Kyle Lowry's willingness to take a secondary role to incoming star Kawhi Leonard was a key first step in the Toronto Raptors' winning their first title Thursday night.

The July trade that brought Leonard to Toronto was among the topics the two players discussed with ESPN's Rachel Nichols after the Raptors' 114-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6.

"I told him, day one, this is his team. He the man," Lowry told Nichols. "And I'm gonna make sure he's the man. And when he did special things, I told him he was the man."

Said Leonard: "That's just the type of guy he is, you know? He wants to win. Very competitive player. Like I said before, Kyle's been a big help with me in my transition, just knowing things throughout the city and obviously basketball."

Leonard called winning another NBA title "surreal" while referencing behind-the-scenes drama that could have derailed the Raptors' season.

"Our season was so up and down -- behind the scenes," Leonard said. "And you know, that's how you know this is a great group of teammates. Nothing got out. You guys didn't know what was going on."

Leonard declined to address follow-up questions, while Lowry responded "all you gotta know is that's the MVP right there. We world champs."

By being named Finals MVP, Leonard became the first player to win the award with a team from both conferences; he was the Finals MVP in 2014 when the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Miami Heat.

Leonard averaged 28.5 points per game on 43 percent shooting in the Finals, but Lowry was also a key contributor, including his 26-point performance in the title clincher.

"Words can't explain it, to be honest," Lowry told Nichols. "But the feelings of just success, the adversity, the ups and downs. It's what you work for as a professional, as a man. You just wanna be at the top of your game when you need to be at the top of your game. And it all kinda worked out at some point."

Leonard and Lowry said they will now stay "in the moment" to celebrate the title, but the next question will be Leonard's pending free agency, should he decline to exercise a $21.3 million player option for next season. Leonard told Nichols he wasn't worried about that yet.

"I'm not thinking about it right now," Leonard said. "No, I'm a Raptor for right now. And you know, we'll see what happens."

Points and a podium place are the aim for the in-form Scot as she gets ready to race in the Czech Republic on her road to Tokyo

The many different elements to Saturday evening’s Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon mean Steph Twell is really relishing the opportunity as she returns to racing after a stint of altitude training in St. Moritz.

The 29-year-old has already improved both her half-marathon and 10km PBs in 2019 and is looking forward to testing herself at a race she describes as “a bit of an undiscovered gem”.

The Olomouc Half Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label race and as a result it offers athletes the chance to gain points in the IAAF world rankings, while it is also the third race in the EuroHeroes Challenge series which was launched last year with the support of European Athletics and aims to celebrate and encourage athletes from the continent.

Twell is looking to be competitive at the front of a European-only field and also gain experience of racing in warm conditions, with temperatures set to be around 28°C when the race sets off at 7pm local time in Olomouc, a city situated 179 miles south east of the Czech Republic capital of Prague.

“It’s a new challenge for me to do a half-marathon at this time of year. I’m against a competitive field but one that I hope I can be quite close to the front of,” says Twell, who ran 71:33 when finishing second at The Vitality Big Half in March before getting close to that lifetime best when running 71:37 to win in Reading a week later.

“What was really important for me (in choosing to race in Olomouc) before the British Athletics selection policy came out for the Tokyo (Olympic Games) marathon, was really to try and sort out this confusion with the rankings system that I’m still trying to get my head around.

“It was a bit of an undiscovered gem, really, to have an IAAF Gold Label race at this time of year when maybe not everyone is targeting half-marathon. For me, it’s an opportunity to see where I can position myself and get as many points as possible to help support my opportunity to qualify for the Olympics. To come out here, in an IAAF ‘A’ race, I would love to try and get a podium place, if not a win, against some quality marathon runners.

“There’s that aspect for me personally trying to support myself as strategically as possible ahead of Tokyo,” adds the two-time Olympian. “But secondly, this concept (EuroHeroes) I just think is a fantastic concept. I have found it hard to be supported and to support myself bridging the gap to world-class athletics. I’ve been on the cusp for a long time but for me this year is about being more independent and trying to step up and improve in a new challenge over the roads.”

Last year’s inaugural EuroHeroes Challenge series included two events and it has expanded in 2019 to feature four – in Karlovy Vary, Ceské Budejovice, Olomouc and Ústí nad Labem. When European athletes race in at least two of these events their performances are converted to points, with a separate prize structure up for grabs for those at the top of the rankings.

“For me, the EuroHeroes Challenge is an ideal platform to help me be at the front of fields on the roads,” says Twell. “If I can gain more experience against my European compatriots while being at the front of fields over a longer distance, hopefully I can translate these lessons on to the major marathon scene.

“I think I’ve got experience and history of winning at a domestic and European level on the track, but the EuroHeroes Challenge now offers me a new way to learn about my competitors on the road more regularly. I think it’s going to be a great concept and I’m looking forward to being part of it and seeing it develop and lift off.”

Among those racing against Twell in the elite women’s field on Saturday will be 2:27 marathoner Lilia Fisikovici of Moldova, who will look to continue her winning ways in the EuroHeroes series after having secured success in Karlovy Vary and Ceské Budejovice. Her half-marathon best of 70:45 was set in September.

