I Dig Sports
Editors Note: In a nod to our 90 years of history, each week SPEED SPORT will look back at the top stories from 15, 30 and 60 years ago as told in the pages of National Speed Sport News.
15 Years Ago 2010
News: One of the most successful relationships in auto racing history ended as Philip Morris is
no longer the sponsor of Team Penske in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
In order to satisfy a ban on tobacco sponsorship in the United States that was originally instituted by the Attorneys General of various states in 2000, known as the Master Agreement, the final part of that ban goes into effect in June. And while Marlboro decals have not been on the Penske cars since that team left CART at the end of 2001 and joined the IndyCar Series full time in 2002, the paint scheme itself was enough to remind race fans of a pack of Marlboro cigarettes.
Feb. 23 marked the first official day of a new paint scheme one that is predominantly black with red striping along with some white on the top of the car.
This marks the end of an era, said Team Penske President Tim Cindric. When I look at the red-and-white era of Team Penske, this is the first time since 1990 that our team hasnt had the red-and-white colors. There are a lot of changes for us internally, but hopefully we will represent ourselves with the same success that weve had before.
Philip Morris will no longer sponsor the Team Penske cars and this is the first time that we
Havent had a Marlboro association since 1990.
For two decades, the red-and-white paint scheme at Team Penske represented excellence in auto racing. It was the famed Marlboro paint scheme, which originally was used in Formula 1, but as sponsor Philip Morris increased its involved in CART in the mid-19805 before joining
Penske in 1990 the mere site of race cars with that paint scheme meant winning.
Winners: Despite a miscue on the original start. Justin Marks recovered nicely to easily win the
rain-shortened Tire Kingdom 150 ARCA Racing Series event Saturday afternoon at Palm Beach lntl Raceway.
Polesitter Casey Roderick and Marks brought the 34-car field to the green flag on the 2.25-mile road course and Marks locked up the brakes entering the chicane on the front chute and six cars slid off course together. nose to tail with all able to continue with minimal damage.
With the shuffling of the field Mikey Kile set the early pace over Steve Arpin and Joey Coulter but threatening skies delivered the anticipated light rain by lap three.
A full-course yellow flag waved on lap eight and most of the field ducked onto pit road on lap 10 for new Hoosier rain tires the first time the ARCA tour ever raced on the deeply grooved soft rubber.
When the green flag waved again it was still Kile in front. but young rookie Roderick had Bill Elliotts Dodge on the move to take the point on lap 15. By lap 25 Rob Brent had moved by Kile for second with Frank Kimmel, Coulter, Marks, rookie Blake Koch and Tom Hessert in tow.
Despite the continued wet conditions, Brent kept the pressure on Roderick and moved to the front on lap 30. The second full-course yellow flag waved on lap 34 for a couple of cars that had run off course with most of the field heading for pit road for gas and fresh rain rubber. Roderick was out front once again and at the lap-40 mark the order Roderick, Marks. Koch and Brent.
Marks had the hammer down and rocketed past Roderick on lap 43 and quickly had a five-car length advantage. but just five laps later Roderick was finished with transmission failure.
On lap 55, Marks and Koch hit pit road for fuel only with Brent staying out.
Once back on track Marks was a man on a mission as he ran down Brent and pulled away to an 18-second lead with 10 laps remaining as the rain went from a drizzle to a steady downpour and the field was forced to slow due to standing water on the track surface.
At lap 70. ARCA officials declared the race complete, five laps short of the advertised distance with Marks the victor in front of Brent, local driver Koch, Hessert and Arpin.
30 Years Ago 1995
News: Bruton Smith has always been known as an auto racing visionary and one who does things in a big way. Smith hit a bulls-eye in both areas last Tuesday as he announced a north Ft. Worth location for his new $75 million Texas Motor Speedway.
Smith finally settled on a 1,600-acre site near Alliance Airport, 15 miles north of downtown Ft. Worth for the nations newest superspeedway.
But in addition to naming the winning site from the three locations considered, the numbers involved with the facility are mindboggling.
