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Honest Abe Roofing Partners with World Racing Group
CONCORD, N.C. Honest Abe Roofing, a national leader in premium roofing solutions, has partnered with World Racing Group to support and strengthen its top open-wheel divisions.
The collaboration will see Honest Abe Roofing provide special awards and programs for the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour, Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota and the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.
This partnership brings together two forces defined by speed, strength and reliability whether its Sprint Cars or Midgets doing the unthinkable around the track or Honest Abe Roofing delivering industry-leading roofing solutions with unmatched efficiency.
Were honored to partner with World Racing Group and support these incredible racing series, said Kevin Newton, president of Honest Abe Roofing. Just like the drivers pushing the limits on dirt tracks, we push the limits in roofing by providing the fastest response times, the highest-quality craftsmanship, and the most reliable service in the industry. This partnership reflects everything we stand for performance, durability, and results.
As part of the collaboration, Honest Abe Roofing has a special program set up to enhance each series.
Honest Abe Roofing will be the sponsor of the Redraw and Dash for every ASCS National Tour event and will be the sponsor of every World of Outlaws Sprint Car Qualifying session.
The companys generosity continues with contingency programs for the ASCS National Tour and Xtreme Outlaw Midgets, providing a bonus to the drivers that finish 16th in each feature for both series.
And the support doesnt stop there. Off the track, Honest Abe Roofing will be the title sponsor of the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series Pinewood Derby at Jacksonville Speedway, Oct. 3-4. With their support, the winner of the Derby will get $300, while second gets $150 and third gets $50.
Additionally, race fans will have access to exclusive discounts on roofing services, making it easier than ever to upgrade their homes with the strength and durability that Honest Abe Roofing is known for.
Just as Winged Sprint Car drivers and Midget racers push limits on the track, Honest Abe Roofing franchisees push limits in business, Newton added. Were excited to offer race fans the opportunity to join our mission and bring top-tier roofing solutions to communities nationwide.
West Coast Stock Car HOF Salutes Pioneers of Speed
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame will memorialize its second class of its Pioneers of Speed during this years Induction Gala, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, on March 13, at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
The Pioneers of Speed category recognizes those whose accomplishments created the foundation of the racing we know today. This years inductees recognize many stars of the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
These are the pillars of racing that I grew up learning about, following and in many cases, watching them perform and getting to know them on a personal basis, said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame. Although each of them has passed, it will be an honor to memorialize them, for their children and grandchildren.
The 2025 Pioneers of Speed are:
Michael (Blackie) Gejeian
- Michael (Blackie) Gejeian, born in 1926, was a preeminent promoter of auto races and car shows in Californias Central Valley.
- Returning from World War II in which he served in the U.S. Navy, the Easton, Calif. native built a roadster which he wrecked in its first race. He rebuilt it as a shiny black show car, which he accompanied clad in all black leathers deriving the nickname Blackie by which most knew him.
- Gejeian won five racing championships and promoted NASCAR weekly races at Clovis and Madera speedways as well as the Fresno Dragway, which he operated for 18 years.
- Gejeians Fresno Autorama was known as one Americas largest car shows and ran for 51 years beginning in 1958. Gejeian died Sept. 2, 2016, at age 90.
Ted Halibrand
- Ted Halibrand was a pioneer in many facets of racing, first as the designer of magnesium wheels and disc brakes. Working behind the scenes, Halibrand was tireless in revolutionizing numerous safety aspects throughout the sport.
- A Paterson, New Jersey native, and later a resident of Southern California, Halibrand long served as the Chairman of USACs safety committee where he introduced many regulations in terms of car design and racetrack construction that remain in use to this day and have been adopted by racing organizations throughout the world. His ideas were ultimately illustrated in a series of Halibrand Engineering manuals.
