Wait, the Indians went 18-1 against the Tigers? Inside the historic season-long domination

Published in Baseball

Thursday, 19 September 2019 18:39

Let's be direct here: This shouldn't happen at the major league level. One team should not go 18-1 against another. It feels almost impossible in a sport where the spread between the best winning percentages and worst winning percentages is not as large as in the NBA or the NFL. Bad teams beat good teams all the time. It's the nature of baseball.

But it happened. The Cleveland Indians beat the Detroit Tigers 7-0 on Thursday, finishing the season series with an 18-1 record against Detroit. That had never happened before. Since the majors split into divisions in 1969, no team had defeated an opponent 18 times. Since the format of 19 games against division opponents began in 2001, the best record had been 17-2 (including the Yankees against the Orioles this season).

Of course, the Tigers aren't exactly the 1998 Yankees:

The 1998 Yankees, perhaps the best team ever, had a run differential of +309.
The 2019 Tigers have a run differential of -306.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) September 20, 2019

Still, how does a team go 18-1? Let's find out with a quick game-by-game recap!

April 9 at Detroit: Indians 8, Tigers 2

It seems so long ago when Leonys Martin and Brad Miller were on the Indians. It's OK if you don't recall those halcyon days of April and May. Indians fans probably don't remember them either. They hit two of the club's four home runs.

April 10 at Detroit: Tigers 4, Indians 1

This was it. The victory. Matthew Boyd allowed one run in six inning, Niko Goodrum and John Hicks homered off Trevor Bauer, the Tigers made no errors and the Tigers were 8-4 and in first place, half a game ahead of the Indians.

April 11 at Detroit: Indians 4, Tigers 0

Shane Bieber won his first game of the season, tossing seven shutout frames and allowing three hits. Martin doubled and homered - on his way to a .199 average for Cleveland.

June 14 at Detroit: Indians 13, Tigers 4

The Tigers allowed 17 hits, walked five batters, allowed six unearned runs and struck out 10 times. Not a good night at the ballyard.

June 15 at Detroit: Indians 4, Tigers 2

Too much Bieber again. He fanned 12 in 7.2 innings.

June 16 at Detroit: Indians 8, Tigers 0

Bauer throws the four-hit shutout. Tigers pitchers surrender 14 hits and six walks. Are you getting the idea Detroit's offense may be on the weak side?

June 21 at Cleveland: Indians 7, Tigers 6

Game tied in the bottom of the eighth, Jose Ramirez singled on a dribbler down the line to start the winning rally. Jason Kipnis hit what the umpires ruled was a home run, but replay overturned the call and Kipnis instead had a triple. He scored anyway on a sac fly. In the top of the ninth, JaCoby Jones doubled to lead off and Christin Stewart singled him home. Then this happened:

Tigers lose 7-6.

June 22 at Cleveland: Indians 2, Tigers 0

If you're going to make your major league debut, the 2019 Tigers were a pretty good team to make it against. Aaron Civale allows two hits in six scoreless innings.

June 23 at Cleveland: Indians 8, Tigers 3

The Indians tag Daniel Norris for six hits and five runs in the second inning and Zach Plesac allows one run in seven innings

July 15 at Cleveland: Indians 8, Tigers 6

The Tigers hit four home runs! But the Indians bang out 14 hits - including two home runs by Oscar Mercado, the second one breaking a 5-5 tie after a rain delay:

July 16 at Cleveland: Indians 8, Tigers 0

If you're counting, this is four shutouts in 11 games. Four pitchers combined for the one-hitter.

July 17 at Cleveland: Indians 7, Tigers 2

Mike Clevinger fans 12 in six innings as the Indians staff combines for 17.

July 18 at Cleveland: Indians 6, Tigers 3

This would turn out to be Bauer's final home game in an Indians uniform. He fans 10 and Brad Hand strikes out as the Indians get 14 K's - that's 31 over two games. If you're counting.

August 27 at Detroit: Indians 10, Tigers 1

Adam Plutko and three relievers allow three hits and record 15 strikeouts. The Tigers allow 13 hits, five walks, six unearned run, throw a wild pitch, hit a batter and give up three home runs.