Texas Motor Speedway will include a 1.5-mile tri-oval boasting 24-degree banked turns and a 2.5-mile oval/infield road course. The 150,000 seats planned for the initial construction will make the facility the second largest sporting venue in the world, trailing only the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, according to Smith.
Phase II of construction will encircle the entire track with seating that will eventually total 270,000, just shy of Indys nearly 300,000 seating.
Also planned are 205 skyboxes to accomodate 14,000, by far the largest number of luxury
suites at any sporting facility. Smiths choice of the airport-area property, owned by Ross Perot Jr., ended speculation as to where the Charlotte and Atlanta Motor Speedways head would site
his new venture. A southeast Dallas parcel and one in Grand Prairie, west of Dallas, were the others most prominently mentioned. But one plus that the Alliance Airport property offers is access.
The access is perhaps the biggest thing, Smith told the attendees. In addition to great road systems, Alliance offers the chance to land as many as 1,000 private planes so close to the track that guests could then walk to the race.
Perot led the development of Alliance as a major airport for commercial use. American Airlines located a major maintenance facility there.
Other than the huge AA hangar and support buildings for the airport, the TMS site is completely rural.
Winners: The story of Sundays Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami Presented by Toyota was Eliseo Salazars tunnel vision, and the fast pit work of Jacques Villeneuves crew.
The first put Michael Andretti, the early race leader, out of action while the second left the French Canadian at the head of the field after the dust settled following Andrettis departure. Villeneuve stayed there until the finish of the 90-lap, 164.619-mile contest.
In all, the PPG IndyCar World Series opener was under yellow a total of seven times for 28 laps, as the 1.829-mile course proved as slippery as a skating rink. Although no one was injured in
what were a succession of minor skirmishes with the downtown Bicentennial Park circuits concrete barriers and tire walls, the yellows did have a major effect on the outcome.
It was on the third restart that leader Andretti tried to slip his Kmart Texaco-backed Newman Haas team Lola L T15 Ford underneath Salazars similar Dick Simon-owned Cristal Mobil 1 Copec entry.
Whether or not Salazar saw Andretti, he moved as if to give the then-race leader room to pass, then moved back to his right, crowding Andretti, causing his Kmart entrys right front wheel into the concrete. Andretti managed to keep going in the lead for 21 more laps. But, his day was then done as the lower right front wishbone finally cracked. putting him out of the race.
That left the surprisingly fast sophomore Maurico Gugelmin and his PacWest team Ford Reynard R951 in the lead with Villeneuves Players Ltd. cigarettess ponsored R951 Ford in second.
On the following exchange of pit stops, however, it was Villeneuve who came out first with Gugelmln second. And, while Gugelmin tried hard, and while several more yellows gave him the opportunity to turn things around, Villeneuve wasnt about to be displaced.
In the end, the Players driver crossed the Une 1.02 seconds to the good, having averaged 82.801 miles per hour for the distance. Third, about another second behind, was Bobby Rahal in his Miller Genuine Draft Lola L T95 Mercedes.
60 Years Ago 1965
News: Arnold Knepper of Belleville, Ill., one of the most improved drivers in USAC competition last season, this week became the second rookie assured of a car for the 49th annual 500-mile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 31.
He will be at the wheel of the Konstant Hot Special, an Offenhauser- powered roadster entered by Tassi Vatis of Vatis Enterprises, Inc., New York, N.Y.
Knepper, who started his racing career in midget competition, made several appearances in the sprint car and championship events during the summer of 1963 and campaigned as a regular in both divisions throughout 1964. He earned seventh-place ranking among all sprint car drivers and finished 16th in the national big car point standings.
His 1964 sprint car record shows 17 starts and he collected points in all but two of the races, finishing sixth or better eight times.
In the big car division, he was particularly consistent on the one-mile dirt tracks, where he started five times. He placed fifth at Langhorne, sixth in the Hoosier Hundred, seventh at Springfield, 10th at DuQuoin and 11th at Sacramento. He also qualified for four races on one-mile paved ovals.
Winners: Junior Johnson, who changed ten wheels at strategic times wheeled his 1965 Ford to victory in the 125-mile Richmond 250 Sunday almost a lap ahead of second-place Buck Baker in a 1964 wedge Dodge.
