DALLAS — Shane van Gisbergen will join AIM Vasser Sullivan for the Rolex 24 At Daytona Jan. 25-26 at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

“We’re very excited to announce that Shane van Gisbergen will join AIM Vasser Sullivan for the season opening 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said team co-owner Jimmy Vasser. “Shane is an outstanding competitor who has competed in the Rolex 24 before, won a lot of races and a championship. We look forward to having him drive the AVS Lexus RC F GT3 at Daytona.”

The team will campaign two identically prepared Lexus RC F GT3s during the Rolex 24.

Van Gisbergen will be making his fifth Rolex 24 At Daytona start. In four previous races at Daytona he has two top-10 finishes, a second in 2015 and eighth in 2014 in the GTD class.

He will join Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo behind the wheel of the No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3.

Van Gisbergen, 30, a native of Auckland, New Zealand, forged a successful V8 Supercar and GT Championship career. He has 35 wins in 371 starts including a V8 Supercar Championship in 2016, a win at the 2016 Bathhurst 12 Hour race, and runner-up finishes in the V8 Supercar Championship in 2014, 2018 and 2019.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me to race again at the Rolex 24 At Daytona,” said Van Gisbergen. “I’ve missed the American style of racing, so when the phone rang it didn’t take long for me to say yes!  I want to thank Jimmy Vasser, James “Sulli” Sullivan, Andrew Bordin and all the guys at AIM for this opportunity. I think with the Lexus RC F GT3, the experience of the AVS team and the driver line-up that we have for the 2020 Rolex 24, we’ll be a real contender. With the right preparation and testing at the Roar, we’ll have a good chance to get a Rolex.”

CONCORD, N.C. — Second-generation racer Hailie Deegan has become a Ford Performance Development driver and will be assigned to the DGR-Crosley race team.

The 18-year-old daughter of off-road racer Brian Deegan will run in all 20 races in the ARCA Menards Series while also competing in select events in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with Multimatic Motorsports.

“Hailie has shown in her brief time behind the wheel of a stock car that she’s got what it takes to be successful,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Our goal is to put her on a path to realize our shared goal of winning championships and part of that is gaining experience on tracks such as road courses and superspeedways. We feel this year will serve as a good foundation for what lies ahead.”

Deegan, who registered three ARCA Menards Series West (formerly NASCAR K&N Series West) victories in two full seasons, is coming off a 2019 campaign that saw her win twice and finish third in the final standings. In addition, she made six ARCA Menards Series starts with her best finish being fifth at Lucas Oil Raceway.

“I could not be more excited to join Ford Performance and DGR-Crosley,” said Deegan. “It became clear quickly that I align with the Ford Performance vision of driver development and our shared drive to win.  It is also extra special to get to race with Ford, a family company, that already had ties to my family. Growing up watching my dad race a Ford, and now to be able to do the same thing is very cool.

“It’s also important to me to be teamed up with a hardworking group such as DGR with like-minded vision and goals,” continued Deegan. “We are all committed to work as hard as it takes to finish on top. I look forward to the upcoming season and learning as much as possible to get me closer to accomplishing my goals of winning races.”

This will mark Deegan’s first venture with Ford, but she’s no stranger to the Blue Oval.  Her father, Brian, drove a Ford Fiesta in the Global Rallycross Championship and won a gold medal in the Rallycross competition at X Games 17 in 2011. He has also driven a Ford Raptor as part of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series.

“We are very excited to have Hailie join the Ford Performance Team,” said Rob Johnston, global marketing manager, Ford Performance. “She is a rising star in motorsports with a new and already large fan base that we are looking forward to engaging with through her talent and personality.”

DGR-Crosley is co-owned and operated by David Gilliland.

“Today is a huge day for our organization,” Gilliland said. “It’s been really impressive to see what Hailie has been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. With her joining our Ford Performance driver development program at DGR-Crosley, the potential for success is endless. I’m super excited to get the 2020 season started.”

Deegan will compete in the Michelin Pilot Challenge opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Jan. 24, sharing a Ford Mustang with fellow Ford Performance development driver Chase Briscoe.

New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero said trading star winger Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday wasn't related to whether or not the team could sign the pending free agent to a long-term extension.

"No. To paint that picture where he didn't want to play here or asked for a trade or demanded a contract ... that wasn't the reality, nor is it that he didn't want to potentially play here or that we didn't want to sign him," said Shero, who pointedly said that Hall "never turned down any offers" from the Devils.

The Coyotes sent a conditional 2020 first-round pick, a conditional third-round pick, AHL centers Nate Schnarr and Nick Merkley, and junior defenseman Kevin Bahl to New Jersey for Hall and AHL center Blake Speers. The Devils are retaining 50% of Hall's $6 million cap hit for the Coyotes to fit him in.

