Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...
I Dig Sports

I Dig Sports

IndyCar Preview: Chip Ganassi Racing

Published in Racing
Sunday, 02 February 2025 12:24

The NTT IndyCar Series kicks off its season in four weeks on the streets of St. Petersburg (Fla.) for the March 2 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Ahead of a highly-anticipated season between driver changes, a new race team and new TV partner with FOX Sports, we broke it all down, team-by-team.

Beginning with Chip Ganassi Racing, heres a glance at the teams lineup:

Key Losses

Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing), Linus Lundqvist

No. 10 Alex Palou

The defending IndyCar Series champion, Alex Palou, looks to make it four titles in five years this season aboard his familiar No. 10 Honda with Chip Ganassi Racing.

The 27-year-old has checked off practically every accomplishment one could hope for in Indy car, except one thing win the Indianapolis 500.

Palou scored two victories and six podium results in 2024 along with tallying an average finish of 6.5.

Palou also won the $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club in California.

No. 9 Scott Dixon

The seemingly ageless Scott Dixon enters his 25th season with the American open-wheel series as he eyes a seventh title, which would tie him with A.J. Foyt for the most all time.

Currently at 58 victories, Dixon is also nine away from tying Foyt for most all-time in that category.

While nine in a single season would be a tall order for the 44-year-old, its a stat worth noting.

Dixon will again pilot the No. 9 Honda for CGR after finishing sixth in the standings last year with two victories.

No. 8 Kyffin Simpson

Entering his second season with CGR is Kyffin Simpson. Piloting the No. 8 Honda, Simpson will look to improve on a rookie season that saw him place 21st in the standings.

With a best finish of 12th in the season opener at St. Petersburg, Simpson will be looking to improve and catch up to his title-winning teammates.

IndyCar Preview: Team Penske

Published in Racing
Sunday, 02 February 2025 14:14

Editors Note: This is another installment in SPEED SPORTs preview of each NTT IndyCar Series team. To read other teams previews, click here

Team Penske is aiming to score its first NTT IndyCar Series title since 2022 (Will Power) with its three-driver lineup of Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughin and Power.

Ahead of the March 2 season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg (Fla.), heres a look at each driver:

No. 2 Josef Newgarden

Newgarden may have been Alex Palous top threat for the title last season had Newgarden not been disqualified from his season-opening victory at St. Petersburg.

Despite the early-season penalty, Newgarden rebounded with a triumphant second straight Indianapolis 500 victory aboard the No. 2 Chevrolet for Team Penske.

Newgarden placed eighth in the standings in what was perhaps a down year for the two-time champion.

No. 3 Scott McLaughlin 

McLaughins transition from Repco Supercars to the IndyCar Series was arguably completed after the Kiwi earned his first oval victory of his career at Iowa Speedway.

McLaughlin snagged two additional wins, along with a pole position for the Indy 500.

The driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet was third in the standings, despite also being disqualified from the race at St. Petersburg.

No. 12 Will Power

Power looked to be on his way to a third IndyCar Series championship at times throughout the 2024 season. Three victories in the final 11 races propelled the driver of the No. 12 Chevrolet to within striking distance of Palou.

However, a seat belt issue during the finale at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway derailed his title hopes.

Power, whos entering a contract year with Team Penske, will be looking for a strong 2025 season to secure his future.

Tim Brown Fulfills A Dream In NASCAR

Published in Racing
Sunday, 02 February 2025 19:43

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. Bowman Gray Stadium legend Tim Brown didnt reach the feature race on Sunday night at The Madhouse after finishing 10th in the Last Chance Qualifier race.

Brown, who piloted a Rick Ware Racing Ford in a one-off appearance, was behind the eight-ball from the get-go due to not having any experience aboard a NASCAR Cup Series race car prior to this weekend.

While he was at a disadvantage, Brown believes he found a rhythm when it mattered most.

Right there at the end of the race I felt like we were as good of a car as anybody out there and those guys were really holding me up, Brown said. Man, that was so much fun racing with (Austin) Dillon and (Justin) Haley and (Ricky) Stenhouse and all those Cup stars. What a blessing this has been. God, thank you so much.

That was fun. Im telling you, it was freaking awesome. It was so cool.

Cool was the word of the day for Brown, who after Sundays LCQ will head back to a modified this season as Bowman Grays all-time wins leader at 101 victories.

Perhaps the biggest victory hell have all season will be achieving his ultimate dream racing in the Cup Series.

This right here is what Ive wanted to do my whole entire life and I think tonight I showed everybody that even at my age I can still do it, Brown said.

Man, I wish my wife and kids were here so I could give them a great big old hug. Its pretty cool.

