DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Acura Team Penske’s celebration for winning the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Daytona Prototype international title is over.

Last week at Daytona Int’l Speedway, both of the team’s Acura ARX-05 DPis and all six of the team’s drivers – full-timers Dane Cameron, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ricky Taylor and Helio Castroneves, and the team’s pair of endurance drivers, Indy 500 winners Simon Pagenaud and Alexander Rossi – were back in action on DIS’ famed high banks.

The team also confirmed last week that the driver lineups for 2020 will be the same as they were at the start of 2019. Cameron and Montoya will defend their DPi championship in the No. 6 with Pagenaud as their endurance co-driver. Castroneves and Taylor again will share the No. 7 for the full season alongside Rossi at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts and Motul Petit Le Mans.

Rossi was replaced by Graham Rahal for Motul Petit Le Mans last month as he was in Australia competing in the Bathurst 1000, which was the same weekend.

“We are working on all aspects,” said Castroneves. “We’re trying new things, but for the most part is we have a third member, who is Alex Rossi, trying to fit back in again in our team. We’re getting the stuff that normally you don’t have a chance (to do) because the track is busy in traffic. We’re trying everything we can to make sure that when we come back here, we are ready to go.”

Castroneves and Taylor finished third in the 2019 DPi standings. They finished on the podium in half of the season’s 10 races but did not have a race victory. They’re looking to flip that script in 2020.

“We were coming into it off of a great year for Acura Team Penske last year,” Taylor said. “I think the (No.) 7 car, in particular, has some unfinished business to get to as far as race wins. We had plenty of pace last year, but we’ve just got to complete the job this year, I think.”

If Taylor and Castroneves are among the “hunters” in the 2020 DPi class, Cameron and Montoya could be considered the “hunted.” Their championship run included victories at Mid-Ohio, Detroit and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and a total of seven podiums.

“The ball, for us, keeps rolling,” Montoya said. “Nothing’s changed for us. We have the same guys, same crew, same drivers, same everything. I think we have good momentum on our side. We’re here preparing the best we can for the 24 hours. I think this is one of the main goals of 2020 is to get this win with either car. Hopefully, the (No.) 6, but either car, honestly. But it’s exciting. I think we’ve got a realistic chance of winning it.”

Montoya, who’s already won three Rolex 24s in his career, is open to the No. 7 team scoring a Rolex 24 victory. Cameron – who now has three WeatherTech Championship titles on his résumé – is hungry to add a Rolex watch to his collection.

“Even more so than the championship, for myself, I think the goal has to be Daytona,” Cameron said. “That’s the one that’s gotten away from me in the last 10 years. That’s going to be the big motivator through all the winter training. It’s going to be Daytona and knowing I’m going to have another great opportunity there. It’s been very elusive for me over the last number of years. Hopefully, 2020 can be the year I can get my first Daytona 24 win.”

STATESVILLE N.C. – After a successful rookie season in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series with DGR-Crosley, Tyler Ankrum will join GMS Racing for his sophomore season next year.

The 18-year-old will join the team’s line-up along-side the 2018 Gander Trucks champion Brett Moffit, Sheldon Creed and the 2019 K&N East Champion, Sam Mayer.

“Adding Tyler (Ankrum) to our line-up is a great addition to our Truck Series program,” said Mike Beam, president of GMS Racing. “He is a talented young driver with a lot of potential and a great future ahead of him in NASCAR. I look forward to the success he will bring GMS in 2020.”

At the age of 17, Ankrum claimed the 2018 K&N Pro East Series championship, as well as the K&N East Rookie of the Year title. In his first full-time Gander Trucks season, the San Bernadino, Calif., native collected his first Gander Trucks win at Kentucky Speedway propelling him into the round of eight.