August 28 at Detroit: Indians 4, Tigers 2

It's tied 2-2 in the top of the eight when Francisco Lindor hits one just far enough:

August 29 at Detroit: Indians 2, Tigers 0

Yep, another shutout. Clevinger goes eight innings, Hand closes out the four-hitter.

September 17 at Cleveland: Indians 7, Tigers 2

The Indians rip out eight extra-base hits. The Tigers do not.

September 18 at Cleveland: Indians 2, Tigers 1 (10 innings)

Civale goes 7.2 innings, but the game goes extra innings. How does the winning run score? Roberto Perez led off the innings reaching on an error. After a bunt, an intentional walk, a groundout and another intentional walk - that's two more intentional walks than the Astros have issued all season, by the way - Yasiel Puig just misses a walk-off grand slam:

play

0:22

Puig stares down walk-off single in 10th

Yasiel Puig walks the Tigers off with an RBI single roped to right field in the bottom of the 10th inning.

September 19 at Cleveland: Indians 7, Tigers 0

That's 17 straight wins over the Tigers and six shutouts for Cleveland in the season series. Not only did the Indians outscore the Tigers in 18 of 19 games, the Tigers had more hits than the Indians in just one game (they one won). The season stats against each other:

Indians batting: .302/.367/.524, 29 home runs, 6.11 runs per game

Tigers batting: .200/.239/.331, 16 home runs, 2.0 runs per game

The Indians ended up outscoring the Tigers 116 to 38, a plus-78 run differential (4.11 per game). Where does this season destruction rank on the all-time list? Some others that I found (not comprehensive):

Division era shutouts (10 or more wins)

1993 Braves vs. Rockies: 13-0, +56 runs (4.31 per game)

1996 Indians vs. Tigers: 12-0, +51 runs (4.25 per game)

1998 Yankees vs. Royals: 10-0, +56 runs (5.6 per game)

Division era domination

2019 Yankees vs. Orioles: 17-2, +68 (3.58 per game

2006 A's vs. Mariners: 17-2, +60 runs (3.16 per game)

1986 Mets vs. Pirates: 17-1, +55 runs (3.06 per game)

1975 Reds vs. Cubs: 11-1, +48 runs (4.0 per game)

1974 Braves vs. Padres: 17-1, +62 runs (3.44 per game)

1974 Dodgers vs. Padres: 16-2, +82 runs (4.56 per game)

Dominant teams of the past

1954 Indians vs Red Sox: 20-2, +58 (2.64 per game)

1953 Dodgers vs. Pirates: 20-2, +63 runs (2.86 per game)

1939 Yankees vs. Browns: 19-3, +85 runs (3.86 per game) 1927 Yankees vs. Browns: 21-1, +85 runs (3.86 per game)

Fun note: The Dodgers went 16-2 against the Mets in 1962 and 1963.

As you can see, Cleveland's dominance over Detroit is one of the most impressive we've seen. But get this: the Astros may match that 18-1 record. Houston is 16-1 against Seattle with two games remaining. Their run differential per game, however, is a mere 3.24.

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Team events commence, differing fortunes for France

Published in Table Tennis

Thursday, 19 September 2019 16:33

In men’s class 9, Clément Berthier and Lucas Didier recorded a 2-1 win in opposition to the no.2 seeds, the Swedish pairing comprising Emil Andersson and Daniel Gustafsson. Likewise in men’s class 10, Mateo Boheas and Gilles de la Bourdonnaye secured a 2-0 success when facing Spain’s Jorge Cardona and José Manuel Ruiz, similar to the Swedish pairing, the second seeds.

Success for France but there was the other side of the coin. In men’s class 7, Stéphane Messi and Kevin Dourbecker, the no.2 seeds, experienced a 2-0 defeat when facing Denmark’s Peter Rosenmeier and Henrik Brammar.

