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Retired race car driver Janet Guthrie spent her entire lifetime facing gender stereotypes, a fight she nearly always won by proving that being a woman would not hold her back. Nearly 44 years after her 33rd and final race in NASCAR, she is set to be honored for her career. Guthrie, who has lived in Colorado for 30 years now, will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday night as the recipient of the Landmark Award that honors "significant contributions to the growth and esteem of NASCAR."

Wendell Scott becomes the first African-American NASCAR driver to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday. Although Scott faced racism during his career, his son says he would never stop racing.

The NFL, NASCAR and others have built social media command centers to engage directly with fans during live events.

Commentator Frank Deford has some theories about why NASCAR is having trouble expanding its audience.

A fan favorite who gained nationwide fame because of his name, Trickle was known for both his many wins and his huge personality. But he may never have gotten over a granddaughter's death, friends say. Trickle was 71.

The idea surfaced at a web page that lets you petition the White House. Most race drivers wear outfits covered with the names of sponsors. This plan would require lawmakers to be covered with patches announcing the names of their major donors.

The Daytona 500 posted its strongest TV ratings since 2008, thanks to a buildup of attention drawn by Danica Patrick's history-making pole position and a horrendous crash during a race at the track Saturday. The biggest gains in viewership seem to have come in big cities.

Jimmie Johnson has won the Daytona 500, one day after crash during a race there injured fans. Danica Patrick, who was hoping to make history, finished eighth. Jacki Lyden gets the latest from NPR's Mike Pesca.

Danica Patrick became the first woman to win a pole in NASCAR's elite division, but that doesn't mean her No. 1 position at the start of Sunday's Daytona 500 will give her an edge. Experts say that a 40-pound weight advantage might not help either.

The brash, young champion Brad Keselowski will begin defending his racing title this month. Candid and funny, he has a knack for connecting with both blue-collar fans and savvy, young Twitter users. And some of the sport's executives say he's the key to NASCAR's future.