MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Thad Moffitt, the grandson of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, has joined DGR-Crosley to compete in the ARCA Menards Series opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

Moffitt will drive a Petty Blue Ford with support from the Performance Plus Richard Petty Signature Series.

Moffitt, 19, joins the David Gilliland-led Ford Development team after a part-time ARCA Menards Series schedule in 2019, where he earned four top-10 finishes in seven starts.

“Daytona is a very special place for my family,” Moffitt said. “I had the opportunity to race there last year in the ARCA Menards Series, and can’t wait to go back. Between the experience I’ve gained throughout the course of the season, and the talent within the DGR-Crosley organization, I feel confident that we will have a strong showing.”

Performance Plus, a high-quality lubricant partner, will continue their support of Moffitt as he takes the next step in his racing career.

“Performance Plus Richard Petty Motor Oil was developed to continue the winning heritage of the Petty family, and I’m proud to be a part of it. The relationship that we are building is really special, and I’m looking forward to continuing that into 2020,” said Moffitt.

The Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire is scheduled for Feb. 8 at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – A major milestone calls for a major celebration, which is why Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman wanted something big to help celebrate the 50th year of Pro Stock.

A $50,000 payout and a major spotlight definitely does it.

Both will happen at the inaugural Drag Illustrated World Doorslammer Nationals presented by Elite Motorsports, which takes place March 6-8 at Orlando Speed World Dragway. The event will put the spotlight squarely on the stars of Pro Stock and Pro Mod, offering up $50,000 to the winners in each class.

Considering the special year for Pro Stock, Freeman thought it only made sense to sponsor an event that already has the doorslammer world buzzing.

“It’s the 50th year of Pro Stock and we wanted to do something cool for the class and, of course, we love door cars, so marrying it with Pro Mod and having that specialty race right before Gainesville, I thought it was a cool time for a big-money payout,” Freeman said. “We wanted to do that and I think it’s the first time something like this has been done for Pro Stock and Pro Mod at the same race. I’m excited about it and looking forward to it.”

The excitement is palpable heading into the commemorative year for the Pro Stock class, and this event should send it into another stratosphere.

Pro Stock will run the first two events of its 18-race NHRA schedule before the World Doorslammer Nationals, giving all the stars in the class a chance to grab some massive early-season momentum in Orlando.

While Freeman and the rest of the Elite Motorsports team – a group that includes talents like defending NHRA Pro Stock champ Erica Enders, five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. and U.S. Nationals winner Alex Laughlin – is beaming over the upcoming race, the sense of excitement stretches throughout the class.

Considering the all-star contingent at KB Racing, whose standout lineup includes the likes of Greg Anderson, Bo Butner, Jason Line, Deric Kramer and more, and some of the biggest names in Pro Stock history will descend upon Orlando Speed World Dragway looking to leave their mark on history.

“I think it’s badass. I think the guys at KB (Racing), our team and other guys will be excited,” Freeman said. “I mean, who wouldn’t be excited to race for $50,000. There’s tons of excitement. I’ve heard from a lot of different people who think it’s a cool venue and it’s something that’s never been done. It is important because it’s a special year and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Freeman has been a strong proponent of the class for years, and has been instrumental in the revitalization of the class in recent years.

Participation was at an impressive level in 2019, with further expected ascent in 2020 as Pro Stock celebrates its 50th year. The World Doorslammer Nationals opens up another avenue to honor the class with fast, standout racing on a marquee-level prepped track and a massive payday, and the day can’t come soon enough for those involved.

“What I’ve learned over the years that no matter what you’re doing – people make the difference. With events like this, specifically, you have to have people that see the big picture, that share your vision and truly believe in what you’re doing; you need people willing to swing the bat and take a chance. And Richard Freeman – he’s that guy. That’s someone who is not scared,” Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial Director Wes Buck said.

“Richard and Elite Motorsports, in my opinion, are largely responsible for the health and wellness of Pro Stock drag racing headed into 2020 and not just Pro Stock, but really all of drag racing. He’s a difference maker out here. He likes to do things big, he likes to make bold moves and that’s exactly what we’re doing with the World Doorslammer Nationals. What’s crazy, honestly, is that we’re just getting started.”

There will be two qualifying sessions on Friday and three on Saturday for the Drag Illustrated World Doorslammer Nationals presented by Elite Motorsports before eliminations on Sunday. A full schedule will be released in the coming weeks.

OWASSO, Okla. – The Midget Round Up will return this year for the fifth edition of the midget and micro sprint event hosted by TBJ Promotions.

Airport Raceway in Garden City, Kan., will be the site of the two-day event during Memorial Day Weekend – May 23-24 – with the POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series and the POWRi Lucas Oil RMMRA Series sanctioning the midget portion of the event.

The three premier classes for the Lucas Oil National Open Wheel 600 Series presented by Hi-Plains Building Division – Stock Non-Wing, Winged ‘A’ Class and Restricted ‘A’ Class – will also be in action both nights.

“We’re excited to welcome back the POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series and the POWRi Lucas Oil RMMRA Series along with the Lucas Oil National Open Wheel 600 Series presented by Hi-Plains Building Division for another year of the Midget Round Up,” TBJ Promotions Founder Tony Bruce Jr. said. “All of these series have a talented group of drivers who follow their specific series and all showcase great racing. Each year we’re building the event and having great racers show up has been key to the success.”

The Midget Round Up will be the lone event on the schedule for TBJ Promotions this year.

“We’ve been pleased with the growth of the event year after year,” Bruce said. “Last year we had an obstacle with the weather, but we made the best of the situation and we’re working hard to ensure the 2020 event is our best yet.”

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday and be sidelined approximately three weeks.

The 26-year-old was injured in Tuesday's overtime loss to the Hurricanes. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday.

The Flyers were already without defenseman Justin Braun until after the All-Star break because of a groin injury.

Gostisbehere is a puckmoving defenseman who had 65 points two seasons ago, but he slipped to 37 last season and started out slowly this year. But he has five goals and seven assists in 40 games and has worked on the power play.

The Flyers hold the second wild card in the East, two points ahead of Columbus -- heading into Thursday's games. Philadelphia hosts Tampa Bay Saturday.

EAGAN, Minn. -- Adam Thielen is listed as questionable for the Minnesota Vikings' divisional playoff game in San Francisco one day after getting stitches on his left ankle following an injury at practice.

Sources told ESPN that Thielen cut his ankle in practice Wednesday and that that's why he was listed as limited on the injury report. The wide receiver did not practice Thursday.

Coach Mike Zimmer was mum about how Thielen's injury occurred and whether it will limit him against the 49ers.

"I don't know," Zimmer said. "We don't talk about things that happened in practice."

Thielen said he "got tangled up" Wednesday but did not provide specifics on how many stitches he received.

"It is what it is," Thielen said. "At that point, you're just trying to figure out how to get out there on Saturday. That's my mindset. Do whatever it takes to get out there Saturday and help this team win."

Thielen's injury was not thought to be significant enough to affect his availability for Saturday, according to league sources, but the Vikings plan to monitor his status closely over the next 48 hours. The wideout would not guarantee he'll be available to play in San Francisco but vowed to do what he can to see the field.

"You just trust the doctors and opinions and do whatever it takes to get out there on Saturday," he said. "I'm preparing for Saturday. ... Whatever [my] role is, I'm going to be out there and doing my thing."

Thielen suffered the injury three days after he caught seven passes for 129 yards against the Saints. That breakout performance came after he totaled 109 total receiving yards in the last five games he played in 2019, including a Week 16 loss to Green Bay in which he was held without a catch.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Stefon Diggs was not on the final injury report after the flu kept him sidelined from practice Tuesday and Wednesday. Diggs said he's "fine" and expects to play Saturday.

"Even if I was 30 percent, I would be out there," Diggs said. "I mean, it's football, and it's that time of the year. Nothing's going to be perfect. A lot of guys have got bumps and bruises, and I won't let a little flu keep me from the game."

Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander underwent surgery Thursday to repair a tear in his lateral meniscus suffered during Minnesota's Week 17 loss to Chicago.

"Surgery was a success," the fourth-year cornerback tweeted.

LeBron James surged into the lead in the second round of voting for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, the league announced Thursday afternoon.

After Mavericks guard Luka Doncic led all players in the first round of voting announced last week, James stormed past Doncic and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo into the top spot with 3,359,871 total votes. Doncic (3,277,870), Antetokounmpo (3,259,383) and James' Lakers teammate Anthony Davis (3,124,446) are the only players with more than 3 million votes.

Fan voting accounts for 50 percent of the vote for the five starters -- two backcourt and three frontcourt players -- from each conference. The other 50 percent is split evenly among voting by media members and the players themselves.

Doncic holds the top spot among Western Conference guards, followed by Houston Rockets star James Harden, who had 2,167,269 votes. No other West guard had even a million votes. Portland's Damian Lillard was a distant third, followed by the Warriors' injured Stephen Curry, the Rockets' Russell Westbrook and Lakers backup Alex Caruso.

James and Davis lead West frontcourt players, with the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard (2,210,539) in third. Like the backcourt players, no other forward has even a million votes. Leonard's teammate Paul George is fourth, followed by Denver's Nikola Jokic, Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns and the Mavs' Kristaps Porzingis.

Milwaukee's Antetokounmpo led all East frontcourt players, and is the only East player with more than 2 million votes. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (1,784,211) is second among frontcourt players, and Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (1,730,763) is third. Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (1,400,293) is fourth, while Boston Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum (1,182,663) and rookie center Tacko Fall (543,352) are fifth and sixth, respectively.

Fall has played in just four games this season, averaging 4.3 points a game, but the 7-foot-6 rookie center is a fan favorite. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he "didn't love" the fact that Fall was garnering so much support.

"The reason I said I don't like it is because there's a lot of guys that have played however many [games] ... and those guys have all busted it to have great years, whether they're on our team, other teams, whatever the case may be," he said Wednesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

"I think if we're gonna have an All-Star Game, you try to pick the guys that impact winning for the very best [teams]. But you know, that's probably not possible. I realize it's a mix of a popularity contest and what you've accomplished, and how you've played thus far."

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young maintained his lead among East backcourt players with 1,389,628 votes, followed closely by Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (1,351,997) in second and Boston's Kemba Walker (1,331,557) in third.

They are the only guards with over a million votes, and are followed by Detroit's Derrick Rose, Chicago's Zach LaVine, Toronto's Kyle Lowry, Boston's Jaylen Brown and Philly's Ben Simmons.

The NBA will update the voting totals for a third and final time on Jan. 16, with voting closing on Jan. 20. The All-Star starters, along with the two team captains -- the starter to receive the most fan votes from each conference -- will be revealed on Jan. 23 on TNT. The league will announce the reserves, which are chosen by the league's head coaches, on Jan. 30.

The All-Star Game will take place at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday, Feb. 16.

SAVAGE, Minn. – Frenchman Tristan Vautier will complete JDC-Miller MotorSports’ lineup in the No. 85 Cadillac DPi-V.R for this month’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Vautier will join previously announced drivers Juan Piedrahita, Matheus Leist and Chris Miller in the car for the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic.

Vautier previously drove for JDC-Miller MotorSports in 2019 with full season teammate Misha Goikhberg in the team’s No. 85 entry.

“I’m very excited to be back with JDC-Miller Motorsports to start my eighth Rolex 24 at Daytona, and want to thank the team for their continued trust,” said Vautier. “We’ve had some good results in 2019, but I feel like we are starting 2020 in a much better place, so we are definitely setting higher goals for ourselves.

“I raced with Juan and Chris at JDC-Miller already last year, and it was good to get to know Matheus during the three days at the Roar” Vautier said. “All four of us are looking for similar things in the car, and everyone was strong. I feel we have a very solid lineup and we can have a good result.”

“We are very excited to have Tristan back in the number 85 car to join Juan, Matheus and Chris at Daytona for the 2020 Rolex 24 hour event,” said JDC-Miller MotorSports team owner and managing partner, John Church. “Obviously we know Tristan for a long time now and know how fast he is, it was also great to see how quickly the four of them “clicked” at the Roar it almost looked like they have been racing together for a while now which all is very positive.”

During a life of close calls with the double demons of fire and flying shrapnel always lurking, Don Garlits has done some of his most profound thinking while lying in a hospital bed.

Maybe that’s the only circumstance during the past six or seven decades in which the flinty drag racer and mechanical maestro has slowed down long enough to ponder his path, contemplate challenges or decipher a dilemma.

Sheet time will do that, especially for the man who described two kinds of race car drivers: those who have crashed and those who will crash.

His first big introduction to physical pain in pursuit of a stunning E.T. slip came during a June 20, 1959, match race in Chester, S.C.

His supercharger exploded and flames blasted into the cockpit, where Garlits was strapped in with no protective gloves or face mask. His third-degree burns were so severe and his crispy fingers curled so tightly that blood poisoning was beginning to set in. Doctors at a local hospital advised amputating both hands. When Garlits said he would rather die, the doctor suggested he find another place to do it.

Garlits opted for Tampa General Hospital and rode a train back home. An emergency-room doctor there ordered him to surgery. When Garlits awoke, he discovered his hands submerged in a saline solution, where they remained for six weeks. He confessed that at that point he never wanted to drive a race car again.

His longtime schoolmate, Art Malone, a stock car racer, visited him in the hospital and Garlits asked if Malone could fulfill his 1959-’60 contracts. They struck a deal and Garlits immediately began to design a dragster that would be the first of more than 40 record-setters to spring from Garlits’ incisive mind and decisive hands.

His creations revolutionized drag racing and carried him to 144 national event victories — including eight U.S. Nationals crowns — and 17 championships. He earned 10 titles in the now-defunct American Hot Rod Ass’n, four in the International Hot Rod Ass’n and three in the National Hot Rod Ass’n.

Garlits, of course, jumped back into the seat in the spring of 1960. By then, he had acquired his famous nickname for his cars, thanks to an ad that fierce rival Serop “Setto” Postoian placed in Drag News, calling Garlits a “swamp rat.”

As a result, every unique version of his handmade dragsters was labeled “Swamp Rat” and numbered. On the West Coast, he was jeered as “Don Garbage.” He sloughed off criticism and continued to win races and set records. Eventually, he went on to top the NHRA’s list of its most influential drivers during the sanctioning body’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2001.

About a decade later — March 8, 1970 — Garlits again found himself in for a lengthy hospital stay, this time a continent away from home following his most famous accident at Lions Dragstrip in Long Beach, Calif.

As he scurried to get ready for the final round of AHRA’s Grand American Championship against Richard Tharp, he didn’t add enough oil to the transmission — his own “Garlitsdrive” two-speed tranny. That triggered a massive explosion that shot two pieces of steel through the quarter-inch-thick tranny housing, Garlits’ right foot and the frame of Swamp Rat XII.

The other hefty metal chunk spared his left foot as it flew from the other side of the car, sliced through timing equipment and struck the arm of a young fan in the stands.

Doctors saved the arm of spectator Tim Ditt, who the next season used his wholly functioning arm to work on Garlits’ crew. But Garlits’ foot was irreparable.

Garlits spent eight weeks in Pacific Coast Hospital.

“I laid out the plans for the rear-engine dragster, Swamp Rat XIV,” Garlits said later.”

That embodied what has become the standard today. Moreover, when he returned to his Florida home, in the town of Seffner at the time, Garlits sat in his wheelchair and built parts for the new dragster.

“I’m proudest of the rear-engine dragster,” Garlits said, rating his own achievements. He said he was pleased “getting the driver up in front of the engine, out of danger of all the flying parts from the drivetrain.”

Those are iconic Garlits inspirations and that’s just the tip of the 88-year-old icon’s iceberg. Reciting elapsed times, speeds, records, monumental matchups and stories from drag strips famous and obscure would be like trying to cram into a thimble the overflowing contents of a No. 2 washtub.

The same holds true for his scary incidents, retirements and comebacks.

In July 1986, the uninjured Garlits rode out a spectacular blowover at about 200 mph at New Jersey’s Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The following year, at an ADRA race in Spokane, Wash., he experienced another blowover. This time he wound up with several broken ribs and crushed vertebrae. As a result, he took a five-year hiatus and became a TV analyst.

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LAKE ODESSA, Mich. – The American Ethanol Late Model Tour and American Ethanol Modified Tour have both ceased operations.

The American Ethanol Late Model Tour was founded five years ago, with the American Ethanol Modified Tour launching two years later. Both divisions were owned by Carbon Green BioEnergy LLC CEO and Growth Energy board member Mitch Miller, with Motor City Racing Promotions serving as the operators of the series.

“In 2015, the Tour’s founders laid a five-year plan for a dirt late model series with the goal of promoting American Ethanol and affiliates at the grass-roots level, while developing a professionally organized regional touring series. At the completion of year five, AELMT will not proceed forward,” said a statement posted on the American Ethanol Late Model Tour website.

Brandon Thirlby captured his second and final American Ethanol Late Model Tour championship, while Will Krup was crowned the final American Ethanol Modified Tour title.

Previous American Ethanol Late Model Tour champions also included Dona Marcoullier and Rich Neiser. Jacob Poel won the American Ethanol Modified Tour title in 2017 and ’18.