WEST ALLIS, Wis. – More than 40 super late model drivers from 11 states will invade The Milwaukee Mile on June 16 for the running of the ARCA Midwest Tour Father’s Day 100.

Champions from across the short track racing scene have filed entries for the Sunday afternoon contest, marking the return of racing to The Milwaukee Mile for the first time in four years.

Four drivers that have garnered eight ARCA Midwest Tour championships will lead the charge for the Midwest Sunday. Two-time ARCA Midwest Tour champion Dan Fredrickson is the only one of the four to have tasted victory at Milwaukee, the 2008 and 2013 Champ won a MARS Series event in West Allis in 2004.

One of the few tracks that four-time champ Ty Majeski has not won on in his home state is The Milwaukee Mile. The all-time Tour win leader with 19 victories is coming off back to back ARCA Menards Series wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway and came up just short of a third win at Michigan Int’l Speedway last weekend, surrendering the lead on the final lap as he ran out of fuel.

The two drivers with the most recent Tour success have been Andrew Morrissey and Dalton Zehr. Morrissey, the 2011 Tour champion, posted two wins last season, including a victory in the 49th annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway. Making his first Midwest Tour start of the season will be reigning champion Zehr. He comes into Milwaukee with three Tour wins to go along with numerous victories throughout the region.

Colorado’s Preston Peltier has thrown his hat into the ring for Sunday as well. The veteran driver visited victory lane in SRL competition at Irwindale Speedway this April. The 2010 PASS champion has five Easter Bunny 150 victories at Hickory Motor Speedway, in addition to big wins at the World Cup 300 and the Challenge Cup at Colorado National.

Another PASS champion that has entered is three-time and defending PASS South champion Matt Craig. Craig has nine PASS wins to his credit in his young career. Reigning ARCA/CRA Super Series champion Josh Brock will be making his first Midwest Tour attempt, while 2016 Southern Super Series champion and 2017 All-American 400 winner Donnie Wilson looks to add another marquee win.

Massachusetts’ Eddie MacDonald has also filed a surprise entry. He has four wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, another mile track, two in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East action and two in ACT competition. MacDonald has also notched an Oxford 250 victory and has won at Bristol Motor Speedway, one of his seven NASCAR K&N Pro Series East wins.

Others who have filed entries or are expected to file entries include ARCA Midwest Tour points leader Casey Johnson, Jeff VanOudenhoven, Bobby Kendall, Maxwell Schultz, Paul Shafer Jr., Ricky Baker, Boris Jurkovich, Rick Bickle Jr., Austin Nason, Carson Kvapil, John Beale, Ryan Farrell, Justin Mondiek, Gabe Sommers, Jason Weinkauf and John DeAngelis Jr.

DARLINGTON, S.C. – Pop music icon and Greenville, S.C., native Edwin McCain will perform the National Anthem for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 1.

McCain will perform the anthem for the track’s 70th anniversary of the Bojangles’ Southern 500, which first competed at Darlington Raceway in 1950.

“With South Carolina being my home state, I’m excited to be performing the National Anthem at one of the sport’s biggest races of the year at Darlington Raceway,” McCain said. “I’ve always embraced my South Carolina roots so to perform at my home state’s NASCAR track is an honor.”

Called the “great American romantic” by the New York Times, McCain has built an enviable career over the past 20 years by balancing his massive pop success with the year-round touring schedule of a tireless troubadour.

His hit songs, authentic spirit and surprisingly affable sense of humor keep fans coming back time and time again for nights that feel more like parties with old friends than rock concerts. After recording two of the biggest love songs in the history of pop music and experiencing the success that comes with a television show on Animal Planet (Flipping Ships), McCain now performs upwards of 100 shows annually throughout the U.S. as a solo artist, with his full band or his acoustic trio. Recently, he’s added orchestras to his repertoire, performing with symphonies in select markets where he brings his powerful songs to majestic new heights.

