided largely by grid positions from Saturday qualifying because overtaking is so hard.
