WHEATLAND, Mo. – Dillon McCowan has gone from watching races at Lucas Oil Speedway as a youngster to contending for wins there as a teenager.

This season, the 16-year-old from Urbana looks to take his next, dream step and visit victory lane there.

“That would be amazing,” said McCowan, who wound up tied for fifth in points in the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mod division last season. “I’ve been wanting to win races there since I was a little kid. I finally got to race there a couple of years ago. It always was one of my dreams to race there.”

When the new season begins in a few weeks, McCowan figures to be a contender in a division that includes a trio of recent USRA B-Mod National Champions.

“The caliber of drivers you get to race with, I think it’s helped me tremendously,” McCowan said.

McCowan was contending for a feature win a couple of times at Lucas Oil Speedway last summer before mechanical issues dashed those hopes. Still, with nine top-10 finishes and a pair of top-fives, it was a breakthrough season. In just his second year in the B-Mod, after he began racing Mini-Stocks and Midwest Mods at the age of 12, he also earned a track championship at Midway Speedway.

“It was really a great season for me and my whole race team,” McCowan said. “As the season went on, we got a lot better. Just the whole team had a good and very productive season.”

As for how he improved the most as a driver, McCowan said it was across the board.

“Probably getting the wheel quicker, driving a little harder and getting into my rhythm quicker,” he said. “A lot of seat time really helps.”

The family operation got an early jump on the 2020 season by going west in January. McCowan posted three top-five feature finishes at Vado Speedway Park in New Mexico, then went to the Wild West Shootout in Arizona where he ran 12th and 19th against a stout field of B-Mod competitors.

That experience should do nothing but help the team as the local season fires up.

“It went really good; a lot better than I expected,” McCowan said of of the western trip. “We had a lot of fun out there and we had some pretty good finishes. There was some stiff competition, so we were pretty happy with how we did.”

McCowan is behind the wheel of the Rage-chassis car that Kris Jackson drove to the 2019 USRA B-Mod National Championship. He said Jackson continues to be a mentor with helpful advice.

“I can’t thank him enough. He has done more for me than I could ever pay him,” McCowan said.

Jackson added that he’s happy to help McCowan and family because they are humble and hard working. He expects big things from the teen driver this season.

“I think Dillon will be fast. He’s gotten really good,” Jackson said. “He came so far (in 2019) and I look for him to be a real threat. It makes me proud to see him take what information that I’ve given him and run with it. He’s done well for himself. He and his Dad (Charlie) work hard at it.”

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Nelson Motorsports has announced that 14-year-old Jonathan Shafer will join the team for the full CARS Late Model Stock Tour season.

Shafer has already enjoyed wins in quarter midgets and micro sprints and has already secured a part-time ride this season with well-known car owner Keith Kunz in the USAC Midget division.

“I’m ready to go and can’t wait to drive the Nelson Motorsports Toyota Camry in the CARS Tour this season,” said Shafer. “We had a good test last weekend at Southern National Speedway and with the help and experience I have on this team I couldn’t ask to be in a better situation as I begin racing late models full time.”

Experience might be an understatement when you consider Shafer is talking about the defending champion in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, Bobby McCarty, and veteran NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series driver Timothy Peters.

In addition to the experience the former drivers will offer Shafer, he’ll also have Marcus Richmond and David Triplett who bring a wealth of knowledge to the team. That duo, along with Peters and the leadership of team owner Barry Nelson, has turned Nelson Motorsports into one of the strongest late model teams in the CARS Tour.

Led by team owner Nelson, who has been a success in racing and business throughout the Martinsville area and tracks across the mid-Atlantic region, the Genesis Christian Academy student has one of the strongest teams he could find to help him begin his stock car racing journey in earnest.

Adding the experienced support he’ll get at Nelson Motorsports, Shafer already sets himself apart from many other young drivers. The teenager works on his own cars and setups and has been part of the entire process in racing – not just showing up with a helmet and driving.

“One thing my dad did with me from the beginning was teach me how to work on the race cars,” said Shafer. “If I was going to race I had to also work on them and I really enjoy it. I think it will make be a better communicator to my crew during races and ultimately make me a better driver.