As the only Rookie contender to make the Playoffs, Ankrum clinched the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title at the conclusion of the regular season. On top of winning his first Gander Trucks race, Ankrum has accumulated three top-fives and nine top-10’s, with one race remaining in the season this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“I’m excited to move on to the next chapter in my racing career with GMS Racing and Chevrolet,” said Ankrum. “I’m pumped to work with my new teammates and hope I can bring something special to the team. I think we will win a lot of races and contend for the championship in 2020.”

Ankrum will be sponsored by LIUNA and RAILBLAZA for the majority of the Gander Truck Series season. Additional information regarding crew chief and truck number will be announced at a later date.

DETROIT – Jordan Taylor will depart his father’s Wayne Taylor Racing team to join Corvette Racing full-time beginning next season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Taylor will share driving duties of the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette C8.R with veteran driver Antonio Garcia. Taylor replaces Jan Magnussen, who departed the team in October.

Taylor has previous experience as a driver for Corvette Racing, having been part of the team’s endurance lineup from 2012-2017. In that span, he was part of a Corvette Racing victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 and finished second at Sebring Int’l Raceway and Petit Le Mans in 2012. Taylor is also a two-time IMSA driver’s champion.

“It’s a huge honor to be back with Corvette Racing for 2020 and part of the full-season lineup,” said Taylor. “I’m very proud to be joining one of the most successful teams in sports car racing history and to represent the Corvette and Chevrolet brands. I was very fortunate to spend six years with Corvette in the endurance races driving both the C6.R and C7.R. Now being back with the brand new C8.R is really special. I am especially happy to be back driving alongside Antonio, who I believe is one of the best GT drivers in the world. I know I will have a lot to learn over the next few months leading to Daytona, but I’m ready and looking forward to the challenge of GTLM.”

Taylor’s father, Wayne Taylor, congratulated his son in a statement and said his team would announce its driver lineup for next season in the near future.

“I want to congratulate Jordan on being named a factory driver for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing,” said Wayne Taylor. “As a father, I can’t express how proud I am to have both my sons in factory rides and, even though they are no longer with Wayne Taylor Racing, I can only wish them well. Our new driver lineup for the 2020 season will be announced in the coming days.”

In addition to Taylor and Garcia, Corvette Racing has also confirmed that Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner will remain with the team as co-drivers of the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have this group of talented drivers behind the wheel of the mid-engine Corvette C8.R for the 2020 IMSA season,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president, Performance and Motorsports.  “Given our rich history at Daytona Int’l Speedway, we are proud to debut the C8.R at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.”

Hours before his opening-round tee time at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Louis Oosthuizen's playing status was very much in question.

He had withdrawn from the Wednesday pro-am at Sun City as he battled kidney stones, and the pain even led to a brief hospital visit in nearby Rustenberg. Due on the tee at 10:28 a.m. local time, Oosthuizen told reporters that at 3 a.m. Thursday he "didn't think I was going to tee it up."

But tee it up he did, to the tune of a 9-under 63 that gave Oosthuizen a three-shot lead as he looks to win again in his native South Africa.

"I'm very chuffed with that round," he said.

The 2010 Open remains Oosthuizen's lone PGA Tour victory, but he has won a total of nine times on the European Tour. Five of those titles have come in South Africa, including an emotional win in December at the South African Open that ended a nearly three-year worldwide victory drought.

His affinity for Gary Player Country Club in Sun City includes six straight top-15 finishes, highlighted by a third-place showing last year. He's in position for another similar showing this week after a bogey-free effort that included four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the back nine.

It's another testament to the maxim "beware the injured golfer," as Oosthuizen quickly turned a possible withdrawal into a solid lead.

"This morning was very uncomfortable, but it sort of eased in. By 6, 7 o'clock in the morning it started getting a lot better," Oosthuizen said. "This morning was just a little niggly, but I went up to the range, hit a few shots and it didn't really bother me. It was more the walking fast that got it, so I just slowed everything down and it worked nicely."

