HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Josh Williams will roll out his most meaningful paint scheme of the season during Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

For the Ford EcoBoost 300, Williams will campaign the Josh Williams Hospital Tour “handprint car,” featuring the handprints of numerous ill children from various locales across the country.

The special scheme is an initiative that Williams has been part of since 2015, when he was competing in the ARCA Menards Series, and is the one of the cornerstones of the Josh Williams Hospital Tour, an interactive experience Williams began as part of a desire to bring joy to chronically and terminally ill children.

The tour includes a driver meet and greet, as well as an activity or handprints on paper plates with patients, families and staff members. Those handprints are then digitized and compiled into a year-end handprint car to honor all those who were visited during the season.

It began with a visit to a young girl battling leukemia in Tampa, Fla., and quickly turned into a nationwide children’s hospital tour with 20 or more visits per year. At one time, Williams was actually visiting more children’s hospitals during the season than the number of races he was competing in on-track.

“The Josh Williams Hospital Tour and the handprint car have become tradition for my racing season and are two of the things I’m most proud to be a part of every year,” said Williams. “The car itself is a special way to honor and thank all of the patients we visit throughout the year for their support, enthusiasm and the stories and time they share with us and it’s always one of the most special schemes that we put on the race track all year long.

“We can’t thank all our sponsor partners that help us through the year enough for being supportive of the handprint car and the meaning behind it, and hope to give it a strong run in Saturday’s race.”

This year, Far Out Toys has joined forces with the Josh Williams Hospital Tour to bring their newly-licensed line of NASCAR toys – including Crash Racers – to the patients for them to enjoy.

Williams will make an appearance in the Kids Zone with Far Out Toys on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship race.

“To have the additional support of Far Out Toys this year on the Josh Williams Hospital Tour is a big thing for all of us and we’re honored and appreciative of their support in our mission of bringing joy to ill children just looking for a ray of hope in their individual fights,” Williams noted. “We look forward to working with them this weekend on the tour and at Homestead before the Cup Series finale.”

Williams will also visit Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Thursday leading into the Homestead weekend.

Two years ago at Joe DiMaggio’s, Williams met a young man named Andrew, who was the final patient Williams visited that afternoon. Andrew discussed with Williams how the at-the-time recently-released Nintendo Switch was broken at the hospital – meaning he could no longer play Mario Kart – and his parents couldn’t afford to buy him one due to his medical bills.

That evening, Williams found one of the Switch gaming systems, purchased it and returned to the hospital the next day to personally deliver it to Andrew as a thank you for his enthusiasm and conversation.

The following year, Williams returned to Joe DiMaggio’s for a follow-up visit and was surprised at the hospital by Andrew, who was in good health and back in school after his hospital visit.

“That visit is one of those moments that sticks with you,” Williams said. “To be able to bring the joy that we did to Andrew in his battle and then to come back and see how well he was doing last year after our visit, those moments are what this hospital tour has become about and are some of the reasons why we continue at it year after year.

“We’re proud to continue the tradition of the handprint car and the mission of the Josh Williams Hospital Tour for another year and look forward to all the activities we have planned this week and through the weekend.”

Williams is concluding his most-successful Xfinity Series season to date, with a career-best finish of eighth at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April and a career-high ranking of 17th in driver points coming into Saturday’s season-ending event.

MONTEREY, Calif. — It appears officials from Monterey County are in the process of finding a new organization to take over management of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

According to a published report by RACER.com Thursday afternoon, the Sports Car Racing Ass’n of the Monterey Peninsula has been informed by Monterey County Assistant County Administrative Officer Dewayne Woods that the county is negotiating with another organization to manage the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, which includes the race track.

The Sports Car Racing Ass’n of the Monterey Peninsula, otherwise known as SCRAMP, has managed WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for 62 years.

This is not the first time that Monterey County has tried to end its relationship with SCRAMP.

According to the Monterey Herald, in 2016 county officials began searching for a company to take over management of the facility when officials found out SCRAMP was having serious financial issues.

At the time two other groups – Long Beach Grand Prix founder Chris Pook’s World Automotive Championship and Friends of Laguna Seca, submitted bids to operate the facility. Friends of Laguna Seca, which included local motorsports supporters Gordon McCall and Bruce Canepa and longtime motorsports attorney Lauri Eberhart serving as general manager, were selected to begin exclusive negotiations with the county to operate the track.

However, a deal between the two entities never materialized and SCRAMP was suddenly back in the game. Eventually SCRAMP secured a three-year contract to remain as the managers of the facility, but the county acquired SCRAMP’s remaining interest in the race track as part of the arrangement.

In October, county officials again opened the bidding process for the management contract. By the Oct. 31 deadline county officials said they had received four proposals to take over management of the facility.

None of the candidates to take over management of the facility have been identified by the county.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has hosted a number of major motorsports events throughout history, with the NTT IndyCar Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship both competing at the track this year.

Calgary Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie collapsed at practice Thursday and was taken to a hospital.

According to multiple reports, Brodie was standing by himself when he fell to the ice and had an apparent seizure.

Medical personnel rushed to tend to Brodie, taking him off the ice on a stretcher and placing him on an ambulance. Brodie was responsive as he was being taken to the hospital, the Flames confirmed to TSN.

"T.J. Brodie experienced an episode on ice at practice today," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said in a statement issued by the team. "He is alert and responsive and has been transported to a local area hospital for evaluation."

The Flames canceled the remainder of Thursday's practice.

Brodie, 29, has spent his entire 10-year career with the Flames. He has eight assists in 21 games this season.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has complained that his team will be at a disadvantage heading into the Clasico against Barcelona on Dec. 18 due to the game's rescheduling.

Madrid will have 29 hours less to prepare for the league game at the Camp Nou than Barcelona. Barcelona's last game before the clash will be at Real Sociedad on Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. local time while Madrid host Valencia on Dec 15 at 9 p.m. local time.

"In the end, the only ones that are at a disadvantage by this are us," Ramos said in Thursday's press conference before Spain's Euro 2020 qualifier against Malta. "It's a pity that we didn't play the Clasico when it was meant to be played [on Oct. 26] because both teams would have gone into that Saturday game having had the same [rest]."

- Stream Euro 2020 qualifiers on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

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The Clasico on Oct. 26 was rescheduled due to political unrest in Catalonia. Ramos's comments come despite both clubs agreeing on and proposing that date.

"There is still a possibility to change that [date] and we hope for our sake that this will be the case," Ramos said. "If that cannot be done, then we will go to the game with the same mentality, which is to win it."

Ramos, who is on international duty with Spain, also gave his view on the Spanish FA's announcement this week that the Spanish Super Cup will be played in Saudi Arabia the next three years. The decision to stage the tournament in Saudi Arabia has been criticised because of the country's breach of human rights, especially women's rights.

"We, the players, can't do anything about that," Ramos said. "It's something that comes from above. Sport can unite and anything that can help in that respect, is welcomed. We have to try to find that balance. If that Spanish Super Cup helps bring changes in that country, then we will be proud one day that we have contributed to that."

Ramos, meanwhile, said he is delighted watching club teammates Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez train with Wales and Colombia, respectively. Bale has not played a minute since a Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia on Oct. 13 while James has missed Madrid's past four matches. Muscle problems kept both players out of Saturday's 4-0 win at Eibar.

"It's a club issue," Ramos said. "I'm happy that Bale has been training with Wales because it means that when he is back [from international duty], he will be available to play for us. Time puts people in their place. James and Bale are going to be very important for us. The sooner they get back to fitness, then the better it is for us."

Former United States international Landon Donovan has been named coach of United Soccer League side San Diego Loyal.

Donovan is also a vice president in charge of soccer operations at the second-tier franchise -- which will take to the pitch for the first time in 2020 -- and is part of the team's ownership group.

"I am truly honored to be named the first Manager in San Diego Loyal history," Donovan said in a team release. "This is the right place, at the right time, with the right people for me to begin my managerial career.

"I am extremely grateful to [club supporters group] The Locals and all of our amazing fans for putting their faith in me to help build a club that is authentically San Diegan. Together, we will put forward a product that all of San Diego can be proud of and that will bring smiles to countless faces."

Donovan, 37, won MLS Cup six times in his playing career, twice with San Jose Earthquakes and four times with the LA Galaxy, as well as playing in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen and the Premier League for Everton.

"There are no names more synonymous with men's soccer in the U.S. than Landon Donovan," said San Diego Loyal chairman Andrew Vassiliadis.

"Landon's talent and knowledge of the game goes beyond just his skills as a player; during all those years he was a student of the sport and developed relationships within the industry that will be vital to us as we launch our club and assemble its first roster. We are honored to have him lead our technical side, both on and off the pitch."

The club said that Donovan is expected to complete his U.S. Soccer coaching license sometime during the 2020 season.

The National Soccer Hall of Famer most recently played for indoor team San Diego Sockers.

Cape Town Blitz 183 for 6 (Livingstone 65) v Jozi Stars 126 (Bavuma 62, Magala 3-17) by 57 runs

It was third time unlucky for the defending champions, Jozi Stars, who were defeated by Cape Town Blitz for the second time in this edition of the tournament. After faltering in chase of 214 against the Blitz in the opener last Friday and falling 24 runs short of 168 against the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants midweek, the Stars' fortunes did not change and they were unable to hunt 184 under lights at Newlands. Despite a gusty 62 from captain Temba Bavuma, Stars remain at the bottom of the points table and have a mountain to climb to reach the playoffs. Blitz are up to second place.