Those enduring love songs (and wedding must-haves) “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More” aren’t just for the romantic at heart; “American Idol” and “The Voice” contestants turn to Edwin’s ballads every single year to help them win over judges and fans alike (just ask last season’s AI winner, Nick Fradiani). Even Justin Bieber has been known to belt out “I’ll Be” during his own concerts.

2018 marked the 20th year of the success of “I’ll Be,” which topped the Billboard charts in 1998 and has proven to be a timeless classic over the past two decades.

“We’re excited about having South Carolina’s own Edwin McCain perform our National Anthem for the 70th running of the Bojangles’ Southern 500,” track President Kerry Tharp said. “It’s great to see South Carolina natives like McCain being involved in their home state’s NASCAR events. It means a lot to Darlington Raceway and the sport. Pre-race ceremonies for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 will be a can’t-miss opportunity for fans.”

We’re back with a new edition of the SPEED SPORT Power Rankings! There was some major shuffling inside the top-10 this week, but does that mean there is a new No. 1? Click below to find out!

INDIANAPOLIS — It isn’t difficult to identify the major players in IndyCar today — Roger Penske, Chip Ganassi and Michael Andretti. Their teams are the nucleus of the sport and they command a significant audience when they speak.

Lately, all three have mentioned the need for NTT IndyCar Series regulars to have a guaranteed starting spot in the Indianapolis 500.

They make their case with a solid argument: Failing to make the starting field at Indianapolis Motor Speedway creates instability that could cause a prominent corporate sponsor to leave the sport.

Like it or not, that’s a legitimate concern. Every form of racing needs sponsors and we want those companies to feel secure in their investment. If a company writes a seven-figure check and misses the biggest event of the season, that’s not a healthy situation.

However, the leaders of the sport need to hold firm: just say no to guaranteed starting spots at Indy. Because a guarantee would make it far more difficult for new, smaller teams to enter the sport and survive.

Teams don’t just compete on the track; they compete for sponsors, as well. In the competitive marketing arena, companies evaluate proposals from teams of all sizes. Landing a large, long-term marketing partner is usually the key breakthrough that brings life and growth to a small team.

Large teams already have a significant advantage in the sales process, based on name recognition, size and stature. Imagine the advantage a larger team gains when its marketing proposal includes a guaranteed starting spot at Indianapolis.

IndyCar has made great strides in recent years to build stability and get back on a growth trend. Lots of good things have happened. They have a solid core of just over a dozen teams and that’s about right for their events throughout the season — except Indy.

At Indianapolis, we need more teams. Not just more cars; more teams.

The Indianapolis 500 is still a dynamic, once-in-a-lifetime event. Race day is one of the most exciting and memorable sports experiences in the world. But we have to be honest: Some of the competitive elements surrounding the race have been difficult to maintain in recent years, particularly Pole Day and Bump Day.

IMS is in a bit of a tough spot: The very nature of bumping — one of the most dynamic and thrilling elements of the 500 — involves somebody experiencing crushing disappointment. That somebody includes the sponsors of any car that fails to make the race. If the 500 can someday return to the days of 40-plus competitive cars, no doubt some sponsors will be disappointed when their car is bumped.

But the alternative is much more concerning. It’s disheartening to hear the leaders of the sport say things such as “11 rows of three are not acts of God,” and “33 is just a number.”

Forgive me, but 33 is much more than just a number. It’s a cherished tradition dating back several generations, and you ignore that at your own peril. One of the things NASCAR was guilty of in its rise to prominence a few years ago was throwing out a lot of important traditions; that hasn’t worked out well over the longer haul.

I don’t want to eliminate bumping at the Indy 500 because it’s not convenient for team owners and sponsors. If you offer those owners — and sponsors — a guaranteed spot, there’s a good chance bumping could truly be a thing of the past.

Guaranteed spots at Indy? Just say no. Please.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Already established as a featured attraction during both Daytona Bike Week and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, American Flat Track is preparing to become a part of another of the largest, most historic two-wheeled events to its calendar.

The inaugural running of the Laconia Short Track presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys takes place this weekend during Laconia Motorcycle Week on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Currently celebrating its 96th anniversary, Laconia Bike Week is the world’s oldest motorcycle rally and draws an attendance of more than a quarter of a million people annually. The Laconia Short Track is an exciting addition to an already jam-packed week, featuring an all-new .25-mile circuit known simply as The Flat Track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The pressure-cooker confines of Short Track racing should only crank up the tension as defending AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines champion Jared Mees targets the points advantage of current leader Briar Bauman.

The Indian Wrecking Crew teammates appear destined for a season-long struggle for supremacy with Bauman now six for six in podium appearances this year and Mees tapping back into the dominant form that saw him collect 20 victories and two championships over the previous two seasons.

Just behind those two are an impressive number of premier-class superstars boasting the requisite talent and speed to prevent this season from transforming into a two-rider race, however.

Third-ranked Brandon Robinson has already scooped a pair of wins in 2019, including the season’s first stop at a Short Track in Atlanta.

Henry Wiles, meanwhile, can claim sole possession of American Flat Track’s career ST wins record with a victory in Saturday’s main event. He currently sits tied atop the all-time leaderboard alongside the legendary Chris Carr with nine wins apiece.

While the recent success of rivals Jesse Janisch and Mikey Rush may have relegated Dalton Gauthier to third in the Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys championship order, the Pennsylvania native could be primed to strike back this weekend.

Gauthier is a threat to win anywhere the Roof Systems AFT Singles class lines up, but he’s a particularly effective Short Track ace. Gautier boasts Short Track wins in three different seasons (Daytona I, 2016, Atlanta ST 2017 and 2019), and could potentially reclaim the title lead with a similarly strong outing this weekend.

It's all come down to Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. It's time to debate all the hot topics heading into the final showdown, including keys to victory for each team, the players currently ahead for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, and who would get the Stanley Cup second after each team's respective captain.

How do the Blues turn the page from their Game 6 loss?

Greg Wyshynski, senior NHL writer: They didn't play "Gloria" after Game 6 in St. Louis. So what song should they have played? While the No. 1 answer might have been the "Funeral March," I'll go with "You Can't Always Get What You Want" from The Rolling Stones. Because if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need. And as Game 6 goat (not GOAT) Ryan O'Reilly told me after the loss, maybe what they need is to have their story end on the road, where they're 9-3 this postseason.

Maybe what they also need is goalie Jordan Binnington snapping back from a subpar effort, yet again. He's 7-2 after defeats in the playoffs with a 1.86 goals-against average. Emily, what's your song on the Blues' playlist after Game 6?

Emily Kaplan, national NHL reporter: I'm going to pick an anthem of my formative years: the late, great Aliyah's "Try Again." We know the Blues have been unflappable after losses this postseason, and heading into a hostile road environment, they just need to dust themselves off and try again. Despite Craig Berube's quotes after Game 6 -- which essentially felt like the team was just happy to be here after such a trying start to the season -- the Blues have to know they have a shot.

They've been the better team at five-on-five. They'll need to be disciplined (O'Reilly's puck over the glass that gave Boston a five-on-three in Game 6 was less than ideal) and they need to be confident in their own power play, which has slowed momentum at times this postseason. It looked much stronger in Game 6 than it has all series. Greg, what do you see as the biggest key to the game?

Wyshynski: Like you said, the Blues' best chance at winning the Stanley Cup is playing as much five-on-five hockey as possible. Rolling their four lines -- including a fourth line that'll have Ivan Barbashev back after his suspension -- is when the Blues are at their best, acting like a wrecking ball in the offensive zone and not having to defend all that much. (One of the big gripes from the Blues about their play in Game 6 was that they were too loosely structured defensively.)

It's funny: The Blues had the power play advantage in Game 6, had 12 shots on goal on those power plays, and yet you felt like that time spent on special teams didn't serve them well. So, in essence, the key to Game 7 might be how much time the Blues spend on special teams vs. even strength, and the good news for them is that it is a demonstrable fact that the fewest penalties on average in a series are called in a Game 7, as this FiveThirtyEight report noted. Emily, what has to happen for the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup?

