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Another Pair Of Rumble Micro Wins For John Ivy

Published in Racing
Sunday, 29 December 2019 05:00

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Less than 24 hours after one of his worst showings in recent memory, John Ivy reminded everyone why he’s the king of the 600cc micro sprints at the Rumble in Fort Wayne.

Ivy raced to a sweep of the two micro features on Saturday during the finale to the 22nd annual Rumble, making a late pass of Rod Henning to win the winged feature and wiring the non-winged main event.

Ivy’s victory in the 25-lap winged feature was a easily the more dramatic of the pair.

He started sixth, while up front Howard McCormick and Henning led the field to green, with Henning getting the advantage and pacing the first seven revolutions before Ivy’s teammate Cap Henry came calling and roared to the lead with a muscle move in the first turn.

From there, it appeared Henry was well on his way to victory before he spun all by himself in turn two with three laps left, setting up a sprint to the finish with Henning back out front over Ivy at that point.

Henning held on through the initial restart, but a spin by Ryan Ball on the final lap of the scheduled distance set up a critical green-white-checkered finish to decide the winner.

Though Henning got the jump on the final restart and looked like he might get a huge Rumble triumph, Ivy motored past coming to the white flag when Henning slowed with a flat tire, and never looked back.

“I thought Cap had that one locked up, really,” Ivy admitted. “He was gone. I just couldn’t get around the guys I was racing with there behind him, and then I did … and when the yellow would come out I though ‘Man, we got a shot here,’ and realized it was for Cap and didn’t really like that too much.

“Then that second yellow came and I was frustrated, but it all worked out for us. The boys never gave up.”

Polesitter McCormick ended as the runner-up, followed by Friday winged winner Nate Franklin and a charging Henry, who put together a furious rally from eighth to fourth in the final three laps.

Dylan Woodling completed the top five after having to race his way in from the B-main.

John Ivy celebrates his non-winged micro sprint victory Saturday at the Rumble in Fort Wayne. (Blake Harris photo)

Meanwhile, the non-winged feature was a straight shot for the wily veteran after he landed on the pole for the 25-lapper. Ivy jetted away and never looked back, easily gapping Friday night winner Larry Joe Sroufe.

“My guys busted their humps all weekend long. I can’t thank my brother and Guy and Andy and Mikey enough; they’ve been working hard on Kelsey’s car and this car,” said Ivy. “I think we bit off a little more than we could chew by bringing them all here, but hey, you know, you have to try, right?

“We put a soft tire on this thing for qualifying and it just freed it up, and I don’t know why,” Ivy continued. “That put us behind. With the race track being like it was, we thought we’d go softer on the compound, and it bit us pretty good, but we made it all work out in the end.”

Behind Ivy and Sroufe, Jason Ormsby, Justin Harper and Blane Culp completed the non-winged top five.

Saturday night’s pair of victories were Ivy’s 21st and 22nd career Rumble wins across go-karts and 600 micro sprints, further extending his all-time record as the winningest driver in event history.

To view complete race results, advance to the next page.

Ron Fellows Among Order Of Canada Honorees

Published in Racing
Sunday, 29 December 2019 08:21

OTTAWA – Multi-faceted Canadian road racer Ron Fellows will be one of 120 new appointments to the Order of Canada next year.

Julie Payette, the Governor General of Canada, announced the list of appointments on Saturday. Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes Canadians whose merit and service has made a difference in Canada.

The Order of Canada is the second-highest honor that one can receive for merit in the system of orders, decorations and medals in Canada.

Fellows had a stellar racing career, that saw him win six races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. He also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, earning a best finish of second at Watkins Glen Int’l on two occasions.

Beyond his NASCAR career, Fellows was an accomplished road racer. He was part of the overall winning team in the 2001 Rolex 24 at Daytona and also scored multiple class wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12 Hours of Sebring as part of the Corvette Racing squad.

After retiring from driving, Fellows became co-owner of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, which annually hosts a NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race and other touring divisions.

Dortmund beat United to Haaland signing

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 29 December 2019 06:40

Borussia Dortmund have signed Erling Haaland, beating Manchester United and Juventus in the race to secure the 19-year-old's signature.

Haaland joins the Bundesliga club from Austrian side FC Salzburg, with his deal set to keep him at Dortmund until 2024. Sources have told ESPN that Haaland moves for an initial €20 million, which was his release clause.

Haaland's move is a coup for Dortmund, with the striker enjoying a stunning season so far. He has scored 28 goals in 22 games this season, with eight coming in the Champions League, and he became the first teenager to score in the first five matchdays of the competition.

Sources told ESPN that United made an enquiry of Haaland, who was also linked to RB Leipzig and Juventus, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer -- Haaland's former manager at Molde -- also travelled to Salzburg to meet with the 19-year-old's advisors earlier in December.

But sources also told ESPN that United's interest in the player cooled when it became clear that any deal would involve a share of potential future sale profits between Haaland's father, Alfie, and advisor Mino Raiola. United also would not accept a demand for Haaland to be given a buyout clause for him to move to the club.