Shero said the rush to trade Hall, who was a healthy scratch in the Devils' last two games leading up to the deal, was due to the size of the market for him now vs. at the trade deadline, when more teams might have fallen out of the playoff race.

"It was the right time. For Taylor's standpoint, it's important for clarity and important for clarity for us," said Shero. "But if the right deal wasn't there, we would have waited."

Somewhat surprisingly, the Devils GM claimed there had been no salient contract talks with Hall and his agent. He also said that they hadn't informed Shero that Hall would be testing the unrestricted free agent market in the offseason, contrary to speculation.

"I've never, ever heard 'July 1' from either Taylor or his agent," said Shero. "He didn't turn down any offers. He never asked for a trade. He was all-in and very supportive. A really great teammate. But as to a lot of speculation out there that he didn't want to play in NJ or he wanted to go to July 1 ... teams would ask me what he was looking for, and I'd say I had no idea. I think that's up for them to decide. This was a decision that we made for what's best for where we are. It may have been a harder decision if we were three points out of the playoffs."

The Devils have been one of the season's biggest disappointments after entering the season with a healthy Hall and having added star defenseman P.K. Subban and No. 1 first overall pick Jack Hughes in the offseason. They're 10-17-5 in 32 games for 25 points, second lowest total in the NHL.

Shero wouldn't speculate whether the Devils would reach out to Hall if he's available as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Lancashire have removed an "inadvertently misleading" statement from Manchester Originals head coach Simon Katich from their website amid fears about the blurring of lines between the the county and the new Hundred team based at Old Trafford.

Katich's 'open letter', written to Lancashire supporters with the intention of encouraging them to attend games in the new competition, claimed that "the Originals are an extension of this great county" and that "the squad…is built around a core group of Red Rose players".

Lancashire share two senior members of coaching staff with the Originals, with the county's head coach and assistant coach, Glen Chapple and Mark Chilton, both working as assistants to Katich, while four Lancashire players are also in the Originals' squad: Jos Buttler, Matt Parkinson, Saqib Mahmood and Dane Vilas.

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Katich also told the Manchester Evening News last week that he "would have liked to have drafted a few more Lancashire boys, but the way the draft panned out a few things didn't go to plan".

Andy Nash, a former ECB board member and an outspoken critic of the Hundred, claimed on Twitter that the letter represented "clear evidence [that the Hundred] elevates the eight hosts and leaves ten counties as bystanders".

The potential for concern is particularly notable in the case of the Manchester team. Every other Hundred team has at least two counties affiliated with it, but Lancashire are the only county linked with the Originals. The overlap in senior members of coaching staff raises the fear that players who impress for Lancashire are more likely to be signed in future drafts, providing players with an added incentive to sign for the county.

An ECB spokesperson reiterated that there is no overlap in the two teams' governance, that Katich is not employed by the club, and that it has introduced safeguards to ensure that no conflict of interests arises. Each new side will be run by a team board with an independent chairman, and regulations have been put in place to make sure contracts with counties and with Hundred teams cannot be linked.

"Lancashire Cricket Club is wholly supportive and committed to the Hundred and the opportunity to attract a new and diverse audience," a spokesperson said.

"The letter was taken down as it was inadvertently misleading. We look forward to hosting Manchester Originals in the same way we're looking forward to hosting England v Pakistan for the Specsavers Test next year and delivering a first class experience here at Emirates Old Trafford."

The ICC has confirmed that it has intercepted a number of known corruptors at the Qatar T10 league and that it has opened several new investigations.

The event, which was sanctioned by the ICC 12 months ago, saw a raft of team changes in the days immediately before it started on December 7. The ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) was engaged by the league's organisers, with two officials deployed in the country.

Alex Marshall, the general manager of the ICC Integrity Unit said: "The ICC sanctioned this event 12 months ago based on the sound information provided by the organisers.

"However, substantial changes to both team ownership and the organisers just days prior to the event getting underway rang alarm bells for us, and we applied additional investigative resource on the ground to address our concerns.

"As a result we have intercepted a number of known corruptors both in Qatar and globally and disrupted planned corrupt activity at the event. This has given rise to a number of new investigations for the ICC ACU team as we continue in our efforts to ensure cricket is a corruption free sport."

Some bookmakers had removed markets for the league midway through the competition, with no explanation provided.

The tournament's final took place on Monday, with the Falcon Hunters beating the Swift Gallopers by four wickets.

More to follow…

The BCB has accepted Charl Langeveldt's resignation as the Bangladesh bowling coach after he emailed the board explaining that he has an offer from Cricket South Africa. Akram Khan, the BCB's cricket operations committee chairman, confirmed Langeveldt's departure less than five months into his two-year contract.

"Langeveldt said he has offer to work in South Africa's senior side, which is why he requested the BCB to let him go," Akram told the Bengali daily Prothom Alo on Tuesday. "We have decided to release him."

