Two NFL teams have proposed the addition of a booth umpire to each officiating crew for the 2020 season, one of seven team-based rule changes that league owners will consider this offseason.

None of the proposals have been vetted or endorsed yet by the competition committee, which will meet later this month to discuss them and develop its own list of potential new rules. But the idea of a booth umpire, sometimes referred to as a "sky judge," has circulated in the NFL for years.

Discussion intensified in 2019, when all 32 head coaches asked owners to consider adding it as a backstop to inaccurate calls on the fields. League leaders, however, did not think they could identify and hire 17 qualified sky judges in short notice last year. Instead, owners voted to add pass interference calls and non-calls to their list of reviewable plays.

At the NFL scouting combine last month, competition committee member Mark Murphy acknowledged that the results of pass interference review were "not great." It's unclear whether the rule will be renewed for 2020.

The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers formally submitted proposals for a booth umpire as well a senior technology adviser to assist the referee.

Owners are scheduled to gather in Palm Beach, Florida, starting March 29 for their annual meeting. Other notable team-based rule change proposals, all from the Philadelphia Eagles, include:

• Establishing an alternative to the onside kick. After a score, the trailing team would have one play to gain 15 yards from its own 25-yard line. If it succeeds, the trailing team would maintain possession. Owners voted down a similar proposal last year, and Murphy said last month that he thought it was "gimmicky," but the league did test it in the 2019 Pro Bowl.

• Restore overtime to 15 minutes. The NFL moved it back to 10 minutes in 2017.

• Make changes to the new blindside block rule that would prevent unnecessary fouls.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A legendary lineup of racing luminaries will be on hand March 17 to honor the Class of 2020 Inductees at the 32nd Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony presented by Firestone at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach.

This year’s honorees include NASCAR’s first premier series champion Red Byron (Historic), seven-time AMA Grand National champion Chris Carr (Motorcycles), motorsports publisher, promoter and competitor Floyd Clymer (At Large), IndyCar winner and chief steward Wally Dallenbach (Open Wheel), one of NASCAR’s most successful owners Rick Hendrick (Stock Cars), 1979 Can-Am champion and endurance racer Jacky Ickx (Sports Cars), 1963 Daytona 500 and NASCAR Grand American champion Tiny Lund (Historic), eight-time NHRA champion George Montgomery (Drag Racing), and 10-time off-road champion Ivan Stewart (Off Road).

Those worthy motorsports figures will be ushered into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America by a constellation of stars who are Hall of Famers already or are on the shortlist of future Hall of Famers, all legends in their own right.

Four-time NASCAR premier series champion and 2019 inductee, Jeff Gordon, will introduce his longtime car owner Hendrick. Chip Ganassi, one of IndyCar and NASCAR’s most successful owners, will introduce Dallenbach. Don Garlits, a 1989 inaugural class MSHFA inductee, will present Montgomery for enshrinement.

Ickx will be presented by five-time Le Mans champion and 2012 inductee Derek Bell. Carr will be introduced by noted motorcycle journalist Scott Rousseau. Lund will be presented by NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton Stewart will be introduced by David Wilson, president and general manager of Toyota Racing Development.

Byron will be presented by NASCAR Archives & Research Center director Herb Branham, and Clymer will be presented by Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles during the Inductee Heritage Luncheon that will take place at the Shores Resort & Spa at noon on Monday, March 16.

“The Motorsports Hall of fame of America is unique in that induction is decided primarily by inductees,” said George Levy, president of the MSHFA. “So it is entirely appropriate that we have champions presenting champions – and feel blessed that so many return year after year to be part of the process.”

When you combine those luminaries with Honorary Chairman Helio Castroneves, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, David Hobbs as master of ceremonies, and other returning inductees, including Tom D’Eath, Hurley Haywood, Scott Parker, Bill Seebold, Tony Stewart, Bob Tullius, Rusty Wallace and Linda Vaughn, the 32nd Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony presented by Firestone promises to be a night to remember.

This year marks the fifth year the induction ceremony has taken place in Daytona Beach. The MSHFA moved to Daytona Int’l Speedway in 2016, from Novi, Mich. The Hall is housed in the Speedway’s Ticket and Tours Building located in front of the famed 2.5-mile Daytona Int’l Speedway tri-oval.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Florida Speedweeks are in the books and another racing season has begun.