- In 1951, Lee Wallard won the Indianapolis 500 with Halibrand mag wheels, and his disc brakes were aboard Bill Vukovichs 1953 winner. In fact, Halibrand quick-change rear-end assemblies, steering gears and suspension components were on every Indianapolis 500 winner from 1951 until 1965.
- With the advent of the rear-engine car, Halibrand had begun building complete chassis, named the Shrike, which were outfitted with an innovative fuel cell. He is a member of multiple halls of fame including United States Auto Club and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Ed Iskenderian
- Ed Iskenderian was born in 1921 in Tulare County, California and, with his family, moved to Los Angeles. While attending Polytechnic High School in Los Angeles, Iskendarians pet project was building a Model T Ford roadster, on which he learned the fundamentals of mechanics.
- After graduation, he obtained mechanical experience working as an apprentice tool and die maker. His career was interrupted by World War 2, enlisting in the Air Transport Command. After his war-time absence, Ed lost no time in getting back to his hot rod and getting it ready for Californias dry lake meets.
- When rebuilding his V-8, he wanted to obtain a special camshaft, however, the boom had hit hot rodding and there was a great deal of business for the few racing camshaft manufacturers on the west coast. Ed decided to enter the cam grinding business, buying a used conventional cylindrical grinder.
- Drawing on his tool making and mechanical experience, he converted it to a universal cam grinding machine. The cams were the first to produce one horsepower per cubic inch on gasoline in postwar overhead valve V-8 Dodge Hemis and 1.3 horsepower per cubic inch on gasoline in postwar overhead valve 283 Chevy V-8s. Later he created the first hard- face overlay camshafts in the industry and became the first to employ computers in camshaft design.
- With the computer, Iskenderian created the most advanced cam-profiles of the late 1950s and early 60s, along with the very first hydraulic racing camshafts in the industry. Iskenderian developed the first high-density chilled-Iron lifters for the ever-growing fuel burning supercharged dragster class (now known as Top Fuel Dragsters); the first drop-in self-locking roller tappets; and the first anti-pump-up hydraulic lifters enabling hydraulic camshafts to produce higher RPMs.
- New cams and components were not the only thing he brought to the evolving drag racing scene. Iskenderian and a young racer from Florida named Don Garlits entered the first corporate sponsorship of a race operation. During this time Ed was given the nickname of Esky the Camfather. Iskenderian is 103 years old.
Jack London
- Nobody has had a more important impact on Northern California Midget racing than Jack London, who started racing Midget Cars in 1936 at the old Neptune Beach Speedway in Oakland, California.
- By 1948 London concentrated on being a car owner and engine builder, buying his first Offy. His ability to get every ounce of power out of the potent 110 cubic inch engine brought the finest Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) and USAC drivers to his door.
- No one had more success than London as car owner in BCRA and the West during his era. His list of drivers is impressive, led by his favorite, A.J. Foyt, who won two of three straight USAC Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ascot Park (Billy Cantrell won the other) driving for London.
- Just as important, London was the BCRA (second oldest midget group in the country) business manager off and on for 29 years, guiding the organization through some rough times. It was said he ruled with an iron fist, which under the circumstances at the time was a good thing. The organization prospered under his leadership.
- London is a member the National Midget Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the BCRA Hall of Fame.
Wally Parks
- Wally Parks was born in Oklahoma in 1913 and took pride in his humble roots, always referring to himself as an Okie. He was eight years old when his family moved west, and he remained in Southern California for the rest of his life.
- Parks helped found the Southern California Timing Association in 1937 to organize dry lakes racing. Then, like most of the racers, he went into the military during WWII. Parks returned home in 1946 and was elected president of the SCTA.
- In 1951, Parks, Ak Miller and Marvin Lee signed the incorporation papers that founded the National Hot Rod Association. Naturally, Parks was its president. The NHRAs original goals were very close to todays: adopt and maintain the strictest safety standards in motorsports, establish rules governing the sport and educate the public about drag racing; nobody had ever done anything like it before.
