Mark Martin, 50, wins for 2nd time in last 4 Cup races, taking Southern 500 at Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Don’t let Mark Martin’s joyful demeanor fool you — he knows how well he’s running and knows where that could lead this season. “It’s early in the year,” Martin said Saturday night. “A lot of cool things could happen the way things are going.” Like maybe a Sprint Cup championship?

Ageless Martin wins for second time in last 4 Sprint Cup races

DARLINGTON, S.C. — If Mark Martin keeps winning like this, even he might have to concede that he’s racing for a Sprint Cup championship.

Ards thank NASCAR star Kyle Busch for $100,000 donation

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Kyle Busch got to visit with a fellow Nationwide Series record holder Saturday at Darlington Raceway.

Gleeful Helio Castroneves knocks teammate Ryan Briscoe off pole for Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS — A gleeful Helio Castroneves was back on top of the racing world Saturday, winning the pole for the Indianapolis 500.

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield suspended after failing drug test

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Jeremy Mayfield was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR on Saturday for failing a random drug test, becoming the first driver to violate a toughened new policy that went into effect this season.

Castroneves knocks teammate Briscoe off Indy 500 pole

INDIANAPOLIS — When uncertainly about his future had Helio Castroneves down in the dumps, he thought about his true love — being in a race car.

Castroneves knocks Briscoe off provisional pole at Indy with second run during qualifying

INDIANAPOLIS — Helio Castroneves took the provisional pole for the Indianapolis 500 with less than two hours remaining Saturday in the first round of qualifying.

Person familiar with test tells AP: NASCAR Sprint Cup driver fails drug test

A NASCAR Sprint Cup driver has failed a drug test, the first under the sport’s new drug policy.

Castroneves knocks Briscoe off Indy 500 provisional pole

INDIANAPOLIS — Helio Castroneves has taken the provisional pole for the Indianapolis 500.

Philippe joins Indy winner Wheldon, fellow rookie Doornbos with turn 2 crash

INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie driver Nelson Philippe became the third driver to crash coming out of turn two during practice for the Indianapolis 500.

Welcome back: Petty’s latest pilgrimmage to Indy comes as first-time competitor

INDIANAPOLIS — Richard Petty got a full immersion into Indianapolis 500 competition on Saturday.

Briscoe on pole, Franchitti close behind in early Indy 500 qualifying

INDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Briscoe took the provisional pole position for the Indianapolis 500 in early qualifying on Saturday.

Penske drivers Briscoe, Castroneves tops in early Indy 500 qualifying

INDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Briscoe was the early leader Saturday in pole qualifying for the Indianapolis 500.

Second crash for Dutch rookie Robert Doornbos at Indy 500; not injured after hitting wall

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis 500 rookie Robert Doornbos hit the wall for the second time in as many days.

Matt Kenseth posts record lap of 179.514 to win pole for Southern 500 at Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Jeff Gordon left his car with hands shaking and heart pounding after another harrowing experience at Darlington Raceway. Gordon’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, wasn’t as lucky qualifying Friday, crashing before he could finish his lap.

Matt Kenseth wins Nationwide race at Darlington as late flat dooms Kyle Busch

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Matt Kenseth found one of the few ways to beat Kyle Busch these days. Kenseth took advantage when Busch’s dominant car got a flat with two laps to go Friday night, lifting him to his first Nationwide Series win this year and capping a record-setting day at Darlington Raceway.

Kyle Busch goes flat at Darlington, handing Kenseth a Nationwide win

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Kyle Busch’s flat tire with two laps left sent Matt Kenseth to his first Nationwide Series victory of the season — and capped a record-setting day at Darlington Raceway.

3-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson unhurt after qualifying crash at Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Three-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has hit the wall during qualifying at Darlington Raceway and went for treatment to the infield care center.

Martin say desire to race, not running for a Sprint Cup title, fueled Hendrick with extension

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Mark Martin insists he didn’t sign with Hendrick Motorsports to chase a NASCAR championship.

Kenseth posts record lap at Darlington, 3-time NASCAR champ Johnson wrecks

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Jeff Gordon left his car with hands shaking and heart pounding after another harrowing experience at Darlington Raceway.

Rookie Doornbos, veteran Sharp crash during Indy 500 practice day before qualifications start

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indianapolis 500 pole winner Scott Sharp has crashed during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, although he appears to have escaped injury.

Rookie Doornbos crashes in Indy 500 practice as teams try to beat predicted rain

INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie driver Robert Doornbos (DORN’-bohs) has crashed during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, skidding up the track and into the wall in turn two.

Doornbos, Briscoe, Castroneves the fastest in early Indy 500 practice

INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie driver Robert Doornbos is the fastest during early practice for the Indianapolis 500.

Marco Andretti’s 225 mph lap fastest in first full day of practice at Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS — Marco Andretti is the fastest driver after the first full day of practice for the Indianapolis 500.

Teammates Doornbos, Rahal following game plan in Indy 500 practice

INDIANAPOLIS — Robert Doornbos is trying to keep it simple. Graham Rahal is trying to keep it fast.

Ex-NASCAR driver Kevin Grubb found dead in Virginia motel room; police investigating

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia police say former NASCAR driver Kevin Grubb died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Rain cuts into Indy 500 practice schedule already shortened 2 days because of the economy

INDIANAPOLIS — What once was billed the Thirty Days of May is now down to a half-dozen, maybe fewer if the rain continues.

Mark Martin will drive a full Cup schedule for Hendrick Motorsports in 2010

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mark Martin doesn’t want to drive race cars forever. But as long as he can compete at the highest level, he can’t bring himself to walk away from NASCAR.

Doornbos’ lap at 221+ mph fastest among 4 rookies who complete Indy driving test

INDIANAPOLIS — Led by 27-year-old Dutchman Robert Doornbos at a top speed of more than 221 mph, four of six Indianapolis 500 rookies have completed their mandatory driving test and have been cleared to begin full practice for the May 24 race.

Scientists unveil biodegradable, chocolate-fueled race car

LONDON — Scientists unveiled on Tuesday what they hope will be one of the world’s fastest biofuel vehicles, powered by waste from chocolate factories and made partly from plant fibers. Its makers hope the racer will go 145 mph and give manufacturers ideas about how to build more ecologically friendly vehicles.