DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track team has announced its SuperTwins rider roster for the upcoming American Flat Track season.

Reigning AFT Singles champion Dalton Gauthier will join veteran Jarod Vanderkooi as the riders for the newly-strengthened factory effort.

Additionally, the formidable team of Ricky Howerton and former AFT Twins champion Bryan Smith will also be backed by Harley-Davidson and Vance & Hines in 2020.

Flat track fans are familiar with the championship-winning duo of Howerton and Smith. This battle-tested team aims to use its developmental prowess to bring the orange and black to the front in 2020. Howerton will be charged with the tuning, set-up and technical refinement of the XG750R.

Despite his hiatus from the sport in 2018, Gauthier quickly became the man to beat in the 2019 AFT Singles championship hunt. The diversely talented athlete further displayed his versatility as he joined the Black Hills Harley-Davidson AFT Production Twins effort and later lead it to victory at the Springfield Mile in August.

“2020 is shaping up to be a banner year for our sport,” said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. “Harley-Davidson’s and Vance & Hines’s boosted commitment to the series and their support for both the inaugural AFT SuperTwins season promises to ratchet up excitement over the coming months.”

CONCORD, N.C. – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will compete in more than 80 races across 24 states next year.

From the continuation of iconic events like the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford and Can-Am World Finals to the addition of new and historic venues like Vado Speedway Park and Lawton Speedway, the schedule will be full of nostalgia and excitement for fans and drivers.

“We have another great schedule, which will bring the World of Outlaws to fans across the country,” said World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Director Carlton Reimers. “There’re several new exciting facilities on the tour this year and a solid core of familiar tracks that always produce great racing.”

Among the notable changes to the schedule is the tour’s inaugural visit to Vado (N.M.) Speedway Park. The newly constructed facility will host its inaugural World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car doubleheader on April 24-25.

While the World of Outlaws visited I-70 Speedway in the 1980s, when the series returns to the Odessa, Mo., facility on May 30 it will be an entirely new three-eighths-mile track. The facility started life as a dirt track before being turned into an asphalt track, hosting NASCAR races. It closed in 2008, but was recently purchased by Chris Payne, who revamped Heartland Motorsports Park in Kansas. He is turning the facility into a motorsport park with the new dirt track and a dragway.

The upcoming season will kick off Feb. 7-9 at Volusia Speedway Park for the three-day DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford. It will then be followed by a Western tour of the country — including the $20,000-to-win event May 2 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway — before returning East for events like the two-day #LetsRaceTwo at Eldora Speedway and the Morgan Cup at Williams Grove Speedway.

The summer of money continues to grow with the June 25-27 Jackson Nationals at the Jackson Motorplex now paying an incredible $100,000-to-win. A month later the series will be Eldora Speedway for the illustrious Kings Royal week, July 16-18. And a month after that, from Aug. 12-15, it will be at Knoxville Raceway for the Knoxville Nationals.

After traveling the country, The Dirt Track at Charlotte will once again play a key role in determining the series champion. After racing in the United Rentals Patriot Nationals on Saturday, May 23, in the heart of NASCAR country, the season will conclude Nov. 5-7 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte with the Can-Am World Finals, where Brad Sweet won the closest points battle in Series’ history last month.

There are several tracks returning to the schedule after lengthy absences. California’s Santa Maria Speedway will host the tour for the first time in 21 years on March 29 and Oklahoma’s Lawton Speedway will host the tour on May 1 for the first time since 1985.

I-80 Speedway in Nebraska returns to the tour after last appearing on the schedule in 2016. The Dirt Oval at Route 66 in Illinois is back on the schedule after being absent for the last three years.

34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, returns to the schedule after five years and New York’s Ransomville Speedway is back on the schedule after a one-year absence. Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D., returns after most recently hosting the tour in 2017.

Finally, New York’s Orange County Fair Speedway is back on the schedule for the first time since 2014 and Indiana’s Kokomo Speedway will host the tour for the first time since 2015.

Click below to see the full schedule.

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Corey Heim isn’t just dreaming of winning the 52nd annual Snowball Derby this weekend at Five Flags Speedway, he’s dreaming of winning anything at all.

In Heim’s mind, he just wants a trophy and a check, given the bad luck, wild circumstances and misfortune that has plagued him over the last 18 months.

Whether it was a green-white-checkered finish at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway last October that didn’t go his way, a missed call on strategy, technical disqualifications or crashes, Heim has seen it all.

This time, as he tackles the half-mile of mayhem in the Florida panhandle, Heim just wants to see the checkered flag first.

That’s not too much to ask, right?