- The NHRA took what had existed illegally across the country and molded it into something safe and presentable without removing any of the elements that made it fun. The task was equal parts public relations and organization.
- Parks, who died Sept. 28, 2024, at age 94, received countless awards in the motorsports world and played a pivotal role in the establishment of an entire industry devoted to speed and automotive aftermarket parts and accessories that today is a multibillion-dollar business. He has been inducted into multiple halls of fame including the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
The Class of 2025 inductees are A.J. Allmendinger, Los Gatos, Calif., NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series veteran; Chuck Gurney, Oakland, Calif., United States Auto Club Silver Crown and supermodified champion; Davey Hamilton, Nampa, Idaho, Canadian-American Modified Association champion, Indianapolis 500 veteran and race promoter; Jeff Jefferson, Naches, Wash., three-time NASCAR Northwest Series driver champion and former NASCAR ARCA Menards Series West owner; Justin Marks, Menlo Park, Calif., founder and team owner of Trackhouse Entertainment Group and Trackhouse Racing; Boris Said, Carlsbad, Calif., Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am and GRAND-AM GT champion; Rick Ware, Los Angeles, Calif., owner of teams competing in NASCAR Cup Series, the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the NTT IndyCar Series, Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, and FIM World Supercross and AMA American Flat Track motorcycles.
The 2025 Heritage Class is comprised of the racing Unser family, nine-time Indianapolis 500 winners Al Unser, Al Unser Jr. and Bobby Unser; three generations of the Hunt family Joe, Tommy and Tony; California supermodified champion Mike Sargent; and two-time United States Auto Club national midget champion Sleepy Tripp.
Team Penske was the class of the field for the second straight week to open the NASCAR Cup Series season. However, the championship-winning organization doesnt have a trophy or checkered flag to put on the mantle from either race.
In the 67th Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) Intl Speedway, its three-car driver lineup led a combined 125 of the 200 laps. Defending champion Joey Logano rebounded from earlier issues but got involved in a late accident and he finished 35th.
Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric also ran into trouble but finished seventh and eighth, respectively.
At Atlanta Motor Speedway, another drafting track, and Ford had the field covered in qualifying. Nine of the top 10 starters piloted Fords, including polesitter Blaney.
Once again, Penske and the Ford brigade dominated throughout the 260-lap event as the teams drivers combined to lead 131 laps.
While Team Penske looked to be near untouchable at times at the front of the field, a spin by Blaney and run-in between Kyle Larson and Cindric was the nail in the coffin for the teams chances.
Blaney was able to claw his way back to fourth by races end with Logano finishing outside the top 10 in 12th after leading a race-high 83 laps.
It was just challenging all day, Logano said. We had a really fast car and when we were up front we could control it really well. When we had a couple Fords up front it was domination and then when I got in the back I didnt handle well enough.
It just cost us too much back there and I couldnt move my way back up. Every time I got a gap it just wasnt good enough to get back up there handling-wise, so the car was fast but we just needed more steering.
Cindrics displeasure with Larson bled into his post-race interview as he believed he had the fastest race car up until the wreck.
It was unfortunate. As a team, as Fords, we had the best cars here this weekend, Cindric said. We put ourselves into position to win the race and got used up and into the fence and didnt win the race.
Its a shame. Two weeks in a row I feel like we have had the car to beat and havent done it. One way or another it is disappointing.
Now with the series heading to non-drafting tracks over the next couple weeks, work continues for Team Penske as it looks to breakthrough and translate speed over to other types of tracks.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has reduced the suspension of Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman from 10 games to eight games in a ruling published Monday.
This is the first time Bettman has reduced a suspension from the Department of Player Safety since he dropped Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza's ban for kneeing Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk in December 2021 from six games to four.
"Although I conclude that an escalation from Mr. Hartman's prior three (3) game suspension to ten (10) games is not proportional here, I find that an eight (8) game suspension is both appropriate and supported by clear and convincing evidence," Bettman wrote.