First and second progress

Defeat and their only defeat of the day, a situation which also applied to Emil Andersson and Daniel Gustafsson, as well as to Jorge Cardona and José Manuel Ruiz; teams finishing in first and second positions in each group advance to the main draw. The door is open.

However, in the women’s team events, in class 6-8 for the pairing of Anne Barneoud and Thu Kamkasomphu the door is firmly closed. The top seeds, they suffered 2-1 defeats in both their group phase fixtures. They were beaten Norway’s Aida Dahlen and Nora Korneliussen; then by Poland’s Dajana Jastrzebska and Katarzyna Marszal. Aida Dahlen and Nora Korneliussen now face Dajana Jastrzebska and Katarzyna Marszal to determine top place in the group.

Poland and Germany

A somewhat surprise success for Poland, in the men’s events there were both scenarios. In class 1-2, Rafal Czuper and Tomasz Jakimczuk recorded a 2-0 against the no.2 seeds, Slovakia’s Rasul Nazirov and Dimitry Lavrov; conversely in class 11, Marek Chybinski and Damian Fira, experienced a 2-1 defeat when opposing Germany’s Dirk Hartmann and Florian Hartig.

Good form from Dirk Hartmann and Florian Hartig, it was the same from colleagues Yannick Ruddenklau and Joshua Wagner; competing in class 9, they posted a 2-1 win in opposition to the top seeded Belgian duo of Laurens Devos and Marc Ledoux.

Slovakia

Meanwhile for Slovakia there was better news in men’s class 7 and good news for Serbia in men’s class 3.

Impressively, in the former Miroslav Jambor and Tomas Valach secured a 2-0 win in opposition to the top seeds Spain’s Jordi Morales and Alvaro Valera; in the latter Sinisa Bradasevic and Malden Ciric recorded a 2-1 victory when confrnting the no.3 seeds, Ukraine’s Vasyl Petruniv and Oleksandr Yezyk.

Play in the team events continues on Friday 20th September.

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Greenwood vindicates United's Lukaku call - Ole

Published in Soccer

Thursday, 19 September 2019 16:46

MANCHESTER, England -- Mason Greenwood has proved it was the right decision to let Romelu Lukaku leave Old Trafford, according to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Greenwood, 17, became the youngest United player to score in Europe with the winner in a 1-0 victory against FC Astana in the Europa League on Thursday night and Solskjaer believes the club's decision to let Lukaku move to Inter Milan without signing a replacement has been justified.

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"For me it was the right decision for the club," Solskjaer told a news conference. "He is going to be important for us this season. He's not played a lot so far, but he'll get minutes."

Greenwood started in a youthful team that also included Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and Axel Tuanzebe. United are keen to secure Greenwood's long-term future with a new contract and Solskjaer revealed the club are already in negotiations.

"We're always in talks with the boys, how we see the future and Mason is one we want to keep with us," said the Norwegian.

"He is learning every single day in training, training with better players and the more match time he gets the better tempo and today was a good introduction for him."

Despite watching his side kick off their Europa League campaign with a win to see them top of their group, Solskjaer insisted afterwards there was still room for improvement.

United managed 20 shots but were reliant on Greenwood's solitary goal 17 minutes from time to take home the three points.

"When you don't score in the first half from four or five massive chances you wonder if it's one of those nights," said Solskjaer.

"I didn't feel confident we'd win the game until the ref blew his whistle. We didn't play it out well and these boys need to learn that."

Nemanja Matic, who captained United on a night when Ashley Young and David De Gea were on the bench, added: "It was a hard game. First half we tried to open the game and to score a fast goal but they had a solid defence.

"It's good for the [young players] to have the opportunity to play these games. They have to use that, to work hard to get more chances."

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Mariota's mistakes contributing to Titans' losses

Published in Breaking News

Thursday, 19 September 2019 06:31

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans great Eddie George addressed the team before practice last Thursday, urging the players to take the home opener against Indianapolis personally. If quarterback Marcus Mariota took former running back's words to heart, he's surely feeling sick after Tennessee's disappointing loss.