Many interesting things took place during two weeks of action at Florida’s short tracks and at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Some were unexpected, while others were as predictable as the sun coming up in the morning.

– Every year we mention the ridiculous waste that has become NASCAR Cup Series racing at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Millions of dollars are literally flushed down the toilet as car after car after car gets wrecked. And this year, it was worse with the devastating crash and injuries suffered by Ryan Newman in a wild finish to the Daytona 500.

The irony wasn’t lost on us when it was announced the Daytona 500 would pay a record $23.6 million purse. We bet that hardly covered the costs.

With Newman’s story making headlines around the world, one can only hope change is on the way and NASCAR and Race Team Alliance officials will work together to find a solution to end this dangerous brand of racing at Daytona and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

But maybe it’s all the crashing that sells tickets as the 500 was sold out for the fifth straight year.

– Crowds were huge at short tracks all over the state of Florida. On Saturday night during the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series’ three-night stand at Volusia Speedway Park, the parking lots were filled to capacity. Late arrivals were directed to park at the campground and were then shuttled back and forth to the track.

This happened as more seats were available thanks to a new grandstand that was erected during the winter months at the half-mile dirt track.

– Brad Sweet and the Kasey Kahne Racing team lost nothing during the winter months. The reigning World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion won twice in five nights of racing at Volusia Speedway Park.

– Gio Scelzi won a feature during Speedweeks, but it came in an asphalt late model at New Smyrna Speedway.

– Speaking of New Smyrna, the ARCA Menards Series East season kicked off at the half-mile track before a huge crowd, with 23 cars taking the green flag. In its final season under the NASCAR banner last year, the series’ car count floundered in the mid-teens. Could this be the first sign the merger between ARCA and NASCAR and the rule changes to allow numerous car styles will revitalize the series, which flourished when known as the Busch North Series.

– It may be difficult to believe, but it appears reigning World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series champion Brandon Sheppard may have gotten better over the winter.

Sheppard left Florida with five victories in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, World of Outlaws and UMP competition, and the point lead in both the WoO and Lucas late model divisions. That was all aboard Mark Richards’ familiar No. 1 Rocket house car.

In January, Sheppard won the Wild West Shoot­out title and three features driving his family-owned No. b5 late model. That’s eight victories through the first six weeks of the season.

– Sheppard’s performance overshadowed fellow late model aces Jimmy Owens, who won three straight World of Outlaws late model features at Volusia Speedway Park, and Tim McCreadie, who won three times in a two-week span.

– Seventeen Daytona 500 winners were on hand for the 62nd Great American Race at Daytona Int’l Speedway, including seven who were competing. That got us thinking, and we were surprised to discover there are 28 living Daytona 500 winners.

For those wondering, our homework revealed there are 30 living Indianapolis 500 winners. As well, the last nine Indianapolis 500s have been won by nine different drivers.

– The best story of Speedweeks at Daytona was Jordan Anderson finishing second in the NASCAR Gander Outdoor & RV Truck Series race — mere inches behind winner Grant Enfinger.

A former Legend Car racer, Anderson is one of the true low-budget independents of this era.

– We sure miss the Daytona 500’s traditional noon starting time. Oh, and don’t get us started talking about the Daytona Duels.

– It will be interesting to see what comes of the Florida Speedweek short-track scene a few years down the line. Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala has financial problems and opened only for USAC races this February and East Bay Raceway Park near Tampa has only a few years (2024) left before becoming part of an adjacent industrial park.

– Congratulations to old friend Roger Slack, who is the promoter at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, for winning the Auto Racing Promoter of the Year award.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Canac, a Quebec-based group specializing in the distribution and retail sale of building products and hardware, will sponsor Raphael Lessard and Kyle Busch Motorsports in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

Canac will make its debut on the No. 4 Toyota Tundra driven by Lessard at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 20.

The family business has been in existence for 145 years and is growing in strength with 30 branches in the province of Quebec.

“Raphael is a young man from our region, and it is important for Canac to encourage the next generation of major sports in Quebec,” said Jean Laberge, president of Canac. “We have always been racing fans and when we saw Raphael’s performance, it confirmed that he has an incredible talent and that it is worth supporting him in his development as a race car driver.