The NHLPA appealed the suspension on behalf of Hartman, who has already served four games of the ban that was handed down Feb. 3 for "using his forearm to violently slam the head of Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle into the ice," as the Department of Player Safety said in its ruling. Specifically, the NHLPA wanted the suspension reduced to eight games.
On Feb. 1, with 16 seconds left in the second period and Ottawa leading 3-0, Hartman and Stützle took a faceoff. Hartman locked up Stützle's stick with his leg, placed his right forearm on the back of Stützle's neck and drove the Ottawa player's head into the ice. Stützle's helmet came off on impact, and he skated to the Senators' bench with a cut bleeding over his left eye that required five stitches.
Hartman was given a match penalty. Stützle returned in the third period and assisted on two Ottawa goals as the Senators prevailed 6-0 at home.
The length of Hartman's suspension was determined in part by his disciplinary history. In 663 NHL regular-season and playoff games, Hartman had been fined seven times and suspended four times -- by the NHL's count, Hartman has been disciplined once every 60 games of his career. Hartman has been considered a repeat offender in each of his past three suspensions.
This was also Hartman's fourth suspension since April 2023. That includes a three-game ban last April for throwing his stick in the direction of a referee following an overtime loss to Vegas Golden Knights. He was given a misconduct penalty for "abusive language" in that game.
Bettman upheld the suspension for Hartman based on that disciplinary history and because he disputed Hartman's claim that the incident with Stützle was accidental. "I believe -- as did DPS and the on-ice officials -- that Mr. Hartman intended to drive Mr. Stützle face first to the ice and he succeeded in that intent," Bettman wrote.
But the reduction in suspension from 10 games to eight games was the result of two factors: that Hartman's play was not "predatory" in nature and that there was no prior suspension by player safety that served as a precedent for this escalation in games.
Bettman indicated that there were counterarguments as for why Hartman removed his hand from his stick to drive it into the back of Stützle's head. In the appeal hearing, there was discussion about whether Hartman's hand had been knocked off his stick by Stützle. That was "a possibility that may have been enhanced by a thumb injury that Mr. Hartman had previously suffered" in October 2024, according to Bettman.
George Parros, the NHL executive VP of player safety, testified in the appeal hearing that he "did not conclude that Mr. Hartman intentionally removed his right hand off of his stick to deliver the forceful blow that resulted," according to Bettman. In other words, that Hartman was not "targeting" Stützle on the play.
Bettman said that he agreed with Parros, that he would give Hartman "the benefit of the doubt" and that any proof of targeting would have meant a longer suspension.
The Department of Player Safety argued unsuccessfully that a 10-game suspension handed to Alexandre Burrows in 2018 for kneeing Taylor Hall was the comp for this suspension. But Bettman didn't find enough similarity between the incidents to warrant the earlier one's being a benchmark for Hartman's suspension.
The NHLPA argued that other repeat offenders -- such as Nazem Kadri, Evander Kane, Brad Marchand and Tom Wilson -- did not have the same kind of increase in games from their fourth to their fifth suspensions as Hartman did.
"While I do not agree with the NHLPA's formulaic methodology, nor do I agree that the suspension histories of Messrs. Kadri, Kane, Marchand, [Zac] Rinaldo, and Wilson provide particularly helpful comparators, I do find that an increase of seven (7) games from Mr. Hartman's last suspension to this one is excessive in this case and that the quantum of increase should be reduced," Bettman wrote.
In conclusion, Bettman believed that an eight-game ban would still be a sufficient "wake-up call" to a repeat offender like Hartman, "causing him to reevaluate his conduct on the ice and make positive changes of his game."
As his suspension was greater than five games, Hartman still had the option to appeal to a neutral arbitrator after Bettman's ruling. But he is not expected to do so and will be eligible to return for the Wild on March 4 in Seattle Kraken. Hartman will keep roughly $97,600 in salary for having had his suspension reduced.
Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras was suspended three games for interference against Detroit's Michael Rasmussen.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced its verdict Monday.
The play in question happened during the second period of Sunday's game between the Ducks and Red Wings. Zegras was shadowing Rasmussen through the neutral zone when Rasmussen made a passing attempt off the glass. After Rasmussen had released the puck, Zegras delivered a hard, high hit to Rasmussen's head.
There was no interference call made by an official on the ice. Rasmussen went down after the hit and eventually left the game because of an upper-body injury. He did not return, and also did not travel with Detroit ahead of its game against Minnesota on Tuesday. Detroit coach Todd McLellan said Rasmussen was day-to-day.
In a video detailing its decision, the Department of Player Safety explained that Zegras approached Rasmussen "outside the window where a check may be legally finished" and that the "late, high hit made significant contact with Rasmussen's head." That, combined with the force of Zegras' delivery, is why he earned a three-game ban.
Zegras -- serving the second suspension of his career -- will be eligible to return for Anaheim on March 4 against Edmonton.
The Anaheim Ducks acquired veteran goaltender Ville Husso from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations Monday, the club announced.
The Ducks, who saw starter John Gibson leave Saturday's win over the Boston Bruins because of an injury, will first send Husso to the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League.
A popular name on the trade market, largely because of his contract, Husso, 30, is playing out the final days of a three-year deal he signed with Detroit that carries a $4.75 million salary cap hit.
Whether he can be viewed as a No. 1 option, or even a reliable No. 2 down the stretch remains to be seen, though, as his numbers lack that type of identity. He has never played more than 56 games in a season, and that came in 2022-23, when he won 26 for the Red Wings.
Earlier this season, Husso was sent to Detroit's AHL affiliate, as the Red Wings shifted their focus in net to veterans Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon. At the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Husso was just 1-5-2 with a 3.69 goals-against average. But on an expiring deal, he did make several trade boards this month.
NHL trade deadline preview for all 32 teams: Players, picks in play, what teams should do
The 2024-25 NHL trade season began early, as the Carolina Hurricanes landed Mikko Rantanen and the New York Rangers secured J.T. Miller. But many big names remain on the board, raising the usual questions as we look ahead to the March 7 deadline:
Who are the contenders that could make a big push? Which teams are caught between either going for a wild-card spot or moving on from players to collect draft capital? And how can the teams that are destined for the lottery use the deadline to gain more draft picks for their rebuilds?
Here's a comprehensive look at what the trade deadline could mean for every team, complete with the players and picks that are expected to be in play, as well as the salary cap restrictions. Plus, we identify the moves we think each team should make.
Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Cap space figures are per PuckPedia as of Feb. 23.
Sources: Vitor Roque loan to Palmeiras likely off
Vitor Roque's transfer from Barcelona to Palmeiras is set to fall through due to the Royal Spanish Football Federation's [RFEF] regulations which prevent Real Betis cutting his loan short, various sources have told ESPN.
Sources have told ESPN Brazil that Palmeiras are exploring workarounds, but there is pessimism about bringing the striker to the club before the transfer window closes in the country on Friday.
Palmeiras had agreed a 25 million fee with Barça for Roque, with the Catalan club maintaining 20% of any future transfer.
However, for the deal to be completed, Roque would have to return to Barça from his loan at Betis, where he has been playing since August, before being able to sign for Palmeiras.
Article 159 of the RFEF's general regulations explains that loans can be cut short if the two clubs and the player are all in agreement, but that the club where the player is set to return -- in this case Barça -- must be inside a registration period.
That is not the case after the transfer window in Spain closed earlier this month.
The same article also states that loans are un-transferable, ruling out the possibility of Roque going directly from Betis to Palmeiras on loan before finalising a permanent deal in the future.