The Ronda, N.C., driver, who see-sawed in and out of the lead, made several pit stops for tires under the many caution flags.
Many times he made his stops in installments so as not to lose a lap on the field. He would then roar up at the tall end of the short field behind the pace car, ready to race when the green flag came out.
- T. Putney, Arden, S.C., was third in a 1965 Chevrolet, six laps behind the leaders and fourth place went to Bob Derrington of Houston in a 64 Ford completing only 237 of the 250 laps.
Preview: World of Outlaws Head Back To Volusia For Bike Week
BARBERVILLE, Fla. Three weeks off was more than enough. The 2025 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car campaign is ready to fire back off.
Volusia Speedway Park ignited the season with four consecutive nights of Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals action in February. Now, The Greatest Show on Dirt is ready to return to the Barberville, Fla. oval.
The Worlds Fastest Half Mile welcomes the countrys best Sprint Car drivers back to town for the Bike Week Jamboree. It marks the third consecutive year that the four-wheel and two-wheel worlds have crossed over during Daytona Beach, FLs Bike Week. Bikers can ride their Harley along the coastline during the day before heading inland for some Sprint Car racing in the evening.
Lets look at the top storylines entering Bike Week:
RIGHT WHERE HE LEFT OFF
There were zero signs of a championship hangover for David Gravel and Big Game Motorsports when they began their title defense at the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals.
The Watertown, Conn. native wheeled Tod Quirings No. 2 to four straight finishes of fourth or better including a trio of podiums. His average finish was third against one of the toughest fields the Series sees all year. Those results have him leading the de facto standings in his pursuit of back-to-back championships.
Going back to Volusia gives no reason to think Gravel and the Cody Jacobs-led crew will slow down. Hes missed the top 10 only once in his last 34 Sprint Car starts at the half mile, and 24 of those finishes have been within the top five.
SWIMMING IN THE SWAMP
Theres no denying 2024 didnt go the way Logan Schuchart and Shark Racing had hoped. But if their performance a couple weeks ago is any indicator, theyre in for a bounce back season.
Schuchart collected top 10s in all four Features of DIRTcar Nationals. Two of those nights led to podiums, moving him within one of his top three total for the entire 2024 season. His average finish for the week was a stout 4.25. The Hanover, Pa. native also earned his first Simpson Quick Time since July of 2023 at Eldora Speedway.
The stats say Schuchart and new crew chief Kyle Pruitt will continue to click as they return to Volusia. Schuchart has been in the top 10 in 16 of his last 17 starts at The Worlds Fastest Half Mile. He owns a trio of Volusia victories, twice with the World of Outlaws (2020 & 2021) and once with the All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) in 2021.
WINNING THROUGH THE PAIN
There was cause for concern when a broken leg in December sidelined Carson Macedo from the Australian racing season. Would he be ready for the World of Outlaws season less than two months after the injury? He left no doubt he was prepared at the DIRTcar Nationals.
The Lemoore, Calif. native came out and led every lap of the Volusia season opener aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 for his 48th career World of Outlaws triumph. Macedo slipped to 12th on night two but rebounded with and finishes of sixth and fourth to close out the week. Last year struggles at the season-opening event left him buried in points. This year, hes a manageable 24 markers behind Gravel for the de facto point lead.
Macedo goes back to Florida looking to cut into Gravels advantage as well as gain on Schuchart, who sits six markers back of Gravel. Its early, but every point matters in the season-long battle. Macedo is a five-time Volusia winner with a pair of those checkered flags coming from the month of March.
FLYING THROUGH FLORIDA
Donny Schatz made a habit of driving his Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian No. 15 through the field last year. So much so that his net position change for the year was more than +300. And the trend continued two weeks ago.
The 10-time series champion passed a total of 32 cars in DIRTcar Nationals Feature action an average of eight per night. The charges led him to a trio of top 10s.
While his ability to slice through the field is impressive, Schatz will be in search of some better real estate in the Feature lineup this time around. His average starting position so far in 2025 is 17.75. The Fargo, N.D. native knows races and championships are won by starting near the front.
