WHEATLAND, Mo. – There’s nothing like winning a track championship, especially when it’s in your hometown.

Wheatland’s Toby Ott enjoyed that feeling again this year, earning Lucas Oil Speedway’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Street Stocks championship.

“That’s worth a lot, doing it right here in my own back yard,” Ott said. “There’s just so many people to thank and to think about that help us do it all.”

Ott earned five feature victories and 11 top-five finishes to finish 76 points in front of Johnny Coats and 86 ahead of Cody Frazon. It was his second championship in three years and Ott already is thinking ahead toward chasing a third crown in 2020.

“The first one was pretty astonishing,” Ott said. “This one here was actually kind of overwhelming with all the people I’ve had that have helped.”

Of course, with winning come additional pressure. In the arms race of racing, where everyone is trying to constantly step up their game and improve their equipment, Ott knows the Street Stocks world will only get more competitive.

“Everybody’s out to get Toby now,” Ott said, with a laugh. “It kind of comes with the territory. It makes it fun, though. Looking on to next year, right now I have plans to run for points again. I’m going to have a new car this winter, if everything goes right. I’ve got some other ventures going, too.

“You have to be looking for the upper hand, no matter what you’re doing. If you ever stop doing that, you’re going to go backwards.”

Ott said he’s planning to team up with Bryan Larimore of Dirt Track Specialists on a new chassis. He said the duo may have more details to be announced later about a deeper venture into the the Street Stock chassis-building world, but for now their team is looking at two cars in 2020.

One will be the old car that Ott has won the two championships in.

“That car was built in 2012. It’s been in the winner’s circle a lot of times, even before I got a hold of it,” Ott said. “That car will be ran next year. It’ll be more of a back-up car. We’ll put it back together and I think go back to how I ran it in 2017, with a crate motor back in it.”

Ott said that Larimore, who’s mostly specialized in Late Models, wants to get more involved with the Street Stocks. The two became friends the last couple of years with Larimore providing Ott a lot of help with shocks, in particular.

The new car could be pointed toward big-money events for Street Stocks throughout the region, such as the Lucas Oil Speedway’s Big Buck 50 Presented by Whitetail Trophy Hunt.

“There are multiple larger-paying races out there now for the Street Stock class,” Ott said. “It doesn’t hurt as much to spend a little more on a chassis when you have some more money you can go and race for.”

Whatever the prize money, Ott said one thing that’s constant is the outstanding camaraderie he enjoys at Lucas Oil Speedway. That includes his friend Trey Rutherford and Ott’s son, Kelby, helping on the car, and Wheatland buddy and fellow racer Mike Striegel.

“Striegel does all my race-car body work and we try to help each other out. He also gives me moral support,” Ott said.

Ott also gave a shout-out to Chris Davis of Midwest Sheet Metal, who not only is a sponsor but a friend who offers constant advice. Then there’s the crew from Hobbytime Motorsports, a long-time Lucas Oil Speedway supporter. Ott is a service manager for Hobbytime and his co-workers and Hobbytime owners Jeff and Melanie Freeman are out in force each week to cheer.

“They all really enjoy it and have a good time with it,” Ott said.

The Boston Bruins won't have ailing center Patrice Bergeron for road games Tuesday at Montreal and Wednesday at Ottawa.

Bergeron won't make the trip with the team due to a lower-body injury, coach Bruce Cassidy said Monday.

"No timeline on it," Cassidy told reporters. "Just want to make sure that when he's in the lineup he's not gonna put himself at further risk. Medical staff will keep on top of it and go from there."

Bergeron missed two games earlier this month with a lower-body injury. Cassidy said Bergeron's latest injury is in the same area as the first one.

Every week, we'll mine the waiver wire for lesser-owned assets to help your squad, whether you favor dynasty or the redraft format, and we'll also toss in some tips for DFS players out there. Finally, we will look at some former go-to fantasy assets who may be overvalued - in the short- or long-term - for one reason or another.

