Martin Odegaard scored against his parent club as Real Madrid were beaten 4-3 by Real Sociedad in a thrilling Copa del Rey quarterfinal at the Bernabeu.

The on-loan midfielder slotted the ball low through Real Madrid goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to open the scoring in the first half, before in-form striker Alexander Isak scored two goals in three second-half minutes to give Real Sociedad a commanding 3-0 lead.

Marcelo pulled a goal back, and Isak set up Mikel Merino for Real Sociedad's fourth, but a late Real Madrid rally saw Vinicius set up Rodrygo, and then Nacho made it three in added time as the home side pushed for a late equaliser.

Positives

Odegaard impressed again, and that's a long-term positive for Real Madrid, even if it was a negative on the night. He didn't celebrate his first-half goal, but it was his touch, awareness and composure that will really have impressed the Bernabeu crowd. Performances like this make it increasingly unlikely that he'll spend a second season in San Sebastian.

Vinicius was far and away Madrid's best player, and the Brazilian looks back to his impudent best. He offers something genuinely different to a Real Madrid team that is full of midfield quality but sometimes lacks a change of pace.

Madrid never gave up, and those goals from Marcelo, Rodrygo and Nacho made a comeback that had earlier looked impossible suddenly feel even probable.

Negatives

Real Madrid's Copa del Rey record at the Bernabeu in recent years is one disappointment after another. They were beaten here by Barcelona in 2019, by Leganes in 2018, and by Celta Vigo in 2017. This was another result to add to that list and Madrid's fightback here shouldn't disguise the fact that they had been three goals down.

Madrid's defence were given a torrid time by one of the most exciting, entertaining teams to watch in Spain this season. They never looked comfortable up against a dynamic, fluid forward line of Isak, Odegaard, Mikel Oyarzabal and Adnan Januzaj.

Isak in particular was an absolute nightmare for Sergio Ramos and Eder Militao to deal with, scoring twice, playing a role in the other two Real Sociedad goals, and having one ruled out by VAR to boot.

Manager rating out of 10

6 -- Zinedine Zidane named a squad without Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, Casemiro, Dani Carvajal or Lucas Vazquez for one reason or another, and so had few selection dilemmas for his team.

There were rare starts for Brahim Diaz and James Rodriguez, though neither really paid off. Zidane did his best to change the game, bringing on Luka Modric at half-time, and will at least have been pleased with his team's second-half reaction.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Alphonse Areola, 5 -- His third cup start this season, having played at Unionistas and Zaragoza. Should have done much, much better with Odegaard's opener, looked unconvincing in general and is now a long way behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order.

DF Nacho, 6 -- Scored in added time, but it was too little, too late. Always has the right attitude and did better than might have been expected up against Oyarzabal.

DF Sergio Ramos, 6 -- It was never going to be an easy night for the Real Madrid captain against a Real Sociedad attack led by Isak, who had scored five goals in his previous four games. Hit the bar with a first-half header and had one good late chance to make it 4-3 after going up front to chance an equaliser.

DF Eder Militao, 6 -- Had a mixed evening. At times he showed what an asset his pace can be, with important early challenges on Januzaj and Isak, while at others he was found wanting. He looks like he might one day be a suitable replacement for Raphael Varane, but isn't quite there yet.

DF Marcelo, 5 -- With Ferland Mendy in the driver's seat at left-back, Marcelo must take advantage of opportunities like this to win his spot back. Had a poor first half, scored in the second half to give Madrid hope, but was badly exposed on Real Sociedad's fourth.

MF Federico Valverde, 6 -- No Casemiro means the Uruguayan has to drop deeper, reigning in his impulse to burst forwards. Had to deal with Odegaard, which is no easy task. When Isak was one-on-one with Areola right on half-time, it was Valverde, not Ramos or Militao, who was desperately racing back to try to get there.

MF Toni Kroos, 6 -- Having a sensational season but has had a dip this week. After being taken off at half-time in the Madrid derby, he failed to impress here. Looks a much better player with Casemiro alongside him.

