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Victor and villain: Denny Hamlin keeps winning despite new role as NASCAR's most polarizing driver

Victor and villain: Denny Hamlin keeps winning despite new role as NASCAR's most polarizing driver

Mark Long, Associated Press  |  Updated March 18 - 8:53 a.m.  |  Save Story

Denny Hamlin was booed in celebration again. The Joe Gibbs Racing superstar heard another heaping of disapproval and contempt when he climbed from his No. 11 Toyota at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday. Victor and villain. Hamlin stopped short of egging on the hostile crowd this time, though. After winning at Bristol, Hamlin skipped his catchphrase of "I just beat your favorite driver." He simply flashed his index finger in every direction to remind everyone who finished No. 1. It's become the surreal norm for Hamlin and shows no signs of dying down even as he continues to rise NASCAR's all-time win chart.
Denny Hamlin wins tire-management NASCAR race at Bristol, his 4th victory at the famed bullring

Denny Hamlin wins tire-management NASCAR race at Bristol, his 4th victory at the famed bullring

Mark Long, Associated Press  |  Posted March 17 - 5:41 p.m.  |  Save Story

the first time that has happened in the Cup Series in 20 years. The Gibbs cars were the class of the field.
Denny Hamlin wins tire-management NASCAR race at Bristol, his 4th victory at the famed bullring

Denny Hamlin wins tire-management NASCAR race at Bristol, his 4th victory at the famed bullring

Mark Long, Associated Press  |  Posted March 17 - 5:41 p.m.  |  Save Story

the first time that has happened in the Cup Series in 20 years. The Gibbs cars were the class of the field.
Reigning NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney wins pole for Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway

Reigning NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney wins pole for Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway

Mark Long, Associated Press  |  Posted March 16 - 5:36 p.m.  |  Save Story

Ryan Blaney has won the pole for Sunday's NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The reigning Cup Series champion covered the 0.533-mile concrete track in Bristol, Tennessee, in 15.356 seconds. He edged Josh Berry for the No. 1 spot and will lead the field to the green flag in the Food City 500. It was Blaney's 10th career pole in 11 seasons and his first since the spring race at Richmond Raceway in 2022. Berry was second in another Ford for Stewart Haas Racing. Hamlin was third in a Toyota, followed by Joey Logano and Chase Elliott.
Galopin Des Champs retains Cheltenham Gold Cup crown

Galopin Des Champs retains Cheltenham Gold Cup crown

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 15 - 10:58 a.m.  |  Save Story

Galopin Des Champs has successfully defended his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown in another victory for trainer Willie Mullins. Under jockey Paul Townend, the 10-11 favorite Galopin Des Champs drew into the lead at the second-to-last fence and galloped powerfully up the hill in front of Gerri Colombe with Corach Rambler third. Mullins and Townend combined for their fourth Gold Cup victory following Al Boum Photo's back-to-back triumphs in 2019 and 2020 and Galopin Des Champs' win over Bravemansgame a year ago at the prestigious horse racing jumps meeting.
Maryland lawmakers consider new plan to rebuild Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness

Maryland lawmakers consider new plan to rebuild Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness

Brian Witte, Associated Press  |  Updated March 14 - 4:25 p.m.  |  Save Story

A new plan to rebuild Baltimore's storied but deteriorating Pimlico Race Course is making a late charge down the stretch of Maryland's legislative session. The measure released Thursday would use $400 million in state bonds to rebuild the home of the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. Under the plan, the Preakness would take place at Pimlico this year and next. It would then relocate to Laurel Park for a year, before returning to Pimlico in 2027. The plan calls for transferring Pimlico from the Stronach Group, which is the current owner of Pimlico and Laurel Park, to the Maryland Racing Authority.
Dog deaths revive calls for end to Iditarod, the endurance race with deep roots in Alaska tradition

Dog deaths revive calls for end to Iditarod, the endurance race with deep roots in Alaska tradition

Mark Thiessen, Associated Press  |  Updated March 14 - 3:05 p.m.  |  Save Story

have refocused attention on the sport's darker side. Questions are being raised anew about the ethics of asking animals to pull a heavy sled for hundreds of miles in subzero temperatures. Animal rights groups are calling for the race to end. The Iditarod pledges if there is anything to be done differently once they get the full necropsy reports back, they will apply those learnings.
Willie Mullins secures 100th Cheltenham win as Jasmin de Vaux takes the Weatherbys Champion Bumper

Willie Mullins secures 100th Cheltenham win as Jasmin de Vaux takes the Weatherbys Champion Bumper