The performances of teenager Mason Greenwood this season have also led to United believing that they can invest in the team in alternative areas, despite an acknowledgement that Haaland has the ability to become a major star.

A source told ESPN that Raiola advised Haaland to go to Germany, but the final decision was left to Haaland and his father.

- When does the transfer window reopen?

Upon the announcement of his move to Dortmund, Haaland said: "I had intense talks with the club hierarchy, especially with Hans-Joachim Watzke, Michael Zorc and coach Lucien Favre.

"I had the feeling from an early stage that I really wanted to join this club and play in front of over 80,000 supporters. I can't wait to get started."

Dortmund sporting director Zorc said: "We can expect an ambitious, athletic and physical centre forward with a proven nose for goal.

"At 19, Erling is still at the start of what will hopefully be a massive career."

A statement released by Dortmund on Sunday read: "Haaland will join the first-team squad on Jan. 3 before departing for winter training camp in Marbella the following day."

ESPN's Rob Dawson contributed to this report.

England have confirmed that Dom Bess, the off-spinning allrounder, will remain with the squad when they move on to Cape Town for the second Test.

While Bess was not an original member of the tour party, he was added to the squad when it became clear that Jack Leach, in particular, was struggling with the sickness bug that has now affected, by Joe Root's reckoning, 14 England players.

Leach, England's first-choice spinner on this trip, has been quarantined in his hotel room for more than a week and is thought unlikely to have recovered in time to be considered for the second Test, which starts on January 3. Leach was recently hospitalised by an attack of gastroenteritis during the second Test in New Zealand, with his situation complicated by his history of Crohn's disease. As a result, his long-term fitness may have deteriorated and England will be reluctant to risk his recovery by rushing him back into the team.

ALSO READ: Silverwood defends Root's decision to bowl first

Craig Overton, the Somerset seam-bowling allrounder, will also remain with the squad in the knowledge that the sickness bug may yet claim more victims. While no more players reported symptoms on the final day of the match in Centurion, several family members of players are now understood to be unwell.

But it is the retention of Bess that is most intriguing. All the indications from training and conversations with the England management suggest he has drawn ahead of Matt Parkinson, the other spinner originally selected in the touring squad, and could well be in line to play in Cape Town if, as expected, England decide they need to include a spin bowler. That, in turn, will lead to an interesting selection decision, with one of Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, James Anderson and Stuart Broad likely to miss out.

While Root, the England captain, did not specify which spinner was in pole position to play in Cape Town there did appear to be a hint about the new pecking order in his phraseology.

"It's been really a tough month or so for Jack Leach, having gone down in New Zealand as well," Root said. "It's really sad and really hard for him.

"We're trying to manage that as best we can. We've got some very able back-up in Dom Bess and we've got Matt Parkinson as well as another option. We'll turn up at Cape Town, look at the surface and make our decision."

Although Bess' first-class record with the ball for Somerset is modest (while he averages 23.93 at Taunton, that jumps to 37.89 away), the England management feel he is a much-improved bowler since making a surprise Test debut in 2018. He has recently been on a spin-bowling camp in Mumbai, where he worked with Rangana Herath, and has returned, they believe, with greater control and venom in his bowling.

Parkinson, meanwhile, has endured a tough winter so far. His three red-ball games for England (two here and one in New Zealand) have accrued two wickets for 235 runs from 52 overs and it seems a decision may have been made to limit his immediate international future to the white-balls teams. Bess is, by some distance, also the better fielder and batsman and made a half-century on Test debut.

It says much for the dearth of England's spin options, however, that they are picking between two men who are far from assured of selection in their county sides. Bess was obliged to go out on loan to get some cricket in 2019 - he played four first-class matches for Yorkshire and seven for Somerset - while Parkinson was picked for just four Championship games by Lancashire.

There was better news of most of England's other first-choice options. Ollie Pope, who missed the Centurion Test due to illness, has returned to training and is thought likely to be fit to return for the second match. Jonny Bairstow, who made 10 runs in his two innings, looks especially vulnerable.

Perhaps, to an extent, Bairstow might count himself unfortunate. Having been dropped ahead of the New Zealand tour, he has not had the benefit of any first-class cricket to rebuild his game, though he was sent on a training camp in South Africa ahead of this tour. If he was a bit unlucky in the first innings - he received a delivery which kept low - his second innings dismissal, chasing a wide one without a lot of foot movement, was ugly.

Equally, looking back a bit further, he may feel he was unnecessarily unsettled by talk of giving Jos Buttler the gloves and moving him up the order. He was never keen to bat at No. 3, despite making a century there in Colombo last year, and never keen to give up the gloves. For a while, albeit three or four years ago now, he was scoring heavily at No. 7. It might have been best to leave him to it.

Ultimately, though, he will know that the responsibility to score runs - wherever he bats, whatever the situation - is down to him. And, over the last 12 months, his average of just 18.55 from 10 Tests doesn't make much of a case for his defence.