Sabres' Thompson exits win after elbow to face

Published in Hockey
Sunday, 02 February 2025 15:20

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres leading scorer Tage Thompson passed concussion-related tests after being struck in the head by New Jersey Devils forward Stefan Noesen, coach Lindy Ruff said Sunday.

Noesen faces potential further discipline after being issued a match penalty for elbowing Thompson in the face. The NHL will determine whether Noesen intended to injure Thompson on the play that happened at 5:11 into the third period of the Sabres' 4-3 victory Sunday.

Thompson was lunging for the puck near the blue line when Noesen knocked it away and continued charging into Thompson. The hit knocked Thompson's helmet off and spun him around.

Thompson was down on the ice for a moment before rising to one knee and skating off on his way to the dressing room. Ruff said Thompson "is good, passed all the tests" after the hit and is expected to be available to practice Monday.

"I didn't watch the replay of hit until after the game," Ruff said. "Definitely a hit that you don't like. That penalty was well deserved. I know I had a couple of guys that wanted to go after [Noesen] right away. And where we were at in the game, there was going to be a time to even the score."

Noesen did not speak to reporters after the game. Devils coach Sheldon Keefe did not address the hit in his postgame comments.

The Sabres did not respond on the ice. Jack Hughes scored a shorthanded goal 21 seconds after Noesen's penalty to get the Devils within one. The Sabres killed two penalties in the third to avoid losing for the seventh time this season after holding a multigoal lead.

"Our response is we won," said the Sabres' Jason Zucker, who scored on a pass from Thompson to give Buffalo a 4-1 lead late in the second period. "[Noesen] made two plays that cost their team the win. So, we'll take that all day."

Noesen was trailing the play on Buffalo's fourth goal and pushed Zucker into the net after he scored.

"Why isn't there a call after he gets cross-checked after he scores a goal?" Ruff said. "In a game where there's all kinds of strange calls, why isn't there a call on that?"

Thompson had a goal and two assists in helping the Eastern Conference's last-place team win its third game in a row. Thompson's 26 goals rank among the top 10 in the NHL, and he leads the Sabres with 48 points in 47 games.

Rasmus Dahlin had two assists to move ahead of Mike Ramsey for the second-most points among Sabres defenseman with 331.

The Sabres' three-game win streak is their fifth this season. They have not won four in a row since January 2023.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Canucks' Hughes sits out with undisclosed injury

Published in Hockey
Sunday, 02 February 2025 18:11

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Star defenseman Quinn Hughes sat out the Canucks' game against Detroit on Sunday after sustaining an undisclosed injury two days earlier in a loss at Dallas.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman, Hughes participated in the pregame warmup, but spent extended time talking to the trainers on the bench and left the ice early. He was then scratched from the lineup.

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said earlier Sunday that Hughes would be a game-time decision. Derek Forbort took Hughes' spot alongside Filip Hronek on Vancouver's top defensive pairing.

Hughes has 14 goals and 45 assists in 47 games to lead the Canucks in scoring.

Rangers' Quick becomes 1st U.S. goalie to win 400

Published in Hockey
Sunday, 02 February 2025 19:09

NEW YORK -- Jonathan Quick became the first U.S.-born goaltender to win 400 games, and the 15th overall in NHL history, in the New York Rangers' 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night.

Defenseman K'Andre Miller scored the go-ahead goal, and forwards Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad each had a goal and two assists in the New York effort, which began one day after a disheartening 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins, and ended with the milestone.

"It means I've been lucky enough to play with a lot of great hockey players that value winning and put that above all else," Quick said. "I'm grateful that I've been on some great teams over the course of my career, this one included."

Alexis Lafreniere also scored for the Rangers, and J.T. Miller -- two days removed from a trade that sent him off the Vancouver Canucks -- had two assists in his first home game since returning to New York, the club that originally drafted him in 2011.

Quick had 13 saves in the first period, 14 in the second and seven in the third before being mobbed by his jubilant teammates inside the crease of an arena -- Madison Square Garden -- that is becoming familiar with this accomplishment. Of those 15 goaltenders in the exclusive 400 club, in fact, Quick, 39, is the fourth to play for the Rangers, joining Henrik Lundqvist, Terry Sawchuk and Jacques Plante.

"It means he's been really good for a long time," New York coach Peter Laviolette said of Quick. "First American goaltender to do so, and there's been a lot of great goaltenders. But if you watch him on a daily basis, it's not hard to figure out why he reached that number."

Zibanejad -- playing his 900th NHL game -- tied the score 2-2 on the power play at 5:04 of the third with his 10th goal, as the Rangers snapped a three-game losing streak.