The Associated Press  |  Updated March 13 - 1:08 p.m.  |  Save Story

Top Irish trainer Willie Mullins secured a milestone 100th Cheltenham Festival win when Jasmin de Vaux raced to victory in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. Mullins is the most successful trainer in the history of the prestigious jumps meeting and reached his landmark figure with three wins on the day after earlier victories for Ballyburn and Fact To File. Jasmin de Vaux triumphed after Mullins had been left on 99 when odds-on favorite El Fabiolo pulled up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and outsider Captain Guinness took the race. But he didn't have to wait long for his century of wins.
Seavey now has the most Iditarod wins, but Alaska's historic race is marred by 3 sled dog deaths

Seavey now has the most Iditarod wins, but Alaska's historic race is marred by 3 sled dog deaths

Mark Thiessen, Associated Press  |  Updated March 12 - 11:20 p.m.  |  Save Story

Alaska's annual Iditarod dog sled race has ended with a victory for the ages: One of the biggest names in the sport came from behind after a moose attack to win the grueling, dayslong contest for an unprecedented sixth time. But Dallas Seavey's record-setting win late Tuesday was overshadowed by the deaths of three dogs in this year's storied endurance race across the Alaska wilderness. A fourth dog, one of Seavey's, was severely injured by a moose on the trail. That's renewed calls from an animal rights group to stop the race. The race crosses 1,000 miles of wilderness, traversing two mountain ranges, the Yukon River and a slice of the frozen Bering Sea before ending just south of the Arctic Circle.
Dallas Seavey wins 6th Iditarod championship, most ever in the world's most famous sled dog race

Dallas Seavey wins 6th Iditarod championship, most ever in the world's most famous sled dog race

Mark Thiessen, Associated Press  |  Updated March 12 - 9:28 p.m.  |  Save Story

Dallas Seavey has made Iditarod history. Seavey won the world's most famous sled dog race on Tuesday. That's a record-breaking sixth championship for the Alaska musher. This year's race started off rough for Seavey. He had to shoot and kill a moose that got tangled up with his dogs shortly after the race began. He shot the moose and told officials he gutted it the best he could. Iditarod officials wound up issuing Seavey a two-hour time penalty. He still enjoyed a three-hour lead over the nearest competitor on his way to the finish line in Nome.
Utah dog, Alaska dog die during 1,000-mile Iditarod, prompting call from PETA to end race

Utah dog, Alaska dog die during 1,000-mile Iditarod, prompting call from PETA to end race

Mark Thiessen, Associated Press  |  Posted March 12 - 8:40 p.m.  |  Save Story

Dogs belonging to mushers Hunter Keefe of Alaska and Issac Teaford of Salt Lake City collapsed and died despite efforts to revive them while competing in the 2024 Iditarod.
Cheltenham Festival opens with Willie Mullins claiming 3 wins to close in on extraordinary milestone

Cheltenham Festival opens with Willie Mullins claiming 3 wins to close in on extraordinary milestone

The Associated Press  |  Posted March 12 - 11:47 a.m.  |  Save Story

The Cheltenham Festival has opened with top Irish trainer Willie Mullins claiming three victories on Day 1 to close in on the extraordinary milestone of 100 winners at the prestigious jumps meeting. His wins included State Man in the marquee Champion Hurdle. Mullins is now on 97 career wins at Cheltenham and that's 34 more than any other trainer. He triumphed with Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle and Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle either side of State Man in soggy conditions on the English track.
Tony Stewart considers his debut in the NHRA's Top Fuel class a success despite an early exit

Tony Stewart considers his debut in the NHRA's Top Fuel class a success despite an early exit

Mark Long, Associated Press  |  Posted March 11 - 3:23 p.m.  |  Save Story

Three-time NASCAR champion and 1997 IndyCar champion Tony Stewart considers his NHRA Top Fuel debut a rousing success despite losing in the first round of eliminations. The 52-year-old Stewart made five passes during the season-opening Gatornationals and did nearly everything right, although he lost in the first round to Justin Ashley. Stewart did beat Ashley off the starting line. Stewart drove for the first time in drag racing's top class. He slid into one of the seats in his two-car team to replace his wife, veteran driver Leah Pruett. She stepped away to try to start a family.
Christopher Bell's win caps Toyota's stellar weekend at Phoenix Raceway

Christopher Bell's win caps Toyota's stellar weekend at Phoenix Raceway

John Marshall, Associated Press  |  Posted March 11 - 11:20 a.m.  |  Save Story

Chevrolet dominated the start of the NASCAR Cup Series by claiming three straight wins, starting with William Byron's Daytona 500 victory. As the series shifted to Phoenix Raceway, Toyota found the right gears and turn of the wrenches for a dominating weekend capped by Christopher Bell's trip to victory lane. Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs finished a career-best third in the race and Toyota cars led all but 14 laps in the 312-mile race. Bell's victory capped a weekend in which Toyota driver William Sawalich won the rain-shortened ARCA Menards Series race and Chandler Smith took the checkered flag in the Xfinity race.
Former F1 driver Massa sues FIA, FOM and Ecclestone in a London court to claim 2008 title

