I Dig Sports
NEWTON, Iowa – Christopher Bell will look to earn his second-straight NASCAR Xfinity Series victory after winning the pole on Saturday afternoon for the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway.
Bell earned his fourth pole of the season with a 23.710-second lap at 132.855 mph around the .875-mile track in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Bell will attempt to win his third-straight Iowa Speedway event on Saturday afternoon. He also won last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Chase Briscoe, the final driver to make a qualifying attempt, will start second. He was .032 of a second off the pace set by Hell on Saturday afternoon.
Brandon Jones qualified third ahead of teammate Riley Herbst in fourth. Jones and Herbst are both driving Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota’s. Justin Allgaier completed the top-five in a JR Motorsports Chevrolet.
Cole Custer, Shane Lee, Austin Cindric, Michael Annett and Ryan Sieg will start sixth through 10th, respectively.
Mark Meunier was the only driver who failed to qualify after crashing during his qualifying attempt.
The U.S. Cellular 250 will begin shortly after 5 p.m. EST at Iowa Speedway.
U.S. Cellular 250 Starting Lineup
1. Christopher Bell
2. Chase Briscoe
3. Brandon Jones
4. Riley Herbst
5. Justin Allgaier
6. Cole Custer
7. Shane Lee
8. Austin Cindric
9. Michael Annett
10. Ryan Sieg
11. Tyler Reddick
12. Zane Smith
13. Noah Gragson
14. John Hunter Nemechek
15. Justin Haley
16. Jeremy Clements
17. Dillon Bassett
18. J.J. Yeley
19. Gray Gaulding
20. Brandon Brown
21. Will Rodgers
22. Chad Finchum
23. Ryan Vargas
24. Ray Black Jr.
25. Stephen Leicht
26. Joey Gase
27. Camden Murphy
28. Stefan Parsons
29. Josh Williams
30. Matt Mills
31. Timmy Hill
32. David Starr
33. Vinnie Miller
34. Morgan Shepherd
35. Garrett Smithley
36. Stan Mullis
37. Mike Harmon
38. Ryan Repko
LONG POND, Pa. – Ross Chastain continued his remarkable season with his third NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series victory of the year on Saturday afternoon at Pocono Raceway.
Chastain, at the wheel of the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports, was in his own league throughout much of the 60-lap Gander RV 150. He led all but six laps, only giving up the lead for a pit stop late in the second stage.
The Florida driver dedicated the victory to the late Nick Harrison, Kaulig Racing’s crew chief who died unexpectedly last week.
“It takes us being a little mad. We’re a little made we lost Nick Harrison. We realize everybody goes when it’s their time, but we miss that big boy,” Chastain said. “These boys, a lot of them worked with him and I got to work with him at Kaulig Racing this year. Man, we miss him.”
Chastain made his only pit stop of the day on lap 27, just prior to the end of the second stage. That was done strategically by his team, with the goal being for Chastain to cycle back to the front of the field during the caution period between stages two and three when the rest of the leaders hit pit road.
The strategy worked out perfectly and Chastain cycled back to the front of the field for the final restart of the race. Despite having less fuel than many of those pursuing him, Chastain was easily able to make it to the checkered flag first.
“We stomped them in the dirt,” Chastain said. “I’m so dang excited.”
Tyler Ankrum, who earned his first NASCAR Outdoors Truck Series victory in the last event on July 11 at Kentucky Speedway when the race leader ran out of gas late in the race, chased Chastain across the line in second.
“I think it just goes to show everyone that you can still race with them and it’s not all about fuel strategy,” said Ankrum. “Honestly I just kind of fought myself at the beginning of the race there. I was just overdriving the truck. Just kind of stepping on my own toes and got behind.
“Bono (Manion, crew chief) did a real good job with pit strategy and I was able to start on the front row (for the final restart). Me and Ross were able to run away from the field. I thought I had a good enough truck to chase him down, but just with the air and how everything works I couldn’t get close enough to him to catch the draft.”