Oosthuizen is expected to be a veteran leader at next month's Presidents Cup, where he'll make his fourth straight appearance for the International team. He qualified for Ernie Els' squad thanks to a quietly solid season, one that included a runner-up finish at the Valspar Championship, T-7 result at the U.S. Open and a return to the Tour Championship for the first time since 2015.

Having turned 37 last month, Oosthuizen hasn't missed a cut since Bay Hill (a run of 17 worldwide starts) and he finished third earlier this month at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China.

Despite a hospital trip and a painful wake-up call, he now has a chance to cap that run of consistent results with yet another victory in his homeland.

"I played good at HSBC two weeks ago. I know the swing is there, the putting is there," Oosthuizen said. "I just need to be healthy to play."

Euro 2020 kicks off in June next year and 20 of the 24 places at the tournament will be secured this month. Here is a look at the latest qualifying permutations and scenarios.

- Stream Euro 2020 qualifiers (live and replay) on ESPN+
- Qualifying tables | Upcoming fixtures

The top two teams (20 in total) in each group qualify automatically. Four more nations will qualify via playoffs, qualification for which is based on UEFA Nations League performance.

Six nations sealed their place before the November qualifiers.

QUALIFIED FOR FINALS
Belgium
Italy
Poland
Russia
Spain
Ukraine

JUMP TO: Who will take part in the playoffs? | Finals draw seeds and pots

GROUP A

Nov. 14: England vs. Montenegro, Czech Republic vs. Kosovo
Nov. 17: Bulgaria vs. Czech Republic, Kosovo vs. England

England need a point at home to Montenegro, and even if they were to lose at Wembley they would get over the line as long as Czech Republic vs. Kosovo is not a draw.

Czech Republic can qualify with a win at home to Kosovo, who need a victory in the game to have the best chance of qualifying. If Kosovo manage that, a point at home to England in their final qualifier would guarantee them a place at the finals. Kosovo do have a League D playoff, should they require it.

GROUP B

Nov. 14: Portugal vs. Lithuania, Serbia vs. Luxembourg
Nov. 17: Luxembourg vs. Portugal, Serbia vs. Ukraine

Ukraine have qualified, and Portugal will be sure of joining them if they win at home to Lithuania and in Luxembourg, so that means they are firm favourites. Portugal can also qualify on Nov. 14 if they beat Lithuania and Serbia fail to win against Luxembourg.

Serbia must win at home to Luxembourg and Ukraine, plus hope Portugal fail to win one of their games, which appears unlikely. Serbia are guaranteed a playoff if they finish outside the top two.

GROUP C

Nov. 16: Germany vs. Belarus, Northern Ireland vs. Netherlands
Nov. 19: Germany vs. Northern Ireland, Netherlands vs. Estonia

Netherlands will qualify for the finals if they avoid defeat in Northern Ireland on Nov. 16. Even if the Dutch suffer a defeat, leaving the two nations level on points, they would remain favourites with Estonia to play at home while the Irish travel to Germany.

Germany are level with the the Dutch on 15 points, but second on head to head. They will qualify if they win at home to Belarus next time, and Northern Ireland do not win. A point would also see them to the finals if the Irish are beaten.

Northern Ireland are three points behind but all 12 have come against the group's lesser lights. To have a chance of qualifying automatically, Northern Ireland will now surely have to win at home to Netherlands and in Germany, and hope one of their rivals drop surprise points.

There is an unlikely scenario where all three nations finish on 18 points, which means it would come down to head-to-head goal difference as each team would have beaten each other once and lost once.

GROUP D

Nov. 15: Denmark vs. Gibraltar, Switzerland vs. Georgia
Nov. 18: Republic of Ireland vs. Denmark, Gibraltar vs. Switzerland

Republic of Ireland remain on top of the group from Denmark on head to head. They only have one qualifier remaining, at home to the Danes, and are guaranteed to qualify with a win as long as Switzerland do not draw one of their two remaining games.

If Switzerland do draw a game (and win the other), and Denmark beat Gibraltar, the three teams will finish on 15 points and they will also be level in the head-to-head mini-league, meaning it comes down to goal difference in games between the three teams. In this scenario, Ireland will have to win by two goals to qualify at Denmark's expense; Switzerland would be guaranteed to qualify.

If Denmark get at least a point against Gibraltar, they would be then assured qualification with a point in Dublin. They cannot qualify if they lose to Ireland and Switzerland win both matches.

Although Switzerland sit outside the top two, they are now firm favourites to qualify. They are sure to go through with four points from games against Gibraltar and Georgia. Their injury-time second goal against Ireland means they no longer have to win both matches.

Denmark and Switzerland are both sure of a playoff, should they need it.

GROUP E

Nov. 16: Azerbaijan vs. Wales, Croatia vs. Slovakia
Nov. 19: Slovakia vs. Azerbaijan, Wales vs. Hungary

Croatia lead on 14 points, and will be guaranteed qualification if they at least draw at home to Slovakia on Nov. 16 -- their final qualifier.

Second place is held by Hungary on 12 points, and they too have only one match remaining, away in Wales. If Slovakia fail to beat Croatia, Hungary would be guaranteed to qualify with a win in Cardiff.

Slovakia sit third on 10 points, and while they face the difficult trip to Croatia, the final fixture is at home to Azerbaijan, who have only one point. Win both games and they will qualify. If Slovakia do not win in Croatia, they will still be guaranteed to qualify if they beat Azerbaijan and Wales draw at home to Hungary.

Wales only have eight points and must win both their matches to have a chance, the first being away to Azerbaijan. They must also hope Slovakia fail to win one of their matches. If Slovakia and Wales finish level on 14 points, Wales will qualify on the head-to-head rule.

There is a combination of results (it would need Slovakia drawing at home to Azerbaijan) that leaves the three teams tied on 14 points. In this eventuality, it would be 1. Croatia, 2. Wales, 3. Slovakia.

GROUP F

Nov. 15: Norway vs. Faroe Islands, Romania vs. Sweden
Nov. 18: Sweden vs. Faroe Islands, Malta vs. Norway, Spain vs. Romania

Spain have secured their place, but the real battle follows behind as Sweden sit in second, one point ahead of Romania with Norway a further three points behind.

Sweden should only need a point in Romania as they have Faroe Islands to play at home on the final day, but need a victory to absolutely confirm it on Thursday.

It means Romania know they must beat Sweden to be in contention. If Romania win against Sweden and in Spain, qualification is guaranteed. If draw their final match in Spain, they would need to have beaten Sweden 1-0 or by two goals or more to be second on the head to head. Because Sweden play Faroe Islands, it is very unlikely they are able to qualify if they lose to Spain.

Norway must beat Faroe Islands and Malta, plus hope Romania-Sweden is a draw and that Romania get no more than a draw in Spain, and Sweden lose to the Faroes. Again, the Sweden-Faroes fixture effectively rules that out.

Sweden and Norway have a guaranteed playoff should they need it.

GROUP G

Nov. 16: Slovenia vs. Latvia, Israel vs. Poland, Austria vs. North Macedonia
Nov. 19: North Macedonia vs. Israel, Latvia vs. Austria, Poland vs. Slovenia

Poland are through and Austria are almost there too, five points clear of Slovenia and North Macedonia with two games left to play. They will qualify with a point at home to North Macedonia. Even if they lose the first game, a point in Latvia then will almost certainly see them in the finals.

North Macedonia must win in Austria to stay in contention, then beat Israel at home and hope Austria lose in Latvia (who do not have a point). If Austria draw in Latvia, North Macedonia would need to have overturned the 4-1 head-to-head deficit with Austria in their meeting.

Austria and North Macedonia would both be guaranteed a playoff.

There's only slim hope for Slovenia, who must win at home to Latvia and away to Poland plus hope Austria lose both their games, and North Macedonia fail to beat Israel.