Jack Eichel scored two goals for Vegas, which lost its third straight. Adin Hill had 24 saves in the loss. Eichel opened the scoring with a power-play goal with 19 seconds remaining in the first period, and added his second at the 9:16 mark of the second period before New York rattled off three straight tallies to conclude the scoring.

Quick, named the game's first star, hadn't played since Jan. 19, in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

"It's his work ethic, it's the teammate that we get to see on a daily basis," Laviolette said in his describing the reasons for his goaltender's success. "He's a great person that works hard, a total professional, goes about his business every day to try and get better, try to be the best he can be.

"It's an unbelievable milestone. We're all really happy for him."

Quick, Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers, and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Minnesota Wild are the only active goalies with 400 victories.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stones calls City's 5-1 drubbing 'unacceptable'

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 02 February 2025 17:53

John Stones branded Manchester City's performance in the final 30 minutes as "unacceptable" as they were thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal on Sunday.

After briefly levelling the game at 1-1, City conceded four second-half goals at the Emirates, including three in the final half hour.

Stones apologised for the display before criticising the late collapse.

"It's difficult, I think all of us don't take losing well," Stones told Sky Sports.

"Hard for me to put into words. Sorry to the fans that traveled to the game and watched that, how we played in the last 30 minutes was not acceptable.

"Not nice to be involved in that when it's not your team or yourself within those situations."

Asked later about the comments, Pep Guardiola said agreed with the England defender's assessment.

"You can lose by two or three or four, but in the last 30 minutes we have to do it and we don't have a defence," said Guardiola.

"We had a plan and we didn't do it because they have pride and want to solve it but that's not the way.

"At that level, you have to stick to what we did. Unfortunately what happened, happened and hopefully we can learn the lesson for the future."

Guardiola has watched his team give up two-goal leads against Brentford and Paris Saint-Germain in the last month.

The defeat at Arsenal was another example of City letting a situation quickly unravel. And after a difficult season which has not been up to their usual standards, Guardiola admitted his players are "fragile."

"You can have setbacks but this season it doesn't matter what happens," said Guardiola.

"We can lose but we have to continue to do what we do. That is how you are stable. We cannot think we are going to solve it in another way. We are not used to that.

"They can be fragile but they have a duty to do what they have to do and they didn't do it. We can learn and always there is a margin to get better."

Rice says Arsenal ready to 'hunt down' Liverpool

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 02 February 2025 17:53

Arsenal remain well adrift of relentless Premier League leaders Liverpool despite a 5-1 hammering of Manchester City on Sunday, but midfielder Declan Rice said there is a determination to hunt the Reds down.

Rice provided two assists as Arsenal sent a reminder to Liverpool that the Gunners are not about to give up the chase.

Liverpool are six points in front of second-place Arsenal with a game in hand and have shown little sign of slipping up in their pursuit of a 20th league crown.

But Rice said there is still a long way to go.

"Liverpool are still quite far in front, especially with the game in hand, and with them winning yesterday you know going into the game that you have to win," Rice told Sky Sports.

"It's more disappointing the games like Aston Villa, when we were 2-0 up and dropped points, because we could be up there closer to Liverpool.

"But we will be there, and we will keep pushing. We do need others to help us, but we know what the goal is and that's to hunt them down and win the Premier League.

"We need to stay positive, and I'm sure we will be fine."

Arsenal had fallen just short in the last two seasons as City kept Mikel Arteta's side at bay to extend their title-winning streak to a record four in a row.

On Sunday, goals by Martin Ødegaard, Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri effectively removed City from the title equation.

"It is a great day for us, especially with the necessity that we had to win the game. The manner that we have done it I am really pleased," Arteta said.

"Overall, we scored some beautiful goals, and the team showed a high competitive level."

Arteta was full of praise for teenager Lewis-Skelly, whose impressive display was capped with his first Arsenal goal.

"You need big individual performances to beat [Man City]. Myles was certainly one of them, the maturity he showed and competitiveness as well," Arteta said.

"He plays with that personality, and he's scored a beautiful goal. He has been pushing us since he has been with us. We like his character and personality. He has so much courage."

Haaland's dad aims dig at Arsenal after City loss

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 02 February 2025 17:53

Erling Haaland's father, former Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, has aimed a dig at Arsenal after the north London club thrashed Pep Guardiola's side 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday.

Responding to a post on X by Arsenal after the full-time whistle, Alf-Inge Haaland aimed a dig at Arsenal's lack of silverware in recent years as he wrote: "This Team that wins everything. Ehhhhh, not."