Harrison Burton finished third for Kyle Busch Motorsports, followed by ARCA regular Christian Eckes and GMS Racing’s Brett Moffitt.
For complete results, advance to the next page.
LEXINGTON, Ohio – Oliver Askew extended his Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires points lead with a commanding victory at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday.
The 22-year-old’s fifth win of the season in 12 races stretched his advantage to 35 points over Dutchman Rinus VeeKay, who finished third Saturday behind Askew’s teammate, Ryan Norman.
After claiming the pole position in qualifying Friday afternoon, Askew held off outside front row qualifier and teammate Robert Megennis at the first corner and was never seriously threatened throughout the 30-lap race held in warm conditions on the undulating and picturesque 2.258-mile road circuit.
“I feel as though I’m in a mode right now,” Askew said. “I was super-happy to win but the job is not done. We have a lot of races to go and we have to keep our heads down. Rinus and I are always going to be on the podium together so it’s important to win every race. We were quick in the test last week so it’s down to me and the team to execute in qualifying, which we did this weekend.
“I’m so proud of everyone at Andretti Autosport for giving me such a quick car. We’ve been fast here (at Mid-Ohio) the past few years, especially last year with Pato (O’Ward) and Colton (Herta) and Ryan (Norman) sweeping the podium. Maybe we can sweep tomorrow, but for me and my camp, the goal is to execute and win as many races as possible. We’re the only car starting on new tires tomorrow so we should be good.”
A preceding Stadium Super Truck Series race made for a slippery track surface, especially during the opening stages of the race. Toronto race winner Aaron Telitz was the first to be caught out, spinning at the exit of turn five on the opening lap. Next time around, third-place runner Toby Sowery looped his BN Racing/Team Pelfrey Dallara-AER in turn nine, and then Canadian Dalton Kellett ran off the road on the exit of the final corner, turn 14. All three resumed at the back of the pack.
Megennis remained in contention, only 1.5 seconds in arrears of Askew with 10 laps completed, with Norman, having inherited third place from Sowery, also chasing gamely in third. VeeKay, meanwhile, after problems in qualifying caused him to line up only sixth on the grid, was up into fourth at this stage, albeit with a deficit of more than three seconds to the leading trio.
Sowery, who started third, had worked his way back up to fifth following his early gyration, only to lose control again as he crested the rise at turn 11 on Lap 10, spinning off into the tire barriers. Sowery was unhurt but the full-course caution waved while his stricken car was retrieved.
Askew made an exemplary restart and soon began to pull away from Megennis, who was unable to shake off the attentions of Norman. On lap 19, Norman took advantage of his AER turbo engine’s push-to-pass feature to power past Megennis on the main straightaway. Five laps later VeeKay attempted to follow suit, only for Megennis to hold his line through Turn Four, forcing VeeKay to the outside and, ultimately, to tuck back into line. Next time around, Megennis bowed to the inevitable as VeeKay completed his pass a little earlier on the straightaway and moved through neatly into third.
The finish:
Oliver Askew, Ryan Norman, Rinus VeeKay, Robert Megennis, David Malukas, Lucas Kohl, Dalton Kellett, Aaron Telitz, Toby Sowery.
LONG POND, Pa. – Fresh off his first victory of the season last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Kevin Harvick kept the momentum going Saturday at Pocono Raceway.
Harvick took the top spot in Gander RV 400 qualifying aboard his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, circulating the 2.5-mile triangular speedway in 51.707 seconds at 174.058 mph. Harvick was the only driver to average more than 174 mph during his qualifying attempt.
The No. 4 team did not make a mock qualifying run in practice, so Harvick was unsure just how fast his Ford Mustang would be prior to qualifying Saturday afternoon.
“I want to thank Rodney Childers and Dax and Billy and everybody that works on this No. 4 Busch Beer Ford Mustang,” Harvick said after his fourth pole of the season. “We didn’t do a qualifying run because we were scrambling a little bit in race trim and trying to get our car right in race trim. Our teammates did some qualifying runs and we tried to match some of the things that they did and adapt and adjust from there.
