GAS CITY, Ind. — Thursday night at Gas City I-69 Speedway Shane Cottle reminded everyone that it’s the leader at the checkered who gets the big check.

In a night of innumerable ups and downs for many drivers, Cottle used the low line to pass C.J. Leary on the last lap, win by inches and earn $5,000 in a 30-lap barn burner that opened the 32nd annual NOS Energy Drink Indiana Sprint Week featuring the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship

Cottle, 47, qualified by winning the B main, started 18th in the feature, only led on the last lap, and earned the race’s KSE Racing Products/B&W Auto Mart Hard-Charger award by improving his position more than any other driver in the 24-car field that was culled from 43 entries.

It was his first victory during Indiana Sprint Week in 72 attempts and it came in the Epperson Racing/Epperson Painting-PPG Maxim Claxton Chevy No. 2e. Cottle, who works in the flooring industry, also won the sprint car feature at Gas City on June 28 in a different car.

Leary, who won the most recent USAC Indiana Sprint Week event on the Gas City quarter-mile clay oval in 2017, led 29 of the 30 laps and finished second. His Reimbold-Underwood Motorsports/AME Electrical-Mesilla Valley Transportation Spike Foxco Chevy was just 0.002 seconds behind Cottle’s car when the pair took the checkered flag.

The finish was so close that the transponders, which are mounted at the rear of the cars, showed Leary first at the line, but the USAC rules go by when the cars’ front tires cross the line, and Cottle was deemed the winner in one of the closest finishes in USAC history.

“I could see him up there,” Cottle said. “When they’re out there in front of you, you just want to push the gas harder and harder, but you can’t. You just have to roll around there and keep the wheels under you. I messed up a couple times during the last six laps and I thought I gave it away.”

It was Cottle’s third career USAC sprint car victory. It’s safe to say Gas City is one of his favorite tracks, since all three have occurred at the Grant County oval that is an easy drive from either Indianapolis or Fort Wayne.

Chris Windom was the final podium finisher in the Goacher Racing/NOS Energy Drink-Parallax Power Supply-Jonathan Byrd’s DRC Claxton Mopar. Brady Bacon placed fourth in the Dynamics/Mean Green-Fatzheadz Eyewear-Tel-Star Triple X Hershey Chevy. Polesitter Kevin Thomas Jr. was fifth in Hayward Thomas Motorsports’ Speedtown Comfort-B&H Contractors DRC Speedway Chevy.

The winner of the 600cc non-wing micro-sprint feature, Devan Myers, started way back in the field just like Cottle did. He came from 19th in a 21-car field to win that 20-lap feature in the Vance and Hines No. 75 with polesitter Justin Harper right behind him at the checkered.

To see full results, turn to the next page.

ROSSBURG, Ohio — The flagman held the checkered flag tight, anxiously waiting to thrust it in the air and wave it over Eldora Speedway when the leader exited turn four.

The question of who that victor would be left the crowd of thousands in a knot throughout the 30-lap $10,000-to-win Jokers Wild feature Thursday night.

Brad Sweet led, but Donny Schatz — fresh off a win at Eldora from the night before – hung on to the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 car’s bumper throughout the race. The two swapped positions lap after lap in the early circuits.

However, Sweet found the 16-time Eldora Speedway winner’s kryptonite — the high line up against the wall. If the walls of the half-mile track had eyes, Sweet made sure they were closed all race, leaving inches between the concrete barrier and his right rear tire most of the night.

Schatz wasn’t able to run the top groove like Sweet, having to move off it and stick to the bottom. That allowed Sweet to use the momentum of the high side to fend of challenges by the 10-time series champion and claim his 10th World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win of the season — 44th Series win overall.

“We held off Donny,” Sweet said, after winning for the second time at the Ohio track. “That’s what it takes to win at Eldora. He threw everything he had at me. I saw him multiple times. I just wasn’t sure where to be on the race track there at the end. I felt pretty good on the top, but it’s such a fine line.”

The win was a rebound for Sweet and his Kasey Kahne Racing team after a fourth-place finish at the speedway Wednesday night.

He was second fastest in the first flight of Qualifying. Then went on to win his Drydene Heat race and the first of two DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash races. But every step Sweet made, Schatz was there following in his footsteps. The reigning champion went second fastest in the second flight of qualifying. He, too, won his Drydene Heat race and claimed the win in the second dash of the night.

That placed the two championship contenders on the front row together.

When the flagman thrusted the green flag in the air, Sweet passed the flag stand first, but Schatz launched underneath the Grass Valley, Calif.-native looking to take the lead on the first lap in turn one. Sweet had the momentum on the high side, though. He charged around the Toco Warranty No. 15 down the backstretch and moved to the bottom of the track in turns three and four.