MF James Rodriguez, 5 -- Has started all three Copa del Rey games so far. Played in a midfield three, in a more advanced position than Valverde or Kroos, the Colombian put a first-half free kick well over the bar and had one very good shot saved by Alex Remiro. Was taken off for Luka Modric at half-time.

FW Brahim Diaz, 6 -- Did well coming off the bench against Unionistas and Zaragoza earlier in the competition, and was rewarded with a start here. Played on the right and had his moments, but failed to make a consistent impact. His chipped cross found Ramos who headed against the bar in the first half.

FW Vinicius Junior, 8 -- The best thing about Real Madrid tonight. Vinicius has seen a major improvement lately and was lively, active and confident throughout. Got the crowd on their feet with a first-half run and in the second half he almost scored with a curling shot across the face of goal, had a header ruled out by VAR and set up Rodrygo. Extremely promising for the rest of the season.

FW Karim Benzema, 6 -- Followed his match-winning Madrid derby goal at the weekend with a quiet display. While he had the occasional half-chance, he really couldn't impose himself on the game.

Substitutes

MF Luka Modric, 6 -- Came on for James at half-time but couldn't improve Madrid's fortunes.

FW Luka Jovic, N/R -- brought on at 4-1 down Valverde, but was anonymous again.

FW Rodrygo, N/R -- On for Diaz with 15 minutes to go and scored a straightforward goal, after Vinicius' good work.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Veteran NFL safety Eric Weddle announced his retirement on Thursday.

Weddle, 35, played for 13 years. He had one season remaining on a two-year, $10.5 million contract that he signed with the Los Angeles Rams last March.

Weddle acknowledged toward the end of the Rams' 9-7 season that he was contemplating retirement.

"I've had a great run," Weddle said at the time. "No regrets, baby."

He made the announcement on Thursday with a post on Twitter.

It's been REAL @NFL @Chargers @Ravens @RamsNFL! TEAMMATES, COACHES and others I LOVE y'all. We had a GREAT RUN!!!!! ✌✌#BEARDOUT ? pic.twitter.com/C3VGwnMCc7

— Eric Weddle (@weddlesbeard) February 6, 2020

"He's played a lot, had a great career," Rams coach Sean McVay said after the season. "I'm very thankful and I've learned a lot from him."

A six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Weddle finishes his career with 29 interceptions, including four returned for touchdowns, eight forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, 9.5 sacks and 98 pass deflections.

After his arrival in L.A., Weddle quickly asserted himself as a leader. Rams teammates voted him a captain and he took over duties as the on-field signal-caller in former defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. Weddle finished the season with four pass deflections.

With the retirement of Weddle -- who is also known for his signature beard and ice cream victory celebrations -- the Rams are expected to promote second-year pro Taylor Rapp to a starting role to play alongside John Johnson.

"Hell of a career," Johnson wrote on Twitter following Weddle's announcement. "This is the standard. Wish things went differently this season but I appreciate what you've done for me and @RamsNFL. Enjoy retirement, Turkey."

Quarterback Jared Goff summed up Weddle's career in one word, writing on Twitter: "LEGEND."

The Chargers selected Weddle, a Southern California native, in the second round, with the 37th overall pick, in 2007 from Utah.

He played nine seasons for the Chargers, earning three trips to the Pro Bowl, before an acrimonious ending that resulted in Weddle signing a four-year, $26 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Weddle played three seasons in Baltimore, where he earned three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. The Ravens released Weddle before the final season of his contract in an effort to clear salary-cap space and promote younger players.

The 2020 NBA trade deadline has now passed, and the NBA saw marquee players switch teams ahead of the 3 p.m. ET cutoff. Players took to social media to share their reactions on being moved, along with others who commented on the flurry of activity across the league.

Some of the leagues' marquee players -- including Andre Drummond, D'Angelo Russell, Andrew Wiggins, Marcus Morris, among others -- were sent to new teams as the deadline approached. Other players that were rumored to move, including New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari, are staying with their clubs.

