I Dig Sports
Easum Commits to Sophomore ASCS National Campaign
CONCORD, N.C. Terry Easum checked off a bucket list item during his rookie campaign with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour last year win a series race. This year, hes determined to further make his name known nationally during his sophomore year with the series.
We raced a lot locally for several years here, and we just enjoy getting to go to a lot of new racetracks and see new places, Easum said. Really, we just want to be better, and the only way youre going to get better is racing guys like that.
The 32-year-old from Broken Arrow, Okla., is set for his sophomore season of competition with ASCS behind the wheel of the Premier Self-Storage, Don Ott Racing Engines-powered Triple X Chassis No. 88.
His rookie season started with quick success, winning the second race of the season at Red Dirt Raceway in Meeker, Okla. less than 90 minutes from his house. From seventh on the starting grid, Easum raced his way to the lead in 13 laps, using the bottom lane around the 1/4-mile track to hold off all challengers for the win.
Really, it was a dream come true, he said. It was something I had always dreamed of doing, and I was able to do it there with so many people there that we knew. It was kind of unreal for a few days the number of people that called.
But that was one race. Weve got to move on and get better.
Despite the early success, struggles in various areas slowed Easums progress, garnering only two more top-10 finishes through the remainder of the season to rank him 10th in the final points standings. The winter break bought him time to fix those issues, and hes ready to return to the track.
Weve made a lot of big changes in our team, switching our engines over to Don Ott, Easum said. We had some issues with Qualifying and it just kinda hindered the middle to the end part of the year; we never could get them running where we needed to. Weve corrected that, and hopefully, thatll help to start off the night better and put ourselves in position to win races.
In addition to the equipment upgrades, Easum has recruited the help of veteran crew chief Jimmy Jones to lead his operation at the track and in the shop going forward. Jones, an experienced wrench who won three World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championships as a mechanic for Steve Kinser, has also worked with open-wheel standouts Mark Kinser, Aaron Berryhill, Robert Ballou and most recently Ryan Timms.
Having Jimmy Jones there in the shop during the week is going to be a huge help with him going over everything and taking some weight off of Kacee [Frazier] and Is shoulders, Easum said. We raced together years ago, and it was a lot of fun. Were kinda like a family; hes kinda like a second dad to me.
Easum and Jones have their goals set for 2025 ones that aim to land the team a higher championship points standing at seasons end.
Mainly get more aggressive; we need to get in the top 10 and top five every night, Easum said. Last year, we were just all over the map, really. But we just need to get more consistent.
Easum begins his second season on the ASCS National Tour full-time roster at the next event Saturday, April 12 at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla.
Kansas/Texas USAC Sprint Weekend Added at Dodge City, Amarillo
SPEEDWAY, Ind. The USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship schedule has expanded with the addition of two dates on Oct. 17, at Dodge City Raceway Park in Kansas and on Oct. 18, at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas.
The Oct. 17 Dodge City event marks the return of USAC National Sprint Car racing to the three-eighths-mile semi-banked clay oval. Fourteen years ago in 2011, the series made its only previous trip to Dodge City, both events of which were won by Tracy Hines.
Twenty-two previous USAC National Sprint Car events have been held in the Sunflower State of Kansas since 1963. Brady Bacon, Robert Ballou and Tracy Hines are the lone multi-time USAC National Sprint Car winners in Kansas with two victories apiece.
At Amarillo, the Oct. 18 event on the three-eighths-mile high-banked clay oval welcomes the debut of USAC racing at the Texas panhandle venue and is the lone visit of the year by USAC to the Lone Star State on its 53-race schedule.
Five previous USAC National Sprint Car events have been held in the state of Texas dating back to 1959, and have seen five different winners emerge, all of whom have also captured USAC National Sprint Car championships.
This years crop of drivers expected to compete at Dodge City and Route 66 include USAC National Sprint Car champions Justin Grant, Robert Ballou, C.J. Leary and Logan Seavey as well as series winners Kyle Cummins, Kevin Thomas Jr., Jake Swanson, Mitchel Moles, Briggs Danner, Jadon Rogers and many more all vying for their first USAC triumph in Texas.
