I Dig Sports
Editor’s Note: This story was provided courtesy of Robin Miller and was originally published by Racer.com.
Auto racing cultivates a lot of feel-good stories and unlikely successes, but none may be more inspiring than Jeff Dickerson’s.
The Indianapolis native has gone from changing gears on Tyce Carlson’s midget to spotting for Jeff Gordon to representing Kyle Busch to working for Chip Ganassi… to victory lane last Sunday at Daytona as a winning NASCAR car owner.
Rookie Justin Haley was declared the winner of the Coke Zero 400 when rain brought out the red flag, and decided the outcome with Haley out in front in Dickerson’s Spire Motorsports Chevy.
“It’s a great story, and I’m happy for Jeff,” said Ganassi, who has had a working relationship for years with Dickerson involving drivers and sponsors. “I’m disappointed we didn’t win, but I’m glad he did, so he kept it in the family, so to speak.”
As a 17-year-old at North Central High School back in 1993, Dickerson was infatuated with racing but had no connections. So he started writing letters to Carlson, a North Central grad six years older who was running USAC midgets and sprints at the time.
“So I invited him to go to Salem with us,” recalls Carlson, a two-time Indy 500 starter who runs a real estate business today. “We came home, I dropped him off and two hours later he called and asked if he could come stay with me for a while. His dad had died when he was real young, and his mom had basically kicked him out of his house because he wanted to be a racer.
“I was 23 and living with my wife-to-be (Christy) at the time in an apartment, but I said, sure come on up. He showed up with two pillowcases full of clothes and stayed for four years.”
During that time, Dickerson learned how to set up a chassis, work on engines and whatever else needed to be done. But he made friends as fast as he picked up the nuances of racing, and after working with ace fabricator Danny Drinan, he went back with Carlson to be the team manager/spotter of Hubbard/Imke in the Indy Racing League.
It was also during this time that Carlson bought his friend a midget and he began racing at the 16th Street Speedway.
But after helping Robbie Buhl’s IRL team, Jeff got a call from Cary Agajanian that changed his career path. Aggie represented a lot of drivers at that time and saw how connected Dickerson was with all the young stars in USAC, so he hired him. When the son of the longtime Indy 500 car owner decided he was done with being an agent, his protégé formed Spire and signed Busch as one of his first clients in 2003.
Since then, Dickerson has represented Kyle Larson, Ricky Stenhouse, Ross Chastain, Landon Cassill and the late Jason Leffler. But despite having no formal training in that area or marketing, he had a gift for putting deals together, and that impressed Ganassi.
“Jeff is a go-getter and a hard-working guy with a good knowledge of this sport from grass roots all the way to the top,” said Ganassi. “He can talk to anybody and knows how things get done.”
Adds Carlson: “Everything he did was self-made and because of his personality and ability to put deals together. People trust him.”
Last year he and partner T.J. Puchyr borrowed $6 million to buy a NASCAR charter with the goal of growing Spire into a full-time Cup Series effort. Dickerson wasn’t at Daytona to celebrate, but Carlson texted him afterward.
“He’s like my little brother and I just knew he was going to go somewhere in racing because of his drive and his smarts,” said Carlson. “This doesn’t surprise me. It’s only the beginning.”
LOUDON, N.H. – Mahindra ROXOR has been named the title sponsor of the NASCAR Xfinity Series race scheduled for July 20 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“We’re pleased to welcome Mahindra ROXOR to our July race weekend,” said David McGrath, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “Just like Mahindra ROXOR vehicles, racing in New England is ‘built for the long haul,’ as the ROXOR 200 will mark the 34th NASCAR Xfinity Series race here at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.”
Mahindra has been building vehicles such as tractors, automobiles, airplanes, motorcycles and more for more than 70 years, building 600,000 automotive vehicles annually, all designed to complement many different channels of specialized businesses including construction, community work, ranching, search and rescue and, of course, hardcore recreation.
“We are excited to partner with New Hampshire Motor Speedway as a title sponsor,” stated Richard Ansell, vice president of marketing of Mahindra ROXOR. “The audience aligns well with our marketing strategy for ROXOR and the NHMS program is a perfect extension to our overall racing program.”
Fans can check out the latest ROXOR models in action at The Flat Track during the Friday Night Dirt Duels presented by New England Racing Fuel as they are used to prep the new 0.25-mile dirt track in between racing action. They’ll also be on display in the Fan Zone, located in the S2 lot, throughout race weekend in a 3,000-square-foot ROXOR display.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — International Speedway Corp. issued a preliminary proxy statement in regard to taking the public company private.
They are asking the shareholders to vote on and approve an agreement and plan of merger with NASCAR Holdings, Inc. This is an important step of the “going-private” transaction.
In November 2018, Jim France presented the Board of Directors a proposal, where-as the France Family Group would acquire the company by purchasing shares they did not already own.
The transaction value was $1.280 billion based on an acquisition price of $45 per share with approximately 28.475 million shares outstanding.
A Special Committee of Directors was formed to review, evaluate and negotiate on behalf of the shareholders with respect to the offer. Legal and financial advisors were retained to assist in the evaluation and due diligence process.
The initial offer to acquire was at $42 per share. The Special Committee initially responded with a counter-offer of $54 per share. Over the next several months, meetings and presentations were held. Negotiations went back and forth and both parties adjusted their expectations. In April 2019, they agreed that $45 per share would be in the best interest of shareholders and to pursue toward a definitive merger agreement.
During the early part of the season, the bankruptcy filing of DC Solar had a material impact on the industry. According to filings, NASCAR, International Speedway Corp. and its tracks were owed about $4 million. In addition, Chip Ganassi Racing was on the hold for $4.3 million and shut down its NASCAR Xfinity Series team as a result.
A class action lawsuit contesting the merger was brought by the Fireman’s Retirement System of St. Louis. They alleged that the initial proposal was too low and unfair to minority shareholders. It also noted conflicts of interest and lack of independence between the France Family, NASCAR and ISC.
After the offer price was raised several times, they eventually met with representatives and determined not to challenge the fairness of the transaction price.
Other interesting deal highlights included: NASCAR will purchase the shares of Brian France and potential deal termination fees of $117 million to NASCAR and $78 million to International Speedway Corp.
Financing for the deal was provided by Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and PNC Bank. The credit facility will total $1.650 billion consisting a term loan and revolver.
In late May 2019, the Special Committed determined that the $45 per share offer was fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the company and shareholders. Each shareholder will receive cash for their shares owned.
Several factors were cited in their recommendation, including the ongoing business pressures facing the business and industry, decreasing attendance, uncertainty over the broadcast contract negotiations, sanction agreement renewals and expiration of the motorsports tax provision.
The International Speedway Corp. Board of Directors approved and executed the merger agreement. The next step was to issue a proxy statement and submit the transaction for approval by the shareholders of the company.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2019 and is subject to the usual customary closing conditions.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Go Fas Racing has revealed the retro scheme that Corey LaJoie will pilot during the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
LaJoie and Go Fas Racing will travel back to the year of 1991 to honor 1999 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett. LaJoie’s GFR Ford will mimic the Nestle Crunch scheme Jarrett drove in the then Busch Grand National Series in 1991.
The 43-time NASCAR national series winner took the blue and white scheme to Victory Lane five times during the sponsor’s tenure with Jarrett, with two of those victories coming at Darlington. The scheme also made appearances in victory lane at Bristol, Charlotte and Rockingham.
In conjunction with his victorious efforts at Darlington in NASCAR’s second-tier series, Jarrett boasts three wins in the Cup Series at Darlington.
It’s also fitting that the 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee wheeled the No. 32 while driving the Crunch scheme just as LaJoie currently races the same number in NASCAR’s premier division. While Jarrett only drove the number in the Xfinity Series, the North Carolina native’s resume also includes a trio of Daytona 500 wins coming in 1993, ’96 and ’00.
LaJoie is proud to honor such a remarkable driver and his outstanding achievements in our sport.
“The car looks great and I’ve always been a fan of Dale, so to carry this scheme around Darlington is awesome. I think we did a great job keeping the scheme as close to the original as possible while incorporating the CorvetteParts.net logos into it. I can’t thank Tom and T.J. Keen enough for allowing us to run this design – it’s one of my favorite schemes. I might even have to shave myself a mustache so I don’t do the car a disservice,” LaJoie joked.
The Crunch-inspired scheme will flaunt longtime GFR partner, Keen Parts/CorvetteParts.net. Whether you’re looking for a complete interior for your vintage ’58 Corvette or a performance accessory for your ’09, they have the Corvette part you need and the expertise you want as Corvettes are their sole focus.
NHL offseason grades: How all 31 teams did in 2019 free agency
With the 2019 NHL free agency period winding down -- anyone going to sign Jake Gardiner? -- and plenty of trade shuffling putting big-name players in new cities, it's time to grade each teams' offseason additions.
Grades for all 31 teams from Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski evaluate each franchise's free-agent landings, with additional consideration to how each team navigated the trade market. The list starts with a savvy offseason for one Central Division contender and a pair of Metropolitan Division rivals looking to reenter the playoff picture.
Note: Teams listed from best to worst, and those with the same grade are in alphabetical order.
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
Dallas Stars: A
Jim Nill has been a big-game hunter over the past few seasons, including seeking but striking out on John Tavares, Erik Karlsson and others. He finally lured a big name in Joe Pavelski at three years, $7 million annual average value. Pavelski (four 37-plus-goal seasons over his past six) immediately adds a new dimension to Dallas' offense. But don't overlook the Corey Perry signing, either. Many around the league expect Perry, on a bonus-laden veteran deal, to rebound after a rough season following knee surgery, and there's no question he'll be motivated.
The Stars already have perhaps the best goalie tandem in the league and a stud blue line. Now their offense is catching up. -- Kaplan
New Jersey Devils: A
In the Tri-state area these days, it's all about keeping up with the Joneses. The Devils took a pause last season after their surprise 2017-18 success (they knew they would likely regress, so they didn't spend in free agency, then tumbled after Taylor Hall got injured). But once New Jersey won the draft lottery and selected Jack Hughes at No. 1 in the NHL draft, it accelerated its timeline and took a huge leap forward.
P.K. Subban adds star power to the blue line. Wayne Simmonds (only a one-year commitment) adds veteran leadership and grit. The biggest question mark in New Jersey? Goaltending. The Devils might eventually need an upgrade here, especially if Cory Schneider struggles again. -- Kaplan
New York Rangers: A
Each week on GolfChannel.com, we’ll examine which players’ stocks and trends are rising and falling in the world of golf.
RISING
Matthew Wolff (+10%): Not since Rickie Fowler has a player this dynamic and charismatic arrived on Tour. Buckle up for a fun ride.
Shanshan Feng (+8%): In firing four rounds of 67 or better, including a flawless 63 on Sunday, Feng sure didn’t look like the player who lost her way in search of more distance and missed the cut in the first three majors of the year.
Jon Rahm (+7%): Here we go again, with Rahmbo seemingly peaking for The Open, after his stunning 64-62 weekend to steal the Irish Open. He’s been the trendy pick before – think 2017, when he won the Irish and then tied for 44th at The Open – but maybe his newfound maturity will give him an edge.
Collin Morikawa (+5%): After his captivating duel with Wolff, Morikawa’s scoring average in 16 rounds as a pro is 68.6 ... which is awfully similar to how he performed in college. This is who he is: Studly.
Bryson (+3%): He’s awoken from his spring slumber to post back-to-back top-10s, including a thrilling runner-up at the 3M that included a clutch eagle on the 72nd hole. The dude’s primed for a postseason push.
FALLING
Crunch time (-1%): It’s put-up-or-shut-up time on Tour, with just four regular-season tournaments remaining before the playoffs. That’s bad news for veterans like Martin Kaymer (131st), Jimmy Walker (139th), Zach Johnson (140th) and Bill Haas (155th).
28 under (-2%): Tough living, that LPGA. All Ariya Jutanugarn got for shooting the third-lowest score in tour history was a runner-up finish. Twenty under was good enough only for an eight-way tie for 15th!
1 a.m. wakeup calls (-3%): On Nike’s Instagram story on Monday, a bug-eyed Tiger Woods posted about working out at 1 a.m., to train his body for the upcoming time change at Royal Portrush. Hey, whatever works when you’re 43 with a fused back, but something tells us Brooks Koepka isn’t preparing the same way.
John Daly (-4%): More drama, but what else is new for JD? After his request for a buggy at Portrush was turned down, Daly withdrew from The Open – not because of his arthritic knee, but rather because of a spider bite that required a trip to the ER. Daly said he had surgery for an abdominal infection and was treated for early sepsis, but apparently he’s on the mend – he reportedly has signed up to play next week’s opposite-field event in Kentucky. Hmm.
Phil (-5%): Always thought his creativity and short game would make him a contender at The Open for another decade, but there’s no other way to say it: Mickelson’s game isn’t in good shape as we head to the year’s final major. He’s missed four of his past six cuts, with no finish better than 52nd. Oy.
Young guns listed as pre-tournament favorites at Deere
Well, that didn't take long.
One week after Matthew Wolff broke through to win the 3M Open in just his third start as a professional, the youth movement has taken center stage at this week's John Deere Classic. The U.S. prelude to The Open doesn't boast much star-power this year, with world No. 55 Charles Howell III the highest-ranked player among the 156 participants.
It means there's another opportunity for the next generation to shine, with Wolff headlining the list of recent college standouts who will tee it up at TPC Deere Run. And the oddsmakers at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook have taken note accordingly, listing Wolff's former Oklahoma State teammate, Viktor Hovland, as the pre-tournament betting favorite at 18/1 in a relatively wide-open affair while making just his fourth start as a pro.
Hovland has finished T-13 or better in three of his last four starts, including the U.S. Open and last week's inaugural event in Minnesota. But the youth movement extends beyond the former U.S. Amateur champ, with the next three players at 20/1 all 22 years or younger: Chile's Joaquin Niemann, Tour rookie Sungjae Im and last week's runner-up, Collin Morikawa.
Wolff is among a veteran-laden group at 25/1, pitted alongside fellow Tour winners Howell, Daniel Berger, Kevin Streelman and Lucas Glover, as well as former Deere winner Brian Harman and de facto tournament ambassador Zach Johnson.
While defending champ Michael Kim shot 27 under last year en route to an eight-shot victory, he has struggled mightily since and returns to Illinois having missed 17 cuts in a row. Kim is listed at 300/1 to go back-to-back, while sponsor exemption recipient Hosung Choi is 500/1 as he gets set to make his second career PGA Tour start.
Brittany Lincicome announced late Monday that she has given birth to her first child.
She and her husband, Dewald Gouws, report that their daughter, Emery Reign Gouws, came into the world Monday afternoon, a bit earlier than they expected.
“So our little bundle of joy decided she didn’t want to wait anymore to make her grand entrance,” Lincicome wrote in an Instagram post. “I flew to Chicago for an outing yesterday, and she came today at 3:50 p.m. She is exactly 8 weeks early. So we need some prayers for her. So far she is doing awesome.”
Lincicome posted a photo of Emery.
“She is 4 pounds, 11 ounces,” Lincicome wrote. “Mommy and daddy love you so much.”
Lincicome flew from her Gulfport, Fla., home to the Chicago area on Sunday for the annual Rockford Pro-Am, which has supported various charitable causes over its 43-year history. The pro-am was played Monday, but Lincicome didn’t make it. She gave birth at a Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford. Gouws was there for the birth.
The baby was due Sept. 1.
“Mom and baby are doing great,” Gouws wrote in a text in an answer to a GolfChannel.com query. “The hospital is incredible and the staff amazing.
“Emery is already off oxygen and doing wonderful!”
Lincicome and Gouws have faced some challenges adding to their family. Earlier this year, Lincicome shared her heartache over the couple losing a child to a miscarriage last year. She shared the couple’s story in hopes that it would comfort other couples who have experienced that pain.
“There were a lot of tears, but God has a plan for us,” Lincicome said earlier this year.
There were tears of joy Monday in Rockford, and on Tuesday, Lincicome provided another update in the form of an Instagram video, saying the baby was "doing great."
Fortuna Dusseldorf have signed United States men's goalkeeper Zack Steffen on loan from Manchester City for the 2019-20 season.
The 24-year-old is making a return to the Bundesliga three years after leaving SC Freiburg for Columbus Crew.
- When does the transfer window close?
"I am happy to be coming back to Germany and be joining such a historic club," he said in a short video message released by Fortuna.
Earlier this summer, Steffen joined City from Columbus Crew for a fee between £7 million and £10m. He signed the contract earlier in 2019 and the transfer became official on July 9 -- the day Dusseldorf announced the loan deal.
Fortuna sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Steffen as "a modern keeper with a full skill-set."
He said of Steffen: "His technique is well-trained, he is strong in the one-on-one situation and is an outstanding footballer. Manchester City made the decision to sign him to a long-term deal for a reason."
Steffen, who only conceded two goals at the 2019 Gold Cup, will now look to make his first Bundesliga appearance after being limited to just 14 matches for Freiburg's under-23 side during his first stint in Germany.
He will compete for the place between the Dusseldorf posts with 35-year-old Michael Rensing, who played a solid season as Fortuna steered clear of relegation in their first year in the top flight since 2013.
Steffen won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2018 and featured in five of the six Gold Cup matches for the U.S., who finished the tournament as runners-up.
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