Feel lost and not caught up on everything that went down? Don't worry, Joel Embiid feels the same way.

What's going on? What's happening?

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 6, 2020

Other players, including Trae Young and Spencer Dinwiddie were reduced to emoji usage as the deadline loomed.

There's a lot of Action going on right now...??

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 6, 2020

??‍♂️

— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) February 6, 2020

?

— Tsunami Papi (@KELLYOUBREJR) February 6, 2020

Drummond was moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Brandon Knight, John Henson and a 2023 second-round pick. He shared a heartfelt response to the only fans and organization he's known since joining the NBA. Whether Drummond and Kevin Love get along with each other on the court remains to be seen, but the two seem to be in good spirits after the trade.

If there's one thing I learned about the NBA, there's no friends or loyalty. I've given my heart and soul to the Pistons , and to be have this happen with no heads up makes me realize even more that this is just a business! I love you Detroit...

— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) February 6, 2020

Cont... you will always have a special place in my heart! But on to the next @cavs hope your ready! Let's finish the year off the right way ?

— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) February 6, 2020

??? ?????? https://t.co/MlI6KTf8K8

— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) February 6, 2020

The Minnesota Timberwolves finally landed Russell, the point guard they coveted to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns. It cost Minnesota their 2014 No. 1 pick in Wiggins, and players seem excited about his prospects with Golden State.

Wig about to thrive in golden state. That's a great fit?

— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) February 6, 2020

Wiggs gonna be scary in Golden State. Great fit

— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) February 6, 2020

D-Lo frequent flyer miles going crazy... #IssaBussinessTheySay ???

— Justise Winslow (@IAmJustise) February 6, 2020

The LA Clippers finally landed Marcus Morris Sr. in a three-team deal with the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards. Morris was clearly enthused to join a title contender, and his new teammates shared in his excitement.

Let's get it family https://t.co/QH5t34qZyY

— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) February 6, 2020

Enes Kanter's reaction to the trade deadline ending is representative for all the players who did not want to move, or if you're just excited to see your Twitter notifications calm down after a crazy deadline day.

Mood ☘️? pic.twitter.com/T71wN6sFHM

— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) February 6, 2020

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Major League Baseball intends to impose new limits on what live video is available to teams, and Commissioner Rob Manfred hopes to complete his investigation into alleged electronic sign stealing by the Boston Red Sox before spring training camps open next week.

"I think you should assume that before the season starts we will have new guidelines with respect to the use of video equipment," Manfred said Thursday after an owners meeting. "I think we have too much video available in real time right now."

After former Houston pitcher Mike Fiers told The Athletic in November that the Astros used a video camera to steal the signs of opposing catchers in 2017 and 2018, Manfred last month suspended Houston manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow for one season, fined the Astros $5 million and stripped them of their first- and second-round drafts picks in 2020 and 2021.

Hinch and Luhnow were fired the same day, and the scandal led to the departures of Boston manager Alex Cora, Houston's bench coach during its 2017 title run, and New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran, an Astros player that season.

MLB is investigating a separate allegation that the Red Sox broke sign-stealing rules in 2018, when Cora led Boston to the championship in his first season as manager.

"I'm hopeful that I can get Boston done before the camps open," said Manfred. Workouts start Wednesday.

Manfred did not punish any Houston players and said no Red Sox players will be sanctioned. But he left open the possibility of discipline for future violations.

"We have the right to discipline players right now. I'm absolutely convinced of that fact," he said. "We made a decision in the Houston investigation that in order for us to get the facts that we needed, somebody had to get immunity."

He said he was not disappointed by the failure of current Astros players to apologize.

"I think the jury's still out on exactly what the Houston players are going to say," he said, pointing toward spring training as the possible time and place for contrition.

Baseball has looked at earpieces as a way to avoid the use of signs but determined it would be impractical. While football uses earpieces, helmets are much larger than baseball caps.

"It's much harder to design an earpiece that would be comfortable for players to wear in lieu of signs," he said, adding, "it's hard to be as fast as hand signals."