Introducing Coetzee

He turned 19 just six weeks ago, is third on the first-class bowling charts and has now announced himself as the next big thing in South African cricket. Gerald Coetzee, who was schooled at St Andrews in Bloemfontein (the alma mater of cycling champion Chris Froome), made a big impression on his MSL debut by bouncing out the Blitz opening pair in his first spell. He had Janneman Malan caught at mid-off attempting a pull and Quinton de Kock caught behind off the top-edge. Coetzee had figures of 2 for 11 from his first two overs and if his night had ended there, he could have asked for nothing more. But, his next two overs, which included the final one of the innings, cost 31. Still, his overall analysis belies the early impact he made and in the gloom that is South African cricket at the moment, he is one to watch.

Living the good life

On arrival in Cape Town, Liam Livingstone spoke about his goals to go big in this tournament but with scores of 21 and 5, he wasn't doing that in the first two matches. Livingstone put that right in this innings with a blistering 65 off 41 balls, which started when he attacked the Stars spinners and then saw him take apart young Coetzee. He took liberties when he moved across his stumps to flick Coetzee over the wicketkeeper, first for four, then for six and then for four again. He also enjoyed Dan Christian's slower-ball bouncers too and gave the Blitz a fulcrum around which to build their innings.

Goodbye Gayle?

Reputation may not be enough to keep Chris Gayle in the Jozi Stars XI after a third failing in as many matches. Unlike the previous two chases, where he got starts of 17 and 18 respectively, this time he inside-edged on to his stumps for a fifth-ball duck to put his team in trouble early on. After defending three balls he could have hit into gaps and almost being yorked and run-out off the same ball, Gayle was beaten for pace by Anrich Nortje, proving that even someone who was once thought invincible in this arena, is fallible.

Welcome Wahab

If Wahab Riaz was feeling a little weary from Pakistan's T20 series loss to Australia, he certainly wassn't showing it. Fresh off the flight, he ensured the Jozi chase was over before it had even really begun when he played his part in a double-strike that put the Stars all but out of the contest. Wahab was at mid-on when Reeza Hendricks sent a Steyn ball swirling into the wind and steadied himself in time to take the catch. He was asked to bowl the next over and after starting with a wide, had Rassie van der Dussen caught behind for a duck to leave the Stars 27 for 3 in the fifth over, with victory still 157 runs away.

Linde's luck is in

Recent Test debutant George Linde had luck with his first ball when he had Dan Christian given out lbw trying to sweep. Replays showed the ball would have gone over the stumps but by then, the Jozi Stars were 65 for 5, with little hope of challenging further.

A man has been arrested and charged with felony vandalism for allegedly pulling the face mask off a Joe Montana statue outside Levi's Stadium on Monday.

Santa Clara police announced in a statement Wednesday that Jorge Alberto Lopez allegedly vandalized the statue, which is part of a two-statue display that memorializes "The Catch" -- when Montana threw a touchdown to a leaping Dwight Clark in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 10, 1982. The 350-pound statues of Montana and Clark are exactly 23 yards apart, the same distance as Montana's throw to Clark in the San Francisco 49ers' victory against the Dallas Cowboys.

After the Seattle Seahawks defeated the 49ers 27-24 in overtime on Monday night, a security guard witnessed the 37-year-old Lopez grab onto the face mask and pull it off the statue, police said. Stadium personnel detained Lopez until he was arrested by Santa Clara police at 9:50 p.m. local time, according to an arrest log.

The 49ers' director of corporate communications, Roger Hacker, told the San Francisco Chronicle that repair work has already begun on the Montana statue and is expected to be completed before Sunday's home game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Notre Dame's streak of 273 home sellouts is expected to end with Saturday's game against Navy, according to the school.

The streak -- the second-longest active run to Nebraska's 373, according to the South Bend Tribune -- dates back to the final game of the 1973 season, when Notre Dame beat Air Force on Thanksgiving Day in a game that was moved from Saturday to accommodate an ABC telecast. Notre Dame Stadium then had a capacity of 59,075 and the turnstile count was 57,236. The current capacity is 77,622.

"Based on ticket sales through Wednesday, we do not anticipate sellouts for our games against Navy and Boston College [on Nov. 23]," Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. "That this comes during a time of sustained success for our football program reflects both challenges impacting the ticket market nationwide and the unique dynamics of this year's schedule."

Swarbrick told the Tribune that holding three home games in November -- including a 21-20 win over Virginia Tech on Nov. 2 -- was a factor in the streak likely coming to an end.

Saturday's meeting will be the first time since 1978 that both Notre Dame (No. 16, CFP and AP) and Navy (No. 23 CFP, No. 21 AP) are ranked by The Associated Press.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Caris LeVert will miss four to six weeks, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, after the Brooklyn Nets guard underwent surgery Thursday to repair ligaments in his right thumb.

In announcing the procedure, the Nets did not provide a timeline for LeVert's return, saying he was out indefinitely and that updates on his status "will be provided as appropriate."

LeVert, 25, was set to miss his second straight game Thursday with what the Nets originally diagnosed as a minor sprain. He is Brooklyn's third-leading scorer this season, averaging 16.8 points in nine games.

Also, Nets All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving had been uncertain for Thursday's game in Denver against the Nuggets due to a right shoulder impingement, but he has been upgraded to probable to play.