Former F1 driver Massa sues FIA, FOM and Ecclestone in a London court to claim 2008 title

Mauricio Savarese, Associated Press  |  Posted March 11 - 10:12 a.m.  |  Save Story

Former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa says he has filed a lawsuit in a London court amid his attempt to claim the 2008 title. The 42-year-old Brazilian says he is seeking to receive an amount in damages that he did not disclose. Massa has said since last year he is the "rightful" champion due to the incident known as "Crashgate". Massa was the runner-up to Lewis Hamilton in 2008. Former Ferrari and Williams driver Massa says in a statement his case will be heard at the King's Bench Division of the High Court.
Christopher Bell pulls out an emotional victory for Joe Gibbs Racing at Phoenix

Christopher Bell pulls out an emotional victory for Joe Gibbs Racing at Phoenix

John Marshall, Associated Press  |  Updated March 10 - 6:55 p.m.  |  Save Story

Christopher Bell surged into the lead when Martin Truex Jr. was forced to pit and pulled away for an emotional NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix Raceway. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver's victory comes on the heels of a pair of heartbreaks in the desert. Two years ago, JGR vice chairman Coy Gibbs was found dead in his hotel room following his son Ty's Xfinity season championship. Bell made it to the Cup Series championship four in November, but a broken rotor spoiled his championship hopes in the season finale at Phoenix. Bell's win in the No. 20 Toyota also ended Chevrolet's perfect start to the season after winning the first three races. He is the eighth winner in as many races at Phoenix Raceway's mile tri-oval.
Newgarden and Team Penske dominate IndyCar season opener amid criticism of series leadership

Newgarden and Team Penske dominate IndyCar season opener amid criticism of series leadership

Jenna Fryer, Associated Press  |  Updated March 10 - 1:40 p.m.  |  Save Story

Team Penske silenced recent criticism aimed at series leadership by dominating the IndyCar season-opening race with a Josef Newgarden win from the pole on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Pato O'Ward of Arrow McLaren Racing broke up the Penske rout with a second-place finish, but Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin and Will Power finished third and fourth. The Penske trio finished ahead of every Andretti Global driver two days after team owner Michael Andretti called on Roger Penske to sell the IndyCar Series if he's not willing to increase his investments in promotion and marketing. Colton Herta in fifth was the highest-finishing driver for Andretti.
Chandler Smith wins second career Xfinity Series race after Justin Allgaier's late flat tire

Chandler Smith wins second career Xfinity Series race after Justin Allgaier's late flat tire

David Brandt, Associated Press  |  Posted March 9 - 5:46 p.m.  |  Save Story

Chandler Smith won his second career Xfinity Series race on Saturday at Phoenix Raceway, earning a surprise victory for Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing after leader Justin Allgaier crashed with just four laps remaining. The 21-year-old Smith took the lead after Allgaier's stunning crash and got a huge jump on the overtime restart, easily holding off Jesse Love and Sheldon Creed over the final two laps. Love finished second in his No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Creed ended up third, giving Joe Gibbs Racing two of the top three cars.
Denny Hamlin wins pole at Phoenix as Toyota gets four of top six spots in qualifying

Denny Hamlin wins pole at Phoenix as Toyota gets four of top six spots in qualifying

David Brandt, Associated Press  |  Posted March 9 - 2:21 p.m.  |  Save Story

Denny Hamlin will start on the pole for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series event at Phoenix Raceway, capping a stellar qualifying session for Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota on Saturday. Toyota grabbed four of the top six spots after Hamlin ran his lap in 132.655 miles per hour. Ty Gibbs will start on the outside of Row 1 while Erik Jones will start fourth and Tyler Reddick sixth. It is the 150th pole for Toyota in the Cup Series. Hamlin now has 41 career poles, including 36 with Toyota. The 43-year-old won his first career pole in Phoenix back in 2005.
Newgarden gives Roger Penske a break with a pole-winning run as IndyCar leadership is questioned

Newgarden gives Roger Penske a break with a pole-winning run as IndyCar leadership is questioned

Jenna Fryer, Associated Press  |  Posted March 9 - 2:04 p.m.  |  Save Story

Josef Newgarden has won the pole for IndyCar's season-opening race, giving Team Penske something to celebrate as its leadership faces criticism for its management of the series. It made for a weird Saturday on what's supposed to be a celebratory weekend as IndyCar gets back on track after a six-month offseason. Instead, the mood was muted. Off the track, there's dissension throughout the paddock as multiple team owners are growing restless with Penske Entertainment's management of the series. Michael Andretti went so far as to call on Roger Penske to sell the series if he doesn't invest the capital needed to elevate IndyCar's profile.