Astros owner Jim Crane did not attend the meetings. Team spokesman Gene Dias said Crane had a scheduling conflict.

On other matters:

METS SALE: Manfred said that talks have ended over the proposed sale of a controlling share of the Mets from the families of Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz to hedge fund manager Steven Cohen.

COMPUTERIZED PLATE UMPIRES: Manfred said the automated balls-and-strikes system will have to be negotiated with the players' union before it is used in the major leagues. MLB is using the system at nine ballparks of the Class A Florida State League this year and will test it during big league spring training without using it in exhibition games.

"It's fair to assume that we're going to continue to test at increasingly significant levels of play to make sure we've got it right before we bring it to the major leagues," he said.

OLYMPICS: Manfred said MLB was discussing whether to make some 40-man roster players available for the Americas Olympic qualifying tournament in Arizona from March 22 to 26.

"The timing's a little difficult there," he said.

Using a team with no 40-man players and few top prospects, the U.S. was three outs from qualifying at the Premier12 tournament last November but wasted a ninth-inning lead to Mexico and lost in 10 innings.

"We are going to make every effort to field as competitive a team as possible," Manfred said.

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Owners were given an update on MLB's proposal to eliminate 42 minor league affiliates in negotiations for a Professional Baseball Agreement with the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, the governing body of the minors. Talks are set to resume Feb. 20. The current deal expires after this season.

"There is unanimous support among the owners for the objectives and the strategy that we're pursuing with respect to this negotiation, in particular our objectives of modernizing minor league baseball, improving the working conditions of the players who play there," Manfred said. "I'm hopeful that the minor league negotiating committee is able to get a consensus among its constituents, a consensus that's strong enough that they can make us finally a written proposal that's supported by their membership."

GAMBLING: MLB may alter its regulations on team owners and casino gambling in a manner that could affect the Ilitch family. Different members of the family control the Detroit Tigers and a casino.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: Los Angeles Dodgers chairman Mark Walter and Tigers chairman Christopher Ilitch were appointed to the executive council following the end of the four-year terms of Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg. The council also includes Crane; San Diego's Ron Fowler (whose terms expire in 2021); Milwaukee's Mark Attanasio; Jerry Reinsdorf of the Chicago White Sox (2022); Boston's John Henry; and Colorado's Dick Monfort (2023).

RICHMOND, Va. – Sunoco has renewed its partnership with Richmond Raceway’s esports program, which will continue to be named Richmond Raceway eSports fueled by Sunoco.

In addition, the Sunoco brand will serve as the primary sponsor of defending eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series champion Zack Novak’s No. 90 Sunoco/Sim Seats Toyota Camry.

“Sunoco is a partner that is driving genuine value to our esports program and supports our mission of connecting with the next generation of race fans,” said Richmond Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier. “We look forward to our continued partnership to support the next phase of growth for esports in NASCAR.”

“Our relationship with Richmond Raceway eSports has provided a program where Sunoco can speak directly to a growing segment of the fan base,” added Michael Barrows, Senior Specialist of Motorsports Marketing for Sunoco. “This is a platform that allows us to take our powerful NASCAR and Richmond Raceway partnerships, and reach out to new fans and Sunoco consumers.”

Richmond Raceway eSports fueled by Sunoco returns this season for its third consecutive campaign in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series.

Novak moves over from Roush Fenway Racing to drive the No. 90 Sunoco/Sim Seats Toyota Camry for Richmond Raceway eSports fueled by Sunoco.

He debuted for the RReS team in the non-points Coca-Cola Clash at the virtual Daytona Int’l Speedway Wednesday night, finishing fourth after snaking his way through a last-lap crash in turn three at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

The Connecticut native won last year’s eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series championship on the strength of four victories, including a win over title rival Keegan Leahy in the season finale at the virtual Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.

In three seasons competing in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, Novak has a career line of six wins and 17 top fives, with 816 laps led.

Novak also won the 2018 eNASCAR Ignite Series championship, highlighting racers ages 17 and under.