Byron Has More Passion & Excitement For Daytona
The thrill of winning the Great American Race is a feeling that never goes away.
For William Byron, that moment came last year at the famed 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) Intl Speedway as he drove the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet back to victory lane. Jeff Gordon won three Daytona 500s sporting the same car number.
As Byron attempts to become only the fifth driver to go back-to-back in the event, he feels more joy coming down here than I did before.
I have more passion and excitement for this race than I did before, Byron explained. I feel like having experienced it the way it was last year really changed my perspective on the race as a whole in a good way, obviously. I feel thats created some more motivation to get another one.
The magnitude of victory in the 500-mile race earns a driver their own title for life Daytona 500 winner.
This race, its a lifetime achievement, Byron said. Its something people reference everywhere you go. Its something that the first time in my career Ive had something like that.
It makes it cool, it makes it more special, because you can tell people care about the race.
While Byron broke through last year, the challenge of making it to the end of the race has become increasingly difficult with the introduction of the Next Gen race car in 2022.
With the car becoming more of an equalizer in the sport, it makes passing considerably more difficult on superspeedways than in prior years.
The racing has just got really tight and competitive, and everybody is sort of in a really tight gridlock, Byron began. So its really hard to make moves. Three-wide is tough to make.
I feel like youve got to be up toward the front. Track position is really important and you have to be towards the front side coming down to the end.
I think in the past, that was the case, but you could see a guy win from 10th on the last lap. I just dont think thatll happen in this package anymore.
Entering the weekend, HMS is tied with Petty Enterprises for the most Daytona 500 victories (nine).
If Byron or one of his teammates Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott or Alex Bowman snag another Harley J. Earl Trophy on Sunday, itll be the latest record that team owner Rick Hendrick has accomplished in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson will start Team Sweden's game against Canada in Wednesday night's opener of the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.
Gustavsson gets the nod over 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators and Samuel Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers. Ersson was added in the mix with New Jersey Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom missing the tournament due to a knee injury.
Gustavsson, 26, has posted a 22-11-3 record with three shutouts, a 2.63 goals-against average and .915 save percentage this season for the Wild.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington was named Canada's starter on Tuesday.
MONTREAL -- Connor Hellebuyck will start for Team USA when they begin play at the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland on Thursday.
The United States officially named Hellebuyck their No. 1 following Wednesday's practice -- a mammoth session that lasted well over an hour.
Hellebuyck was projected to get the call in net, with Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman vying for roles as his backup. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender is the NHL's reigning Vezina Trophy winner and on track to potentially earn a second straight -- and third overall -- trophy on the strength of another excellent campaign.
Hellebuyck leads the NHL in wins -- with a 34-7-2 record on the season -- and paces NHL starters with a .925 save percentage and 2.06 goals-against average. His elite play has been a decisive factor in Winnipeg's emergence as the NHL's top team with 81 points and a 39-14-3 record going into the 4 Nations break.
When the U.S. squares off with Finland, it will be Juuse Saros opposite Hellebuyk in net. Finnish coach Antti Pennanen confirmed Saros would get the call after Wednesday's final workout. The Nashville Predators netminder is 11-23-6 this season with an .899 save percentage and 2.95 goals-against average behind his struggling team, which owns the NHL's third-worst record (19-28-7).
Canada previously named Jordan Binnington its starting goaltender for Wednesday's opening matchup for Sweden, who will have Linus Ullmark in net. The 4 Nations tournament round-robin play will continue in Montreal through Saturday before the event flips over to Boston for a final slate of games.
Olise, Kane fire Bayern to first-leg win over Celtic
Bayern Munich scored either side of halftime through Michael Olise and Harry Kane but had to endure late pressure from hosts Celtic before securing a 2-1 victory in their Champions League playoff first leg on Wednesday.
Olise's stunning shot in the 45th minute put the German side in front and Kane doubled the lead with a 49t-minute volley at the far post.
Celtic, who put the ball in the net with Nicolas Kuehn, but had the effort ruled offside in the very first minute of the game, cut the deficit in the 79th minute thanks to Daizen Maeda's close-range header to inject late drama into the match.
"There were definitely areas in the game in which we could have done better and we'll need to improve for next week, but overall we scored at the right times," Kane said.
