MOORESVILLE, N.C. — As auto racing enters the third decade of the 21st century, it continues to struggle with its place in an ever-changing sporting landscape.

It’s essentially a 20th century sport, out of place by today’s fast-paced technological world where a 16-year-old can win $3 million in a “Game of Thrones” tournament while race car drivers continue to put there lives on the line for a mere fraction of that.

There are two choices — become as high-tech as Formula One or remain so low-tech that it becomes an “antique sport.”

Auto racing has also struggled with its connection to the automotive industry, which has moved away from mechanical to electrical and into the land of driver assist. The problem is, without the vast dollars spent by automotive manufacturers, auto racing teams would struggle to survive.

But in order to justify the dollars spent on auto racing, auto manufacturers have to get some return on their investment.

This is known as “technology transfer.” It’s where the lessons learned on the race track can help the automotive industry get more power out of smaller engines or create the next electronic component that makes the passenger car more productive and more efficient.

Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Porsche and other car manufacturers aren’t investing millions of dollars to entertain a few, hard-to-please race fans. Gone are the days of, “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday,” as the marketplace has moved away from sedans to SUVs and hybrids.

That is why IndyCar’s decision to create a new engine platform utilizing hybrid technology beginning in 2022 is so important.

Before the old-timers start popping off about how this will ruin the sport, keep in mind this is “hybrid” and not “electric.”

The engines aren’t going to make that annoying, slot-car whining sound produced in Formula E. The hybrid will be part of a 2.4-liter internal combustion engine similar to that already used by Honda and Chevrolet.

It will not affect the sound, so save that rant for another day.

Also, it’s not full hybrid, but hybrid assisted. The cars will still need to make pit stops to refuel and the horsepower will increase to more than 900 — something race fans and drivers have wanted for the past two decades.

It will be the first time the vehicles will not use the traditional, manual hand-held electric starters to start the race cars. Instead, a hybrid component can be activated by the driver from the cockpit.

“It’s an exciting time for IndyCar with the forthcoming evolution of the cars and innovations like the hybrid powertrain being incorporated into the new engine and chassis,” said IndyCar President Jay Frye. “As we move toward the future, we will remain true to our racing roots of being fast, loud and authentic and simultaneously have the ability to add hybrid technology that is an important element for the series and our engine manufacturers.”

The hybrid system will work in parallel with the engines, combining growing hybrid technology with the traditional power plants to produce in excess of 900 horsepower for the most competitive racing series in the world.

The hybrid powertrain will be integrated into the push-to-pass system and provide a power boost to the tool used by drivers for overtaking on road and street courses. The current system, which is limited to 200 seconds per driver in those events, will gain additional horsepower from the hybrid system to help IndyCar reach its target goal of achieving 900-plus horsepower for its cars.

The hybrid technology will consist of a multi-phase motor, inverter and electric storage device that will create energy recovery from the car’s braking system.

The addition of the hybrid technology to the traditional engine formula will provide some integral benefits for the competitors while enhancing the racing. In addition to allowing drivers to restart their cars from the cockpit, the system will increase the horsepower of the push-to-pass system and potentially improve the pace and overall time of races.

IndyCar announced in May 2018 it would move to a 2.4-liter engine formula that would produce 900 horsepower beginning in 2021. The addition of the hybrid powertrain will push the debut of the new engine formula from 2021 to 2022, realigning it with the arrival of the next-generation chassis.

The move will allow IndyCar to continue working on other future innovations for the new package as well as extend the window of opportunity for an additional Original Equipment Manufacturer to join Chevrolet and Honda in 2022.

From a safety standpoint, the system will improve on-track situations by giving the driver the ability to restart the car quickly should it stall.

That safety feature also provides a benefit to the fan experience by potentially helping reduce the number of caution flags for stalled cars on track.

The new engine/chassis regulations will be in place for six years — 2022 through the ’27 season. It is a continuation of IndyCar’s initial five-year strategic competition plan that originated in 2016.

Chevrolet and Honda will continue with the current homologation table through the 2021 season.

IndyCar needed to make this bold step to remain in line with what is important to automotive manufacturers. After all, they are the ones that really pay a huge chunk of the bill.

SUGAR HILL, Ga. – Hermie Sadler will return to NASCAR Xfinity Series competition for the first time since 2016 this weekend at Richmond Raceway.