“Working on your own car should give you a better understanding of what it needs to be in contention for wins every time you’re on the track.”

While Shafer lives in Ohio he has ties to the Martinsville area as his mom is from nearby Eden, N.C., and has grandparents and relatives still living in the area.

Shafer has already gained some valuable experience in a late model when he competed in the Fall Brawl at Hickory Motor Speedway finishing sixth just behind Sam Mayer, who has already scored ARCA Menards East and West division wins this year.

Peters has already noticed the talent shown by the young driver and is ready to help him get off to a solid start in the CARS Tour.

“Jonathan is already showing how talented he is behind the wheel and I can’t wait to work with him this season,” said Peters. “He’s already proven he can drive a race car and it’s our job to get him comfortable in a heavier late model as quickly as possible.”

Although he’s yet to race with Nelson Motorsports, Shafer has set some realistic goals as he begins the season.

“I just want to finish races and bring the car home in one piece,” he said. “Then as I learn I want to score top-10 finishes and then move up to top-five and top-three finishes this season.”

Jonathan Shafer will get his first start in the No. 2 Nelson Motorsports Toyota Camry at Southern National Motorsports Park this Saturday.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce had surgery on his right shoulder and will miss the remainder of the 2019-20 season, the team announced Thursday.

The Hurricanes said Pesce's expected recovery time is four to six months.

The 25-year-old Pesce had four goals and 14 assists in 61 games with the Hurricanes this season.

Pesce was injured on Feb. 22 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Hurricanes (35-24-5) enter Thursday's games three points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Philadelphia Flyers say veteran forward James van Riemsdyk is expected to miss four to six weeks after breaking his hand in Wednesday's win against the Capitals.

The winger took a shot to the hand from Capitals defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler during the first period of the game and immediately went to the locker room and did not return.

Van Riemsdyk has 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points in 65 games this season. He has been on the Flyers' third line during their winning streak that has vaulted them up the standings.

The Flyers have recalled rookie Joel Farabee from the minors to replace van Riemsdyk beginning with Philadelphia's home game Thursday against Carolina.

The Flyers (39-20-7) stand second in the Metropolitan Division, a point behind the Capitals. They finish the regular season April 4 at Buffalo.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Titleist and FootJoy, which are owned by Acushnet, confirmed for GolfChannel.com that both brands have dropped Scott Piercy after he posted a homophobic meme on social media earlier this week.

Apparel company J. Lindeberg also ended its endorsement relationship with Piercy, according to Golf Digest and Golf.com, after he shared a meme directed at former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who is openly gay.

Piercy also referenced QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory, in social media posts. In a statement he said, “Whenever I post my intent is NEVER to offend. I want to apologize if any of my recent story posts have been offensive. I will do better!”

Piercy, who shot a first-round 71 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and is tied for 30^th, declined to comment to Golf Channel on Tuesday, and in a statement the PGA Tour said it is “disappointed in the lack of judgment used” and that “it has been addressed with Scott directly.”

The winds were up Thursday at Bay Hill, but there were still plenty of low scores - among them a two-time champ and the current world No. 1. Here's how things look after the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where Matt Every continued his love affair with the home of The King en route to a slim lead over Rory McIlroy:

Leaderboard: Matt Every (-7), Rory McIlroy (-6), Talor Gooch (-5), Scottie Scheffler (-5), Graeme McDowell (-4)

What it means: Every's career line is a peculiar one, as he has exactly two wins and they both came at the same place: Bay Hill, where he went back-to-back in 2014 and 2015. He's again atop the leaderboard in search of an unlikely trifecta, just two months removed from returning to action following a three-month drug suspension. But hot on his heels is the 2018 champ, as McIlroy erased a slow start by carving up the front nine.

Round of the day: Every has come out of nowhere here before, so it's not exactly a surprise to see him put a good round together despite missed cuts in three of his last four starts. But he rolled in seven birdies Thursday without dropping a shot despite the windy conditions, highlighted by three birdies across Nos. 1-4.