“My father was a great fan of motor racing. Over the years, the Laberge family has partnered with legendary Quebec drivers such as Marcel Corriveau, Denis Giroux who both raced in Quebec and in the United States, as did the ever-popular Beauceron Langis Caron over his 50-year career,” Laberge continued. “For the past few years, we have also been supporting Mikael Grenier. Raphael Lessard is making his mark at a racing level that very few Quebec racers reach. As part of the partnership supporting his development, we are proud at Canac to contribute to making his dream come true.”

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A fast start to the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season doesn’t necessarily mean late-season success and a world championship, but Jack Beckman isn’t about to turn down what his team has accomplished thus far.

Now, the former Funny Car world champ will try to keep that scorching start going at this weekend’s 51st annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

Beckman won the iconic race at Gainesville Raceway for the first time in 2018, and he’ll have a great opportunity to do it again this year. He’s been red-hot in his 11,000-horsepower Infinite Hero Foundation Dodge Charger SRT, winning the opening race in Pomona and following it with a runner-up in Phoenix. While it doesn’t automatically predict future success, Beckman does note the huge boost his team has received.

“It’s an awesome feeling, and every team and every driver aspires to be in that position,” Beckman said. “When you’ve got a great hotrod, you drive better, and when you go more rounds, you get more data. You’re going to learn more about your car under race conditions. When someone hands you a trophy, you’ve earned it in this class. It’s that satisfaction that with all that work you and your team have put in, there’s a payoff. And once you taste victory, nobody minds working a little harder.”

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Bo Butner (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are defending winners of the Gatornationals. It is the third of 24 races during the season and the action will start early with the thrilling NHRA Prime Time during the second qualifying session on Friday.

Beckman’s early-season success is just a continuation of a strong finish to close out 2019. He finished second overall behind reigning world champ Robert Hight, winning twice in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship and advancing to three finals. That momentum has continued this year, qualifying second in Pomona en route to a commanding performance and grinding his way to the finals in Phoenix.

“This year has just been a continuation of last year,” said Beckman, who has 31 career wins. “A lot of times you take the car back in the off-season, take it apart and for whatever reason it doesn’t have the same magic. But we’ve had that and I was confident we could do well at the Winternationals. While we thoroughly earned that trophy, Phoenix was equally important. Even though we weren’t at our best, we showed we could still get wins and that’s big.”

It’s proven Beckman and his team, led by crew chiefs John Medlen and Dean Antonelli, can win in any way possible. That will be crucial as the points leader heads to Gainesville, looking to repeat his 2018 victory. To do that, he’ll have to get past the likes of Hight, Phoenix winner and Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tommy Johnson Jr., Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, John Force, Alexis DeJoria, Bob Tasca III, Tim Wilkerson, Cruz Pedregon and 2018 world champ J.R. Todd, but Beckman, knowing the history of the prestigious race, promises to be locked in.

“The longer a race has been on the NHRA tour, the more history and great moments it’s going to have, and it’s no secret I’m a historian of the sport,” Beckman said. “Gainesville and the Winternationals are so similar because they’re both he season-openers for that part of the United States. There’s big gaps on both sides of the schedule for Gainesville, so you want to do well. It’s such a special race and, afterwards, you want to be able to ruminate that you were able to close the deal in Gainesville.”

ORLANDO, Fla. – Screaming Games recently released Max DTR, the company’s dirt track racing game, which is available for mobile phones and tablet devices.

The game is designed to appeal to existing dirt track racing enthusiasts and to introduce the sport to a new fan base. Max DTR currently includes seven realistic car classes and more than 50 real world tracks, with three race modes: Quick Race, Career and Multiplayer for head-to-head action. The game’s realism is powered by its use of realistic car physics and custom tuning.

Max DTR also provides a free and powerful promotional tool for dirt tracks, combining the popularity of video games with the vast reach of mobile phones. The game includes clickable links that direct players to track websites or social media sites so they can learn about real world tracks, obtain race schedules and find directions to attend races.

There are currently more than 50 real tracks represented in the game, from across North America, Australia and New Zealand. The company plans to introduce additional new tracks.

To become involved with the game organizations, track owners, managers and promoters are encouraged to contact the company through the links on its website.

The game is free to download from the app stores, and through links on the company’s website at www.ScreamingGames.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks are known for having one of the loudest home ice advantages in the NHL at SAP Center, better known as the Shark Tank. But after Santa Clara County banned mass gatherings for three weeks due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Sharks may play their next home games inside of an empty Tank.