Schatz did the opposite. He ran the high line through turns three and four, giving him a strong enough run down the front stretch to again dive underneath Sweet in turn one. This time, Schatz had the lead.

Sweet wasn’t about to let Schatz cruise to another Eldora win over him, though. He charged back around Schatz the next lap and began to put distance between the two.

“He makes it awful tough when he sets his pace and runs his lines,” Sweet said. “It makes it real hard to pass. I wanted to get ahead and set a pace.”

Ten laps into the feature, Logan Schuchart also made his way around Schatz by riding the high line. However, he got held up by a lapped car going into turn three and Schatz took the opportunity to pounce. The Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver made a massive drive to the bottom of the track through turns three and four, blowing by Schuchart and gaining about four car lengths on Sweet off the corner.

He carried the momentum through the next corner, getting underneath Sweet and edging him by a nose off turn two with 19 laps to go. Sweet, again, used the high side to propel his car back in front of Schatz down the backstretch, though.

Into turn three the duo both slid their cars sideways to the bottom of the track, almost making contact at the apex. With Sweet blocking Schatz’s lane, he charged off the corner to a comfortable lead and added to it from there.

Schatz then had to compete with Schuchart for second, eventually losing the position to the Drydene No. 1s car right before a caution with 11 laps to.

When the race resumed, Schuchart had a terrible restart, falling from second to fifth and stacking up the top line behind him. His mistake allowed Schatz an easy pass for second and another shot at Sweet.

While Sweet stayed high, Schatz was determined to make the low line work. He put together enough of a charge to get side-by-side with Sweet in turn one the next lap, but the run was still no match for Sweet’s mastery of the high line.

“We stayed with him there, he was ripping the top, I had to get off it,” Schatz said. “We thought we were going to be a shot at him there, but for some reason when I got to traffic, I couldn’t maneuver well or just kept making mistakes. You’ll have that. If you’re going to do it, I’d rather do it tonight than two nights from now.”

Sweet rode the cushion until the final corner when he moved down a lane to see how his car would do. He was satisfied as he drove by the waving checkered flag for the 10th time this year — the most wins he’s collected in a season, so far.

To see full results, turn to the next page.

SINGAPORE -- Romelu Lukaku will not face Inter Milan in Singapore, according to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The striker is keen on a move to the Serie A side and is yet to play for United during the tour of Australia and the Far East.

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Lukaku is still with the travelling squad but Solskjaer says he will not face Inter as he continues his recovery from injury.

"He's not fit," Solskjaer said. "He won't be available."

Sources have told ESPN FC there are no meetings scheduled between the two clubs while they are in Singapore and Solskjaer said the situation has not moved forward. Inter are lining up a bid of around £60 million with £15m in add-ons while United value the 26-year-old at between £80m and £90m.

"I don't have any update from last time I spoke to you," Solskjaer said.

United have not ruled out Lukaku's departure and Solskjaer has already suggested he will look to replace the forward if he goes but, with just three weeks left before the transfer deadline, time is running out.

United are still working on deals for Leicester defender Harry Maguire and a central midfielder following the departure of Ander Herrera to Paris Saint-Germain.

"As I've said a few times, we're working on one or two cases," Solskjaer said. "But my objective here now is we've got to get ready for the games and training sessions."

Solskjaer has put the squad through their paces during the trip in an effort to get the players' fitness levels up after a disappointing end to last season.

After games against Inter, Tottenham, Kristiansund and AC Milan, United kick off their league season with Chelsea at Old Trafford and Solskjaer has warned that if they are not ready, they could blow their campaign in the first two months.

They face Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in the first nine games of the season.

"I don't think many players have had a preseason like this before," Solskjaer said. "In the first eight to 10 games you can lose the chance to win games so the first two months are vital."

The European transfer window is open. Click here to review all the latest transfers and keep up to date with the latest gossip below.

Top free agents in 2020 | What do Europe's elite need

TOP STORY: Man United eye Maguire alternative Demiral

Manchester United's much-publicised pursuit of Leicester defender Harry Maguire looks set to fail and they'll need to start looking at other options. Leicester want around £90 million for the 26-year-old and sources have told ESPN FC that the two clubs are still "miles away" from doing a deal.

So it makes sense that United are turning to other players and one that comes as a bit of a shock is Juventus defender Merih Demiral. Turkish-football reports that after Juve's signing of Matthijs de Ligt, Demiral feels like his development will be stunted, just a few weeks after arriving from Sassuolo for €18m following a six-month loan spell.