Fifty-year-old Sadler, a veteran of 265 Xfinity Series starts, will drive the No. 93 Chevrolet Camaro for RSS Racing with sponsorship from the Virginia Lottery on Friday.

Sadler, the 1993 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year and current analyst for NASCAR on FOX, is a two-time Xfinity Series race winner. He most recently competed in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series last season when he competed at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

“Each opportunity I have to compete is special at this point in my life and career,” stated Sadler. “One of the things that I am most proud of as a Virginia native is my longstanding relationship with the Virginia Lottery. What an honor it is to represent them. I truly appreciate their support of NASCAR racing in Virginia, from Richmond to Martinsville, and other short tracks across the Commonwealth”

Other sponsors joining Sadler in his effort at Richmond Raceway are Boyd Cars of Virginia, The NASCAR Racing Experience and Jacob Companies.

The Boston Pride of the National Women's Hockey League has been purchased by a team of investors, led by Cannon Capital managing partner Miles Arnone.

It's a significant step for the NWHL, which is aiming for sustainability as many of the sport's top stars have opted to sit out this season.

The NWHL owns and operates the four other franchises. Pegula Sports & Entertainment -- which also owns the Buffalo Bills and Sabres -- relinquished control of the Buffalo Beauts back to the NWHL after severing its ties with the league in May.

Arnone, who lives in Boston, said he has been interested in women's hockey "for a long time." He said he intends to hire a full-time team president, as well as "improve sponsorships, run more substantial ticket sale drives and focus on merchandise sales and outreach to the community."

"When you have localized ownership like we do, it's a lot easier to connect the team to the community," Arnone said.

The 2019-20 NWHL season begins on Oct. 5 with the Metropolitan Riveters visiting the Pride.

The NWHL still sets the league salary cap, but Arnone said if the team can "grow commercially" it will "advance the state of economics as it pertains to the players; then we can afford to pay the players better." Arnone said he has been in touch with the Pride's coach, former NHL player Paul Mara, and met with the players Monday night. Arnone said he will focus on other ways he can improve conditions for players, including how they travel to games, what type of facilities are available for practices and what resources, such as equipment, are made available.

Entering its fifth season, the NWHL has expanded its schedule to 24 regular-season games for each team. The league also increased its salary cap to $150,000 per team -- up 50 percent from $100,000 last season. Additionally, for the first time, players are receiving a 50% split of revenue from all league-level sponsorship and media deals. That includes the league's three-year streaming partnership with Twitch, which was announced this month,

The improvements come at a time of upheaval in professional women's hockey. Following last season, the NWHL's rival league, the Canadian Women's Hockey League, made the surprise decision to fold. Shortly after, nearly 200 players -- including top stars such as Team USA's Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hilary Knight, plus Canada's Marie Philip-Poulin and Shannon Szabados -- announced they would not be playing in any professional league next season as they await the formation of a "more sustainable league." According to a statement released to the players: "We cannot make a sustainable living playing in the current state of the professional game."

Arnone said the boycotting players did not deter him from getting involved.

"There's a lot of ways to think about the state of women's professional sports and people are entitled to their own perspective of best way to go about it," Arnone said. "Hopefully down the road there will be a way to get everyone back together."

In a statement, NWHL commissioner Dani Rylan thanked Arnone and his investors "for their belief in our league and players."

"Miles has a love for the game and deep connections in the New England community," Rylan said. "The Pride's new ownership is passionately committed to the team for the long haul, and we are confident they will set a new standard for how professional women's hockey teams are run in North America. Their dedication to investing in the Pride's infrastructure, player development, and every aspect of the sport and business is a game-changer."

The Boston Bruins have two of their young, key blueliners under contract for a couple of years after signing restricted free agent Brandon Carlo to a two-year deal Tuesday.

The team announced that the contract carries an annual average value of $2.85 million.

The Bruins signed defenseman Charlie McAvoy to a three-year, $14.7 million deal Sunday, leaving the team about $3 million under the salary cap.

While Carlo doesn't have the offensive prowess of McAvoy, he started to fulfill some of his promise on D this season. Carlo posted a plus-22 and drew some tough assignments in the playoffs as the Bruins advanced to the Cup Final.

The 22-year-old often found himself on the second pairing with Torey Krug.

Carlo is coming off a two-year entry-level contract that had a cap hit of $789,167.