A "gut feeling" and the spark of a fight led to South Africa taking the crucial wicket of Ben Stokes and getting their own back against Jofra Archer as they took the series lead against England. South Africa's first Test win in six matches and first since January hinged on a key moment and a key battle: Stokes' wicket in the second innings and the contest with Archer, and they won them both.

Stokes was dismissed for 14 off 55 balls after spending an hour and 12 minutes patiently waiting to take South Africa on, while Archer was bounced out after delivering two beamers in South Africa's innings they they thought should have seen him taken him out of the attack. Targeting the pair of them was South Africa's way of signaling their rediscovered intent and sending a message about the way they want to play the game going forward: tough, but fair.

South Africa were hoping to wrest the advantage from England late on the second afternoon when Archer, frustrated with the runs he was conceding and eager to dismiss the nighwatchman, Anrich Nortje, bowled a beamer and then a similar high full toss. If that had been called a no-ball, Archer could have been removed out of the attack. When he wasn't, South Africa were determined to exact their revenge.

ALSO READ: SA embrace struggle to re-embark on road to success

"It's a South African thing. We are a team of fighters," Faf du Plessis said. "We love something that sparks a little something like that. Our feeling was that when he comes in, we will do exactly the same thing to him. We were pretty upset at the time, thinking the umpires would take him off. We were prepared to go short at him as well to make sure he gets the same."

South Africa took on Archer with both bat and ball, with Quinton de Kock clubbing him for three sixes and a four and Nortje aiming for his head. De Kock's approach allowed South Africa's lead to build quickly while Nortje's took them ever closer to victory. "The way Quinny played just showed why Quinny is such a good player," du Plessis said. "We are very fortunate to have him in that position - No. 6 or 7 is where he has been so good for so long. And Anrich was bowling so well, we thought he would get another wicket."

Nortje's notched up the best performance of his three-Test career with an exceptional vigil as nightwatchman - a two-hour stint that yielded 40 runs during a match-winning stand with Rassie van der Dussen - and 3 for 56 in the second innings. Though it is still early days, Nortje has staked his claim as a regular to step up in Vernon Philander's absence and impressed his captain with his all-round contribution. "As a team, we don't have a lot of superstars," du Plessis said. "You can say guys like KG and Vern are our stars but we take a lot more from victories where everybody contributes. Small things like Nortje getting 40 with the bat. Our bowling unit was exceptional. All of them put their hands up."

None more so than Keshav Maharaj, who took the wicket of the one man who could make the impossible, possible: Stokes. Maharaj was hit for three fours in the second over of his afternoon spell but kept on, after du Plessis' hunch that he would make a breakthrough.

"We had a lot of confidence in Kesh," du Plessis said. "We kept saying that we feel that in the second innings Kesh would get Stokes out. And the way that Stokes plays, he is going to take the game on. We just had a gut feeling it was going to happen. He was a massive wicket for us at that stage. Stokes has proved that if he is around he can win the game on his own. Even though Kesh didn't bowl as much as he would have liked, the wickets he got for us in the second innings were huge."

Maharaj also took the wicket of Dom Sibley, ending an opening stand of 92. Other than that, Maharaj went under the radar, as the four quicks stole the spotlight, but du Plessis was adamant the spinner remains a key part of South Africa's plans, even with two allrounders in the team.

"For a while we have been thinking that [playing two allrounders]," du Plessis said. "It's easier for me to work with different bowlers then. In the past, on wickets that didn't spin I had to go to Kesh and he has always produced. As a team we are much more balanced with the allrounders."

In the end, South Africa's combination in this Test gave them more options than they have previously had, showed them the potential they have on the circuit and restored their confidence after a difficult 2019. "It's been a tough season, and been a while since our last victory. We trained hard and there was a good feeling in the camp that we'd done some really good stuff. We knew we needed to put in some performances to get the engine running," du Plessis said.

New Zealand have called up offspinner Will Somerville to their squad for the third Test of their series against Australia as an injury replacement for Trent Boult.

Boult fractured his hand while batting in the Boxing Day Test, and is set for four weeks of rehabilitation back home before he is fit to play again. He had also missed the first Test of the series with a side injury.

ALSO READ: Boult out of SCG Test after fracturing hand

Somerville, the 35-year-old offspinner, has played three Tests for New Zealand, all of them in Asia, and has taken 14 wickets at 25.14 in his career.

While it might seem unusual for a spinner to replace a fast bowler in the squad, the decision has been made with an eye on conditions, given the third Test is in Sydney. The SCG has a reputation for turning pitches, and Australia have added legspinner Mitchell Swepson to their squad with that in mind.

Somerville has played five first-class games at the SCG, taking 23 wickets at 20.69 at the venue in his days as a New South Wales player.

Gary Stead, New Zealand's coach, said: "There's no secret the SCG pitch is one of the more spin-friendly in Australia.

"Will offers something different to our two other spinners in the squad with his right-arm offspin and height. The fact he's played a lot of cricket in Sydney during his career for New South Wales will also be helpful as we prepare for this final Test."