“In the end sometimes it’s better to just wing it and these guys do a great job when you’re scrambling and winging it.”
Harvick will be joined on the front row by reigning series champion Joey Logano, who was .203 seconds behind Harvick. Harvick’s teammate Aric Almirola qualified third to give Ford a sweep of the top-three positions.
Erik Jones was the fastest Toyota, qualifying fourth. Austin Dillon qualified firth aboard his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.
Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Kurt Busch and Daniel Suarez completed the top-10 in qualifying.
Qualifying results are unofficial until all cars clear pre-race inspection on Sunday morning prior to the Gander RV 400. Sunday’s Gander RV 400 is scheduled to begin shortly after 3 p.m. EST at Pocono Raceway.
Gander RV 400 Starting Lineup
1. Kevin Harvick
2. Joey Logano
3. Aric Almirola
4. Erik Jones
5. Austin Dillon
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Kyle Busch
8. William Byron
9. Kurt Busch
10. Daniel Suarez
11. Martin Truex Jr.
12. Denny Hamlin
13. Matt DiBenedetto
14. Brad Keselowski
15. Alex Bowman
16. Clint Bowyer
17. Michael McDowell
18. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
19. David Ragan
20. Ryan Blaney
21. Paul Menard
22. Daniel Hemric
23. Chase Elliott
24. Ryan Newman
25. Ryan Preece
26. Bubba Wallace
27. Matt Tifft
28. Chris Buescher
29. Kyle Larson
30. Corey LaJoie
31. Landon Cassill
32. Ty Dillon
33. Josh Bilicki
34. B.J. McLeod
35. Ross Chastain
36. Reed Sorenson
37. Quin Houff
38. Austin Theriault
Kupcho, Khang leading American charge at Evian with Solheim in mind
Somebody cue up David Bowie’s “Young Americans” hit.
Jennifer Kupcho and Megan Khang are leading the U.S. effort at the Evian Championship.
Kupcho, the rookie who won the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, posted a 2-under-par 69 and sits tied for eighth, seven shots off the lead. Fellow American Megan Khang continued her strong bid to make the U.S. Solheim Cup team with a 67, moving her into a tie with Kupcho and two others.
“I’m just going out there and trying to get my card back,” said Kupcho, 22. “That’s all I’m doing right now.”
Khang, 21, is holding the eighth and final qualifying spot on the U.S. Solheim Cup points list. With double points this week, she’s in position to move up a few spots in the standings. She’s looking for her third top-10 finish in her last five starts. She’s also looking for her best finish in a major. She tied for 10th in her last start in a major, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
“Honestly, my game has been pretty strong right now,” Khang said. “I'm pretty happy with my ball striking at the moment, and I knew if I got a few putts to drop it can be my week. Overall, I’m just trying to get to finish at No. 1, but either way give it my best. And then wherever that ends up, it's good takeaway.”
Marina Alex and Ally McDonald are the next best positioned Americans, both in a tie for 17th. Annie Park, Brittany Altomare and Amy Olson are tied for 21st.
American Paula Creamer was the sole leader after the first round, but she stumbled after a weather suspension in the second round. After a 1-hour and 5-minute delay, she returned in heavy winds. She played the final six holes in 7 over and shot 76. She went from two shots back to eight back with that finish.
“Sometimes rain delays get you, sometimes they don't,” Creamer said. “Unfortunately, this time it got me.”
Creamer’s 73 on Saturday included a quadruple-bogey 8 that set her farther back. She has Sunday’s finish and next week’s AIG Women’s British Open as good opportunities to try to make an impression on U.S. Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster, who has two captain’s picks to make.
Lewis calls out slow play at Evian on Twitter: 'Can’t be fun to watch!'
Stacy Lewis joined the long list of pros who have publicly blasted the pace-of-play issue plaguing their sport after her second round at the Evian Championship.
Lewis carded a second-round 74 on Friday in France, but she was much more concerned with the nearly six hours it took to finish 18 holes at Evian Masters Golf Club than she was with her score, taking to Twitter afterward to vent:
The two-time LPGA major winner's tweet gained some traction in golf circles, with Paula Creamer, who led the event after the first round before stumbling on Day 2, even responding that she "Couldn't agree more!"