Mariota finished the day having completed 19 of his 28 pass attempts for 154 yards and a touchdown. But there were a lot of plays left on the field for him and the Titans offense. No one questions Mariota's talent and potential, but issues that typically plague first- or second-year quarterbacks continue to surface even in Mariota's fifth season.

The very first offensive play of the game is a perfect example: Mariota had Delanie Walker wide open with plenty of space to run, but the pass was behind the tight end and fell incomplete. (Animation provided by NFL Next Gen Stats.)

Instead of starting the game with a big play, the opening series resulted in a three-and-out.

Mariota missed another opportunity later when he didn't connect with a wide-open Corey Davis on an out-breaking route that would have been at least a 12-yard gain. Instead, Tennessee was forced to punt, failing to take advantage of a Logan Ryan interception that gave the Titans the ball at their own 40-yard line.

Sacks are another issue. The Titans gave up four on Sunday, but some of those are on Mariota for not getting rid of the ball fast enough. Walker had a chance at making a big play when he was wide open on a crossing route, but Mariota failed to pull the trigger even though the tight end came open right in front of him. The play ended in a 7-yard loss when Mariota was sacked.

Make way for Denico Autry. #INDvsTEN pic.twitter.com/r5TCgzhlWL
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 15, 2019

"Maybe instead of taking some of these sacks, just dumping it off so we can go and get some positive yards. Those are things that I've got to do better and help our offense out," Mariota said during his postgame news conference.

"We discussed being able to scramble when you have to scramble," coach Mike Vrabel said, "and know when you have to get out there, check the ball down when you have to, or throw it away when you have to."

Mariota could have checked down to running back Dion Lewis for a minimal gain on a third-down play in the third quarter, but instead he took a sack that resulted in a 7-yard loss. That led to a longer field goal attempt for Cairo Santos (from 45 yards), who missed the kick.

"In that situation, obviously getting the ball out [and] not taking a sack would've been better," Mariota said of the play.

Mariota's lone touchdown pass came on a tackle-eligible play in which he found offensive lineman David Quessenberry for a 1-yard touchdown. Quessenberry was able to haul in the pass even though it was slightly behind him.

Mariota's accuracy, field vision and pocket awareness have to get better.

To his credit, Mariota does make some outstanding plays to offset the bad ones. He has shown an ability to extend plays and still deliver strikes to receivers down the field. For example, he rolled to his left on a play against the Colts and delivered a bullet to A.J. Brown for an 11-yard gain on an out-breaking route. Mariota's play-action pass to Davis in the first quarter was also on the money, allowing him to gain yards after the catch.

Winning and losing is a total team effort. It's wrong to say the Titans lost on Sunday because of Mariota, but it's fair to say they could have won if he had played better. Mariota has to make progress if the Titans want to make a run and find themselves playing after December.

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Cubs scratch struggling Hamels; Mills gets start

Published in Baseball

Thursday, 19 September 2019 16:46

CHICAGO -- With their season on the line, the Chicago Cubs were forced to scratch veteran left-hander Cole Hamels from his scheduled start Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, choosing to pitch Alec Mills in his place.

Hamels, 35, has left shoulder soreness that is expected to sideline him for one outing.

"Anytime a guy like that says it's bothering him a bit, you have to really believe it," manager Joe Maddon said. "Especially at this time of year, how much he loves to compete and play right now."

Hamels has struggled over the past couple of months, compiling a 7.36 ERA in his eight most recent starts.

Mills, 27, will make his third start of the season after spending most of the year at Triple-A Iowa. He gave up five runs in 10⅓ innings in his first two starts.

Meanwhile, Anthony Rizzo, who wasn't in the original lineup Thursday night, is playing. He'll lead off and play first base. He has been out since Sunday with an injured ankle.

The Cubs also activated closer Craig Kimbrel from the injured list; he's been out with elbow soreness. He is available for Thursday's opener of a four-game series against St. Louis. The team could also benefit from the return of Javy Baez -- at least as a pinch runner. Baez has been out with a thumb injury but was cleared to resume light baseball activities. Maddon is expected to use him only on the basepaths, if he's needed.

"He'll wear one of those oven mitts," Maddon said.