Somerville is the third frontline spinner in the touring squad, alongside legspinner Todd Astle and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. If New Zealand do opt to pick two spinners, it is likely that Santner will be one of them given he offers the most of the three with the bat, but he has endured a tough series to date, taking one wicket for 250 runs and leaking 3.62 runs per over.

Two playoff seeds up for grabs. A pair of division titles unsettled. A Sunday night showdown for the NFC West -- and perhaps the No. 1 seed in the conference. High 2020 NFL draft picks sought after. Players making a final statement, backups getting a showcase and coaches on the hot seat. Week 17 promises to have it all.

Follow along all day long with us through all of the action. We'll keep you updated on the playoff picture, standout performances and more.

Go to: Scoreboard | Draft order

11:05 a.m. ET

We'll be watching four teams in particular during the 1 p.m. ET games today. The Packers can clinch a first-round bye with a win over the Lions and stay in contention for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Saints need a win over the Panthers to maintain their chances for the NFC's No. 1 seed. The AFC's No. 2 seed also remains in play: The Chiefs could move up to the No. 2 seed with a win over the Chargers and a Patriots loss to the Dolphins. Otherwise, the Patriots will clinch with a win.

Here's what the playoff standings look like before we get underway today:

AFC
1. Baltimore Ravens (13-2)
2. New England Patriots (12-3)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)
4. Houston Texans (10-5)
5. Buffalo Bills (10-5)
6. Tennessee Titans (8-7)
In the hunt: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8), Oakland Raiders (7-8)

NFC
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-3)
2. Green Bay Packers (12-3)
3. New Orleans Saints (12-3)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-4)
6. Minnesota Vikings (10-5)
In the hunt: Dallas Cowboys (7-8)


10:25 a.m. ET

If you're not preparing for the playoffs in Week 17, you're jockeying for position in the 2020 draft. The first pick is already spoken for: The Bengals have locked it up and will likely use it to select LSU's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow.

Here's how ESPN's Football Power Index projects the top 10, with the Broncos and Falcons having the best chances to move up if an unexpected series of results occurs today. The full 32-team projection is here.

1. Cincinnati Bengals (1-14)
2. Washington Redskins (3-12)
3. Detroit Lions (3-11-1)
4. New York Giants (4-11)
5. Miami Dolphins (4-11)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
8. Carolina Panthers (5-10)
9. Arizona Cardinals (5-9-1)
10. New York Jets (6-9)


10 a.m. ET

It won't be all about the playoffs on Sunday. A handful of NFL head coaches could be working their final games with their current franchises. Here's where we stand.

  • Two teams have confirmed openings via in-season firings: the Panthers and Redskins.

  • Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced on Friday that the team is retaining coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff for the 2020 season.

  • Positions that could become open include but are not limited to the head coach job with the Browns, Cowboys, Lions, Jaguars and Giants. All of those teams except the Cowboys are eliminated from the playoffs. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is in a must-win position, and even a win might not be enough. Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, meanwhile, is just completing his first season with Cleveland, but the team largely disappointed after beginning with huge expectations. Giants coach Pat Shurmur and Lions coach Matt Patricia are finishing off their second years, while Jags coach Doug Marrone is 21-28 over four seasons.

Here's the full breakdown of the coaching carousel.


9:30 a.m. ET

Somehow 16 weeks wasn't quite enough to settle everything, and there is still much up for grabs in the final slate of the 2019 regular season. For one, playoff seeds aren't final, and two teams still need to clinch playoff spots. A full rundown of what's at stake is here in this post, but here's a quick summary, along with some other relevant nuggets.

Early window (1 p.m. ET):

  • Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City already has locked down the AFC West, but more can be had. It can clinch the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye with a win and a Patriots loss on Sunday. It'll be the No. 3 seed with a win and a Patriots win, or a loss and a Texans loss. But the Chiefs will fall to the No. 4 spot with a loss and a Texans win. Meanwhile, the FPI is projecting the Chargers to pick No. 7 overall in the 2020 draft.

  • Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings are locked into the No. 6 seed no matter the outcome of this game, and the Bears have been eliminated and don't have a first-round pick in the 2020 draft. Not much to see here, except perhaps a Week 17 high note to close the regular season.

  • Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. According to the FPI, the Falcons have a 10% chance of moving up into the top 10 of the 2020 draft, whereas the Buccaneers are currently projected to pick No. 17 overall. But there will be plenty more at stake. With Quinn's job reportedly safe for the 2020 season, the Falcons can knock the Bucs out of second place in the NFC South. And the Bucs will be watching Jameis Winston, who could become the first quarterback in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season. Tampa Bay will have to make a call on Winston and its future at the position in the offseason.