"They put us under pressure at the end and we had to stay strong, which we did. Whenever you win a game like this, you're always pleased because it's not an easy place to come," the England striker added.
The visitors, bidding to reach this year's final to be played in their own Allianz Arena in Munich, had close to 70% possession in the first half but struggled with Celtic's disciplined backline.
Bayern did have a chance through Kane but it took a superb effort from Olise to break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime.
AP Photo/Scott Heppell
The attacking midfielder controlled a deep cross from Dayot Upamecano, cut in and hammered an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
They struck again four minutes after the restart when Kane was left completely unmarked at the far post to volley in straight from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
Kane's goal made him the first English player to score 60 goals in UEFA club competitions.
Bayern were lucky not to concede a penalty in the 57th minute after Upamecano stepped on Arne Engels' foot in the box, the referee deciding against a spot-kick after a lengthy VAR review.
The hosts came close in the 74th when Neuer was beaten to the ball by Maeda but the Japanese player's shot rolled parallel to the empty goal before being cleared. He did better a few minutes later, nodding in from close range to pull a goal back.
"The last 25 minutes, we started to press the game, we were more active at the top end of the pitch and you see what it brought - aggression," Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers said.
"At 2-1, Bayern Munich are hanging on. That's what we can take from it. We've got one more shot."
Bayern defended well as Celtic poured forward, and they needed a fine save from Neuer in stoppage time to hold on to victory ahead of Tuesday's return leg in Munich to decide a place in the round of 16.
Miami signings: 'Messi factor' sealed decisions
New Inter Miami CF signings Tadeo Allende, Gonzalo Luján and Telasco Segovia have said that the chance to play on the same team with Lionel Messi was an integral part of their respective decisions to join the Major League Soccer team this offseason.
"Well I would be playing with the best player in the world in my opinion. It was a great factor in my joining, but this is also a great club," Segovia, who arrives at the club from Casa Pia on a four-year contract, told ESPN.
Allende, who joins the Herons from Celta Vigo on loan through the end of the 2025 season, admitted he never expected to share the field with Messi before Miami presented an offer.
"It influenced [my decision] a lot, it influenced a lot because also to learn from him and not only from him but from Sergio [Busquets], Jordi [Alba] and Luis [Suárez] who, as I said before, are highly competitive players who want to win everything and that requires us to live up to them. It is not easy but we have to achieve it and that will make us improve because we have to follow in their footsteps," Allende told ESPN.
"When the proposal came to me, I was never going to imagine that I could get to play and share the field with him because I saw everything and I saw him in videos and he's my idol as the idol of so many, but being on the field with him is a different thing, not only on the field, in the locker room, seeing him up close is different."
Luján experienced a similar reaction when receiving that first phone call from new Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano before signing a two-year deal with the club.
"It was an incredible experience [to receive that phone call]. I didn't doubt the decision for a second. Masche told me he was interested in me coming, and I was interested in coming," Luján told ESPN.
"It was super important [the factor of playing with Messi], there are many players who are very great, successful and winners. It is a team that is seen a lot because Leo is there, he is very important. You can learn a lot of them, so I'm super happy. They received me very well, I am happy."
Messi stands as an integral part of Inter Miami, on and off the pitch. Since joining in the summer of 2023, the Argentina forward has contributed 22 goals and 19 assists in 28 MLS appearances while also playing a crucial role in the team's 2023 Leagues Cup title and 2024 Supporters' Shield victory.
The three players serve as some of Mascherano's first signings at the club, after being appointed manager in November 2024. The new coach craved depth in the roster as Inter Miami prepares to compete in four competitions throughout 2025 including the MLS regular season, Leagues Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The campaign kicks off on Feb. 18 when the Herons travel to Kansas City to confront Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup. The team then faces a quick turnaround as the MLS season begins on Feb. 22 against New York City FC at Chase Stadium.
Van Dijk on Merseyside derby: Ref lost control
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said he believes referee Michael Oliver "lost control" of Wednesday's Merseyside derby which ended in a drama-filled 2-2 draw that saw four red cards shown after full time.
The game ended in chaotic scenes, with Everton defender James Tarkowski scoring a superb volley deep into stoppage time before an interaction after the final whistle between Abdoulaye Doucouré and the away crowd sparked a brawl.