The men’s field features Italy’s EuroHeroes leader Yassine Rachik, who has a PB of 62:29 from February, plus Ireland’s Paul Pollock (62:10 PB), Spain’s Camilo Raul Santiago (62:40 PB), Roman Romanenko of Ukraine (63:22 PB) and Czech Republic’s Jiří Homoláč (63:23). Twell’s fellow Scot Callum Hawkins was a late withdrawal.

While she is using Saturday’s race as a chance to test herself  and see where she is currently at, Twell believes there is plenty more to come.

“I think I’m still just touching my potential,” says the now self-coached runner, who improved her six-week-old 10km PB set in Brighton by two seconds with 31:55 to retain her Vitality London 10,000 title at the end of May after having impressed on her marathon debut at the end of last year with a 2:30:11 run in Valencia.

“I think there’s still a lot of improvements to be made, but I’m really happy with my training. I think it really took off from Brighton and I think I have to say that coincided with my change in mindset and my freedom of being coached by myself.

“I’m super happy with where I am at but I have ambitions,” adds Twell, who will return to St. Moritz for a week after Olomouc, ahead of racing at the Highgate Night of the 10,000m PBs. “I’m really serious about understanding more about the training for the marathon and how I can become an overall better athlete from this training and over the 5km and 10km distance.

“My aim has been to use this race now as a three-week block post Vitality London 10,000 and a three-week block prior to Highgate. It’s positioned nicely to see where I’ve come on from, from my previous half-marathons, but also equally to give me some indication of how to pitch my training for the marathon this autumn.”

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force went to the top of the category during the second qualifying session Friday evening at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta is the provisional No. 1 qualifier during the 11th of 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Force paced the Funny Car category Friday evening with a run of 3.911 seconds at 326.95 mph in his PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS. He is chasing his third No. 1 qualifier of the season, first win of the year and fifth at Bristol Dragway.

“We’re learning and I really thought that there would be a number of cars that would step up,” Force stated. “Especially Jimmy Prock (Robert Hight’s crew chief) and I thought he would run an .88 or something. Our car went though, and it was really hunting down there. Tomorrow is a new day but I’m excited for my guys. It’s a good race car and I’m proud to drive it. I’m learning about it and at my age I thought I knew everything about it.”

Shawn Langdon sits in the No. 2 spot with his pass of 3.944 seconds at 324.51 mph in his Global Electronics Toyota Camry. Bob Tasca III rounds out the top three.

Kalitta powered to the top of the Top Fuel class with a run of 3.755 seconds at 324.67 mph during the second round qualifying in his Mac Tools dragster. He is looking for his first No. 1 qualifier of the season, second victory of the year and seventh final round at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

“We are always excited to come here,” Kalitta said. “I remember coming here when I was working on Connie’s (Kalitta, team owner) cars back in the ‘80s so it’s a lot of cool history coming here just for me. It was a nice run though. It’s been awhile since we were low qualifier any of the days. I’m real proud of my guys though. We’re working our tails off to try and make it happen.”

Leah Pritchett is currently in the second position with her second qualifying pass of 3.757 seconds at 323.04 mph. Defending Top Fuel champion Steve Torrence is third.

BARRE, Vt. – Jeffrey Martin won a thriller in the Allen Lumber Street Stock feature on Casella Waste Systems Night Friday at Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl before rain cut the rest of the program short.

Martin got the advantage on Jamie Davis during a green-white-checkered shootout and edged him in a photo-finish for his second win of the season.

The Street Stock feature was the only one completed in the second attempt to run the Casella event. After rain had threatened throughout the night, the foul weather arrived in earnest with 19 laps completed in the 40-lap Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Flying Tiger feature. The Maplewood/Irving Oil Late Model feature was also remaining to be run. The make-up date(s) for both races will be announced on Monday.

Before the rain settled over the speedway, the Street Stocks put on a barnburner in their 25-lap feature. Tom Campbell started on the pole and led the first 15 laps. However, Davis was all over him after getting the second spot on lap 10, and the third caution of the event on lap 15 gave him the chance to get to Campbell’s outside.

Davis made it work with a Talladega-style assist from Martin, taking the top spot on the restart. Martin followed him around for second and was putting the pressure on for the lead himself when the fourth yellow came out with just two laps to go for a turn-four crash involving Hunter King and J.T. Blanchard.

When the green fell, Martin and Davis locked horns, running hard but clean in their bid for the win. Martin had the edge when the white flag flew and was able to edge Davis out at the checkered flag as well.

Dean Switser finished third after Campbell shut down during the final caution. Tommy Smith took fourth with Juan Marshall fifth.

MALTA, N.Y. – Newcomer Mike Mahaney notched his first Albany-Saratoga Speedway DIRTcar modified win Friday night, sharing the spotlight with Jonathan Preston, who scored a runaway win in the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint feature.

Mahaney’s win wasn’t as easy. He advanced to second from seventh by lap 12, then caught front row starter Don Matteson at halfway of the 35 lapper and blew by with Bobby Hackel III in tow.