Fortunately for Schatz, last years trip to Bike Week led to Victory Lane as he scored his 500th overall Sprint Car win. It was also his 24th overall checkered flag from Volusia with 15 coming in World of Outlaws competition and the other nine with ASCoC.
NEED A REBOUND
A trio of World of Outlaws stars will be in search of a bounce back trip to Florida.
Michael Buddy Kofoid rolled into 2025 with some looking at him as a potential championship contender following an impressive conclusion to his rookie campaign with Roth Motorsports. The pairing reeled off six wins in the final 16 races.
But DIRTcar Nationals didnt go according to plan. Kofoid was running up front in the season opener before a crash relegated him to 24th. Finishes of 11th and 14th followed before the Penngrove, Calif. native cracked the top 10 with an eighth on the final night. With a pair of Volusia podiums on his résumé along with a near victory during Bike Week last year, theres reason for optimism for Kofoid heading back to Florida.
Sheldon Haudenschild also managed just one top 10 with his Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing team ninth on night three of DIRTcar Nationals. However, the Wooster, Ohio native is a proven winner at Volusia having topped a trio of Features (2018, 2022, 2024).
Giovanni Scelzi and the KCP Racing crew entered their third year with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Struggles resulted in a best run of 14th through the opening four nights. Like Kofoid and Haudenschild, Scelzis past success gives reason to believe a rebound could be in store. Hot Sauce was on the Volusia podium in 2021. And last year he had no finish worse than seventh in five tries at the Florida facility.
SUNSHINE STATE BOUND
The Bike Week Jamboree is expected to attract many more competitors outside the full-time World of Outlaws roster.
Pennsylvania with have some representation with a few drivers including Jonestown, Pa.s Brock Zearfoss. He owns a pair of Volusia top 10s, peaking at seventh in 2023. Zearfoss will also have his car on display at the DeLand Bike Rally on Saturday, March 1, before racing begins the following day. Zearfoss will be joined at Volusia by fellow Pennsylvanian Anthony Macri, who is a former World of Outlaws runner-up at Volusia (2024).
Three-time and reigning Knoxville Raceway track champion, Austin McCarl, has Bike Week on his calendar. Hes already made seven Volusia appearances this year between ASCS and World of Outlaws competition. Last year the Altoona, IA native topped at United Sprint Car Series (USCS) main event at the Florida oval.
Others planning to race include Spencer Bayston (Lebanon, Ind.), Daison Pursley (Locust Grove, Okla.), Andy Pake (Felton, Minn.), Jacob Allen (Hanover, Pa.), Tyler Clem (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and more.
FLORIDA FUN
Its not only about the racing with the World of Outlaws trip to Florida as there will be plenty of other fun activities for fans to partake in.
The DeLand Bike Rally takes place in downtown, DeLand on Saturday, March 1. The World of Outlaws Fan Zone tent will be set up right when the rally begins at 9 a.m. Fans who pick up a Motorcycle Kickplate Stand or a Bike Week Koozie from the tent on Saturday can show them at the gates on Sunday or Monday at Volusia for $10 off tickets.
The same day, NOS Energy Drink will be set up from 2-4 p.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach. Fans can check out a two-seater Sprint Car, have a chance to score free tickets to the races on the weekend, and hang out with Sheldon Haudenschild as the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing superstar will be there for the duration.
Moving into race day, a pair of NHRA Funny Car champions plan to appear at Volusia. Kalitta Motorsports J.R. Todd will enjoy some racing on Sunday. Then, on Monday John Force Racings Austin Prock will be in attendance. Prock will sign autographs with Giovanni Scelzi from 5-5:30 p.m. at the KCP Racing merch trailer.
UNLTD Off-Road Racing Series officials are pleased to welcome SPEED SPORT 1 as the new broadcast home of the 2025 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400, returning to Las Vegas on March 5-9.
SPEED SPORT 1 viewers will be able to see the Great American Off-Road Race in its entirety through redistribution of the Mad Media-produced live streams on March 7-8.
Check Out More On SPEED SPORT 1.