The 21-year-old Turkey international doesn't fancy battling with De Ligt, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Daniele Rugani for a place in the XI and is already attracting interest from AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, so United need to move fast. Though the player has said his idol growing up was Nemanja Vidic, so that should help...

LIVE BLOG

12.00 BST: Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte has confirmed he wants to sign Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United.

The two clubs have held talks over the Belgian striker but a deal is yet to be agreed. Inter are willing to offer around £60m with £15m in add-ons but United value the 26-year-old at between £80m-£90m.

Conte confirmed Mauro Icardi and Radja Nainggolan will not be part of his "project" at the Serie A club and suggested that Inter will play without a striker against United in Singapore on Saturday while the pursuit of Lukaku continues.

"Lukaku is a United player," Conte told a news conference at Singapore's National Stadium on Friday. "This is the reality. You know very well I like this player. In the past when I was Chelsea coach I tried to bring him to Chelsea. But I repeat, today Lukaku is a player of Man United. This is the reality and this is the truth.

"I think that in this moment, we are talking about player of another club. For this reason it's right don't talk about Lukaku. I have great respect for United. As I said before for sure I consider this player. I like this player.

"I consider him an important player for us to improve. There is a market. We know our situation. We'll see what happens. Now Lukaku is United's player."

11.28 BST: Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has told Paul Pogba he should not let super-agent Mino Raiola push him out of the door at Old Trafford -- and teammate Andreas Pereira said he is prepared to steal the Frenchman's phone to stop him talking to others clubs.

11.11 BST: AS Nancy are in desperate financial situation and may sell 18-year-old winger Bilel Hassaini, say Footmercato, with Liverpool leading the race.

Arsenal and Barcelona are also keen, while Hassaini has reportedly attracted attention from Ligue 1 clubs St Etienne and PSG.

10.51 BST: Barcelona have made Bayern Munich defender David Alaba their No. 1 target as they look to bring in competition for Jordi Alba this summer, various sources have told ESPN FC, but they are also weighing up other options.

Real Betis youngster Junior Firpo's name is also on the table, while sources say Augsburg's Philipp Max is also being considered.

Alaba, 27, offered himself to Barca through his agents several weeks back and is the club's first choice due to his versatility and experience at the top level.

10.31 BST: Romelu Lukaku will not face Inter Milan in Singapore, according to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The striker is keen on a move to the Serie A side and is yet to play for United during the tour of Australia and the Far East. Lukaku is still with the travelling squad but Solskjaer says he will not face Inter as he continues his recovery from injury.

Sources have told ESPN FC there are no meetings scheduled between the two clubs while they are in Singapore and Solskjaer said the situation has not moved forward. Inter are lining up a bid of around £60m with £15m in add-ons, while United value the 26-year-old at between £80m-£90m.

"I don't have any update from last time I spoke to you," Solskjaer said.

10.20 BST: Hugo Lloris has told ESPN FC that Tottenham have signed a player with "massive potential" following the £55m club record transfer of France midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.

10.05 BST: Sources have told ESPN FC that Paris Saint-Germain are concentrating their efforts on reinforcing the midfield after signing Abdou Diallo earlier this week to bolster their defence.

Sporting director Leonardo has a number of targets in mind and has been in touch with Juventus regarding a move to bring Blaise Matuidi back to Parc des Princes, while Everton's Idrissa Gueye, Brescia's Sandro Tonali and Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are also on the list.

The French champions want to bring in two of those four names this summer and ESPN FC sources added that Leandro Paredes could be moved on if the circumstances are right.

Matuidi is likely to prove difficult to land, despite Juve signing Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey on free transfers this summer, but Leonardo is keen to restore the Frenchman's experience and professionalism to the PSG dressing room -- something that coach Thomas Tuchel agrees with.

Sources said that the Ligue 1 giants have been told that Tonali will cost upwards of €25m, while Everton would prefer to keep Gueye and Lazio ideally want to hold on to Milinkovic-Savic. However, none of those club have completely closed the door to negotiations with PSG at this time.

09.43 BST: Mattia Perin's future at Juventus was sealed when they brought back Gianluigi Buffon, so he looked for a way out on loan.

However, the goalkeeper reportedly failed his Benfica medical due to a shoulder problem and looks set to stay at Juve at least until December.

09.26 BST: Fenerbahce goalkeeper Berke Ozer is being tracked by Manchester City, Liverpool and FC Basel, according to Goal.

Ozer, 19, is highly-rated but has struggled to make an impact on the first XI and is reportedly available on loan this summer.