  • New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers: The Saints can clinch a first-round bye with a win and a loss by either the 49ers or Packers, or with victories by the Packers and Seahawks. To get the No. 1 seed, the Saints need a win, along with losses by the 49ers and Packers. Otherwise, they will be the No. 3 seed. On the other side, the FPI projects the Panthers to lose and get the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 draft. Need another reason to tune in? Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey needs 67 receiving yards and 39 rushing yards to become the first player in NFL history to have 1,400 yards rushing and 1,000 receiving in the same season, while New Orleans receiver Michael Thomas is 112 receiving yards shy of 1,800 for the season, which would make him the fifth player in NFL history to reach the mark.

  • Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots: The Patriots can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win or a Chiefs loss. They won't be seeded any lower than No. 3. And the Dolphins are currently in the No. 5 spot for the 2020 draft, with only a 2.5% chance of falling lower than that, according to the FPI.

  • Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions: The Packers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win and a 49ers loss. They'll be the No. 2 seed with a win and a 49ers win, or a loss and a Saints loss. But they'll fall to the No. 3 seed with a loss and a Saints win. Meanwhile, the FPI projects the Lions to get the No. 3 overall pick of the draft.

  • New York Jets at Buffalo Bills: The Bills already have clinched the No. 5 seed regardless of the outcome of this game, and the FPI projects the Jets to pick No. 10 overall in the draft. Also worth watching: Buffalo's Josh Allen needs one rushing touchdown to become the third player since the 1970 merger with 20 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs in a single season.

  • Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals are already locked in to the No. 1 pick in the draft, so they have every reason to try to win this game. The FPI is projecting the Browns to pick No. 13 in the draft, but they have a 14.7% chance to move up into the top 10.

play
0:52

Ninkovich: Saints motivated to earn bye week

Victor Cruz and Rob Ninkovich say the Saints will be motivated to earn a bye week and will beat the Panthers.

Late window (4:25 p.m. ET):

  • Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans: The Titans can clinch the AFC's No. 6 seed with a win or losses by the Steelers and Colts. And at the forefront of their bid will be Ryan Tannehill. It's perhaps his last opportunity to give Tennessee a reason to re-sign him in the offseason. The Texans, already AFC South champs, will be the No. 3 seed if they win and the Chiefs lose. Otherwise, they will be the No. 4 seed.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens: Pittsburgh can clinch the AFC's No. 6 seed via three different scenarios: (1) a win and a Titans loss, (2) losses by the Titans and Raiders with a Colts win, or (3) wins by the Colts and Raiders along with losses by the Bears, Lions, Chargers and Patriots. The Ravens already have clinched home-field advantage and plan to hold out most of their key players for this game. Get ready for Robert Griffin under center.

  • Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams: Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. The FPI projects a Cardinals loss boosting them to the No. 9 pick in the draft. The Rams traded their pick to the Jaguars (projected to be No. 20 overall).

  • Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys need a victory and an Eagles loss to win the NFC East. Otherwise, they will be eliminated from the playoffs. Garrett could be coaching for his job Sunday. Meanwhile, the FPI is projecting the Redskins to lose and wind up with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.

  • Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars: Both teams are eliminated, but the outcome could impact tiebreakers for the AFC's No. 6 seed. The FPI projects the Jaguars to pick No. 6 and the Colts to pick No. 16 in the draft.

  • Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants: Win, and in. The Eagles will clinch the NFC East and the No. 4 seed, with a win or a Cowboys loss. They'll be eliminated if they lose and the Cowboys win. The FPI projects the Giants to have the No. 4 pick in the draft.

  • Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos: So you're telling me there's a chance. The Raiders are still alive for the AFC's No. 6 seed! They'll need a win, combined with losses by the Titans and Steelers, as well as a Colts win and a win by at least one of the following teams: the Bears, Lions, Chargers or Patriots. And on the other side, the FPI gives the Broncos a 20.6% chance of moving into the top 10 of the draft.

Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m. ET):

  • San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: Everything is on the line. The 49ers would clinch the NFC West and the NFC's No. 1 seed with a win. Otherwise, they will be the No. 5 seed. The Seahawks would win the NFC West with a victory but would need losses by the Packers and Saints to be the top seed. They'll be No. 2 if they win and the Packers lose. Otherwise, a win will deliver them the No. 3 seed. A loss would put them at No. 5.

To help you set your lineups and avoid starting a player who won't take the field, we will post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their inactives lists, typically about 90 minutes before kickoff. Any rankings cited in this column come from our ESPN Fantasy staff ranks.

Refresh often for the latest information.


1 p.m. ET games

Offense

DJ Moore, WR, CAR: Concussion -- OUT
Impact: Jarius Wright/Chris Hogan will try to step up their efforts.

Taylor Gabriel, WR, CHI: Concussion -- OUT
Impact: Javon Wims may be the most likely Bears WR to get extra looks.

Stanley Morgan, WR, CIN: Concussion -- Doubtful
Impact: Alex Erickson/Damion Willis are potential replacement options.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, CLE: Groin -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to play, but not likely to be at 100%.

Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, CLE: Illness -- Questionable
Impact: Locker-room bug also impacting Pharaoh Brown. Could David Njoku finally dress?

Matt Prater, K, DET: Illness -- Questionable
Impact: As the only kicker on the roster, odds are good he'll play.