Best of the rest: McIlroy was 1 over in the early stages before turning things around in a hurry, as he made five birdies and an eagle across 11 holes in the middle of his round. After starting on No. 10, McIlroy shot a 5-under 31 on the front nine and held the lead until he was overtaken late in the day by Every.

Biggest disappointment: Take your pick from the crowd at 5-over 77: recent Tour winner Adam Scott, who shot a 42 on the back nine; perennial Bay Hill contender Henrik Stenson, who rolled in just one birdie; or 1997 champ Phil Mickelson, who made five bogeys and a double and appears poised to miss the API cut for the second straight year.

Main storyline heading into Friday: Every's mystifying ability to find his game in Orlando will be worth monitoring, but all eyes remain on the world No. 1. McIlroy appears to be firing on all cylinders at the moment, having finished fifth in each of his previous two starts entering the week, and could contend for another trophy before driving to Ponte Vedra Beach to defend his Players title next week.

Shot of the day: McIlroy appeared to be in trouble after finding a bunker off the tee on the par-5 fourth, but he uncorked a missile of a 3-iron that found the green from 260 yards away in the sand. It set up an eagle that served as the highlight of his 6-under 66.

Quote of the day: "Sometimes I'm really good, sometimes I'm really bad. It's a weird game." - Every, who shot an 85 Friday at the Honda Classic and trimmed 20 shots off that total in his opener at Bay Hill.

Monaco's Gelson Martins has been slapped with a six-month suspension for pushing a referee during a 3-1 Ligue 1 loss at Nimes last month.

The 24-year-old Portugal international shoved referee Mikael Lesage after teammate Tiemoue Bakayoko was dismissed for a dangerous tackle in the 32nd minute. He then followed it up with an even stronger push after he too had been shown a red card.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel's (LFP) disciplinary committee deemed Martins' action "brutality" and justified provisionally suspending the former Sporting and Atletico Madrid because of the nature of the incident.

"After examining the file and hearing the player, the commission has decided to sanction Gelson Martins with a closed six-month ban," the LFP statement read. "This decision is effective from February 6."

Consequently, Martins will not be able to play domestic football again until Ligue 1 resumes in August. His suspension almost certainly rules him out of contention for Euro 2020 as well.

Martins, for his part, took to social media shortly after the incident to apologise to Lesage and admit to his error, while Monaco vice-president Oleg Petrov told a press conference that the player would be "severely sanctioned" by the club.

Coach Robert Moreno's men are currently seventh in the Ligue 1 table and six points behind the potential continental competition qualification places.

Martins contributed four goals and one assist from 23 appearances across all competitions this season. And while Monaco stated their belief that his previous good disciplinary record should have counted in his favour, they once again condemned his "unjustifiable behaviour."

The Stade Louis II-based side also called the decision "a very heavy sanction" and "excessive" in length.

Despite that, Monaco did not indicate that they will appeal the ban.

DERBY, England -- Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident there will be no repeat of last season's disastrous dip in form.

Victory over Derby in the FA Cup fifth round stretched United's unbeaten run to nine, their best sequence since going undefeated in Solskjaer's first 11 games as caretaker.

But despite a positive start under the Norwegian last season, United's form dipped towards the end of the campaign and they won just two of their final 12 games.

Solskjaer, though, is confident that will not happen again as his team chases a top-four finish in the Premier League and silverware in the FA Cup and the Europa League.

"They're fitter with a better mentality [than last season]," said Solskjaer after the 3-0 win at Pride Park. "They've had a winter break, we've added a few signings and we're getting players back. The whole squad is ready to go.

"I've got a big squad. [Last season] we had I don't know how many hamstring injuries because we weren't ready to do what we asked them to do."

United have hit form at the right time ahead of Manchester City's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday followed by a trip to LASK Linz in the Europa League and another to Tottenham three days later.

"It's just what happens in football at times," said Solskjaer. "We're defending well with clean sheets. That's massive for us. It's seven in nine and that's important. I've got good players and they're hitting form."