08.59 BST: The New York Red Bulls have rebuffed transfer offers from an unnamed Premier League side for U.S. international Aaron Long, and aren't interested in selling the defender during the current transfer window, multiple sources have told ESPN FC.

08.45 BST: West Brom striker Salomon Rondon has signed for Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang, joining up with his former manager at Newcastle, Rafael Benitez.

08.33 BST: Celta Vigo winger Brais Mendez says he is flattered by reports linking him to Bayern Munich.

Bayern are reportedly willing to pay the Spain international's release clause of €25m following a strong season with Celta, where he scored six goals and set up seven more in 31 league appearances.

When asked about Bayern's reported interest, the 22-year-old said as reported in Marca: "I'm flattered but I know nothing. I'm happy at Celta."

Mendez has two years left on his contract but Celta are expected to offer the player a contract extension with an improved deal and an increase his release clause.

08.00 BST: Flamengo executives are in England to discuss the potential sale of their 17-year-old starlet Reinier to Everton, Globo Esporte reports.

Reinier is a reported target of AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Manchester City. He has a €70m release clause but according to Globo Esporte, Everton are willing to pay up to €40m, including add-ons, to sign the attacking midfielder.

Flamengo own 100% of the player's rights and he has been included on the club's list for the Libertadores Cup but has yet to play for the first team. He is currently on international duty with Brazil's under-17 side and will play a warm-up game against Paraguay ahead of the Under-17 World Cup in October.

Tied to the Rio de Janeiro-based club until Dec. 31, 2020, even if sold, Reinier will remain at Flamengo until Jan. 19, 2020, when he turns 18. If the deal is not completed, Flamengo intend to extend the player's contract until 2024.

PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd)

Spurs' Rose could Paris?

Tottenham look set to lose another full-back before the start of the season, with Paris Saint-Germain interested in signing Danny Rose, according to the Mirror.

The England defender was left out of the club's preseason tour to Singapore to allow him to "explore prospective opportunities with other clubs," with Spurs seemingly willing to listen to offers for him.

Rose has two years left on his contract and Spurs appear keen to avoid letting any other players run down their contracts, with both Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld unwilling to sign new contracts in their last year.

Rose has been a major player for Spurs since signing from Leeds United 12 years ago. However, he has been linked with a move away from Spurs for some time and this summer would appear to be his last in London.

Should Rose move, that could pave the way for Tottenham's much expected bid for Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon.

Fekir move to kickstart Lo Celso transfer to Spurs?

Nabil Fekir could sign with Spanish side Real Betis, a move that would end months of speculation linking him with a move to either Liverpool and Arsenal, among others.

That's according to L'Equipe, which is reporting that Betis are the surprise side leading the race to land the 26-year-old.

Valencia and Sevilla have both also been linked with the Frenchman, but L'Equipe is reporting that Fekir's move is close to being finalised, with Lyon boss Sylvinho confirming Fekir will move on this summer.

Fekir's move to Betis could pave the way for Spurs to secure the signing of Argentine playmaker Giovani Lo Celso from PSG. Fekir would also prove to be a ready-made replacement for Lo Celso, who spent last season on loan at Betis from PSG, and Los Verde Blancos would be willing to let him go knowing they would have already reinforced their own ranks.

Have Barca bid to bring Neymar 'home'?

Barcelona have made their first move for former striker Neymar, according to Sky Sports, although multiple ESPN FC sources have knocked back the rumour.

Sky is suggesting that the Spanish champions have offered £90m plus two players from a list of six, including Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele, Ivan Rakitic and Malcom, in an effort to reclaim their former Brazil striker.

Neymar has made it clear he wants to leave the French capital this summer and now it seems PSG are keen to recoup as much as the £198m world-record fee they paid for him in 2017, with a cash-plus-players offer seemingly the best option for all parties.

Barca are certainly reluctant to pay the full asking price and have asked that any payment be delayed until 2020, mainly because of the £108m they've already spent on forward Antoine Griezmann. Any further purchases risk Barca failing to comply with financial fair play regulations.

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De Rossi inching closer to Boca move

Former Roma captain Daniele de Rossi is close to finalising a deal with Boca Juniors to play at Argentina's giant, according to media reports in both Argentina and Italy.

The 35-year-old, who departed from his hometown club after 18 seasons, will reportedly fly to Buenos Aires this weekend to close the deal, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

De Rossi has been candid about his affinity for Boca Juniors and their fans in the past and has said it would be "a dream" to play at La Bombonera. The potential move has been negotiated by Boca sporting director Nicolas Burdisso, a former teammate of De Rossi in Roma.