“You’d think that, but the way the last year or so has gone for us, I don’t know anymore,” Heim joked during an interview with SPEED SPORT following Snowball Derby practice on Thursday evening.

“We just need to shake this mojo, man. We know we have speed; we just have to put it all together.”

Heim entered the weekend believing he can perform on the biggest stage in short-track racing, despite not having the finishes to show for it. He’s spent time in contention this year on the ARCA Menards Series trail with Chad Bryant Racing, while still running numerous late model races around the country.

Eight top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 13 ARCA starts this season did plenty to prove Heim’s skills behind the wheel, while he also notched five top-10 finishes in five CARS super late model appearances and a runner-up performance at the prestigious Winchester 400 in Winchester, Ind., as well.

All that added together has the Marietta, Ga., teenager confident about his chances at victory Sunday, when the stakes are at their highest.

“I really do think we’ve got a good shot,” Heim noted. “My guys have been working hard on it. The whole Fab Specialties crew has pretty much thrown everything they can at our car to make it better, and we’ve had some solid speed so far. It has definitely been a rough year as far as results go, but we’ve had a lot of bad luck and hopefully we can just perform and get that monkey off our back this weekend.”

Sitting seventh overall after the first practice day at the Snowball Derby goes a long way to proving that the driver and car are capable of success, but Heim knows winning at Five Flags is never that simple.

“Both corners are completely different. “You kind of just have to settle with something that’s balanced, but you’re really never going to feel great about a car until you’re 50 laps into a race run because the track’s just a lot different for the race than how it is in practice and there’s just so many things that are going to change on race day compared to practice.

“Basically, you just have to guess the best you can and hope it works, but we’re optimistic.”

To win the Snowball Derby, a driver first has to make the field, which begins Friday night at Five Flags with Country Pleasin’ Pole Night.

Heim is the first driver in the qualifying order, and he’s hoping for a lot easier time than what he had a year ago, when he snuck into the top 30 via the 29th-fastest lap in time trials.

“Last year we really had a close call in qualifying, for sure, and we struggled on practice day, but we had a whole motor come apart last year and just everything that could have went wrong did go wrong,” Heim recalled. “This year, everything’s run a lot smoother, for sure. I think as far as qualifying day goes, you know, starting on the pole … I guess you’d say for qualifying first out, is going to be tough, but I think we’ve got a better shot this year than we did last year.

“If you make this deal, you have a shot to win it, and we want to be in it two years in a row now.”

As far as taking home the Tom Dawson Trophy, however, Heim hasn’t even let his mind begin to wander in that direction yet, knowing just how many things have to go right in order to win the Snowball Derby.

But Heim does know this, a victory Sunday would be the ultimate cherry on top of a trying season.

“It’d be something I couldn’t even dream of at this point,” Heim admitted. “It’s definitely the biggest race I’ve raced all year, and to cap off the year with a win would be pretty unbelievable.

“As long as we have our confidence up and we bring a good car, I think we’ve got a shot. I really do.”

As India head into a Women's T20 World Cup year in search of their maiden title, there has been a chorus among the current and former internationals - both from India and overseas- to have a full-fledged women's IPL. However, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly thinks such a tournament - involving seven or eight teams - is at least "four years away".

"You need to understand the practicality of it," he told India Today. "You need a lot more women players. I see that in four years' time, to get a seven-team IPL with the best women players [in participation]."

After what began as an exhibition in 2018, the BCCI turned the Women's T20 Challenge into a three-team event in Jaipur in 2019.

Senior players and coaches unanimously gave the tournament a thumbs-up. Encouraged by the response, the board has initiated discussions on converting it into a four-team event, with each side playing the other twice.

India's successful hosting of South Africa in Surat, where record crowds turned up to cheer both teams, has got the BCCI thinking about hosting next year's Women's T20 challenge there before taking it to other cities as well.

While this is a direct consequence of increased popularity in the women's game since India's stupendous run to the final at the 2017 World Cup, the domestic game is yet to grow at the same rate.

To some extent, BCCI's re-introduction of the A tours for women is seen as a step towards bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket. An India A team will go to Australia on a shadow tour before the senior team's tri-series in January, with a number of hopefuls having the opportunity to stake claim for a T20 World Cup berth.

Steps like these, according to Ganguly, will only help increase the push for women's cricket. At the same time, he also wants the state associations to do much more to widen their talent pool.

"You have to let the state association teams get stronger, a lot of them are getting stronger," he said. "The push for women's cricket has been enormous over the last few years. Three years down the line, when you have 150-160 players, you can take the IPL forward. Right now, we have 50-60 players. With the push BCCI has for women's cricket, that will only increase."

Virat Kohli smashed his highest ever T20I score, making 94* off 50 balls as India chased a massive target of 208 against West Indies in the first T20I in Hyderabad. Kohli's innings was played in two parts, both sharply contrasting with each other. Off the first 25 balls he faced, he made only 26 runs. Off the next 25, there was a cascade of 68 runs.

While Kohli acknowledged that he was trying to hit the ball "too hard" at the start given the ever rising required rate, he reverted to type when he realised it wasn't coming off. He also gave a peak into how his mind works in T20 cricket.

"I've always believed in the past as well, whenever I've played T20 cricket. I'm not someone who comes to the stadium wanting to entertain people hitting the ball in the air. I want to get the job done," Kohli told Star Sports after the game. Within that, if I get the opportunity to hit sixes, I will. But the aim is not to play slam-bang cricket. I think my role in this team is to bat long. Myself or Rohit (Sharma), one of the guys has to play till the end because our strength is usually striking in the later half of the innings, and our strike rate goes up. That's the role I play in every team that I've played in till now.

"The basic funda is that I don't want to change my game too much because I play all three formats and I want to contribute in all three formats. I don't want to be a format specialist. It's about contributing to your team and making the team win - whether it's T20 today or Test cricket like at Eden. I just want to score runs every game."

Kohli also jokingly suggested that if any youngsters were watching his innings hoping to pick up pointers, they should ignore the first half. "All the young batsmen watching, don't follow the first half of my innings," he smiled. "Because that was really bad, I mean I was trying to hit the ball too hard. I think it was just about keeping up with the game. You know, 10-plus an over to chase and I didn't want to put KL (Rahul) under pressure, so I wanted to contribute from the other end, striking at 140 at least. But I couldn't get going properly."

Kohli then significantly picked up the pace in the 15th over, which was Jason Holder's last one. The first ball was lifted beautifully over long-off to take him to a half-century, while the second was carved over short third man, and after that Kohli began middling pretty much every ball.

"That one over of Jason, I started getting a few in the middle of the bat," he said. "Second half of my innings, I analysed where I'm going wrong and I just started holding my shape. I thought I'm not a guy who slogs the ball, I'm more of a timer, so I'm going to rely on my timing. And then the pitch was good enough for me to go through the line of the ball and just play my shots.

"There are a lot of distractions when you're chasing a big total, when you keep looking at the scoreboard all the time. But I think after four-five dot balls, the game puts you in a zone where you have no other option but to just go back to your strengths," he added. "I think if the focus is on the game and you're not being too nervous, you'll find a way out. It's all about just being aware of what the game demands and what your strengths can be in that situation, and you just try and execute it."

Kohli also indulged in a bit of theatre on the field when Kesrick Williams came on to bowl the 16th over, mimicking Williams' celebration of writing in a notebook after having hit the bowler for a four and a six. Kohli showed he had a long memory, having remembered Williams celebrating in that manner when he dismissed the Indian in 2017.

"It happened to me in Jamaica when he got me out, so I thought I'll tick a few in the notebook as well," Kohli said. "But all good. There were a few words out there but smiles in the end. That's what you want to see: good competitive cricket, but at the end of the day we shake hands and give each other a high-five. That's what cricket is all about: play it hard, but at the end, just have respect for your opponents."

Chicago Bulls swingman Otto Porter Jr. will miss at least two more weeks as he continues to deal with a foot injury, the team announced Friday.

Porter had an MRI on his left foot Wednesday, and it revealed what the team called "continued bone edema."

The Bulls said Porter will be briefly immobilized, then "will resume a program of non-impact activities and targeted therapy." He also will see foot and ankle specialist Dr. Bob Anderson.

Porter suffered the injury against the Hawks on Nov. 6. He is averaging 11.2 points in nine games this season.

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Officials from the All Harley Drag Racing Ass’n have announced a full schedule of events for the upcoming year.

The season opens at the traditional nitro Harley headquarters of Rockingham Dragway, moves north to Numidia, to the midwest at Cordova, west to Sturgis, north of the border to Quebec, then heads south to Atlanta, Orlando and Gainesville.

Series officials are planning to give away a 2020 Harley-Davidson Street Glide via raffle during the season opening event at Rockingham Dragway.

The finale at Gainesville Raceway on Nov. 6-8 will also feature a $5,000 All-Star event, with the season-ending banquet scheduled for Nov. 9.

2020 All Harley Drag Racing Ass’n Schedule

May 15-17 – Rockingham Dragway – Rockingham, N.C.

May 30-31 – Numidia Dragway – Numidia, Pa.

July 3-5 – Cordova Int’l Raceway – Cordova, Ill.