Forwards

Roope Hintz, C/LW, Dallas Stars (Rostered in 37.7 percent of ESPN.com leagues): He's back on the ice and has a goal to boot, his 10th of the year, since sitting out most of November with a lower-body injury. He's also now pegged to center a top line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, in addition to skating on the No. 1 power play. Before falling hurt, the 23-year-old Sophomore attracted, deservedly, plenty of attention for scoring nine goals in 16 games. Oh, and the red-hot Stars are surging. It's time to welcome Hintz back into the fantasy fold.

Brett Connolly, RW, Florida Panthers (14.9 percent): How do you argue with five goals (and one assist) though five games? You don't. Entrenched on a second line with Vincent Trocheck, the 27-year-old is apparently finding his scoring stride with his fourth team in nine years. He leads the Panthers with 11 goals (plus-five) altogether, one more than both Jonathan Huberdeau and Evgenii Dadonov. Already making his second appearance in this space since early October, Connelly deserves an uptick in fantasy respect ASAP.

Anthony Cirelli, C, Tampa Bay Lightning (13.6 percent): Centering the Lightning's second line, Cirelli has scored a goal in four straight, while earning an additional three assists. In only his second full NHL season, the 22-year-old is comfortably on pace to hit the 60-point mark. Scoop him up, at least while he's running hot.

Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers (4.7 percent): In the space of less than a week, the 2017 first-round draft selection has leapt from making a solid impression in his first pro tour in the AHL to centering a Flyers' scoring line and power play with Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny. Collecting two goals and one assist through three games, he's clearly handled the promotion more than adequately. A former prolific scorer with the OHL Soo Greyhounds, Frost is worth a fantasy whirl in deeper re-draft leagues for however long he sticks in such a prominent role. Could be a while.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, LW/RW, Columbus Blue Jackets (2.3 percent): A little quietly, the Blue Jackets' top power-play winger has amassed a goal and five assists in three games, including four points with the man-advantage. They don't have to ring loud or attract attention to count. Fantasy managers in need of power-play production shouldn't hesitate to invest in the 24-year-old, however temporarily.

Sam Gagner, C/RW, Edmonton Oilers (0.3 percent): Filling in for an injured Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Gagner earns yet another rich opportunity to prove he can still contribute in the NHL. A perennial disappointment since being drafted by the Oilers sixth-overall in 2007, Gagner is back with his original squad following generally uninspired stops in Arizona, Philadelphia, Columbus and Vancouver. But he's also put forth the odd stirring fit of brilliance - remember the eight-point night from back in 2012? Point is, the 30-year-old might could serve as a surprising outside-the-box Daily Fantasy asset while centering a second scoring line and (perhaps) skating on a McDavid/Draisaitl power play. Nursing a hand injury, Nugent-Hopkins is expected to miss at least a game or two.

Defenders

Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks (13.6 percent): After losing six games to injury, Lindholm returned to the ice in Tampa on Saturday. By no means one of your flashier fantasy assets, the top-pair/power-play defenseman is still good for a point every couple of games or so. He has use in deeper, conventional leagues. I'm additionally interested to gauge how the entire team responds after Ryan Getzlaf publicly ripped the lot of them for lack of effort following Saturday's loss. We might see a little more pizzazz from the club this week, beginning Monday against the visiting Islanders.

Goaltenders

Anton Khudobin, Dallas Stars (5.6 percent): He's been flat-out brilliant this past month, allowing only 10 goals on 192 shots (.948 SV%) in seven appearances, amounting to six wins and one overtime loss. The Stars' no. 2 or otherwise - and look out if Ben Bishop falters somewhat - Khudobin merits rostering in much more than six percent of fantasy leagues, as handcuff to Bishop or otherwise.

Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh Penguins (2.0 percent): In limited action (six appearances), Pittsburgh's backup has been better-than-solid, rocking a 1.80 GAA and .945 SV%. Now that Matt Murray is struggling, we may see a little more of Jarry in the coming days. Keep a view of how Murray manages Monday against the Flames, before Wednesday's tilt with Vancouver and Friday's trip to Columbus. At minimum, Jarry sports genuine appeal in DFS play.