Despite pushing City close for the Premier League title over the last two seasons, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been criticised for failing to convert their resurgence into trophies.

Arteta won the FA Cup during his first season in charge at Arsenal in 2019-20 but his team has failed to win another piece of silverware in the years since.

The 24-year-old has developed a rivalry with Arsenal and centre-back Gabriel Magalhães, in particular, after Sky Sports' cameras recorded him getting involved in an altercation with Gabriel Jesus after the teams' 2-2 draw on Sep. 22 and telling head coach Mikel Arteta to "stay humble" as the Spaniard shook hands with players on the pitch.

Haaland also avoided punishment for throwing the ball at Gabriel in the aftermath of City's stoppage-time equaliser.

On Sunday, Gabriel was pictured celebrating Martin Ødegaard's opener in front of Haaland's face as the pair's long-running battle continued. Arsenal right-back Myles Lewis-Skelly later copied the City forward's trademark "lotus" pose yoga celebration after he scored the hosts' third in the 62nd minute.

Haaland scored City's goal with a guided header in the 55th minute.

Arsenal's victory means they are six points behind Liverpool, while City are fourth on 41 points, 15 adrift of Arne Slot's table-topping side.

Rashford saga ends as forward joins Villa on loan

Published in Soccer
Sunday, 02 February 2025 17:53

Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United until the end of the season, ending the saga around the England international's future.

Sources told ESPN the deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent. Villa have agreed to cover a substantial part of Rashford's wage, and other performance-related bonuses have been built into the deal.

If Villa do not take up their option, Rashford will be expected back at Old Trafford in the summer.

"I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen," Rashford wrote in a post on Instagram after the move was confirmed.

"I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me, but Aston Villa was an easy decision -- I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager's ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season."

Rashford had not featured for United since their Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen on Dec. 12 amid head coach Ruben Amorim's concerns about the player's application in training.

After United's 1-0 win over Fulham on Jan. 26, Amorim said he would rather pick 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital than Rashford after concerns about the 27-year-old's standards.

Rashford said that he was "ready for a new challenge" after he was omitted from United's squad for the derby against Manchester City on Dec. 15.

"Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the rest of the season," the 13-time Premier League champions said in a statement.

Villa were searching for an option to reinforce their attack after sanctioning Jhon Durán's exit to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Jan. 31. Aston Villa coach Unai Emery can call upon Rashford's considerable experience for the second half of the season after they reached the round of 16 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Rashford's departure, albeit temporary for now, seems likely to end his 20-year association with United after he came through the club's academy and broke into the first team at the age of 18.

A source told ESPN that Rashford's initial preference was to move to Barcelona. However, the LaLiga side's financial constraints made a deal complicated.

Borussia Dortmund also expressed interest in Rashford, but his weekly wage of around 350,000 per week ($434,000) proved to be a major stumbling block.

Rashford scored 30 goals in the 2022-23 season, the most prolific of his career, but has not approached that level since. He has scored seven goals in all competitions this season.

In total, Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United. He has won the Europa League, two FA Cups and two Carabao Cups during his time at Old Trafford.

He has also scored 17 goals for England. He has played in two World Cups and two European Championships for his country.

Rashford made a name for himself for his off-the-field work during the pandemic when his lobbying led to the British government agreeing to keep funding meals for students from low-income households after initial resistance.

Information from Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report

Soccer

San Diego FC preps plan to stop anti-gay chant

San Diego FC preps plan to stop anti-gay chant

EmailPrintSan Diego FC intends to take steps to discourage its fans from engaging in the anti-gay th...

Viní Jr excited for Neymar's potential Brazil return

Viní Jr excited for Neymar's potential Brazil return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsVinícius Júnior has said he is excited about the possibility of Ney...

Serie A exec planning U.S.-based season games

Serie A exec planning U.S.-based season games

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSerie A is exploring plans to play regular-season matches in the U....

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Cavs' Jerome fined $25,000 for criticizing officials

Cavs' Jerome fined $25,000 for criticizing officials

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome was fined $25,000 b...

Mavs raise ticket costs, cite 'investments' in team

Mavs raise ticket costs, cite 'investments' in team

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDALLAS -- The Mavericks revealed on Monday that they are raising se...

Baseball

Braves starting catcher Murphy out 4-6 weeks

Braves starting catcher Murphy out 4-6 weeks

EmailPrintAtlanta Braves starting catcher Sean Murphy will miss the start of the season with a rib i...

Moustakas will sign 1-day deal, retire as Royal

Moustakas will sign 1-day deal, retire as Royal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSURPRISE, Ariz. -- Mike Moustakas will retire with Kansas City afte...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated