HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – Joe Gibbs Racing has entered into an agreement with the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society to serve as an associate sponsor on Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 19 Toyota Camry.

“B.A.S.S. is thrilled to enter into this partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing and the Bass Pro Shops No. 19 car,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “As an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, Martin Truex Jr. is a great fit as an ambassador for our sport. This partnership also amplifies our common partnerships with Toyota and Bass Pro Shops. Most importantly, in a year where we are celebrating the fans of B.A.S.S., it connects our organization with racing fans who are also fans of fishing.”

B.A.S.S. is the world’s largest fishing organization with a growing membership that has now reached 510,000.

A media-and-events company that celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, B.A.S.S. conducts the world’s most prestigious professional bass fishing tournaments and reaches millions of fans each month through its flagship magazine Bassmaster, Bassmaster.com, and the highly rated The Bassmasters television program.

“It’s great to have B.A.S.S. come on board as an associate sponsor with our No. 19 Toyota Camry,” said Truex. “It’s no secret that I love fishing so this is obviously a great fit. B.A.S.S. has done a lot to advance the sport and I look forward to working with them and through their partnerships with Toyota and Bass Pro Shops.”

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Two Indianapolis 500 legends, one of the last century’s most versatile competitors and a pair of California stock car racing pioneers comprise the 2019 Heritage Class of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.

Bill Vukovich and Bob Sweikert, winners of three Indianapolis 500s between 1953 and 1955, are set for induction later this summer.

They are joined by sports car champion George Follmer, two-hemisphere modified campaigner Marshall Sargent and Rick Henderson, NASCAR’s first West Coast national champion.

Their election brings to 11 this year’s West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame class of enshrinees. Induction ceremonies, presented by Gateway Motorsports Park, will be held June 20 at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif.

The event serves as the kickoff to Sonoma Raceway’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series West weekend.

Previously announced 2019 inductees are NASCAR team owners Gary Bechtel and Bob Bruncati; late Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs; four-time NASCAR premier series champion Jeff Gordon; NASCAR weekly series national champion Doug McCoun and NASCAR K&N Pro Series champion Eric Norris.

“Phenomenal is an appropriate word to describe the Class of 2019,” said Ken Clapp, chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. “Our Heritage Class inductees showed the nation and the world that some of racing’s greatest champions came out of California and the west. Their impact on the sport in the post-World War II era and the mid-20th century was nothing short of incredible.”

This year’s ceremonies mark the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame’s 16th inductions. The event is being held at the Meritage Resort and Spa for the seventh consecutive year. The Hall currently has enshrined 147 individuals, beginning with the 2002 inaugural class.

Below are short biographies for this year’s West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame Heritage Class:

– One of America’s most versatile motorsport figures in the middle of the 20th century, Follmer collected points in Formula 1, won SCCA Can-Am and Trans-Am titles, won a U.S. Auto Club Championship Car (now Silver Crown) race at Phoenix Raceway and posted top-five finishes in NASCAR’s premier series.

– A Petaluma, Calif., competitor, Henderson was the first west coast driver to win a NASCAR national racing championship, capturing the 1959 sportsman title. He also won the State of California championship in the same season, a title he previously won in 1957 and subsequently won in 1961-62.

– A true international star, Sargent won an estimated 500 feature races in the United States and Australia during a 20-year racing career. Racing out of San Jose, he starred in hard tops and supermodifieds and won the NASCAR State of California championship in 1960.

Among Sargent’s other accomplishments were 88 race wins at the old San Jose Speedway, a paved third-mile track, including the 1960 and 1963 Johnny Key Classics.

– Born in Los Angeles on May 20, 1926, Sweikert grew up in Hayward, Calif., across the bay from San Francisco. At age 16, became a mechanic at a local Ford dealership. Following his service during World War II, he opened his own repair shop and built his first roadster.

Sweikert won the 1955 Indianapolis 500 in the John Zink Special, leading 86 laps. In 1955 he captured the original Triple Crown: the Indianapolis 500, AAA Big Car National Championship and the Midwest Sprint Car Championship, the only driver to do so.

After finishing sixth in the 1956 Indianapolis 500, Sweikert died in a sprint car accident on June 17, 1956 at Salem (Ind.) Speedway.

– Born on Dec. 13, 1918 in Alameda, Calif., Vukovich grew up in Fresno. The family immigrated from Yugoslavia, changing its surname from Yukurovich.

Vukovich won United Racing Ass’n’s West Coast midget championship in 1946-47 before becoming the AAA National Midget champion in 1950. He attempted but failed to qualify for the 1950 Indianapolis 500, and dropped out of the following year’s race after just 29 laps.

In 1952, driving for sportsman Howard Keck, Vukovich led on the 92nd lap, only to fall out with steering failure. He came back to win the 1953 and 1954 editions. Driving for Lindsey Hopkins, Vukovich led the 1955 Indianapolis 500 by a large margin but was fatally injured when he was unable to avoid a multi-car accident on the 57th lap of the May 30 race.

DETROIT – Roush Performance has announced it will be the primary sponsor for Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Newman during Saturday’s Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.

Newman’s No. 6 Ford Mustang will feature a special one-off racing livery inspired by the iconic graphics of the 2019 Roush Mustang Stage 3, commemorating the vehicle’s release.

The car’s black livery will feature the iconic Roush “hockey stick” side stripe in vibrant red, along with prominent Roush emblems on the roof, tailgate and decklid.

In addition to its special livery, Newman’s car will run with the historic No. 6, a staple for Roush Fenway Racing since its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut in 1988.

“We’re proud to have the Roush Performance brand displayed so prominently at one of NASCAR’s most iconic venues,” said Jack Roush Jr. “My father always said that between a road car and a race car is a Roush car, and there’s no better way to celebrate that connection than with this livery.”

At the top of every coach's wish list heading into the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs is quality goaltending.

With top-notch play between the pipes teams are capable of playing at their highest confidence level and sometimes achieve far more than they ever believed possible.

But predicting which teams will receive hot goaltending is challenging. Last year Braden Holtby struggled so much down the stretch that he didn't start in Washington's opening game of the [ostseason. He ultimately took the job back, posted a .922 save percentage and raised the Stanley Cup. His competitor in the Cup Final, Marc-Andre Fleury, was long-known for playoff meltdowns, yet he managed an incredible .927 save percentage in 20 playoff starts.

So how can we predict what's to come for the goalies in this year's playoffs? We can look at which goalie has been on a roll heading into the postseason and whether history suggests they will keep it up or fade under the brightest lights.

Hot

1. Ben Bishop
Dallas Stars

2018-19 stat line: 46-27-15, .934 save percentage
Since March 1: .972 save percentage
Career Playoffs: .927 save percentage

For years the Stars struggled in net, especially in the playoffs. This time around they enter as the team most confident in its netminder. Not only has Bishop taken a team to the Stanley Cup Final before, he did so with outstanding play. In 2013-14 with Tampa Bay he put together 17 quality starts (per Hockey Reference) in 25 outings with a .921 save percentage. Before being slowed by injury he was even better in 2015-16, posting a .939 save percentage. During the regular season in Dallas, Bishop led the NHL in save percentage (.934) and produced the ninth highest single-season save percentage in NHL history.

Sixteen teams have made the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, but of course just one can hoist the trophy in June.

The other 15 will head home, getting an early start on the local golf course. We looked behind the numbers and found the most glaring statistic that would end each team's postseason run.

Note: These flaws are statistic-based. Overarching flaws, such as coaching or team chemistry or depth, aren't represented here. This is strictly the statistic-based weakness for each team heading into the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Fatal number: minus-50:59 power-play/penalty-kill differential

The Bolts are a super team, so there's not much to nitpick here. You typically won't find a lot of weaknesses on a 62-win team. However, the Lightning do seem to find the penalty box quite a bit. They spent 50-plus more minutes down a man than on the advantage in 2018-19, and were third in the NHL in penalty-kill time. Their 3.57 minor penalties per 60 minutes was the highest in the league, and three players had more than 60 minutes in penalties. Sure, it helps that the team has the league's top penalty kill, but taking needless penalties in the playoffs can sink a team's hopes.

Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr. was in Brazil on Tuesday, but not because of some emergency international duty. Well, not on the field at least.

The rising star from Brazil was back in his native country to "re-debut" a very special jersey of sorts that the national team will wear as their second jersey at this summer's Copa America.

"Verás que um filho teu não foge à luta" #oteambrasileiro pic.twitter.com/leoZFR6SWL

— Vinicius Jr ⚡️ (@viniciusjr) April 9, 2019

The white jersey -- in stark contrast to the Selecao's iconic yellow jersey -- is an homage to the 1919 Copa America team, who won the country's first title. In that final, Brazil beat Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro with a goal by the legendary Friedenreich.

However, there is further history surrounding the white shirt and why it has been missing from the backs of Brazil greats throughout the years in international competition. Brazil were wearing a similar white jersey at the infamous Maracanazo -- where the hosts lost to Uruguay 2-1 in the World Cup final at the Maracana stadium.

That loss prompted outrage across the country and a change in kits to the yellow and green jersey that has become famous through the years since.

Nonetheless, Brazil are now set take the field in white when they host the Copa from June 14-July 7. It seems time does heal all wounds.

Porto president Pinto da Costa has said midfielder Danilo should "thank God" his leg was not broken following a tackle from Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg.

Liverpool won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino. However, they could have finished the match with 10 men and been without their star man for the return leg, had Salah been red carded in the 84th minute.

The Egypt international caught Danilo midway down his shin with a studs-up challenge.

"Danilo should thank God because this is a leg-breaker -- not trying to kick the ball," Da Costa said after the match. "I thank God he does not have a broken leg."

Da Costa said he was disappointed to see one of his players booked for a similar challenge, while referee Antonio Mateu chose not refer Salah's to the video assistant referee.

"We want equality for everyone -- look at Felipe's tackle which brought a yellow and this [tackle by Salah] for which we are lucky Danilo is not en route to hospital," Da Costa added. "We can score two goals just like we conceded here.

"The first was the first time Liverpool passed the halfway line and with a deflection.

"We continued to chase the goal, we had chances, there was a penalty which was not given for handball -- just look -- and Felipe was also caught."

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata's father has revealed Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho often ate at his restaurant in Manchester at the same time yet "he made sure they did not meet."

Juan Manuel Mata, a businessman and football agent, opened Spanish restaurant Tapeo and Wine in Deansgate in 2016, two years after his son signed for the Red Devils from Chelsea.

Mourinho, who was sacked by Manchester United in December, was a regular customer during his two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford. Guardiola, who arrived in Manchester at the same time to take over at crosstown rivals City, also frequents the eatery.

The pair have clashed many times on the touchline, but Mata Sr. told Cadena Cope radio that he always avoided any awkward encounters between the pair in front of other customers.

"Pep Guardiola comes here a lot," he said. "He comes with his family, he is happy here. Jose Mourinho would come at least once every two weeks. Guardiola and Mourinho would coincide but I would make sure they wouldn't meet so I'd put them in different private rooms."

- Borden: Mourinho's last stand

Guardiola is no stranger to the Manchester cuisine scene, having opened his own restaurant in June 2018 with Paco Perez, a top chef with five Michelin stars. Tast Cuina Catalana is a fine dining restaurant on Manchester's King Street.

The boss just popped in and he is ready to enjoy his Lunch Menu ??#TastCatala @PepTeam #LunchMenu #Manchester pic.twitter.com/GWOt07nGPm

— Tast Catala (@TastCatala) March 14, 2019

"Guardiola has a very good restaurant in Manchester but it's a different style to this one," Mata Sr. said. "It's more Catalan."

Unlike Guardiola's restaurant, Tapeo and Wine shows Champions League games live on TV for their customers.

Champions League at Tapeo ⚽️?

We'll be showing all #UCL games live downstairs, let us know which match you'd like to watch when booking!#tapeoandwine #manchester pic.twitter.com/E3K565VI8X

— Tapeo & Wine (@TapeoandWine) February 12, 2019

"There's a big football atmosphere," Mata Sr. said. "Not only does my son come to eat, but we also get David De Gea, Ander Herrera and other players. This restaurant is like having a small part of Spain in Manchester."

Discussions between the NBA and the players' association to end the one-and-done era and lower the league's minimum age to 18 have resumed in recent weeks, infused with urgency as the clock ticks on the league's preferred target date of the 2022 NBA draft, league sources told ESPN.

So far, the NBA's pursuit of NBPA concessions in the areas of mandating that draft prospects furnish teams with medical information and an additional requirement that would center on attendance and participation at the NBA pre-draft combine remain obstacles to a deal, league sources said.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver had hopes of closing a deal with the union that would allow graduating high school seniors to participate in the 2022 draft. For the sake of franchises' planning and team building, though, organizations preferably need a resolution on a timetable for lowering the age limit before they have to consider making trades this spring.

Because of the greater influx of talent in a draft that would include high school players and the final crop of one-and-done stars, that initial season of the rule change -- if it's 2022, or another year -- would offer a deeper pool of talent and put a greater premium on possessing those picks. As one GM told ESPN, "There was a run on trying to get 2022 picks at the trade deadline."

To prepare for the possibility of high school seniors participating in the 2022 draft, USA Basketball and the NBA have reached an agreement to allow NBA front-office personnel to start scouting Team USA's 16-under national camps beginning in May, league sources said. This is the class of players potentially available to teams in a 2022 draft, and the agreement allows executives and scouts more access to premier prospects at a younger age.

In the past, NBA teams were allowed to scout camps and programs only at the 18-under level.

In the end, the negotiations hinge on NBA franchises' desire to have more medical transparency on a pool of younger players. The union has felt significant pressure from the agent community to resist the NBA's push on ceding control of medical information, sources said. While the NBPA has long advocated the lowering of the age limit to 18, so far the union has shown no inclination to surrender on these issues without a giveback elsewhere from the NBA.

Agents have long used the leverage of withholding medical information from teams to try to steer players to preferred draft destinations. While it's a strategy that doesn't always render the desired results on draft night, the absence of that medical data creates greater uncertainty and risk for front offices tasked with making personnel decisions on young players.

NBA general managers have pushed the league office to legislate the sharing of medical information with all teams, especially with the anticipation of younger players forcing organizations to make draft evaluations on teenagers.

Because, ultimately, teams can draft whomever they want and first-round picks can be under contractual control for six seasons prior to free agency, medical information is a freedom that agents consider necessary to keeping some influence on their client's early career.

Duke Blue Devils guard RJ Barrett, widely projected as a lottery pick, has made the decision to leave after his freshman season to enter the NBA draft, he announced Wednesday on social media.

"It was amazing to play for Coach K, play for the brotherhood," Barrett said in a video posted to Twitter and Instagram. "It was a dream of mine to play at Duke ever since I was a young kid. It's also a dream of mine to play in the NBA and have great success there. ...

"I'm looking forward to coming back and supporting the Blue Devils any way I can. Just wanted to thank you for everything."

I want to thank God, my family, my coaches and everyone that has helped me reach this decision ?? pic.twitter.com/z3GwdcV2ht

— Rj Barrett (@RjBarrett6) April 10, 2019

School spokesman Mike DeGeorge said Barrett, who is ranked No. 3 in the ESPN 100 among NBA draft prospects, plans to hire an agent but has not yet chosen one.

The 6-foot-7 Barrett, who was an AP first-team All-America selection along with teammate Zion Williamson, averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on a team that came a game short of the Final Four.

The decision came as no surprise. After Barrett in February became the first Duke player since 2006 to have a triple-double, coach Mike Krzyzewski said the ACC's leading scorer was only "going to be here a very short time.''

Barrett was Duke's most consistent scorer, with at least 13 points in every game and six 30-point performances. He had 33 twice -- first in his college debut against Kentucky, and then in a home loss to North Carolina after Williamson left in the opening minute with a blown-out left sneaker and a right knee sprain.

Williamson and classmate Cam Reddish have not yet announced their plans for next season. Point guard Tre Jones said earlier this week that he would return for his sophomore year.

A new NCAA rule allows a player who has declared for the draft to return to school even if he has enlisted the services of an agent to help him test his professional prospects. There are several stipulations attached, and if the player returns to school, he must end the relationship with the agent. The deadline to pull out of the draft is May 29.  

The Associated Press contributed to this report.