Lowered expectations

Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Philadelphia Flyers (39.7 percent): He's projected to sit out his second-straight game as a healthy scratch Monday versus the Canucks. So this qualifies as more than a smarten-up briefing, compliments of coach Alain Vigneault. If the Flyers beat Vancouver, Gostisbehere could then find himself in the press box again on Wednesday in Columbus. Bench the struggling offensive-defenseman until he not only plays again, but rediscovers a means to produce. Two assists since before Halloween ain't gonna cut it.

METAIRIE, La. -- Although Sean Payton helped to inspire and create the NFL's controversial new pass interference replay rule, he is among the growing legions who are disappointed with the results.

So the New Orleans Saints coach has a suggestion to improve it: Instead of replays being decided solely by the league's senior vice president of officiating, Al Riveron, they should be decided by a group of three people.

"You know, we don't have one Supreme Court justice," said Payton, who pointed out that the Canadian Football League uses a group to decide its pass interference replays.

"It doesn't have to be a committee. I don't like committees," said Payton, who first suggested the idea in an interview with Pro Football Talk last week, then doubled down during his weekly Monday teleconference. "I just think it's quiet when it's singular. ... I know when we put together a third-down plan, I might have a few ideas. But I'm gonna ask [offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. or quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi], 'What do you guys think?'

"That interaction helps you arrive at better decisions. And I think clearly we would benefit from that. Because look, Sunday's a long day."

Payton stressed that he doesn't have a problem with Riveron himself, calling him "outstanding." But, Payton said, "I think he's got a tough job. And when you have a group of three, I think you're gonna arrive at more consistent calls."

The NFL made a groundbreaking rule change this offseason to allow pass interference calls to be reviewed by replay -- an effort that was spearheaded by Payton after his Saints fell victim to the infamous missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship Game. However, the standard for overturning such calls has been almost impossible, leading to heavy criticism from coaches, players, media and fans.

Through Sunday's games, a total of 55 coaches' challenges have been denied after a replay review, with only eight calls being reversed, according to ESPN Stats and Information. The total is much closer when it comes to booth reviews (six reversed, five upheld).

Payton has been asked about the issue from time to time this season because of his connection to the rule changes. But he finally became personally affected in Sunday's 34-31 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

First, Payton challenged a PI call for the first time all season (and lost) when Saints tight end Jared Cook was flagged for offensive pass interference in the first quarter.

Then in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Panthers coach Ron Rivera actually won a challenge on a critical third-down play when Saints safety CJ Gardner-Johnson was charged with PI against receiver Jarius Wright after a replay review. The officials also called offensive PI against Saints receiver Michael Thomas during a 2-point conversion attempt in the third quarter.

"It wasn't our best game, and by far it wasn't their best game," Payton said when asked about the penalty calls on Sunday. "And quite honestly, it wasn't New York's best game (a reference to the NFL's command center, where Riveron makes the replay decisions). "The change that took place in the offseason ... sitting in on every one of those meetings, I don't know that it's exactly what we discussed with where we are today with it. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's not. But we've gotta be able to adjust to it," Payton said. "It's just a matter of how you interpret it. I mean, I got the replay and I felt pretty good on both of those. I'm quite sure if we sat and looked at that in our meetings, most would agree. But it is what it is."

The Panthers weren't able to take advantage of their rare replay win, thanks to a goal-line stand by the Saints and a missed 28-yard field goal by kicker Joey Slye.

But Rivera made an interesting point Monday when he said that he felt like it was worth a challenge because it came in "a critical situation."

"I felt that's really what (the rule) was designed for, to make sure at the end of the game when something that egregious could happen, that's what we as coaches need to think about and focus in on," Rivera said of Wright being yanked back briefly by Gardner-Johnson to help force an incomplete pass. "That's what the whole idea behind the (rule) was. It's got to be a clear and obvious and egregious penalty, and that's the criteria, especially where it was ...

"I'm just wondering if it's situational. When you get close to the end of the game where something could that big could truly impact, I think that's maybe what the interpretation would be. ... I've been looking for this type of situation to challenge to see what the interpretation would be. I think that's what it's for.

"Maybe that's what the criteria will be."

ESPN Panthers reporter David Newton contributed to this report.

AUBURN, Ala. -- An Alabama district attorney said Monday that authorities have "good reason" to believe human remains that were found belong to the missing stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight fighter Walt Harris.