Were grateful to SPEED SPORT 1 for partnering with us to bring the 2025 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 to viewers around the world, said UNLTD CEO Matt Martelli. Like the Mint 400 itself, SPEED SPORT is a historic and respected brand in the world of motorsport. Were excited to bring the thrills of the Great American Off-Road Race to viewers around the world through our live streaming partnership, which will feature both Fridays Limited Race and Saturdays Unlimited Race. Be sure to check them out!
SPEED SPORT 1 is the first network committed to delivering FREE, LIVE motorsports. With hundreds of live events and thousands of hours of premium motorsport content and lifestyle programming from the United States and around the globe.
SPEED SPORT 1 was created in conjunction with SPEED SPORT, Americas oldest and most trusted motorsports media brand, celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2024, and by a team with backgrounds at ESPN, Speedvision, Speed Channel, FS1, NASCAR, MTV, Disney and MAVTV to develop a television network dedicated to motorsports most passionate fans.
SPEED SPORT 1 is a Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) network, with no subscription or fees required. The SPEED SPORT 1 channel is available on an extensive list of providers, including Amazon Prime Video, PlutoTV, The Roku Channel, Sling Freestream, STIRR, LocalNow.TV, Fubo, and more. For more information and viewing options, visit SPEEDSPORT1.com.
We couldnt be more excited to deliver the oldest and most prestigious off-road race in America to our rapidly expanding audience, said Joe Tripp, SPEED SPORT CEO. The timing is perfect, as we just this week added our network to The Roku Channel, giving us reach of well over 200 million active monthly users in North America.
Moreover, Mad Medias reputation for stellar production quality, their creativity and the breathtaking race action itself will captivate fans from the die hards to those who may never have experience off-road racing before and that means together, we are creating new fans.
The Mint 400 has held the title of the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968 when it was first run. Initially, the race was a public relations event promoting the Mint Hotels annual deer hunt, but what started out as a hotel promotion soon grew into a legitimate desert race. Since its 2008 revival, The Great American Off-Road Race has only gotten bigger and more prestigious, and deeper fields every year only make it tougher to win.
Sources: Rangers' Fox (upper body) headed to IR
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox is going on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, sources told ESPN.
Although Fox is expected to miss time, the Rangers believe the defenseman can be back for their stretch run ahead of the playoffs.
Fox was injured during the third period of Tuesday's 5-1 win against the Islanders and did not return. Defenseman K'Andre Miller also exited Tuesday's game with an injury, though an update was not available on Wednesday.
The Rangers are fighting for a playoff spot and entered Wednesday two points out of a wild-card spot.
Fox, a former Norris Trophy winner, played in every game for Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off. He is tied for fourth in the NHL in scoring amongst defensemen with 48 points.
NHL players who want to complete their college degrees will have a smoother pathway thanks to an agreement announced Wednesday between their union and Boston College.
The deal would ease the way for current and former players to graduate from BC's Woods College of Advancing Studies, an arm of the university that offers flexible routes to certificates and degrees for non-traditional students. Among the alums: NHL Players Association executive director Marty Walsh.
"It allowed me the opportunity to get a college degree," the former Boston mayor and U.S. secretary of labor said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I went to school with people that were undergrads, that went to school at BC, taking class at night. And I was [also] in class with people in their 70s. Which is amazing."
David Goodman, the dean of Woods College, said the agreement is "the next evolution of a relationship that was already there," by removing "some of the friction" that might have prevented players from going back to school. It will make it easier for potential students to transfer previously earned credits, as one example, he said.
Josh Jooris, who played three years at Union College before earning his first NHL contract with the Calgary Flames, is currently enrolled. Brooks Orpik, who played three years for the Eagles before an NHL career in which he won two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins, returned to school after he retired and earned his degree in 2022.
"I had promised a lot of people, including my parents and former BC hockey coach Jerry York, that I would finish college at some point," Orpik said. "The feeling of pride I had was just so different than anything, athletically, I have accomplished."
Goodman said the students can study online, on-campus or hybrid. The new agreement doesn't have a limit on the number of players it can accept, but Goodman said he expects "a couple of dozen"; if there are more, the school would add sections to accommodate them, he said.