The No. 90 Sunoco/Sim Seats Toyota Camry honors the late Junie Donlavey, a Richmond native and long-time NASCAR team owner.

Donlavey’s team took its lone NASCAR Cup Series victory with Jody Ridley at Dover Int’l Speedway in 1981, leading the final 20 laps after a late pass of Cale Yarborough.

Led by Donlavey, the No. 90 team also represented NASCAR in the 1976 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Now, Novak takes his turn with the historic number as he seeks to successfully defend his eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series championship and become just the second multi-time titlist in the series’ 11-year history.

“I am proud to drive the No. 90 Sunoco/Sim Seats Toyota Camry this season for Richmond Raceway eSports Fueled by Sunoco,” said Novak. “Sunoco is one of the most well-known brands in NASCAR, so I am humbled to represent a company that is invested in the present and future of the sport in esports.

“I can’t wait to start the season and bring the No. 90 Sunoco Toyota Camry to victory lane.”

Sunoco, the official fuel of NASCAR since 2004, also holds the naming rights associated with all Richmond Raceway eSports activations and title sponsorship for any individual competitions that Richmond hosts in the sim-racing landscape as part of the partnership.

As such, outside the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, Sunoco will host the Richmond Raceway eSports Sunoco Series, a pair of five-race esports tournaments – totaling 20 esports races – for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on 704Games’ NASCAR Heat 4 platform.

The competitions will be held online leading up to the track’s two NASCAR weekends, on April 17-19 and Sept. 11-12, respectively.

The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season begins Feb. 11 at the virtual Daytona Int’l Speedway.

Haley Moore, making her professional debut on Thursday, shot 7-under 66 in the opening round of the ISPS Handa Vic Open.

The 21-year-old, who helped lead Arizona to the 2018 NCAA national championship, had five birdies and an eagle on the Creek Course at 13th Beach Golf Links.

“I was just trying to stick with my game plan all day and not worry about looking at a scoreboard and seeing where it was,” Moore said Thursday in an interview with Golf Australia. “I was just being like everything’s going my way and just keep putting the pedal down and just keep doing this tomorrow and the next days will be good.”

Moore is one shot off the 18-hole lead, shared by Madelene Sagstrom and Haeji Kang. Moore will play the Beach Course in Friday’s second round.

The Vic Open is a mixed-gender event, sanctioned by the LPGA and European tours, crowning both a men's and women's champion.

(Adds details, quotes)

MADRID, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Real Madrid were dumped out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage on Thursday after losing 4-3 at home to Real Sociedad in a hugely entertaining game which saw two goals ruled out by video technology and a late red card for the visitors.

Sociedad's Sweden forward Alexander Isak inspired an incredible attacking display, scoring twice in the second period, setting up the fourth goal for Mikel Merino and also having a strike ruled out for offside.

Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard, who is on loan from Madrid, had given the visitors the lead midway through the first half, following up on the rebound after home keeper Alphonse Areola could only parry a long-range effort from Isak.

Defender Marcelo quickly pulled a goal back for the hosts after Isak's quick-fire brace to make it 3-1, beating keeper Alex Remiro at the near post moments after receiving a volley of boos from the home fans for his haphazard display.

But rampant Sociedad soon restored a three-goal cushion when Isak teed up Merino for a simple tap-in after 69 minutes.

Madrid substitute Rodrygo pulled a goal back in the 81st to make it 4-2 after his Brazilian team mate Vinicius Jr had a strike ruled out for offside following a VAR review, while Nacho struck in added time for the hosts to set up a tense finish.

Sociedad defender Andoni Gorosabel was sent off in stoppage time but Madrid, who are top of La Liga, could not find an equaliser and suffered their first defeat in any competition since losing 1-0 at Real Mallorca on Oct. 19.

"Today we let in four goals at home and it's difficult to come back from that. We tried very hard to pull it off but we reacted a little too late," Marcelo told reporters.

"Real Madrid is a very demanding club and when you don't win it's difficult, but we are still in two competitions, we have a very big squad with top players."

Madrid host Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Feb. 26. (Reporting by Richard Martin in Barcelona; editing by Ken Ferris)

The Clippers, Knicks and Wizards have agreed to a three-team trade that will send Marcus Morris and Isaiah Thomas to the Clippers, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Jerome Robinson will join the Wizards, while the Knicks will receive Moe Harkless and a 2020 first-round draft pick, according to sources.

Morris, 30, will join a title hopeful in Los Angeles after improving his scoring average to a career-high 19.6 points per game this season while shooting a career-best 43.9% from 3-point range.

He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after signing a one-year, $15 million contract with the Knicks.

Thomas, 30, is averaging 12.2 points per game this season, his first with the Wzards. He is shooting a career-best 41.3% from 3-point range.

Harkless, 26, is averaging 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds this season, his first with the Clippers. He has started 38 of the 50 games he has appeared in with the Clippers.

POMONA, Calif. — If there’s been a constant in recent NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series history, it’s veteran Doug Kalitta performing well at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona to open the year.

The longtime Top Fuel standout has advanced to four straight finals at the NHRA opener and won the past two, and Kalitta is eager to keep that streak going.

He’ll look to make it three straight wins at the annual iconic opener, as Kalitta and the rest of the NHRA stars open the season with this weekend’s 60th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com. It’s a race – as well as a track – that has been good to Kalitta and his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools Toyota dragster lately, as he swept both Pomona races a year ago. That included the finale to close out 2019 strong, and Kalitta hopes to maintain that momentum while seeking a fifth straight final at the season-opening event.

“The big wins from the end of last year, the U.S. Nationals and the Auto Club Finals, made the off-season easier,” Kalitta said. “We are really focused on winning the championship and that is where we put a lot of attention. I know the team worked hard and we are excited to get back to the track. My confidence level is very high. This Mac Tools team is on a streak at Pomona and we want to keep winning there. We focus on the little things all the time and I think that shows at the start of the season. We really work on staying sharp over the off-season and getting the most out of pre-season testing. I love racing in Pomona and the fans are always awesome.”

Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Bo Butner (Pro Stock) were last year’s winners of the NHRA opener. Kalitta is fueled by last year’s strong performance that included three wins and a runner-up finish in points.

He finished a mere three points behind back-to-back Top Fuel world champ Steve Torrence in a battle that went down to the wire, leaving a world title as the main goal for 2020. Kalitta’s 47 career wins are the most in NHRA history for a driver without a championship, a narrative the ultra-successful driver would like to put to rest in 2020.

“For me I just focus on doing my job and blocking out the distractions,” Kalitta said. “The season is a marathon and I just really take it one race at a time. We’re just hoping to be running up front the whole season. We need to start off strong, and we’ll try to go back to Pomona and pick up where we left off. Qualifying is one of the things that we’re going to be focusing on this year. Usually on race day, we’re consistently good, so qualifying a little bit better will help us be there at the end again this year. The points you gain in qualifying can make a big difference in the point standings.”

Every point is needed in the loaded Top Fuel class, and Kalitta will have to get by the likes of Torrence, Brittany Force, Leah Pruett, Terry McMillen, Clay Millican and Antron Brown in Pomona. It’s a tall task, but he has the benefit of a standout Kalitta Motorsports team. Former Top Fuel world champ Shawn Langdon is back in the class after a brief time in Funny Car, while J.R. Todd has a championship under his belt in Funny Car. Combined, it has Kalitta, who is led by crew chiefs Troy Fasching and Rob Flynn, optimistic for 2020.

“This Kalitta team is very strong,” Kalitta said. “I am looking forward to seeing Shawn back in a Top Fuel dragster for sure. He has had a lot of success and matching him up with (team owner) Connie (Kalitta) and (assistant crew chief) Kurt (Elliot) will be exciting. J.R. will be great in the DHL Toyota Funny Car. These guys are great teammates and we do a lot of talking in the pits. We are going to come out of the box strong in Pomona.”