The remains were found on a county road in neighboring Macon County, Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes told The Associated Press.

"I can confirm that human remains have been found in Macon County on County Road 2, and we have good reason to believe they are that of Aniah Blanchard," Hughes said.

Police have arrested two people in the disappearance of the 19-year-old last month. She was last seen Oct. 23 in Auburn. After she disappeared, her black Honda CR-V was found abandoned more than 50 miles away at an apartment complex in Montgomery.

Auburn police detective Josh Mixon said that Blanchard's blood was found in the car and that it appeared she had suffered a life-threatening injury. Mixon testified that convenience store video footage showed a man who was buying a beverage look over at Blanchard. He said tipsters later identified the man as Ibraheem Yazeed, 29, and a man at the store told investigators he saw Yazeed force Blanchard into her car and drive away.

Police have arrested Yazeed and a second man, 35-year-old Antwain Shamar Fisher of Montgomery, in Blanchard's disappearance. In an arrest warrant filed with the court Monday, police said Fisher helped Yazeed by disposing of evidence and driving him.

The discovery of human remains comes after a monthlong search for the missing teen whose face appears on billboards across the county.

Auburn police said Monday that investigators "obtained information regarding the possible location of a body." Law enforcement officials searched a wooded area in Shorter and found what appeared to be human remains several feet into the woods.

"A complete investigation is under way by [the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency] and Auburn Police to determine the identity and how the victim came to be at that location. The examination will explore if the remains are those of Aniah Blanchard," Auburn police said in a statement.

Harris decided last not month not to compete against Alistair Overeem in the scheduled UFC Washington headliner Dec. 7 because of Blanchard's disappearance.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have made another change at quarterback.

Andy Dalton will be the team's starter again, coach Zac Taylor said during his news conference on Monday. Dalton started the first eight games of the season before he was benched in favor of rookie Ryan Finley.

"It's time to give him another opportunity," Taylor said of Dalton.

Finley, who started the past three games, will move back to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart ahead of Cincinnati's Week 13 game against the New York Jets.

Finley completed only 47.1% of his passes for 474 yards, 2 touchdowns and 5 turnovers for the 0-11 Bengals.

Dalton, 32, has started 128 games for the Bengals since 2011. He has thrown for 2,252 yards, 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions this season.

Athletics world champions among contenders for 2019 Sports Personality of the Year award

World 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith and world heptathlon gold medallist Katarina Johnson-Thompson have been included on the six-strong shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Both athletes broke British records when claiming their respective titles at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, with Asher-Smith clocking 21.88 to win the 200m and also improving her national 100m mark with 10.83 for world silver, while Johnson-Thompson bettered Jessica Ennis-Hill’s UK heptathlon record with a 6981-point score.

Asher-Smith also formed part of Britain’s silver medal-winning 4x100m team in Doha and won the 100m Diamond League trophy, while Johnson-Thompson gained European indoor pentathlon gold in Glasgow earlier in the year.

So it’s out!! I’ve been nominated for BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year!!! ???

This is so amazing, thank you @stormzy! Can’t wait for the 15th ? https://t.co/w1fpk59leG

— Dina Asher-Smith (@dinaashersmith) November 25, 2019

Also nominated are cricketer Ben Stokes, Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton, footballer Raheem Sterling and rugby union’s Alun Wyn Jones.

Public voting will take place during the live Sports Personality of the Year show on BBC One on December 15, which will be broadcast from Aberdeen in Scotland.

Honours for Greatest Sporting Moment, World Sport Star of the Year, the Helen Rollason Award, Unsung Hero, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award will also be announced on the night.

The 10-time global track gold medallist Mo Farah won the top SPOTY prize in 2017, while double Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes claimed the award in 2004.

Seb Coe, Daley Thompson, Fatima Whitbread and Paula Radcliffe are other athletics stars to have received the honour in the past.

Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt says he had a positive relationship with Racing 92 back Simon Zebo and has kept in touch with him since he moved to France.

The wing was not selected for Ireland by Schmidt after leaving Munster for the French club ahead of the 2018-19 season.

"If you interviewed Simon, he would tell you about me travelling to Munster pleading with him to stay in the country," Schmidt said.