At least part of the problem on Friday at the LPGA's fifth major was the weather. Despite the move from September to July this year, the Evian hasn't been able to avoid thunderstorms that have halted play at times and sent officials scrambling to move up Saturday tee times.
Lewis' mini-rant wasn't the only negative publicity the Evian received before the weekend. After missing the cut, Lexi Thompson sent - and then deleted - an Instagram post criticizing the course, saying “I’m actually very thankful I don’t have to put myself through that for another two days."
Broadhurst closes strong to take 1-shot lead into final round of The Senior Open
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England – Paul Broadhurst birdied two of the last three holes Saturday to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Senior British Open, which will be Tom Watson's final appearance at the tournament.
Broadhurst had four birdies and a bogey in his third-round 3-under 67 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes for a 5-under 205 total. Woody Austin (68) is second.
Three-time champion Watson shot 2-over 72 and is tied for 55th. Watson announced that from next year he will not take part in the U.S. Senior Open or the Senior British Open.
"I can't compete against these guys anymore," Watson told the Golf Channel.
In June, Watson finished his 17th U.S. Senior Open at 2-under 278 by closing with a 68. It was the third time in that edition the 69-year-old Watson had shot his age or better.
Overnight leader Wes Short Jr. finished with a 3-over 73 Saturday and is tied for third with Ken Duke (70), one stroke behind Austin.
Bernhard Langer (70) was a further stroke back.
Spieth adds Wyndham in hopes of strengthening chances to return to East Lake
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jordan Spieth’s last-minute commitment to play next week’s Wyndham Championship gave the regular-season finale a boost and the newly minted 26-year-old is hoping it will do the same for his postseason chances.
At 69th on the season-long points list, Spieth, who turned 26 on Saturday, is looking to climb that list next week in Greensboro, N.C., in his attempt to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship for the first time since 2017.
“I would like to make East Lake, that's my goal now,” said Spieth following a third-round 66 at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. “That's why I decided to play next week as well. It's a tournament that I always want to play. With four playoff events in the past and then normally [the former World Golf Championship in Akron, Ohio], PGA and then there, I mean, it's too much.”
This season’s reworked schedule won’t be any easier if Spieth manages to play his way into the top 30 on the points list and qualify for the Tour Championship. If he does advance to East Lake that would mean he’d play six consecutive weeks.
“I've never played more than four in a row and I might be doing six in a row, but going home for some breaks in between,” he said. “East Lake's my No. 1 goal at this point, I really want to get back there. I didn't like missing that last year and coming in further behind this year than I was last year.”
Spieth was 43rd on the points list entering the playoffs last year and failed to post a top-10 finish in the first three postseason events to miss advancing to the Tour Championship for the first time in his career.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tommy Fleetwood didn’t have much time to process what happened on Sunday at The Open, and he picked up where he left off with a front-nine 30 on Saturday at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational to move into the hunt at TPC Southwind.
Fleetwood, last week’s runner-up at Royal Portrush, got off to scorching start with birdies at Nos. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 thanks to 46 feet of putts made on those holes. Although he closed with an even-par back nine, his 5-under 65 moved him into the top 10.
“The hard part is majors are exhausting on their own. They're a long week. So the hard part is your energy levels,” Fleetwood said. “Essentially I should be playing well. Yesterday I struggled in the middle of the round, but overall I've been hitting it pretty good, I've been good off the tee.”
Fleetwood won’t have a chance to decompress any time soon. He’ll have next week off followed by three consecutive FedExCup playoff events before heading straight to the European Masters in Switzerland followed by the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. Before the end of the year, he’ll also play the BMW PGA Championship in September and the European Tour’s Race to Dubai events before transitioning back to the PGA Tour with stops in Asia.
“The Tour is like all year round if you're playing both [tours],” he said. “The hardest part is finding that time to actually develop your game and get in practice. Literally going week in and week out playing with what you've got a lot of the time.”
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