Kaplan: I'm not sure if we can say Boston's success is contingent on any specific forward. Yes, we've expected more from the Bruins' top line (they didn't get their first even-strength goal of the series until Sunday night) but it hasn't really mattered. Bruce Cassidy even said it after Game 6: This is the year Boston has depth scoring. Heck, 21 players have scored for the Bruins this postseason. The only guys who haven't? John Moore and Tuukka Rask (and at the rate Tuukka is going in these playoffs, who knows).

But all of that brings me to my point: I see Rask as the key to this game. When he's in the zone, he has been very hard to get pucks past. The Blues need to get traffic in front of him, and sometimes even that's not enough. And Rask has been on in the three games this postseason when Boston has faced elimination: only four goals allowed (1.33 GAA) and a ridiculous .953 save percentage. Greg, are we now in a situation where Rask wins the Conn Smythe whether the Bruins win or lose?

Wyshynski: Now that we're in Game 7, there are clearly top options for playoff MVP: Rask and O'Reilly. (Although true hockey hipsters know that Logan Couture, still leading the NHL postseason with 14 goals, is the real MVP.)

But the debate here is whether Rask can still win the Conn Smythe if the Bruins lose Game 7, and there are two ways to look at this. No goalie has played as many games in a playoff year (23) while posting a better save percentage (.938) besides Tim Thomas, who had a .940 in 25 games during the 2011 Stanley Cup win for Boston. There are only five goalies in the past 30 years who have posted better save percentages than Rask in a postseason with at least 20 games played. Three of them have Conn Smythes, including Jean-Sebastian Giguere's MVP in a losing effort in 2003, which would be Rask's touchstone. And one of them is Tuukka Rask from 2013, with a .940 save percentage, just in case there's anyone out there who would dare call this a fluke.

But the other factor is when the votes are cast: with 10 minutes left in the third period. Voters submit a three-player ballot. They have the ability to submit "if/then" ballots, like "if the Blues win, here's my ballot; if the Bruins win, then this is my ballot." He's such a clear-cut choice for the Bruins, I wonder if he'll collect enough "points" in the voting to finish first if O'Reilly isn't the consensus pick for the Blues (such as if Binnington or Alex Pietrangelo are top choices on a bunch of ballots).

So, the shorter answer is: Yes, I'd name Rask the MVP, win or lose. But onto more unknown aspects of Game 7. Emily, what are some implications of this game for both teams?

Kaplan: The Blues should work out a formal deal with Craig Berube, win or lose. We're not going to see another Barry Trotz situation.

Speaking of the Washington Capitals, I wonder if the Blues -- who were so aggressive last offseason to shape this roster -- will follow suit of what Washington did last summer after winning a Cup: do everything possible to keep the band together. Does that mean re-signing veteran unrestricted free agents such as Carl Gunnarsson and Patrick Maroon to short-term deals? They also have eight restricted free agents, the biggest being Binnington. A new contract is inevitable for Binnington, but many around the league will be intrigued to see the price and term at which the two sides land. Since there are few comparables, it feels like a bridge deal is very much in play.

The Bruins have most of their veterans under contract, and will obviously work out new deals for Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy, both restricted free agents. The biggest variable on Boston's roster is Torey Krug, who hits unrestricted free agency after next season. Krug elevated his profile tremendously these playoffs as not just a talented offensive defenseman, but a No. 1-caliber, all-around defenseman, and that has driven up his price. Can the Bruins afford to keep him? Will they have to trade him? Will other suitors such as the Red Wings or Rangers emerge as favorites to land him next summer? He's the guy I'm watching.

Lightning round

From 1987 to 2014, Stanley Cup Final Game 7s averaged 8.6 in combined penalties. Do we go over or under?

Wyshynski: Under. Whistles will be put away. The boys, they will play.