First, Liverpool's Curtis Jones confronted Doucouré before both benches became embroiled in the incident that was broken up by stewards and police officers.
Referee Michael Oliver handed out red cards to both Jones and Doucouré. Minutes later, he sent off Liverpool boss Arne Slot for his protests, as well as Liverpool assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff.
"Obviously you saw how they celebrated the goal, and they have every right to," Van Dijk told TNT Sports after the match.
"I think Doucouré in the end wanted to provoke our fans and Curtis didn't think that was the right thing to do and obviosuly you know what happens when there is a tussle.
"I think the ref didn't have the game under control in my opinion ... Both teams have to deal with it. It is what it is. We just need to move on."
Everton boss David Moyes said the emotions in the stadium were a fitting end to what was the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, although he did not reference the scuffle after the final whistle.
"It was right up there and it was great at the end and I think the night was maybe meant for something to happen," Moyes told TNT Sports. "It wasn't the cleanest, it wasn't the best game of football you've ever watched, but it was a wee bit of a throwback, bit scrappy from both sides.
"I mean it was more important that we probably made it that way. Liverpool are an incredibly talented team and are proving it in the league this year. So we had to find a way of making that gap not so big tonight and I thought we've done a good job at it."
Slot's red card meant he was unable to give a post-match news conference.
Merseyside derby ends in brawl, four reds after FT
Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucouré were sent off after an on-pitch brawl as Liverpool and Everton dramatically drew 2-2 in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday, with visiting head coach Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff also receiving red cards after an interaction with referee Michael Oliver.
A 98th-minute strike from James Tarkowski caused emotions to spill over after the final whistle when Everton midfielder Doucouré celebrated in front of the Liverpool fans who had been moments from seeing their side open up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool midfielder Jones appeared to take exception to Doucouré's actions as he ran over to the Everton player and a scuffle developed. Their grappling led to a brawl between both teams in front of the away fans.
Both Jones and Doucouré had been booked during the 90 minutes, but they were each shown a second yellow by Oliver after coaches, stewards and police officers broke up the melee.
Liverpool boss Slot was then shown a red card, as was his assistant Hulshoff, after an altercation with Oliver.
Tarkowski's late goal was savoured by the home fans who had sought to dent their archrivals' title hopes since the match was postponed on Dec. 7 because of the effects of Storm Darragh.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk suggested he felt Oliver could have officiated the game differently and said the referee didn't have the game under control.
"Obviously you saw how they celebrated the goal, and they have every right to," the centre-back told TNT Sports. "I think Doucouré in the end wanted to provoke our fans and Curtis didn't think that was the right thing to do, and obviously you know what happens when there is a tussle.
"I think the ref didn't have the game under control in my opinion ... Both teams have to deal with it. It is what it is. We just need to move on."
Slot's red card meant he was unable to speak to the media at the postmatch news conference.
The delayed fixture heightened emotions that had already been raised by the fact it would be the last meeting between the teams at Everton's 131-year-old stadium. Everton are set to move to their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock next season.
As well as damaging Liverpool's title aspirations, the draw earned Everton a vital point in their battle against relegation. Moyes' return as head coach on Jan. 11 has sparked an upturn in form for Everton and the Scot said he felt something dramatic was always likely to happen at Goodison on Wednesday.
"It was right up there and it was great at the end and I think the night was maybe meant for something to happen," Moyes told TNT Sports. "It wasn't the cleanest, it wasn't the best game of football you've ever watched, but it was a wee bit of a throwback, bit scrappy from both sides.
"I mean it was more important that we probably made it that way. Liverpool are an incredibly talented team and are proving it in the league this year. So we had to find a way of making that gap not so big tonight and I thought we've done a good job at it."
Champions League as it happened: Bayern win, Feyenoord stun Milan
Welcome to the second day of the knockout phase playoff first legs of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League season! Europe's premier club competition has now reached the knockout stage as we now figure out which teams will make it to the round of 16.
Enjoy the play-by-play from all the games such as Bayern Munich against Celtic, AC Milan against Feyenoord and AS Monaco against Benfica.
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