Langeveldt's link with a role in the South Africa team is part of an overhaul in their coaching setup, which saw Mark Boucher named head coach recently.

Langeveldt, who was appointed by the BCB on July 27, came in as part of a similar overhaul in the Bangladesh coaching staff. He replaced Courtney Walsh, while Russell Domingo took over as head coach in place of Steve Rhodes. Daniel Vettori later joined as spin-bowling consultant, replacing Sunil Joshi.

With Bangladesh touring Pakistan next month, the BCB has exactly a month to replace Langeveldt although Champaka Ramanayake, the BCB academy's bowling coach, could take over on a temporary basis as he has done in the past.

Joe Root, Joe Denly and Dom Sibley posted half-centuries to open England' s tour of South Africa with a first-day score of 309 for 4 against a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI in Benoni.

Root backed up his previous innings of 226 in the second Test against New Zealand a fortnight ago by top scoring for England with 72 off 86 balls on day one of two at Willowmoore Park before he retired not out. With Denly and Sibley also retiring not out after reaching 60 and 58 respectively, England were effectively seven wickets down at stumps as Zak Crawley closed unbeaten on 28 accompanied by Sam Curran, who was not out 18.

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England will bowl on Wednesday, when they hope to have the services of Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad, who were feeling unwell on Tuesday.

Rory Burns, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow were out to soft dismissals in the teens on Tuesday, while Ollie Pope was out lbw for 20.

Denly made the most of surviving a dropped catch when he was on 28 and Sibley showed no ill effects after being struck on the helmet towards the end of his innings, which lasted more than three hours. The pair put on a 103-run stand, which Sibley thoroughly enjoyed, having not had the chance before after falling for 22, 12 and 4 while opening in his only three Test innings to date, on the recent tour of New Zealand.

"It's the first time I've batted with Joe," Sibley said. "I didn't make it long enough in New Zealand. We complement each other quite nicely."

Burns and Sibley put on a chanceless 37 runs in the first hour before Burns threw away his wicket, taking on left-arm seamer Stephan Tait and top-edging a hook to fine-leg.

Root set about scoring quickly and finished as he began, taking 16 runs off the final over he faced, including a last-ball slog-sweep for six.

"He played well, he's coming off a double hundred in New Zealand so he looks in good form, so hopefully he continues," said Sibley, who was content to come off after reaching his fifty despite not having had as much batting time as he would have liked during the two Tests he has played so far.

"It's all part of warm-up games, making sure everyone gets enough time in the middle," he said. "You can't really beat time at the crease so I was happy with the amount of time I got out there especially after having a couple of days in the nets."

Sibley's disappointing returns in the New Zealand Tests followed a century in a warm-up match and prompted him to spend time with Warwickshire batting coach Tony Frost and freelance consultant Gary Palmer making "little tweaks" to his technique before flying out to South Africa.

"Nothing major, just getting back to what I was doing well in the summer for Warwickshire and hitting past mid-on, which I did well today, so I was pleased with that," Sibley said. "I felt balanced, so that's good. I want to peak at the right times and hopefully that happens.

"I've only had three innings and I think especially in the first innings I felt good, I felt at home, and then in the second Test match I probably put myself under a little bit too much pressure to get a big score. I'm just going to play my game, stick to my strengths and be nice and chilled out there.

"I've got to start getting some scores and stuff but hopefully Boxing Day will be my day so hopefully I play."

Buttler was dropped at slip on just five but he offered a repeat chance to depart for 15 while Bairstow's return to England's red-ball side following his omission for the New Zealand Tests ended when he smacked a rank full toss to mid-on.

England will play one more tour match, a three-day fixture against South Africa A starting on Friday, before the first of four Tests starts on Boxing Day.

The NBA has announced that former commissioner David Stern remains in serious condition after emergency surgery Thursday to address a sudden brain hemorrhage.

"He is receiving great care and surrounded by his loved ones," the league said Tuesday as part of a statement.

Stern was admitted to a New York City hospital after the fire department responded to a 911 call at a Midtown restaurant at 1:59 p.m. ET. Fire officials then transported Stern, 77, to Mount Sinai West medical center.

He served as NBA commissioner from 1984 until 2014, a 30-year run that helped shape the league into the global force it is today. Under his watch, the NBA added seven teams and relocated six other franchises. The league's annual revenue from its television contract increased by 40 times, the average player salary jumped from $250,000 a year in 1984 to more than $5 million, and the value of franchises skyrocketed.

The league opened 13 offices worldwide, staged regular-season games outside the U.S. -- a first in professional sports -- and allowed its players to compete in the Olympics, notably the gold-medal-winning Dream Team in 1992. He also founded the WNBA in 1997. He had a hand in numerous initiatives that changed the league, including drug testing, the salary cap and implementation of a dress code.