"I've never been in the NHL and played a game without any fans. It would be very strange," forward Evander Kane said.

Santa Clara County's Public Health Department on Monday announced a mandatory order requiring cancellation of "mass gatherings" of more than 1,000 people for three weeks while it studies the spread of the virus and more coronavirus tests become available.

That ban includes all events at SAP Center in San Jose, where the Sharks have three home games scheduled during that span.

"That's what they implemented. We're going to have to abide by that decision," Kane said. "I know they made an announcement on a couple of different scenarios, and the empty building was one of them."

A league source told ESPN that the NHL, rather than the team, will ultimately determine what happens to Sharks home games against Montreal (March 19), Boston (March 21) and Arizona (March 29). The most likely scenario is that they're played at SAP Center without any fans present. It's a situation being faced by other sports leagues around the globe, including Switzerland's National League, which played regular-season games in an empty arena after its government banned mass gatherings.

Sharks forward Timo Meier, who is Swiss, said he knew that scenario could play out in the NHL.

"It was a thought," said Meier, who spoke with players who competed in empty arenas in Switzerland. "They said it was obviously weird, playing in front of nobody. Especially when it's late in the season with the playoffs [near], and the energy is high. And then you're playing meaningful games in front of nobody."

The Sharks could compete at a neutral site in an area without restrictions on mass gatherings, or could play these games as rescheduled home or road games later in the season. But Sharks coach Bob Boughner indicated that an empty home arena might be preferred.

"Home ice advantage is always key. It's always nice to be at home, not stay in a hotel, sleep in your own bed," he said, acknowledging that playing without fans will have its challenges.

"You're going to have to find ways to get your own adrenaline going. It'll feel like a preseason game, in a way. At the end of the day, you have to concentrate on the opponent and game plan. But you're going to have to find a way to rally, and find your own way to motivate without the fans and the noise," he said.

The Sharks left for Chicago on Tuesday for a four-game road trip.

"Sometimes it might be a good thing to get away. But of course the guys with families, kids and people in town, it's an added level of stress for sure," Boughner said.

Joe Thornton, in his 15th season with the Sharks, said it's been surreal to see his community react to a global crisis.

"To see it hit home puts things in perspective," he said. "We just have to take care of each other. It's been a rough couple of weeks."

The Sharks started taking precautions regarding the coronavirus over the weekend, joining a multi-sport ban on media in the locker room. San Jose held media availability at its practice facility on Tuesday in a small auxiliary locker room, far from the players' room. Reporters stood more than 6 feet away from players, as has been the suggestion from the league. Instructions on "prevention and treatment" of the coronavirus were printed out and posted around the rink.

Kane was happy to see the additional attention on cleanliness.

"I'm a little OCD so I'm always sanitizing myself, steering wheels and iPhones," he said. "Nothing new for me, but it's nice to see other people doing it, too."

The Vancouver Canucks are getting forward Brock Boeser back at an opportune time.

The 22-year-old has been out since Feb. 8 with a rib injury, but he will be back in the lineup against the New York Islanders on Tuesday.

The Canucks are currently one point out of the second wild card in the West, but they have gone 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.

Boeser had 16 goals and 29 assists in 56 games before he went down. He had 56 points last season.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Rory McIlroy was the first and most high-profile player, at world No. 1, to speak out against the proposed Premier Golf League last month when he announced he was “out” and that he wanted to be on “the right side of history.”

On Tuesday at The Players, where McIlroy is the defending champion, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was asked his response to McIlroy’s comments.

“I would tell you that it just reminded us all of how thoughtful and thorough Rory McIlroy is,” Monahan said. “I wasn't surprised. I was certainly proud and pleased on that given day, and candidly, as I've talked to a lot of top players in my one-on-one conversations, I've heard a lot of the same.”

Last week at Bay Hill, McIlroy was asked if there were any specific parts of the PGL team concept that he liked, and he acknowledged he was interested in the idea of “smaller fields” and said he was concerned that there might be an “over-saturation” in professional golf.

“I feel pressure from top players to continue to make sure our product is getting better and better and better. You always feel that pressure. It hasn't just started here over the last couple of months,” Monahan said. “Certainly, this is a unique circumstance or situation, but you don't wake up and hear that and all of a sudden say, ‘OK, we need to now start doing more.’”