Kaplan: Give me the under. I agree that the refs are going to let them play.

This player will definitely score a goal in Game 7:

Wyshynski: Jaden Schwartz, which I know is a dicey proposition given how Rask played in Game 6. But Schwartz was absolutely flying in Game 6, more present offensively than he was in the past few games. While "he's due" is never a good reason for one of these picks, he hasn't scored a goal in seven games, so ...

Kaplan: For the Blues? Vladimir Tarasenko. For the Bruins? Charlie Coyle.

Who waves the Bruins' fan banner?

Wyshynski: I know there's heavy speculation that it's Tom Brady, but I'm holding out hope for noted Blues and Bruins legend Adam Oates.

Kaplan: I have a strong hunch it's going to be a very famous Boston-area athlete who has won a lot of championships himself and likes avocado ice cream.

Who gets the Cup second for the Blues and Bruins?

Wyshynski: For the Blues, I'll say Alexander Steen, the longest-serving Blues player, with 710 games played in St. Louis, which is sixth in franchise history. For the Bruins, it'll probably be Patrice Bergeron, but I'd really like to see 6-foot-9 Zdeno Chara hand it to 5-foot-9 Torey Krug, for comedic effect given the height disparity.

Kaplan: For the Blues, I think Jay Bouwmeester gets it. For Boston, I see Zdeno Chara handing it off to Patrice Bergeron (though my pick would be Tuukka Rask).

Barcelona hope to bring in at least €60 million in player sales before June 30 with the aim of balancing their accounts for the 2018-19 season, sources have told ESPN FC.

Ernesto Valverde would like to add three or four new players to his squad this summer but has been warned that the club's delicate financial situation dictates that players must be sold to allow others to join.

- When does the transfer window close?

Sources told ESPN FC after the Champions League loss to Liverpool that Barca have made record signing Philippe Coutinho available for transfer and are now hoping he has a good Copa America for Brazil as they look to get €100m for his services.

Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti also know Barcelona will study offers for them if they arrive as they look to raise close to €300m before next season starts, although both players have expressed their desire to stay at the club.

But sources have told ESPN FC that it's the fringe players who the club are desperately looking to move on before the end of the month.

The Spanish champions have already committed to paying an initial €75m for Ajax's Frenkie de Jong. They are also keen on Antoine Griezmann -- who has told Atletico Madrid of his desire to leave and will be available for €120m from July 1 -- and Matthijs de Ligt.

Barca have an agreement in place with Ajax to sign De Ligt but are yet to strike a deal with the player. They will re-open contact with his agent, Mino Raiola, this week, but believe Paris Saint-Germain are currently best placed to land the Dutch defender. Signing De Ligt would push Umtiti closer to the exit door.

Andre Gomes could be the first to leave. The Portugal midfielder has several suitors in England after spending the last year on loan at Everton. He has already rejected an offer from West Ham with Everton keen to make his stay permanent. Barca are confident of obtaining around €30m for him.

Barca are seeking new homes for Denis Suarez, Rafinha, Malcom and Jasper Cillessen, too. Valencia and Atletico Madrid have enquired about Denis, while Cillessen has asked to leave in search of regular football. The Catalan club are demanding €30m for the Dutch goalkeeper.

The club believe they can recoup the €40m they paid Bordeaux for Malcom last summer. The Brazilian has had limited opportunities in his first season at Camp Nou and his agents have told ESPN FC they will meet with Barca soon to discuss the options.

Elsewhere, Barca are also looking to make money on left-back Marc Cucurella. Eibar have taken up an option to sign him for €2m after a successful loan spell but the Blaugrana can re-sign him for €4m. They are planning to buy him back and then sell him for a bigger fee, with clubs in Spain, Portugal and Germany all asking about the academy graduate.

Atletico have shown an interest in Nelson Semedo, too, but Barcelona do not want to sell. The Portugal right-back is tied down with a release clause of €100m, but sources at the club said that if a sky-high offer came in, they would have to consider it.