As things stand, the 19-year-old will therefore remain at Betis until the summer, where he has scored seven goals in 33 appearances so far this season.
Roque joined Barça in January 2024 from Athletico Paranaense for an initial fee of around 30m with the same amount due again in potential add-ons.
He found appearances hard to come by at the Blaugrana, scoring twice in 16 games last season before heading out to Betis on loan.
He had previously made his name at Athletico Paranaense, where he scored 28 times in 81 games as a teenager, earning him his solitary Brazil cap in 2023.
ESPN Brazil's Francisco De Laurentiis contributed to this story.
Van Dijk wants to make Anfield 'horrible' in run-in
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged supporters to make Anfield "horrible" for opponents in the coming months as his team seek to get their Premier League title challenge over the line.
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai helped Liverpool beat reigning champions Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad on Sunday, moving Arne Slot's side 11 points clear at the top of the table.
While second-place Arsenal have a game in hand, Liverpool are now the overwhelming favourites to get their hands on the trophy this season and have the added advantage of seven of their last 11 league games being at home.
Speaking to reporters after Liverpool's win in Manchester, Van Dijk said: "I mentioned it after that [Wolves] game, that obviously it's pretty normal to be [nervous] like that," he said. "It is a human [reaction] that there could be some anxious feelings kicking in, and that could still be the case.
"But I think it only helps us and them [the supporters] as well to make Anfield horrible for the opponent. Most of the time we have been doing that, and obviously the way we play helps with that as well.
"How many home games are left? Seven out of 11. So let's make sure those seven are going to be amazing, as loud as possible. I don't think we have to speak about it because normally that is the case.
"So let's go, enjoy, focus on Wednesday now, and then we'll see what happens after."
Liverpool's win against City marked the club's first Premier League victory at the Etihad in a decade. It was the fourth game in a testing run of five matches in 15 days for the league leaders, who host Newcastle United at Anfield on Wednesday night.
"This was a big win," Van Dijk said. "I told the guys, 'Don't take these wins for granted, but when you go home, recover and be ready for the preparation for Newcastle.'
"That's the only thing we have to do. Tunnel vision. Nothing else matters really. And we need our fans to be in great shape on Wednesday as well."
Van Dijk has played every minute of Liverpool's Premier League season so far, playing alongside Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah, all of whom have dealt with injury issues.
His contract situation with the Merseyside club remains unresolved, however, with his existing deal due to expire at the end of the season.
Galatasaray to report Mourinho for 'racist' remarks
Turkish Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray have said they will "initiate criminal proceedings" and report Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho to FIFA and UEFA over what they call "racist statements."
The move comes after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in a tense league match in Istanbul on Monday night.
Mourinho had welcomed the appointment of a non-Turkish referee, with Slovenian Slavko Vinčić chosen to officiate. After the match, Mourinho made a point of praising the referee, highlighting the fact he was not from Turkey.
"The performance of the referee was a top performance," Mourinho told his post-match news conference.
"Anyone, not just from this country but also abroad, watched a big football match. I think the man responsible for that was the referee.
"I went to the referee's dressing room after the game. Of course the fourth official was there, a Turkish referee. And I told him [the referee], thank you [for coming] here.
"I turn myself to the fourth official and I told [him] this match, if you are the referee...would be a disaster. When I say him, I say the general tendency."
Mourinho was also asked about an incident early in the game involving his 19-year-old defender Yusuf Akcicek, to which he said: "Again, I have to thank the referee because with a Turkish referee after the big dive and the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys on top of the kids.
"A Turkish referee would have [given Akcicek] a yellow card after one minute and after five minutes I would have to change him."
Galatasaray responded with a statement, saying: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Türkiye, Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people.
"Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.
"We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA.
"Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahçe -- an institution professing to uphold "exemplary moral values" -- in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager."
Mourinho has been critical of the officiating in Turkey this season. In January, he said there was a "toxic" environment around referees in the Süper Lig.
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