Jamaal Williams, RB, GB: Shoulder -- Doubtful
Impact: Dexter Williams/Tyler Ervin battle for backfield scraps.

Jake Kumerow, WR, GB: Illness -- Questionable
Impact: Allen Lazard/Geronimo Allison would be biggest beneficiaries if he sits.

Allen Hurns, WR, MIA: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: Isaiah Ford would take over his role, but not likely to have fantasy impact.

Kirk Cousins, QB, MIN: Team decision -- Questionable
Impact: Likely to suit up, but Sean Mannion will start -- and likely finish.

Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN: Shoulder -- OUT
Impact: A meaningless Week 17 game for Minnesota allows Cook to rest.

Alexander Mattison, RB, MIN: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: Worth a fantasy start if he plays. Otherwise, Ameer Abdullah/Mike Boone would share the carries.

Julian Edelman, WR, NE: Knee -- Questionable
Impact: Patriots need to win, so expect Edelman to play.

Sony Michel, RB, NE: Illness -- Questionable
Impact: Very late add to the injury report, but still expected to play.

Demaryius Thomas, WR, NYJ: Hamstring -- Questionable
Impact: May not be able to play a full 60. Jamison Crowder a stronger selection.

Robby Anderson, WR, NYJ: Calf -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to be active, as he's playing for his next contract.

Jameis Winston, QB, TB: Thumb/Knee -- Questionable
Impact: Practiced in full late in the week, so presumably ready to go on Sunday.

Chris Godwin, WR, TB: Hamstring -- OUT
Impact: Breshad Perriman becomes a strong fantasy option.

Defense

Adrian Clayborn, DE, ATL: Knee -- OUT

Shaq Thompson, LB, CAR: Shoulder -- OUT

Akiem Hicks, DE, CHI: Elbow -- OUT

Eddie Goldman, DT, CHI: Concussion -- OUT

Prince Amukamara, CB, CHI: Hamstring -- Questionable

Olivier Vernon, DE, CLE: Knee -- Questionable

Sheldon Richardson, DT, CLE: Back -- Questionable

A'Shawn Robinson, DT, DET: Shoulder -- OUT

Devon Kennard, LB, DET: Shoulder -- Questionable

Steve Longa, LB, DET: Quadriceps -- Questionable

Tavon Wilson, S, DET: Hamstring -- Questionable

Christian Wilkins, DT, MIA: Ankle -- Questionable

Vince Biegel, LB, MIA: Elbow -- Questionable

Eric Kendricks, LB, MIN: Quadriceps -- OUT

Jamie Collins Sr., LB, NE: Shoulder -- Questionable

Jason McCourty, CB, NE: Groin -- Questionable

Eli Apple, CB, NO: Ankle -- OUT

Vonn Bell, S, NO: Knee -- OUT

Marcus Williams, S, NO: Groin -- OUT

Steve McLendon, DT, NYJ: Knee -- Questionable

Henry Anderson, DE, NYJ: Knee -- Questionable

Jamal Adams, S, NYJ: Ankle -- Questionable

4 p.m. ET games

Offense

Kyler Murray, QB, ARI: Hamstring -- Questionable
Impact: Brett Hundley could start. Drew Anderson was promoted from practice squad.

Charles Clay, TE, ARI: Calf -- Questionable
Impact: Maxx Williams would take over if Clay, as expected, can't go.

Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL: Team decision -- OUT
Impact: Robert Griffin to start in a meaningless game for the Ravens.

Mark Ingram II, RB, BAL: Calf -- OUT
Impact: Gus Edwards/Justice Hill to rotate snaps in a timeshare.

Marquise Brown, WR, BAL: Illness -- Questionable
Impact: No reason for Brown to play more than token action. Miles Boykin may see extra looks.

Mark Andrews, TE, BAL: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: Expect Nick Boyle/Hayden Hurst to get whatever TE action is required.

Deshaun Watson, QB, HOU: Back -- Questionable
Impact: Game-time call, with AJ McCarron looking likely to play instead.

Will Fuller V, WR, HOU: Groin -- OUT
Impact: Keke Coutee/DeAndre Carter might be best potential options, based on the injuries below.

Kenny Stills, WR, HOU: Knee -- Questionable
Impact: Trending in the right direction, but this could be a meaningless affair.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, HOU: Illness -- Questionable
Impact: Even if he is active, there's no guarantee he doesn't call it a day early. Don't risk it.

Jordan Wilkins, RB, IND: Knee -- OUT
Impact: Jonathan Williams might see some extra work.

Gardner Minshew II, QB, JAX: Shoulder -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to play after practicing a bit late in the week.

Leonard Fournette, RB, JAX: Neck/Illness -- Doubtful
Impact: Not looking good. Ryquell Armstead could be an interesting gamble.

Dede Westbrook, WR, JAX: Neck -- Questionable
Impact: Keelan Cole might get extra targets if Westbrook sits.