Israel have a similar situation to Slovenia. They must win at home to Poland and in North Macedonia, and need Austria to lose both fixtures as well as Slovenia fail to win a game. They are almost sure of a playoff.

GROUP H

Nov. 14: Turkey vs. Iceland, France vs. Moldova
Nov. 17: Albania vs. France, Andorra vs. Turkey, Moldova vs. Iceland

Turkey will qualify if they avoid defeat at home to Iceland on Nov. 14. Even if they lose, victory at minnows Andorra would still complete the job.

France need a win at home to Moldova in their next game to qualify. If they fail to get the victory, they will be through if Iceland do not beat Turkey (if Iceland win, a France draw vs. Moldova means they would need a point vs. Albania; a France defeat to Moldova and they would need to beat Albania).

Iceland now only have very slim hope. They would need to win both games and hope Turkey fail to beat Andorra, or France pick up no more than one point. Iceland are guaranteed a playoff, which they will surely need.

GROUP I

Belgium and Russia have qualified, while Scotland will take part in the League C playoff path.

GROUP J

Nov. 15: Armenia vs. Greece, Finland vs. Liechtenstein, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy
Nov. 18: Italy vs. Armenia, Liechtenstein vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece vs. Finland

With eight wins out of eight, Italy are through to the finals and are guaranteed to be seeded in the finals draw

Finland are almost there and will qualify for their first-ever finals with a win at home to Liechtenstein, or if Bosnia fail to beat Italy that day.

Bosnia and Herzegovina must beat Italy and Liechtenstein and hope Finland pick up no more than one point (second match is vs. Greece), and also must hope that Armenia do not win both matches. Bosnia lose the head to head with Armenia, and if the three teams finish level on 16 points it will be Finland who advance to the finals. Bosnia are guaranteed a League B playoff.

Armenia's defeat to Finland all but ended their hopes. They must win both remaining games, their final group match being away in Italy, and hope Finland lose both matches.

PLAYOFFS

The best-performing nations from the UEFA Nations League who do not qualify automatically for Euro 2020 will get a playoff place.

There will be 16 teams in the playoffs, with four in each from a UEFA Nations League path.

The winners of the two one-legged semifinals will meet in the final for a place at Euro 2020.

The playoff system is explained in greater detail here.

The UEFA Nations League rankings are below.

As it stands, the teams in bold would enter the playoffs. Romania would likely be drawn into the path of League A because, as hosts, they require a playoff route to the finals that does not include another host and Scotland, as Nations League group winners, have the right to take the League C path.

There would be a draw to decide which of Bulgaria and Israel takes the remaining slot in the League C path.

*Guaranteed to take part in playoffs

League A: Portugal, Netherlands, England, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Poland, Germany, Iceland

League B: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Austria, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland

League C: Scotland*, Norway, Serbia, Finland, Bulgaria, Israel, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Cyprus, Estonia, Slovenia, Lithuania

League D: Georgia*, Macedonia, Kosovo, Belarus*, Luxembourg, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Gibraltar, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Malta, San Marino

It means the playoffs, at present, would look like this:

Switzerland vs. Bulgaria/Israel/Romania
Iceland vs. Bulgaria/Israel/Romania

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Northern Ireland
Wales vs. Slovakia

Scotland vs. Bulgaria/Israel
Norway vs. Serbia

Georgia vs. Belarus
North Macedonia vs. Kosovo

FINALS DRAW

The draw will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30 in Bucharest, Romania. The draw ceremony will begin at midday ET (6 p.m. CET) and is expected to last 50 minutes in total (with 20 minutes for the draw itself).

- Euro 2020 finals draw: All you need to know

As it stands, based on teams in automatic qualifying positions, the draw pots would be:

Pot 1: Italy, Belgium, Ukraine, England, Netherlands, Spain
Pot 2: Poland, Turkey, Croatia, Republic of Ireland, Russia, Germany
Pot 3: France, Denmark, Czech Republic, Portugal, Austria, Sweden
Pot 4: Finland, Hungary, Switzerland, Bosnia, Scotland, Georgia

*Highest-ranked nations are used for the playoff winners in this illustration.