Stern was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.

Hopes are high that welcoming top-level athletics back to England’s famous North East venue will inspire the next generation

Brendan Foster and Richard Kilty believe the return of world-class athletics to Gateshead could inspire a new generation of sporting stars.

The Gateshead International Stadium was the venue for Foster’s memorable 3000m world record in 1974 as well as Asafa Powell’s world record-equalling 100m in 2006, while it also hosted the first ever Diamond League meeting to be held in Britain.

The last top-level competition to take place there was the European Team Championships in 2013 and not since 2010 has the stadium hosted an international grand prix meeting but on Tuesday Foster and sprinter Kilty were among those celebrating next summer’s Müller Grand Prix, which will see world-class athletics back in Gateshead on August 16 as well as in 2021 and 2024.

“The return of the Müller Grand Prix to the North East is a huge moment for athletics in this region,” said 1976 Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Foster.

“Having the best athletes in the world competing once again at the Gateshead International Stadium on 16 August will inspire young athletes and sports fans here, especially with the increased excitement for athletics that an Olympic year brings.”

With a nod to Foster’s world record-breaking exploits of 45 years ago, a group of 10 and 11-year-olds from Gateshead Harriers and Morpeth Harriers will come together at the Grand Prix to take part in a relay during which they hope to match his time of 7:35.1.

“I’ve competed many times at this historic stadium, and have experienced first-hand the support, enthusiasm and warmth of North East sports fans, so the current athletics stars are in for a treat,” added the European and Commonwealth gold medallist.

“The young athletes from local clubs that will also get the chance to race at the Müller Grand Prix are set to have an unforgettable experience which I hope will keep them engaged with the sport for many years to come.”

Over £1.1million has been invested in the refurbishment of Gateshead International Stadium over the last year, with a further investment of £1.3m in stadium facilities to come in 2020 which will include the resurfacing of the track and new floodlighting.

Teessider and former world indoor 60m champion Kilty said: “I’m so excited that the Müller Grand Prix is returning to Gateshead and can’t wait until 16 August. It will mean so much to the athletes from this area to see and, in some cases, get the opportunity to compete on the same stage as the biggest stars in the world.

“Being part of the crowd at an international meet of this calibre, at the Gateshead International Stadium, is an amazing experience, that I believe could inspire lots of North East children to take part in athletics. It will also incentivise young athletes in the region to work even harder to achieve their dream of competing at the highest level.”

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Kyle Larson is keeping busy during the winter months.

Immediately after competing in the midget portion of the Gateway Dirt Nationals this weekend at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo., Larson will make the journey to New Zealand and kick off the six round United Truck Parts World Midget Series spanning across three different tracks.

He will return to the United States for the famed Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in January before heading to Australia for four events, concluding with the Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic.

For the third consecutive year, Larson will be teaming up with Harley Taylor for the United Truck Parts World Midget Series in New Zealand. The series will kick off at Western Springs Speedway in Auckland on Dec. 26 for the Boxing Day Bash followed up by Baypark Speedway in Tauranga for the 40 lap Gold Cup on Dec. 28. The series returns to Western Springs Speedway on Dec. 30 for the World 30 Lap Derby. Larson will start the new year at Huntly Speedway during the International Midget Series 40 Lapper, followed by two final races at Western Springs Speedway, the King of the Springs on Jan. 3 and the World 50 Lap Classic on Jan. 5.

Last season, Larson finished second on Boxing Day at Western Springs, fifth at Baypark Speedway, ninth at Huntly Speedway and won the World 30 Lapper and King of the Springs back at Western Springs.

“I am really looking forward to getting back to New Zealand next week,” said Larson. “It is a trip I look forward to every year. The fans that come out to each event are great and the racing is always exciting. Harley [Taylor] and I have had a lot of success together the past couple of years and I hope we get to continue that this season.”

Following the six events in New Zealand, Larson will head back to the United States to compete in the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., before heading to Australia. Starting Jan. 22, he is set to team up with Sean and Felicity Dyson, making him teammates with his Kyle Larson Racing World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series sprint car driver Carson Macedo during four nights of competition across Australia.

Larson will pilot the Dyson Motorsports No. USA99 sprint car at Avalon Raceway in Lara, Victoria for the President’s Cup, followed by the King’s Challenge at Borderline Speedway in Mount Gambier, South Australia. His tour down under will round out with the Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic at Premier Speedway in Warrnambool, Victoria.

This will be the 27-year-old’s first appearance in Australia since the 2015/2016 season and his first attempt at this string of four races since 2012.

“This is something that came together just a few days ago and I can’t thank Sean [Dyson] enough for the opportunity to get back to Australia,” said Larson. “Carson has driven for Dyson Motorsports the last few seasons and they’ve always been competitive, so I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the USA99 and hopefully win my first race down under.”