The Cubs entered Thursday three games behind the first-place Cardinals in the National League Central, and the teams play seven of their final 10 games against each other.

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Back from the brink, world champions reach final

Published in Table Tennis

Thursday, 19 September 2019 10:11

A full distance five games win for the reigning world champions but they came within millimetres of defeat.

Having lost the opening two games and being very much out of sorts against Lee Sangsu and Jeon Jihee, they trailed 1-7 in the third; it appeared it would only be a matter of time before a notable Korean victory was hailed. It was not to happen, at 8-10, the Chinese duo saved two match points, they then won the next two and the tide had turned.

Upsets

Almost an upset, in the men’s singles events there were upsets, Wong Chun Ting being the biggest name to depart, followed by Japan’s Kazuhiro Yoshimura and India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta.

Wong Chun Ting, the no.7 seed, experienced a second round defeat at the hands of DPR Korea’s An Ji Song, the no.28 seed; he suffered by the very narrowest of margins (11-5, 11-5, 4-11, 4-11, 12-10). A nail-biting win, An Ji Song continued his good form; he promptly beat Korea Republic’s Kim Minhyeok, the no.36 seed (11-2, 11-5, 11-6) to reserve his place in the fourth round.

Mixed fortunes

Good fortunes for DPR Korea, for Japan and India, it was mixed fortunes. Manav Vikash Thakkar, the no.31 seed, flew the flag for India by recording a third round win in opposition to Kazuhiro Yoshimura, the no.12 seed, a contest decided by the minimal margin (10-12, 11-13, 16-14, 11-4, 11-9).

Similarly, by the two point decision in the final game, the effervescent Takuya Jin brought smiles to those who support the Land of the Rising Sun. The no.18 seed, he ended the hopes of Sharath Kamal Achanta, the no.13 seed, in an equally tension packed contest (4-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, 14-12).

Imposing performances

Defeats for notable names but not for the most notable of all; the Chinese trio comprising Xu Xin, Fan Zhending and Lin Gaoyuan imposed their authority on proceedings, as did Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto.

In the third round Xu Xin, the top seed, beat Kuwait’s Ibrahem Al-Hasan (12-10, 11-5, 11-5), Fan Zhendong, the no.2 seed, accounted for DPR Korea’s Ri Jong Sik (11-7, 11-4, 11-5). Likewise, Lin Gaoyuan, the no.3 seed, overcame Macao’s Cheong Chi Cheng (11-4, 11-7, 11-3), Tomokazu Harimoto, the no.4 seed, ended the hopes of Malaysia’s Wong Qi Shen (12-10, 11-3, 11-8).

One casualty

Meanwhile, as matters advanced in the women’s singles event, there was just one major casualty, Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu, the no.15 seed, suffered at the hands of India’s Ayhika Mukherjee, the no.30 seed (6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9).

Otherwise for the leading names it was second round success. China’s Chen Meng, Ding Ning, Liu Shiwen and Wang Manyu showed no charity. Chen Meng, the top seed, beat Sri Lanka’s Jithara Warnakulasuriya (11-5, 11-3, 11-3), Ding Ning, the no.2 seed, ousted Malaysia’s Alice Chang Li Sian (11-2, 11-4, 11-1). Likewise, Wang Manyu, the no.3 seed, overcame DPR Korea’s Pyon Song Gyong (11-5, 11-8, 11-3), Liu Shiwen halted the aspirations Hong Kong’s Minnie Soo Wai Yam (11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-3).

Doubles surprise

Unexpected outcomes in the men’s singles and women’s singles events; there was also a major upset in the men’s doubles competition; in the second round DPR Korea’s Ri Jong Sik and Ham Yu Song beat Korea Republic’s Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu, the no.3 seeds (12-10, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9), before reserving their place in the quarter-finals courtesy of success in opposition to Chinese Taipei’s Liao Cheng-Ting and Wang Tai-Wei (11-6, 11-8, 12-10).

Defeat for the third seeds, but not for the two higher rated pairs; in the third round Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin, the top seeds, beat DPR Korea’s Kim Ok Chan and An Ji Song (11-9, 11-4, 11-5), colleagues Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan, the no.2 seeds, halted the aspirations of Jann Mari Nayre and Misal John Russel of the Philippines (15-13, 11-6, 11-8).

Likewise, in the women’s doubles event, the top two pairs booked quarter-final places in an untroubled manner. In round three, Chen Meng and Wang Manyu, the top seeds, beat Thailand’s Nanthana Komwong and Jinnipa Sawettabut (11-4, 15-13, 11-2); colleagues Ding Ning and Zhu Yuling, the n.2 seeds, ousted Nepal’s Elina Maharjan and Nabita Shrestha (11-8, 11-3, 11-6).

On Friday 20th September when play closes, the semi-finalist in the men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles will be knwn.

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Rugby World Cup 2019: Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell says he is fit to face Georgia

Published in Rugby

Thursday, 19 September 2019 14:00

Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell says he is fit to face Georgia in the Rugby World Cup opening game on Monday.

Patchell suffered a head injury against Ireland in the final World Cup warm-up game against Ireland and was forced off the field.

The fly-half suffered two concussions playing for Scarlets in 2018-19 season.

"The return to play is going fine and I am available for selection," said Patchell.

There were fears the 26-year-old could miss the World Cup but he has come through the concussion protocols and is fit for selection alongside fellow fly-half Dan Biggar.

"These things take the time they take. I've learnt that over the years," said Patchell.

"There is no point worrying about it. You've got to be philosophical about these things and be quite relaxed.

"The more worked up you get the chances are the more your symptoms will persist. Was there much of an issue?

"I had probably the best night of sleep I'd had in months on the Saturday after it happened and that always helps. Once you get back into return to play you have to trust the medics and get on with it. Whatever happens, happens."

Patchell outlined what players went through before they were allowed to return to action.

"There are a lot of tests," said Patchell.

"You have to remember words and be able to do a series of balance and cognitive tests and they will ask you what the 10 words were at the end of the test.

"Right from the start you have to try and remember what they are. There is a cognitive sports test.

"There are also the symptoms, You can't return to do much until you are symptom free and the medics I have encountered have been good with that and have not pushed it.

"They ask how you are feeling and you and there is a gradual return to play in terms of the amount you can do in training.

"It is a pretty thorough process and the hardest things is do I feel all right. Yes or No in terms of it is almost a danger of you think too much about and almost give yourself a headache. Do I have a headache because I am thinking too much about it almost?

"We are a long way away from that now and looking forward to being fit for selection for Georgia."

Patchell was caught in the head by the knee of Ireland back-rower CJ Stander and the fly-half admitted he was working on his tackling technique.

"Yes it's probably something we're always conscious of," said Patchell.

"We're always doing tackle club on the end of Tuesday sessions with Wales. So tackling is always a work on."

Wales have today travelled from Kitakyushu to Toyota City where they play their opening game.

The squad has been rocked by backs coach Rob Howley's departure from the team over an alleged betting breach with Stephen Jones arriving on Thursday to replace him.

Patchell and Dan Biggar were name-checked by Warren Gatland as stepping up in training.

"Being a leader is part of the job description," said Patchell.

"You have to try and understand the coaches message and be able to deliver that on the training field and in the game.

"That is part and parcel of being a 10.

"The situation is not ideal but he (Rob Howley) put some excellent building blocks in place and the real big parts of the game this weekend were put in place early doors.

"Jinks (Neil Jenkins) has taken on a bit more responsibility as well and pulling together to make sure we perform on Monday night.

"That's the focus. Whatever has happened has happened and everything is looking forward. "There is no use looking back. Unfortunately that has happened and let's crack on with the rugby.

"Steve is an awesome coach and has a lot of enthusiasm for the game and has a real deep understanding of the game should be played.

"I think the boys will enjoy what he has to bring. I am sure you will see a bit of Stephen's influence in terms of the odd thing even for the Georgia game possibly."

Listen again: Sam Warburton's guide to RWC captaincy

Pick your Wales XV to play Georgia

Pick your players from the list below

Can't see this selector? Visit this page: Pick your Wales XV to play Georgia

All pictures in the selector from Huw Evans Images.

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Field Set For VIR Charity Pro-Am

Published in Racing

Thursday, 19 September 2019 11:30

SOUTHLAKE, Texas – A strong field is set for the Sportscar Vintage Racing Ass’n Vintage Race of Champions Charity Pro-Am presented by Chopard Watch this Saturday at Virginia Int’l Raceway.

Indianapolis 500 veteran Donnie Beechler and sports car aces Chris Dyson and Mike Skeen have confirmed their entries, bringing the field to 14 professionals and amateurs.

“The VROC Charity Pro-Am Presented by Chopard Watch will be a great race,” said SVRA CEO Tony Parella. “This field of legendary drivers is reminiscent of the original IROC series. Many competed in IROC, including Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Labonte, and both of them became champions of that iconic series. We will crown four new champions this Saturday.”

The VROC Charity Pro-Am at VIR is the final event and has attracted 14 racers with four in AP, and 10 for BP. Race winners are awarded the same number of points as there are entries in their class. The winner will score four points in AP, and 10 in BP. Other finishers will score one less point for each descending position in the running order.

Willy T. Ribbs, who leads the AP title chase, can ensure he is the professional champion with a runner-up finish. His co-driver, Ed Sevadjian, can nail down the amateur crown with a third-place finish. In BP, Jim Caudle is the clear favorite to take top honors, requiring a third-place to close the deal. As for the professionals, Davy Jones leads by three markers and the third step on the podium will also ensure him the title. In the unlikely event of a tie, the competitor with the most race wins will be awarded the championship trophy.

Chopard, the Swiss artisan of luxury timepieces, and the official watch of SVRA, will present an SVRA-branded watch to the champions of AP and BP, both professional and amateur, at VIR.

Dyson will pull double-duty at VIR. He currently races in the top TA class in the Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli which shares the track with SVRA this weekend. He was TA Rookie of the Year last season, winning at Road Atlanta and posting four podium finishes on the way to third in the championship. He’ll be back at in TA this weekend.

Dyson began his motorsport career as a teenager, racing karts on dirt ovals and from there to SCCA club racing with a Spec Racer Ford before launching his professional career in 2001 in Grand-Am. He claimed five overall wins in the Rolex Series in 2002, finishing runner-up in the championship. Competing in the American Le Mans Series from 2002 through 2011, Dyson won the LMP 675 title in 2003 and the LMP1 championship in 2011. His racing CV includes three 24 Hours of Le Mans starts. Alongside his Trans-Am road racing program Dyson also competes in USAC, racing in Silver Crown, sprint cars and midgets on dirt and pavement.

Beechler is a four-time starter in the Indianapolis 500 and drove for the great A.J. Foyt in his final appearance in the race. He had 36 career starts in Indy car races, finishing on the podium twice. Beechler is a long-time midget and sprint car driver competing in the USAC Silver Crown series and at prestigious events such as the Chili Bowl midget car classic. Beechler was inducted into the Springfield, Illinois Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Skeen began racing in karts and later stepped up to win the 2008 NASA SpecE30 national championship. By 2011 he was driving full-time in Pirelli World Challenge GT and continued there through 2015. During that time, he scored several race wins and frequently appeared on the podium. In 2014 he finished second in the championship, scoring three wins and five pole positions.

In 2017 Skeen competed in the Blancpain Endurance Series as well as continuing part-time with PWC. He has been racing in IMSA GTD since 2016. A versatile driver, Skeen has competed in NASCAR, FIA World Endurance, and the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar series. He also achieved class wins in the 2012 SCORE Baja 1000 and the 2014 Pikes Peak Hill Climb where he was awarded Rookie of the Year.

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Parker Chase Joins AIM Vasser Sullivan

Published in Racing

Thursday, 19 September 2019 12:05

Parker Chase

DALLAS, Texas – AIM Vasser Sullivan has announced the addition of driver Parker Chase for the Motul Petit Le Mans on Oct. 9-12 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

“AIM Vasser Sullivan is pleased to announce that Parker (Chase) will be driving for our team during the Petit Le Mans race,” said AIM Vasser Sullivan co-owner Jimmy Vasser. “Parker is a young, up and coming driver, and we look forward to helping him develop his career.”

AIM Vasser Sullivan campaigns two identically prepared Lexus RC F GT3s in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Chase joins Jack Hawksworth and Richard Heistand behind the wheel of the No. 14 AIM Vasser Sullivan Lexus. Last weekend, Hawksworth and Heistand, concluded the inaugural IMSA GTD Sprint Cup Manufacturer and Team Championship with a second-place finish.

Chase joins AIM Vasser Sullivan after most recently competing for Starworks Motorsports. As a result of Chase’s departure and the departure of a sponsor, Starworks has withdrawn from the Motul Petit Le Mans.

“Without a doubt, this has been a challenging season, and sometimes it’s better to regroup and focus on the future,” said Starworks Motorsports team owner Peter Baron. “Multiple things outside our control set us up for failure since day one. I’m very proud of how we operated and wouldn’t change a thing we did as a team.

“What we can do moving forward is change what we have control over and prepare ourselves for a better year ahead,” added Baron. “We’ve been working on our 2020 plans for some time, and look forward to getting the final players and pieces in place. We are happy for Parker to get this opportunity with another program and wish him the best.”

Chase, 18, a native of New Braunfels, Texas, is one of North America’s up and coming sports cars drivers. He began racing in Karts at the age of 10 winning multiple championships, is the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge Rookie of the Year and the 2018 World Challenge SprintX Pro/AM Champion.

“I’m really excited to be joining AIM Vasser Sullivan for the Petit Le Mans,” said Chase. “The team has had great success in their first year in IMSA, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this leads. I really want to thank Sulli (James Sulli Sullivan), Jimmy (Vasser) and Andrew (Bordin) for this opportunity.”

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Modified Racer Bob Potter, 78

Published in Racing

Thursday, 19 September 2019 12:06

NORWICH, Conn. – Hall of Fame modified driver Bob Potter died Wednesday after a medical emergency and subsequent automobile accident. He was 78.

According to the Norwich Police Department, Potter suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel on Tuesday around 4 p.m. and lost control of his pickup truck, making a sharp turn before hitting a school bus and multiple other vehicles.

Potter was transported to William W. Backus Hospital with life-threatening injuries before passing away the following day.

Potter was a five-time SK Modified champion (1988, ’91, ’92, ’94, ’95) and 24-time SK Modified winner at Stafford Speedway, ranking seventh all-time on the track’s SK Modified division win list. His last victory at Stafford came in 1999.

He also took down six track titles at New London-Waterford Speedbowl during his career, with three modified championships (1976, ’80, ’83) and three SK Modified championships (1986, ’87, ’89).

A 94-time Waterford feature winner, Potter is second on that facility’s all-time win list in modifieds (59) and fifth all-time in SK Modified wins at Waterford.

Potter retired from full-time driving in 1999, but had been the pilot of the Stafford two-seater modified since 2012. He stepped away from that post in June due to an impending medical procedure.

“All of us at Stafford Speedway are saddened by the loss of a great friend and mentor in Bob Potter,” Stafford Speedway officials said in a statement. “For more than six decades, Bob was a true representative of the sport. The Stafford Speedway racing community has lost a great hero. A five-time SK Modified champion, with 24 overall wins at Stafford, his passion for racing is unsurpassed.

“In his retirement from competitive racing, Bob gave back to the racing community, as he continued as the driver of the two-seater modified at Stafford, always looking to give the fans a good ride. Bob was always looking at the big picture and enjoyed sharing ideas. It is without a doubt that we will miss Bob, but his legacy as a champion and love for racing and life will serve as an inspiration.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Dale, son Bob Jr., daughters Debbie and Ginny, and all his family and friends.”

Potter was a 2007 inductee into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame and a 2016 inductee into the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame.

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