Scott Simonson, TE, NYG: Concussion -- OUT
Impact: Kaden Smith is the only active TE, as Rhett Ellison was placed on IR.

Josh Jacobs, RB, OAK: Shoulder -- OUT
Impact: DeAndre Washington will start in a game that still has meaning for the Raiders.

Nelson Agholor, WR, PHI: Knee -- OUT
Impact: It will be the Greg Ward Jr./J.J. Arcega-Whiteside show for Philadelphia.

Zach Ertz, TE, PHI: Ribs -- OUT
Impact: Expect Dallas Goedert to play nearly every down for the Eagles.

James Conner, RB, PIT: Quadriceps -- OUT
Impact: Benny Snell Jr./Jaylen Samuels the most likely backs to lead a crowded timeshare.

Adam Humphries, WR, TEN: Ankle -- OUT
Impact: Corey Davis has cleared concussion protocol and will be active.

Cody Hollister, WR, TEN: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: Kalif Raymond unlikely to play, leaving Hollister as the Titans' No. 4 WR for Sunday.

Dwayne Haskins Jr., QB, WAS: Ankle -- OUT
Impact: Case Keenum to get the Week 17 start.

Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS: Concussion -- OUT
Impact: Steven Sims Jr. might be the top WR option for Washington.

Defense

Brandon Williams, DT, BAL: Team decision -- OUT

Earl Thomas III, S, BAL: Knee -- Questionable

Antwaun Woods, DT, DAL: Hip -- Questionable

Joe Thomas, LB, DAL: Knee -- OUT

Byron Jones, CB, DAL: Ankle -- Questionable

Bradley Roby, CB, HOU: Hamstring -- Questionable

Denico Autry, DT, IND: Concussion -- Doubtful

Kenny Moore II, CB, IND: Ankle -- Questionable

A.J. Bouye, CB, JAX: Wrist -- OUT

Troy Hill, CB, LAR: Thumb -- Doubtful

Jalen Ramsey, CB, LAR: Knee -- OUT

Alec Ogletree, LB, NYG: Back -- Questionable

Corey Ballentine, CB, NYG: Back -- Questionable

Jalen Mills, CB, PHI: Ankle -- Questionable

Adoree' Jackson, CB, TEN: Foot -- OUT

Landon Collins, S, WAS: Shoulder -- OUT

Josh Norman, CB, WAS: Illness -- OUT

Troy Apke, S, WAS: Knee -- Questionable

Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games and 2:30 p.m. ET for the late games.

Last-Lap Pass Lifts Schneider In Limbacher Memorial

Published in Racing
Sunday, 29 December 2019 04:00

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Phillip Schneider completed a near-dreamlike Rumble in Fort Wayne weekend with a crown jewel victory in the third annual John Limbacher Memorial for Clone 360 go-karts.

Schneider took the Limbacher’s $2,000 top prize with a gutsy last-lap, last-corner pass of Joey Pendergrass, who had dispatched Jake Shelley for the point on lap 16 and appeared to be in control.

But Schneider was not to be denied. He keyed up a banzai run into turn three coming to the checkered flag, forced his way underneath Pendergrass and then raced home to victory lane.

Schneider became the third different winner in three runnings of the Limbacher with his triumph, joining Shelley (2017) and Dustin Heath (2018).

“I had to get up on the wheel pretty hard there,” said Schneider, who actually led the first seven laps before being passed by Jake Shelley on the eighth round. “I hated to see those cautions, man. I’ve got a long-run car, long-run tire and a long-run prep program, so those cautions didn’t help me too much. I know you’ve got to have an ace up your sleeve in these big races though, and we try to have that, but every time I saw a caution I was just like, ‘Oh great.’ And that’s the only reason we lost Friday night.

“I can’t thank my guys enough, though. Everyone does their part and I just do my little small part. It takes every one of them to get it done and I’m so proud that we’re standing in victory lane.”

The feature had three different leaders, with Shelley holding command from lap eight to lap 15 before Pendergrass got around him on the backstretch with five to go and brought Schneider with him.

That move ultimately led to Schneider’s stunning last-ditch effort to win the race, a score he called “extremely meaningful” on the frontstretch after his initial victory lane celebration.

The race was created in honor of the late John Limbacher, who passed away just prior to the 2017 Rumble and was a tremendous supporter of the annual indoor event and its drivers.

“John Limbacher was a great, great man. He would do anything to help anybody,” Schneider recalled. “He was a personal friend of mine, and that had a lot going on in my head. I kept thinking I had to hang it all on the line for that man in memory of him.

“His son’s a great friend of mine, John Jr., and I couldn’t be happier winning this one for them.”

The 20-lap feature for the Clone 360 division headlined a full day of racing for the go-kart and quarter midget fields inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, with winners crowned in 13 classes.

Schneider ended the weekend with four wins in six tries, topping two features both Friday and Saturday.

He added the Clone 330 win to his resume in the finale, while Ryan Moran won the Senior Caged feature and Tristan Chamberlain finished a sweep of the Rumble in the Junior Caged class with his second win.