By the time Hackel disposed of Mattison in the early 20’s and went after Mahaney, the Huttig No. 35 was out to a big lead and seemed home free.

Then Jack Lehner and Hackel got together in turn four with two to go and Huttig had company up front and lots of it.  Matt DeLorenzo, Ronnie Johnson, Keith Flach, up from dead last, and Brett Hearn were in hot pursuit when the green flew again.  But a two-car spin on the restart brought a single file lineup for the next try and Mahaney drove away from those dueling behind him.

“I wasn’t happy when they drew that restart, because I figured I had a good lead,” offered Mahaney.  “I was worried that somebody would bomb the top and get around me, so I was glad it went yellow again right away and we went to single file for the next try.

“We were lucky to get this one, as the track had more moisture in it than usual for the sprint cars and with all the grip I had in the car, we got to bounding around pretty good in the turns in the early laps.”

DeLorenzo was second with Flach third, Johnson fourth and Hearn fifth.

For Preston, who won his first Empire Super Sprint A-main earlier this season, the moisture was just right.  He lined up third and had passed Jason Barney and was drawing in on leader Billy VanInwegen when the red flew for a turn two melee that saw Kelly Hebing take an easy flip and land on her side.

Preston couldn’t get alongside the leader right after the restart but he built up momentum on the far outside and on lap eight was even at the flagstand before taking the lead off turn two and sailing off into the night.

Behind Preston, Chuck Hebing and Davie Franek had moved into the lead pack from the third and fourth rows with Franek having the best run to stand third behind Preston and VanInwegen when a car spun to draw another yellow on lap 15.

With many expecting Franek to challenge for the lead on the restart, he instead picked his front wheels at the chalk line and went backwards to put Barney back in the lead trio.  They finished that way, with Paulie Colagiovanni fourth ahead of Shawn Donath, 11th starting Danny Varin, Hebing, Steve Poirier and Justin Poirier.

“I had a lot of close calls,” said Preston.  “I was flat out, that’s all she has.  I was so tired I had my head over against the seat but we made it.”

Steve Poirier won the dash with Chad Miller taking B main honors.

OREGON, Wis. – After dominating the first three quarters of Friday’s ARCA Menards Series Shore Lunch 200 at Madison Int’l Speedway, Chandler Smith had to utilize pit strategy and some hard racing to earn his second straight series victory.

Smith won the last time he raced in the ARCA Menards Series at Toledo Speedway in May.

Smith, who started from the General Tire Pole after setting a track record in qualifying, stretched out nearly a half-lap lead as the field raced the first 112 laps caution-free. Then, Corey Heim lost control in turn three and made contact with the wall bringing out the first caution of the night. From there on, Smith would face pressure from – and eventually lose the lead to – Ty Gibbs.

Gibbs would hold the lead until a red flag for rain with 38 laps remaining. Just before the red was displayed, Smith came to the pits for two tires, and when the field went back under caution after the weather cell passed through the rest of the lead lap cars came to pit road handing the lead back to Smith.

Smith lost the lead to Michael Self on the restart, and Smith would lose second to his other Venturini Motorsports teammate Christian Eckes with 25 laps to go when Eckes made contact in turn one.

Eckes would go on to pressure Self for the lead but would spin down the frontstretch on lap 180. He would go on to finish seventh.

Once back under green, Self would retain the lead on the restart but Smith would move him out of the way just as their teammate Hailie Deegan’s engine expired. That would put the field under the red for the second time of the night for track cleanup, and left just five laps to settle it once back under green.

Self spun his tires on the restart, scrambling the field behind him. Gibbs would receive the black flag for changing lanes on the restart, and dropped from second to eighth at the finish.

Smith was ecstatic with his win, even if he had to knock fenders to do it.

“We’re in victory lane and that’s what matters,” he said. “If those guys are upset, I am sorry but it was rough out there tonight. I had people run into me all night long. That’s just how it was.”

Smith knew the only chance he had to win was to pit before the rest of the field did while it was sprinkling and hope the weather moved through quick enough to get back underway.

“It was out only hope at that point,” he said. “It could have rained and we would have been eighth or tenth. But once we got back underway we knew everyone else would pit and we’d get our track position back.”

Self was happy to finish second in his first appearance at Madison.

“This is a much better outcome than it could have been tonight,” Self said. “We went from asking Chandler how to get around this place to battling him for the win in about eight hours. I can’t say enough about my team to help make that happen. I am not mad about it at all but he did get into us down there and move me out of the way. I get it. That’s what he had to do.”

The Venturini duo finished just ahead of Sam Mayer. Travis Braden was fourth and Bret Holmes rounded out the top five.

The finish:

Chandler Smith, Michael Self, Sam Mayer, Travis Braden, Bret Holmes, Carson Hocevar, Christian Eckes, Ty Gibbs, Joe Graf Jr., Corey Heim, Tommy Vigh Jr., Hailie Deegan, Eric Caudell, Tim Richmond, Brad Smith, Dick Karth, Dick Doheny, Dale Shearer.