The NHLPA agreement with BC comes the same week as the Major League Baseball Players Association announced a similar deal with Syracuse. Walsh said he hadn't talked to his baseball counterparts about it.
"We all have programs," said NHLPA head, who needed more than 10 years, taking one or two classes per semester, to get his degree while he was working full-time, including as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
"We're a union that represents our workers on the on the ice and through to collective bargaining," he said. "But we also want to make sure that we're preparing these players, that when their careers are over, that they're set up for success going forward, too."
The NHL says more than a third of its players played college hockey in the U.S. or Canada, with the majority of those leaving school before getting their degrees. Both Woods and Walsh noted that even players who go on to a successful NHL career would likely retire in their 30s, leaving a long worklife ahead of them.
"These players are typically scooped up in their first two years," Woods said. "When they come back after having been successful, coming back to one's education is not necessarily a sexy move. But it's finishing something they once started."
LOS ANGELES -- Drew Doughty is day to day because of a lower-body injury that kept the defenseman out of the Los Angeles Kings' 3-2 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night.
Doughty missed the first 47 games after breaking his left ankle in a preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 25. He made his season debut on Jan. 29, returning in time to be a late addition to join Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Doughty, 35, has one goal and three assists in eight games this season. He is averaging 25:55 of ice time and had played at least 21 minutes in every game.
While Doughty sat out of the nationally televised contest, the Canucks got star defenseman Quinn Hughes back after missing six games because of an undisclosed injury.
Hughes went through a strenuous morning skate to see if he was ready to play for the first time since Jan. 31. He was back on the ice for pregame warmups but did not take line rushes and stayed on the ice after the horn. After initially being listed on the roster report as out, Hughes was the last player to take the ice, with the Canucks dressing seven defensemen.
Hughes made an impact, too, assisting on the winning goal and having nearly 22 minutes of ice time.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Pep Guardiola has admitted fans will never see "the old Manchester City" again this season but vowed they will be back to their best after beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland's 20th Premier League goal of the season on 12 minutes was enough to secure a win which takes City up into fourth place.
The defending champions were superb in the opening half and should have extended their advantage as Tottenham struggled to cope with Haaland, supported by Jérémy Doku and Savinho on the flanks with Omar Marmoush in behind.
Spurs rallied after the break and, after Haaland had a stoppage-time goal disallowed for handball, substitute Pape Matar Sarr missed a glorious chance to equalise in the dying seconds when heading over the crossbar from close range.
Asked whether their fine first-half performance was more like his old, all-conquering side after a difficult spell, Guardiola shook his head and said: "Never will be this season, the old City. The old City was too good. But we'll be back.
"We have a young, young team. The three up front is the future. Nico [González], when Rodri comes back, will be the future. And of course, [Abdukodir] Khusanov you are seeing it today. Josko [Gvardiol] is young so yeah, there are certain areas. But, listen, Bernardo [Silva], [Ilkay] Gündogan, Kevin [De Bruyne] the other ones -- they are really important for us -- but of course it is a question of time.
"We have seen this season, the young players and the new acquisitions maybe the club will do in summertime -- in the next transfer window -- have to lead this club for the next few years."
Haaland voiced his frustration at his second goal being ruled out with referee Jarred Gillett deciding that he had touched the ball with his arm -- a call which stood after a lengthy VAR check.
"It's because he [Gillett] made the decision on the pitch, that it was a free kick," said Haaland.
"I don't think it is, it's clearly a big mistake, but we are humans, we make mistakes. It's a great goal and I don't think it's handball but what can we do, we won, I'm happy."
Slot cites mental strength as Liverpool go 13 clear
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has praised his team's mentality after they moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring for the hosts inside 11 minutes at Anfield before Alexis Mac Allister added another to make sure of the victory in the second half.
A 0-0 draw for second-place Arsenal away to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night means Liverpool are now edging ever closer to the Premier League title, but Slot is confident that his players are showing no signs of complacency.
"I think what impressed me most was the mental strength in both games [against Newcastle and Manchester City] because after Everton and Wolves people start to question us a bit," Slot said after the match.