Solskjaer had loan signing Odion Ighalo to thank for securing a quarterfinal tie with Norwich after the Nigeria striker scored twice against Derby following Luke Shaw's opener.

Ighalo has got three goals in two starts since arriving from Shanghai Shenhua on deadline day and the United manager has been delighted with the 30-year-old's impact.

"He's doing what he says on the tin," said Solskjaer. "He's a different type of striker and he gets chances every game. Today he could have had another couple. I'm very happy with him.

"There's more to come. He'll improve and get sharper. No doubt he'll only get better and better."

DERBY, England -- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is chasing a return to the Champions League this season, but he is well aware of the barometer for success at Manchester United.

"Trophies are what we play for," he said pointedly ahead of the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Derby County. After a 3-0 win at Pride Park on Thursday, he is two games from leading his team out in a major final.

"We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wembley," sang the travelling fans. The arch is in sight.

Lifting the FA Cup saved Sir Alex Ferguson's job in 1990, and Solskjaer has refused to throw away any chance of silverware. A run to the Carabao Cup semifinals was only ended by Manchester City. Against Derby, 13th in the Championship, he did not take any chances, and despite making six changes, the team he fielded was still a strong one. It will be the same for the visit to Norwich in the next round.

"It's another away draw," Solskjaer said. "We're used to that now, seven in a row. We'll have to do it the hard way but we've got a chance now.

"I'm very pleased with the performance, to go through. You never know being favourites but it was professional. I've got good players and they're hitting form."

It has not escaped Solskjaer that even with a positive transfer window this summer, the chances of bridging the gap with City and Liverpool are slim. And while his revolution rumbles on, the domestic trophies will take on greater importance. No United manager can live off cups forever -- Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho both won something -- but they will do for starters. Winning the FA Cup this season would ease some of the pressure on Solskjaer's shoulders and give him the chance to compete for bigger prizes.

On a freezing night in Derby, the Norwegian did not have to look far for an example of what that first trophy can do for a team.

Wayne Rooney, now a Championship midfielder at the age of 34, won the League Cup in 2006 before going on to collect 12 major honours at Old Trafford including five Premier League titles and the Champions League. His arrival at United in 2004, joining Cristiano Ronaldo, sparked the development of Ferguson's third great United side, following on from the 1994 Double winners and the Treble team in 1999.

In 1992, Ferguson needed the transfer of Eric Cantona from Leeds United to turn a good cup team into a squad capable of winning a first league title for more than 20 years in 1993. Solskjaer may have already found his transformative signing in Bruno Fernandes. It could yet turn out to be Jadon Sancho or Jack Grealish.

He can be encouraged, though, that even during this transitional campaign his team have put a run together of nine games without defeat.

It might have been different had Derby taken advantage of their good start. Inside the first 20 minutes, Louie Sibley fizzed a shot past Sergio Romero's post before the Argentinian was forced into a good save to turn Rooney's free kick round the post. It took Luke Shaw's first goal since the opening day of last season -- a fortuitous volley that smashed into the ground and looped into the far corner -- and two goals for Odion Ighalo either side of half-time to finally quieten the home crowd.

It was a good night for Ighalo, who now has three goals in two starts for United and is looking more and more like a shrewd January signing. He has already matched Henrik Larsson's tally during his 2007 loan spell.

"He's doing what he says on the tin," said Solskjaer. "He's a different type of striker and gets chances every game. He could've had another couple. I'm delighted, very happy with him.

"He's experienced and he's scored goals his whole career, in and around the box. That type of striker is vital for the team."

When Ighalo made it 3-0 in the second half with a thumping finish, Solskjaer felt comfortable enough to turn his attention to Sunday's Manchester derby, withdrawing Fernandes, Fred and Shaw. A derby against City is important in its own right and even more so for United in the race for the top four. Solskjaer, though, is not about to give up the opportunity to get his hands on a first trophy as United manager.

"Today [the FA Cup] was the highest priority because we're not going to pick and choose games or competitions," he said afterwards. "We've got to go for everything. That is what it is to be here at Man United, you have got to go for a trophy."

He has given himself a chance.