Tap ins

- The Sun reports that Wilfried Zaha has told Crystal Palace bosses that he wants to leave the club on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Zaha, 26, has been a target for Arsenal this summer after impressing since his return to Selhurst Park in 2015. Boss Roy Hodgson wants to keep his star man, however, and reiterates that no one has yet lodged a bid that comes anywhere near Palace's valuation.

- Manchester United are reportedly in "advanced negotiations" to sign Lyon's in-demand starlet Florent da Silva, according to L'Equipe. The 16-year-old is one of the hottest prospects in France and is out of contract next summer, and while he has mainly played for the club's reserves, he has also caught the eye in action in the UEFA Youth League.

New Zealand broadcaster Sky Sport has extended its deal with Cricket Australia to exclusively broadcast all Australian cricket for a further six years until the end of 2024-25.

Sky Sport has been CA's broadcaster in New Zealand for over two decades and the deal comes ahead of a summer where the New Zealand side will play three Tests and three ODIs on Australian shores.

New Zealand are set to play their first Boxing Day Test in Australia at the MCG since the famous 1987 draw, before playing the traditional New Year's Test in Sydney.

They will begin their Test tour with a day-night Test in Perth, which intriguingly due to the five-hour time difference, will not finish until the early hours of the morning in New Zealand. The three ODIs will be played in March 2020.

In addition to men's international matches, Sky Sport will also broadcast women's international matches, the Big Bash League and Women's Big Bash League matches, some men's domestic one-day matches, Prime Ministers XI matches, Governor-General's XI matches and the Sheffield Shield final.

Director of Sky Sport Tex Teixeira said he was delighted to continue the long-term partnership with CA.

"We are excited to be extending our longstanding relationship with Cricket Australia," Teixeira said.

"With this deal we now have six incredible Australian summers of cricket to look forward to, including the Boxing Day Test which was last played between our two great cricket nations in 1987."

England's World Cup hero Ben Stokes who ended New Zealand's dream has been nominated for New Zealander of the Year. Yes, you read that right.

The official shortlist is yet to be made but the 28-year old allrounder is an early contender among the public nominations with New Zealander of the Year Awards chief judge Cameron Bennet quoted on stuff.co.nz saying, "there's clearly a few Kiwis about who think we can still claim him". Stokes was born in Christchurch, but he later moved to the UK along with his family and forged a career with England.

New Zealand captain and the player of the World Cup Kane Williamson was also nominated for the award. "He's been the embodiment of the qualities we cherish as New Zealanders - courage, fairness, humility," Bennett said.

All New Zealand citizens over the age of 15 are eligible to be nominated. Film maker Taika Waititi and former All Blacks captain Ritchie McCaw are among the previous award-winners.

Stokes made 465 runs in the World Cup and was named Man of the Match in the final, where, outside of top-scoring with 84, he was involved in a very bizarre play.

It was the final over of the game and he was diving into the crease to complete a second run when he inadvertently deflected a throw from outfielder Martin Guptill to the third-man boundary. England were handed six runs, which raised questions about the laws of the game and set up the World Cup's first Super Over. Stokes returned to bat in the Super Over and hit a crucial boundary against Trent Boult to help push England to 15. New Zealand, too, scored 15 in the Super Over, but England eventually won the title on boundary count.

Andrew McDonald has been confirmed as the men's coach of Birmingham Phoenix with Daniel Vettori as his assistant, as first revealed by ESPNcricinfo last month.

McDonald, 38, has a growing reputation as a coach, after leading Melbourne Renegades to their maiden Big Bash League title this year. He has also taken Victoria to two Sheffield Shield titles, and a domestic one-day crown.

He has also held roles in the IPL, where he was Royal Challengers Bangalore's bowling coach, and in county cricket with Leicestershire.

Trevor Bayliss had previously been linked with the role after Paul Farbrace, his deputy for most of his tenure as England coach, was appointed as director of cricket, and as many as eight candidates were shortlisted, but McDonald came out on top.

Vettori has previously coached Royal Challengers, Middlesex, and Brisbane Heat with limited success, and will be assisted by Warwickshire and Worcestershire's coaches Jim Troughton and Alex Gidman.

"The Hundred is a tournament that's generating interest across the globe," said McDonald, "and the opportunity to be part of it as Head Coach of the Birmingham team is something that I'm relishing.

"From behind the scenes talking to players at the Renegades and from talk in the IPL, players around the world want to be a part of it," he said.

"The players that have a clear schedule at that time of the year want to be nominating to be a part of it. It's an exciting new format and they get to put their footprint on it."