Other Saturday go-kart feature winners included Travis Fisher (Clone 400), Jakeb Boxell (Junior 3) and Knox Carmin (Kid Karts), who picked up his third Kid Kart feature in a row after also topping the 2018 Saturday race for the division.

Kaylee Boston (Light 160, Animal Combined) again won two features to lead the quarter midget contingent Saturday, pushing her total to four victories across three classes for the weekend.

Landon Hathaway completed a sweep of the Heavy 160 division, adding his second win of the weekend, while other quarter midget victors included Dylan Regnerus (Senior Honda), Nolan Mitchell (Junior Honda) and Taylor Nibert (Heavy 120).

To view complete race results, advance to the next page.

Déjà Vu: Stewart Strikes Again In Rumble Finale

Published in Racing
Sunday, 29 December 2019 05:23

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – There was a profound sense of déjà vu inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum during Saturday night’s finale to the 22nd annual Rumble in Fort Wayne presented by Jason Dietsch Trailer Sales.

Exactly like he did one night earlier, Tony Stewart set fast time in qualifying, had to transfer into the field from a B-main and then romped forward from ninth to win the 50-lap national midget headliner.

This time, Stewart had to contend with a pair of young guns in Kyle Hamilton and Justin Peck, but neither were strong enough to be able to stop the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion in the end.

Stewart methodically worked his way up to third before 20 laps were on the board, then laid in wait while Hamilton and Peck went at it for the race lead out front before making his move late.

The Columbus, Ind., native pounced following a lap-33 red flag for building ventilation, taking a car that he’d called “not as good as we need it to be” right before the restart and slipping past Peck into second.

Once in the runner-up position with 12 to go, Stewart got the help of a timely caution flag for a spinning Cap Henry to close on the back bumper of Hamilton’s Mel Kenyon-prepared No. 16, setting up the winning pass.

Stewart finally got inside Hamilton in turn three with six laps left, finding front grip he hadn’t had all race long and surging ahead to take a lead he wouldn’t relinquish.

It was Stewart’s record-extending 11th career Rumble in Fort Wayne victory, far and away the most of all drivers, as well as the first time a driver has swept both nights of the event since 2011.

In victory lane, an animated Stewart noted that he drove his No. 2 Our Gang Poker Munchkin “with no power steering for 50 laps” as he discussed the night and what many considered a surprising victory.

“This is indoor racing. Anyone that came to watch a parade came to the wrong place,” Stewart said. “We get rough and rowdy in this building, and all night it was like that. Everybody keeps asking why I come to this deal, and it’s because of the fans and the fact that they want to see a show. They don’t want to see us just sit there and ride around and follow each other for 50 laps. That’s the nature of the beast.

“We saw it all night. I don’t know why when I do it (make contact while making a pass), it’s not acceptable, but I think everyone came to see a show and if they didn’t get a show out of that, I don’t know what else to do, man,” Stewart continued. “I sat there and ran 50 laps and I only leaned on guys a couple of times when I needed to. I never spun anybody out in the two days that I was here.

“All in all, I don’t think I did too badly. After last year, it’s pretty sweet to be back here winning again.”

Tony Stewart (2) leads Kyle Hamilton Saturday during the Rumble in Fort Wayne. (Blake Harris photo)

Hamilton won the dash to earn the pole for the main and jumped out to the early lead, with only one caution slowing the early pace after Scott Hampton found the wall off the exit of the second corner.

Following that restart on lap 16 is when Stewart made his move into the top three, but at that point, all eyes were on Hamilton and Peck as they diced it up for the race lead out in front.

Hamilton held serve through the halfway point of the race, but on the 29th lap, Peck was tired of sitting back in second and made his bid for the race lead. The three-time Rumble winner got inside of Hamilton going into turn one and came out ahead, looking like a driver who might win his fourth Rumble main.

But Peck’s downfall was short-run speed, and a segmented end to the race spelled his doom. The race’s lone red flag with 17 to go, plus a caution one lap after the restart, ultimately ruined his chances.

Peck spun the tires on a lap-35 restart and gave up command to Hamilton, who then appeared to be in the driver’s seat until spins by Henry – and then Austin Nemire with nine to go – gave Stewart a fighting chance.

After the last restart, Stewart dug down deep and finally got to Hamilton’s bumper, turning the tables coming to five to go and forcing Hamilton to settle for second at the checkered flag.

Hamilton was matter-of-fact after the race and said he “couldn’t be too disappointed” at the final outcome.

“I was pretty happy to get back around Peck, but I knew that was just a battle. The war was still going to be to try and beat Tony, and he just had too much there at the end,” Hamilton said. “Our car was good, but it was second best. We can’t hang our heads on it though. To come in here and have a car that could run that close to Tony within six laps, you really can’t be all that disappointed.”

Peck crossed the line third, followed by Derek Bischak and Travis Welpott.

Matt Westfall, Billy Wease, Nick Hamilton, Scott Hampton and Troy DeCaire were the balance of the top 10.

To view complete race results, advance to the next page.

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