One team from each pot would be drawn into the six groups.

Waqar Younis has backed Pakistan's young pace bowlers not to be intimidated in the two Tests against Australia but has warned them about getting carried away by the conditions they are likely to face.

Pakistan, who have never won a series in Australia, have brought three teenage quicks on the trip - Naseem Shah, Muhammad Musa and Shaheen Afridi - with the uncapped 16-year-old Naseem, who could make the starting XI alongside Afridi, generating the most excitement ahead of the Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.

In his first bowl of the tour, on the final day against Australia A in Perth, Naseem sent down eight rapid overs and produced a brute of a delivery to dismiss Marcus Harris to back up his embryonic first-class return of 27 wickets at 16.66 from seven matches.

Waqar, who toured Australia as a 19-year-old in 1990, is currently Pakistan's bowling coach and has been passing on advice to the young pacemen but is confident they can stand up against an Australia batting line-up that includes the prolific Steven Smith.

"There will be an intimidating factor, but they have to cope with it and I'm sure these guys will be able to do it," Waqar said in Sydney as he was honoured by the Bradman Foundation. "I remember my own time when I first arrived in 1989, it's not an easy place to bowl but with these guys - Mohammad Musa, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi - I'm really excited. Looking at our attack we have a fair chance of getting Australia [bowled out] early."

The impressive performance against Australia A - Pakistan reduced them to 9 for 57 in the first innings - has instilled further confidence, but Waqar is alert to the mistakes that many visiting bowlers make. "Sometimes you get carried away because of the bounce, it makes you feel like a world-beater but it's not the case, you really have to bowl in the right channel to get wickets. That's my job, to help them out and tell them about bowling in the right areas.

"The advice is the same, that it doesn't come easy, you have to really put in and keep going. It is going to get tough at times, you have to keep pushing yourself, working on your fitness, because then you'll bowl quicker, get more wickets. It's hard work on these big fields, hard pitches, it takes a lot out of you as a teenager and we have to keep our fingers crossed that they stay fit and can challenge the Australians."

That is also where the more experienced heads will also come in vital. Imran Khan pushed his claims for a recall with 5 for 32 against Australia A while Mohammad Abbas comes with the outstanding Test numbers of 66 wickets at 18.86 including 17 at 10.58 when these teams met in the UAE last year. He is likely to be given the role of longer spells to allow the young quicks to operate in short bursts.

"Abbas is a very smart bowler, he knows what he's doing, reminds me a bit of Glenn McGrath - he bowls that channel really well," Waqar said. "He's been in great form the last time Pakistan played Australia but those pitches were very different. I hope he adapts quickly. Unfortunately he couldn't play the three-day game because he had a problem with his teeth but hopefully he'll play the two-day game and be ready."

Another key figure will be the legspinner Yasir Shah who endured a torrid time on the 2016-17 tour with eight wickets at 84.00 and an economy rate over four. "You are also hoping that Yasir Shah bounces back," Waqar said. "He didn't have the best of series last time around. If he can get it right he'll be a handful."

Pakistan will continue their preparations for the first Test with a two-dayer against a Cricket Australia XI at the WACA starting on Friday before they head to Brisbane on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby underwent surgery for a core muscle injury Thursday and is out a minimum of six weeks, the team announced.

General manager Jim Rutherford said that the surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers of the Vincera Institute in Philadelphia. The team said in a statement that Crosby has been dealing with a sports hernia since training camp.

Crosby, 32, left the ice in the third period of the Penguins' shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. It wasn't clear when he was injured, but he had fallen awkwardly and also took a puck off the leg earlier in the game.

Crosby leads the Penguins with 17 points on five goals and 12 assists in 17 games. Pittsburgh is currently fourth in the Metropolitan Division.