"But if you get a lot of compliments eight out of 10 people get a bit complacent. Only the ones who want to achieve something don't. And that mentality of these two against 10 we saw tonight.
"They just found an extra gear to work even harder. We weren't perfect. I think we lost more simple balls than we usually do, but the mentality was great again."
Asked how close he feels his team are to winning the Premier League, Slot said: "I don't know because I don't think that way. I think about Paris Saint-Germain [in the Champions League] already.
"I watched them against City, and I am impressed by the quality they have. I think they are on a similar run as we are.
"They've hardly lost a game for a long time. They're doing really well so my focus is on PSG. I forget the Premier League table for now until we play Southampton."
Real Madrid's Copa del Rey game at Real Sociedad was briefly suspended Wednesday, following chants from the crowd aimed at Madrid defender Raúl Asencio.
The cup semifinal first leg at the Reale Arena was paused just before halftime, when referee José María Sánchez Martínez was notified by Madrid captain Vinícius Júnior that the players had heard chants of "Asencio, die."
The official activated Spain's anti-hate protocol, which states that in the first instance, a message is displayed on the stadium's big screens and read over loudspeakers.
"No to racist, xenophobic or intolerant chants. Support the team, respecting the opponent," the message said.
Earlier this month, a court in the Canary Islands ruled that an investigation into Asencio's alleged role in the distribution of a sexually explicit video involving a minor will continue.
Asencio is alleged to have shared a sexual video recorded by three other former Madrid academy players of an encounter with two girls, one of whom was a minor, in June 2023.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti substituted Asencio -- who was playing out of position at right-back -- at halftime and replaced him with Lucas Vázquez.
"Vinícius spoke to the referee, the referee stopped the game and applied the protocol," Ancelotti said during his postmatch news conference.
"[The referee] did the right thing. After that, I took [Asencio] off. The player had two things: He was affected by [the chants], and he had a yellow card. So I took him off.
"Nobody likes a stadium to sing 'die' at them," Ancelotti added. "[Asencio] was affected in that sense. He wasn't exactly happy. So I preferred to take him off. His emotions might have affected him."
Centre-back Asencio made his first-team debut in November 2024, as the team suffered a defensive injury crisis.
"We condemn the insults," Real Sociedad captain Mikel Oyarzabal told Movistar. "We don't like it. I think there are other ways of condemning what happened, or acts that may have been committed, but this isn't the right way to do it."
Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil added: "If that happened -- because I didn't hear it -- I condemn it. We don't like that happening in our stadium or any stadium. We condemn those chants, it can't happen."
The 22-year-old Asencio has become an important member of the team, starting both legs of Madrid's Champions League playoff with Manchester City this month.
Amorim 'to talk' with Garnacho after tunnel dash
Ruben Amorim said he will speak to Alejandro Garnacho after the Manchester United forward walked straight down the tunnel following his substitution during their 3-2 win over Ipswich Town.
Garnacho was recalled to the starting XI by Amorim, but was substituted before half-time in response to Patick Dorgu's red card.
The Argentina international was replaced by Noussair Mazraoui and after briefly acknowledging Amorim, he walked straight down the touchline towards the dressing rooms.
Amorim attempted to brush off the incident, but said after the game he would seek out the 20-year-old for talks.
"I'm going to talk, obviously, with Garnacho about that," said Amorim. "So I will talk about that if you want in the next press conference."
Garnacho was dropped by Amorim for the 2-1 win over Manchester City in December along with Marcus Rashford. Garnacho has fought his way back into favour, while Rashord departed after being loaned to Aston Villa during the January transfer window.
Pressed on Garnacho's decision to walk straight down the tunnel after the substitution, Amorim said: "You are making a connection with Rashford, right?
"It was cold and wet, maybe? The thinking was we'd play more in the 5-3-1. I know that is a risk because you are taking one -- maybe the only player who has one against one pace -- but I felt the team was OK in the controlling of the game, almost half-time, then you make the substitution.
"We have to choose someone to go out, we have to think about set pieces also, so it was Garanacho."
Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: 
Email: 