Tom Laidlaw is in better shape than you.

No, really.

After his NHL career -- 705 games played with the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings from 1980 to 1990 -- the 61-year-old has found success on social media. Gone are the days when the defensemen delivered crushing body checks while creating space for teammates like Wayne Gretzky; today he delivers inspirational quotes and workout videos. Laidlaw is routinely up at 3:30 in the morning, posting workout videos for his "young grasshoppers," all in an effort to cultivate a positive atmosphere for others to be inspired.

Secretly, Laidlaw was also training for his next life goal: to be a contestant on "Survivor."

Now, the founder of True Grit Life has joined the cast of the 39th season of the CBS reality show. "Island of Idols" premieres Sept. 25 with a 90-minute first episode beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

ESPN caught up with Laidlaw in advance of the premiere.

ESPN: How long have you been a fan of the show? What are some of your favorite competitors from past seasons?

Tom Laidlaw: I watched from the start, but I've watched all the series [more intensely] since Season 25 when Jeff Kent was on. I liked how Ben the Marine [Season 35] would never quit when it looked like he was done. Tony [Vlachan, winner of Season 28] played a hard game, although I wouldn't play like him.

ESPN: When did you decide you wanted to give "Survivor" a try?

Laidlaw: I was initially asked about being on "Amazing Race" about two years ago, but we couldn't find anyone that was a good fit to go on with [me]. It was over a year ago that the idea of "Survivor" was brought to me by my business partner Bryan Girsch.

ESPN: Why "Survivor?" What was it about the show and competition that made you want to do this?

Laidlaw: "Survivor" puts into practice a lot of the core values of True Grit Life: discipline, devotion, dedication. You have to be disciplined, particularly in the social part of the game where there are so many people from so many backgrounds. You can't do things that put a target on your back. Devotion was needed in forming alliances. Dedication was needed because you are out there for 39 days, so you better be dedicated to your mission to win.

ESPN: What was the audition process like?

Laidlaw: [laughs] That was unlike anything I had ever done. There were other potential players in the hotel, and we couldn't talk to each other. That ended being kind of funny: same restaurant, same pool, same gym for five days. No talking -- and I love to talk.

We did a lot of physical and mental testing; that's where I found out I'm not very empathetic. We had interviews with Jeff Probst, the producers and some CBS people. That was fun -- we got to talk!

ESPN: How long did it take before you found out you were chosen to be a contestant? What was your reaction?

Laidlaw: It was three or four months before I found out. I was actually pretty confident I would get selected so I wasn't shocked, but it started to set in that "Wow, I'm actually going to be out on an island for 39 days sleeping in the dirt eating rice and coconuts."

ESPN: You must have received a lot of messages and texts once the announcement came out. Who in the hockey community were you surprised to hear from that reached out?

Laidlaw: Boomer Esiason is a friend and he's a huge Rangers fan; he was very excited for me. Jim Rome is also a friend, and he was excited for me when he heard. Mike Barnett -- my old boss at IMG when I was in the agent business [and also Wayne Gretzky's agent] -- called, and he was totally fired up. John Tonelli and I played together in Los Angeles; we have stayed close friends and he was thrilled.

ESPN: Compare being an NHL player vs. being a "Survivor" contestant: Which one was more grueling?

Laidlaw: When you are on an NHL team you are all pulling on the same rope in the same direction trying to win. Sometimes teammates can be tough on each other, but you move on from any differences because you want to win.

On "Survivor" -- especially early on -- you need to play somewhat of a team game while trying to watch your back. You need to be careful you don't offend people and put a target on your back. In that regard, "Survivor" might be tougher.

The pounding you give out and receive in the NHL is demanding, while on "Survivor" it's the lack of food that reduces your energy level. So physically, the NHL is tougher.

ESPN: We know you can't go into too much detail, but tell us what you can about the overall experience?

Laidlaw: I loved being out there playing. I was actually surprised how much I enjoyed it. I wanted to play hard, and I did that.

ESPN: How much fun was it doing the show overall? Where does it rank among your life experiences?

Laidlaw: Raising my two sons was the best thing I've ever done in my life. Playing in the NHL was a dream come true; something I wanted to do since I was a kid. "Survivor" was incredibly rewarding, because I got to test myself and challenge myself at 60 years old, when we are conditioned to think that it's time to dial it back.

ESPN: Would you do it all over again on another season if you were asked back?

Laidlaw: Absolutely I'd do it again, and I would not change a thing. It was glorious.

ESPN: After you went through the experience, who in the NHL (past or present) would you say would do very well as a contestant on "Survivor?"

Laidlaw: Larry Robinson. I played with Larry in Los Angeles. He was a great athlete, and he would be great at the social game. He was one of those guys you loved to be around.

ESPN: What are you up to these days?

Laidlaw: My company is called True Grit Life. It's largely based on how I was raised on my family's dairy farm. My father and grandfather would get up every day and milk the cows twice per day. I'm up everyday at 3:30 and I make my bed perfectly before I leave the room. I'm out the door on a march at 4 a.m. It's a march because we get the most out of every stride.

I love doing the motivational speaking. I feel like my life lessons and experiences really make a difference in people's lives. I have a lot of social media followers who love the fact that every day I'm out the door before 4 a.m. posting a video. They realize if I can do it, they can do it.

ESPN: How much involvement do you have with the NHL and, since you live in Connecticut, the Rangers?

Laidlaw: The Rangers have us actively involved in the community. We do charity games, kids' clinics and a lot of appearances.

To determine which NHL clubs are in the best shape for the next three seasons, we had our panel of experts rate each team in four categories -- roster; prospects; cap situation and contracts; and front office, ownership and coaching -- using this scale:

100: A+ (Elite)
90: A (Great)
80: B (Very good)
70: C (Average)
60: D (Very Bad)
50: F (Disastrous)
40: F- (The worst thing imaginable)

After averaging the results from the panelists, each of the four categories was weighted to create the overall score: roster (35 percent), prospects (25 percent), cap/contracts (20 percent) and owner/GM/coach (20 percent). The result is a comprehensive ranking based on how well each team is positioned for the future.

Read through the entire file from No. 1 to No. 31, or jump ahead to your team by using the quick links below:

Jump to a team:
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI
COL | CBJ | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA
LA | MIN | MTL | NSH | NJ | NYI
NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL
TB | TOR | VAN | VGS | WSH | WPG

1. Colorado Avalanche
Overall score: 87.8

Why they're here: Everyone in the NHL is talking about the Avalanche these days. They are loaded enough to win now, and their best players are young and cheap; case in point is Nathan MacKinnon, a top-three player in the league, playing on a ridiculous bargain at $6.3 million through 2023. Eventually, these guys will need new contracts, and that will test GM Joe Sakic's discipline. -- Kaplan

Points of concern: About the only point of concern for the Avalanche at this point is whether they'll meet the expectations that have been placed on them. Because otherwise, they have a young core that's the envy of the league, and a salary cap outlook for the next three seasons that is equally enviable. Coach Jared Bednar and GM Joe Sakic have rightfully earned their admiration with the group they've constructed -- now let's see what it does on the ice. -- Wyshynski

Cornerstone prospects: The Avs' blue line may be set for the next decade if Cale Makar and Bowen Byram reach their ceilings. Both are among the top defense prospects in the game, with Makar looking like one of the best such prospects in the past several years based on his development. Both have offensive talent and can really skate. Makar is a right shot; Byram is a left shot. Could this be the top pairing of the future for Colorado? If it is, that's going to be a great benefit to the team's forwards -- and of great detriment to the rest of the Central Division. -- Peters

Each week on GolfChannel.com, we’ll examine which players’ stocks and trends are rising and falling in the world of golf.

RISING

Suzann Pettersen (+10%): It was one of the greatest mic drops in sports history, a walk-off birdie on the final hole of the final match on the final day, sealing a hard-fought victory for the home team. That Pettersen – long one of the fiercest competitors in golf – announced soon after that she was retiring cemented her status as an all-time legend.

Joaquin Niemann (+8%): All of that potential was realized with a runaway victory in the season opener. The 20-year-old Chilean put his name in elite company alongside Seve and Rory as the youngest non-Americans to win on Tour.

Catriona Matthew (+7%): Captains always get too much credit or blame in team competitions, but a tip of the cap to Matthew. She had the guts to pick a rusty veteran, then the smarts to map out a perfect singles lineup that took back the cup.

Korda sisters (+6%): Jessica and Nelly each went 3-0-1 for the Americans, forming a formidable team that should wreak havoc for the next decade. The only disappointment was that the sister act sat out Saturday afternoon.

Viktor Hovland (+2%): With a closing 64 at the Greenbrier, young Hov has now shot in the 60s in his last 17 (!) competitive rounds, tying a Tour record. What a machine. 

FALLING

Lexi (-1%): It’s hard to win when your best player posts a losing record, and Thompson went 0-2-2 while also dealing with back spasms on the final day at Gleneagles.

Juli Inkster (-2%): She’s fun and feisty, elevating the U.S. team over the past six years, but this wasn’t her best performance. Her captain’s picks were uninspired, she broke up the Kordas because they’d “kill each other” (uh, they’re not 14 anymore), and then unveiled a curious singles lineup with unproven players on the back end. They're big shoes to fill, but it’s time to see what someone else (Cristie Kerr?) can do.

Marc Leishman (-3%): The Greenbrier was a week to forget for Leish, who was already bothered by four bulging discs – and that was before he was drilled in the back by an errant shot from one of his pro-am partners. His season-opening WD casts further doubt on his status this fall, and perhaps his participation later this year in the Presidents Cup.

Blogging Tiger (-4%): Predictably, Woods’ habit of signing off as “U.S. Team Captain Playing Captain” on his Presidents Cup blogs required clarification, with the Tour sending out a tweet that Woods has not, in fact, already decided that he’ll be playing and leading at Royal Melbourne. Uh-huh, sure ...

Suzann Pettersen might have been as surprised as everyone else when she decided to announce her retirement upon clinching the Solheim Cup.

Pettersen, who joined “Morning Drive” on Tuesday, said she had no preconception of calling it quits and that the decision was made in the moments after she made the putt to hand Europe victory at Gleneagles.

“When it all comes to an end and they [her husband and son] came walking towards me on that putting green together with all the other million people that were out there, it was just special,” Pettersen said. “And I told my husband, ‘Nothing will ever beat this, so I think we can just say enough is enough.’ And that’s me.

“It was impulsive. Nobody knew, not even I knew. It got to me – during those next couple of minutes after that putt was holed. I have no regrets.”

Pettersen’s son, Herman, was born in August 2018 and she missed nearly two years of competitive play prior to being a captain’s pick for the European team.

“I think it was just important to myself to prove that I could do it, to come back, put in the work, and perform at the absolute highest level,” she said.

“It’s probably more a massive relief than anything else. I literally proved to myself that I did it.”

Pettersen won 15 times on the LPGA, including two majors, and seven times on the Ladies European Tour. She has a career 18-12-6 record in the Solheim Cup.

As for the next chapter in her life, there is no real plan. And that’s what makes it so excited for her.

“It’s just very nice not to wake up having an agenda. It’s nice not to wake up any mornings feeling guilt that you haven’t practiced, that you haven’t done enough – question if you are prepared, are you ready. I don’t have to deal with those emotions anymore,” she said.

“Just to be able to wake up, be a mom … just really enjoy life.”

Juan Mata has backed Manchester United's youngsters to step up if boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hands them a chance in the Europa League this week.

United face Astana of Kazakhstan at Old Trafford on Thursday in their first European clash of the season.

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Solskjaer has hinted he could use the competition to hand experience to young stars including Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner and Mata believes they are ready.

"I very much like them," Mata said. "I could speak about every one of them.

"Gomes -- very talented. You can see he's a real football player: vision, decision-making, quick on his feet.

"Chong is a proper winger. Very quick one-against-one, a very nice left foot and a great shot.

"Jimmy Garner I like very much. Composure, personality on the ball, good shot, good decision-making. He touches the ball just the times he needs to.

"As a midfielder that's important -- not just to retain the ball a lot, but to make it move quicker, and he does it so much.

"Mason is a very good finisher, both legs. You can't really tell if he's right-footed or left-footed, which is a very good quality for a striker.

"All of them have been training with us for a long time and they developed a lot in preseason."

United have endured a mixed start to the season but rose to fourth in the Premier League table after their 1-0 win over Leicester on Saturday.

It was a positive start to a hectic week which will end with a tricky trip to West Ham on Sunday.

"If we want to get our objectives, we need to stick together -- managers, players and fans -- because there's many people on the outside enjoying it when Manchester United don't win," Mata said.

"It's key for us to stick together as a whole."