Aug. 10-11 – Sturgis Dragway – Sturgis, S.D.

Aug. 29-30 – Napierville Dragway – Napierville, Quebec

Oct. 2-4 – Atlanta Dragway – Commerce, Ga.

Oct. 15-17 – Orland Speed World – Bithlo, Fla.

Nov. 6-8 – Gainesville Raceway – Gainesville, Fla.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In recognition of four decades of dedicated service to Speedway Motorsports, officials have named Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark as the O. Bruton Smith Award recipient.

Additionally, Las Vegas Motor Speedway earned Speedway of the Year honors and Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter was named Promoter of the Year. The awards were announced this week during a Speedway Motorsports Awards Ceremony in Nashville.

“It is an honor to recognize the invaluable efforts of those who blaze a trail at Speedway Motorsports’ eight world-class motorsports entertainment facilities,” said Marcus Smith, President and CEO of Speedway Motorsports. “It has been a privilege to have Ed Clark’s vision and leadership enhance our company in the vital roles he’s served since he joined the Speedway Motorsports family nearly 40 years ago.

“We’re also glad to recognize Las Vegas Motor Speedway for its phenomenal track record of entertaining race fans from around the world, as well as the extraordinary leadership displayed by Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Greg Walter in setting the standard for excellence as an innovative promoter.”

Created seven years ago to recognize one employee annually across all of Speedway Motorsports and its subsidiaries, the recipient of this prestigious award is someone who exhibits Speedway Motorsports’ Executive Chairman and Founder O. Bruton Smith’s traits: character, enthusiasm, drive, a heart for helping others, respect/appreciation for team members, vision and determination.

Clark began his tenure with Speedway Motorsports in 1981 as a member of the public relations department at Charlotte Motor Speedway. For the next decade, he worked his way through the ranks of the public relations and events departments, serving on the leadership team that developed the first NASCAR All-Star Race and NASCAR Media Tour.

In 1992, he was named General Manager of Atlanta Motor Speedway, and added the title of AMS president in 1995. During his 27 years in Atlanta, Clark was integral in overseeing modernization projects, expanding the speedway’s major event schedule, and increasing Atlanta Motor Speedway’s track rental business, brand awareness and regional economic impact.

Speedway Motorsports announced earlier this week that Clark will retire in 2020, following the March 13-15 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 NASCAR weekend.

“When you think about the characteristics that this award is meant to represent, it’s easy to see why Ed was such a clear choice to receive it this year,” said Marcus Smith, Speedway Motorsports’ President and CEO. “His love for motorsports is only outmatched by his desire to exceed the expectations of every race fan. He is admired by his peers in Atlanta and across the motorsports community. Ed reflects all that the O. Bruton Smith Award represents.”

Las Vegas Motor Speedway was chosen as Speedway of the Year from among eight state-of-the-art Speedway Motorsports entertainment complexes. The award is presented to Las Vegas for the best overall performance during 2019 in such aspects as fan friendliness, attendance, financial performance, sponsor relations and creativity.

Under the leadership of President and General Manager Chris Powell, Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted two tripleheader NASCAR event weekends in 2019 including the September kickoff to the NASCAR playoffs, as well as two NHRA national events and an immensely successful Electric Daisy Carnival in May that attracted more than 135,000 attendees per night.

As part of a never-ending commitment to entertainment, Las Vegas produced or hosted more than 1,400 events at multiple locations throughout the year across the facility complex, including dozens of high-profile corporate outings; a Blancpain GT World Challenge in October; the Duel in the Desert at The Dirt Track in November; and more than 60 events at The Strip and The Bullring.

Promoter of the Year is an annual award chosen by Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith and given to one of eight Speedway Motorsports general managers. The Promoter of the Year is awarded to the general manager who best displayed the creativity, innovation, leadership and execution that are fundamental to Speedway Motorsports’ way of doing business.

Walter, a 20-year leader within Speedway Motorsports, was recognized for his extensive efforts to promote a remarkable cavalcade of annual events including the historic 60th running of the Coca-Cola 600, the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, the NASCAR All-Star Race, two Pennzoil AutoFair car shows and wildly popular races at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and zMAX Dragway. Walter supervised the 11th consecutive sellout of the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track, launched a new monthly Cars & Coffee Concord franchise and instilled a year-long effort amongst his staff to bring a ‘Wow’ factor to every event in Charlotte’s aggressive season schedule.

Additionally, Walter visited several military bases as part of the speedway’s Mission 600 initiative to promote the Coca-Cola 600’s patriotic pre-race show on Memorial Day weekend. Under Walter’s leadership, the speedway’s collaborative relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense set a new standard for paying tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces.