The 2020 NHL trade deadline was going to go one of two ways: Either the lack of sellers due to the league's tight playoff races was going to produce a snoozer, or the tight playoff races were going to produce a flurry of activity as teams load up for the stretch run.

To the joy of hockey fans across North America, it was the latter, with significant deals spanning over the last 10 days.

Here are the winners and losers of the 2020 trade deadline.

Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning

Over the last two months, no team in the NHL has been hotter than the Lightning, who have posted two separate double-digit winning streaks, have lost just four games since Christmas, and have a whopping plus-41 goal differential. And they only got better over the last week and a half.

Players with term were on trend this trade deadline season, and Tampa Bay picked up one of the league's most underrated in Blake Coleman. Rookie GM Julien Brisebois then schooled his peers by winning the sweepstakes for disgruntled former Buffalo defenseman Zach Bogosian, at a bargain price of a prorated $1.3 million. Oh, and they add a decent defensive forward in Barclay Goodrow. Has this team finally learned to peak at the right time?

Loser: The inactives

The Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators are all jostling for position in their respective playoff races, and none of them did anything to make their teams significantly better.

The biggest surprise of the bunch was perhaps Colorado, which is banged up at forward and has ample cap space. The only thing Avs GM Joe Sakic did was get goalie insurance in Michael Hutchinson and acquire Vladislav Namestnikov, who likely profiles in the bottom six. They could have -- and perhaps should have -- done more in a season when they have a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup.

The Stars were in on Joe Thornton, but couldn't get it done. In fairness, the Blue Jackets made the 2019 trade deadline incredibly fun. But GM Jarmo Kekalainen didn't give his team much help to separate from the Eastern Conference wild-card muck.

And then there are the Maple Leafs, who lost to their own practice goalie/minor league Zamboni driver on Saturday. As Toronto GM Kyle Dubas said later in the day on Monday: "I'm not going to come up and bullsh-- and say I have some magical solution." Clearly not.

Winner: Putting it on your players

Some of this inactivity is directly tied to the idea of putting the pressure on the players to be the change that they need. One could argue that's the case with the Maple Leafs. The Predators have been "it's on the players" since they fired Peter Laviolette. While the Panthers made a hockey trade for Vincent Trocheck, it's also a clear message that the team expects more from its remaining core.

Loser: Teams holding on to first-round picks

Parity leads to high prices. Six first-round draft picks moved around this year's trade deadline, up from four last season. In 2019, those first were traded for Kevin Hayes, Brandon Montour and two for Matt Duchene. (The second first-rounder was a conditional one that never came to pass after he didn't re-sign.) Players that cost first-rounders this season: Jason Zucker, Blake Coleman, Ondrej Kase, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Brady Skjei and Barclay Goodrow. Yes, Barclay Goodrow!

Winners: Patrick Marleau and Ilya Kovalchuk

Marleau and Kovalchuk have combined for 1,003 career goals (a total which would have been higher were it not for Kovalchuk's five-year Russian stint) and a total of zero Stanley Cups. In fact, Marleau has played the most regular season games in NHL history without winning one. Now, the 40-year-old Marleau and 36-year-old Kovalchuk have as good a shot as they've ever had, as key depth pieces for the Penguins and Capitals, respectively.

You heard that right. Marleau is riding Sidney Crosby's coat tails while Kovalchuk is playing sidekick to Alex Ovechkin and we are so here for it. Few would have predicted it this summer, as Kovalchuk was coming off a disappointing return to the NHL via the Kings, and Marleau was bought out by the Hurricanes, after a short stint with the Maple Leafs.

Loser: Joe Thornton's Stanley Cup quest

While Marleau and Kovalchuk will get their respective shots at their first Stanley Cup, Joe Thornton decided to stay put in San Jose. GM Doug Wilson would have granted his wish to leave if Thornton had made it, but the star center has shown little desire to leave the Bay Area during his sometimes-tumultuous time there. So, no full-circle storybook ending with the Boston Bruins, and no reunion with "Little Joe" Pavelski in Dallas, which were both rumored.

Winner: Pierre Dorion

The Senators GM is often critiqued. Most of it is earned. The team is not competitive. Attendance is low. The fan base is apathetic. Ottawa has now made 40 trades since the start of the 2017-18 season, including saying goodbye to Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone and Matt Duchene (among many, many more).

Monday, however, may have been the GM's finest work. No player has yielded as much for doing as little as Jean-Gabriel Pageau. To earn a first- and a second-round pick -- and a slim, but potential chance for a third -- for a rental 27-year-old who has only now reached 20 goals for the first time in his career (thanks for an astronomically high 17.8 shooting percentage)? Take a bow, Mr. Dorion. You had one good day.

Undecided: Lou Lamoriello

On one hand, the Islanders GM grossly overpaid to acquire Pageau, who could just be a flash in the pan thanks to that wild shooting percentage. On the other hand, Lamoriello addressed his biggest area of need. The Isles' offense is ranked 22nd in the NHL, and flamed out in last year's playoffs after scoring only five goals in four games. And Lamoriello salvaged the high price by signing Pageau to an extension, potentially shoring up their center depth for the next few years.

And then there was the Zach Parise ordeal. Lamoriello was deep in talks to acquire his former Devils forward, which could have been a big mistake in our opinion, considering the 35-year-old is under contract through 2025. According to Natural Stat Trick, Parise's 1.33 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season is the worst rate of his career. The good news? Lamoriello didn't go through with it.

Winner: Robin Lehner

Robin Lehner was a Vezina Trophy finalist last year who just wants to be treated as such. He's looking for a long-term deal and fair compensation. He was hoping it would come with the Blackhawks, who took a one-year, $5 million flier on him after the Islanders snubbed him for Semyon Varlamov this summer. But contract talks between Lehner's agent and the Blackhawks stalled due to a disagreement on a term. And the Blackhawks -- despite a promising showing before the All Star break -- don't look like they're going anywhere this season.

Now Lehner gets a terrific opportunity to win the Cup this spring with the surging Vegas Golden Knights. Marc-Andre Fleury has been burdened by a big workload since coming to Vegas, and his save percentage this season is among the lowest of his career (he's also working through personal tragedy, as his father passed away this fall). Lehner will get ample opportunities to start, and potentially play a lot. And hopefully he can still get what he wants this summer.

Loser: Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks were poised to pick up big returns as a seller at the deadline. Instead, they picked up a second-round pick, a third-round pick, a backup goalie and a college defenseman that our Chris Peters doesn't rank among the Golden Knights' top 10 prospects. If I'm a player on the Blackhawks, that doesn't make me feel great, especially since the two players traded were popular in the locker room.

Erik Gustafsson should have been traded this past summer, when his value was much higher. Meanwhile, Robin Lehner, a reigning Vezina finalist, kept Chicago in many games earlier this season where everything else was falling apart. Since the return on Lehner was so low, it raises the question on why he was even traded at all. Couldn't the Blackhawks have just kept him -- they still are technically in the playoff hunt -- which would have set them up better for re-signing him to an extension?

Winner: Carolina Hurricanes

The day began with the Canes organizing a glitzy New York media tour for emergency backup hero David Ayres. They kept the good publicity and good karma going all day long.

The Canes have been looking for defensive help ever since Dougie Hamilton went down, and it became more urgent with Brett Pesce's long-term injury. They got exactly what they needed, picking up top defensive rental Sami Vatanen and 25-year-old Brady Skjei, the latter of whom is signed through 2024 (term is something the Canes highly covet). What's more: They snagged Vincent Trocheck away from Florida (another player with term!). The Bunch of Jerks have momentum to break through the crowded Eastern Conference wild-card race.

Loser: Bill Guerin's scalpel

The Minnesota Wild did well for themselves in the Jason Zucker trade with Pittsburgh, getting a solid prospect in defenseman Calen Addison, a conditional first-round pick and the expiring contract of forward Alex Galchenyuk.

But that's where the slicing and dicing ended for GM Bill Guerin. Mikko Koivu flexed his no-move clause to remain in Minnesota. Potential big deals for players like Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin never materialized. Most notable was the rumored deal that would have sent Zach Parise, and a contract that expires in 2025, to the Islanders. Multiple reports suggested that he waived his no-move to play for Lou Lamoriello. But nothing happened. Well, there's always the draft.

Winner: Boston Bruins

The Bruins' acquisition of Ducks winger Ondrej Kase has the potential to be one of the best of the deadline. He's a talented 24-year-old winger with tremendous offensive upside if he remains healthy -- which, admittedly, is a tall order given his struggles to stay in the lineup during his career. But he makes just $2.6 million through 2021, when the Bruins can re-sign him as a restricted free agent. They moved mid-range defensive prospect Axel Andersson and their first-rounder to the Ducks for Kase and Anaheim's willingness to take David Backes' contract -- or at least 75% of it -- off their books.

Boston's second trade with Anaheim, which sent Danton Heinen for Nick Ritchie, was less lopsided and a wash at best for the Bruins.

Undecided: Tom Fitzgerald

The interim New Jersey Devils general manager had a strange deadline.

Getting a 2021 second-round pick and defenseman David Quenneville from the Islanders for the expiring contract of captain Andy Greene was good. Getting prospects Janne Kuokkanen and Fredrik Claesson along with a fourth-round pick for a banged up Sami Vatanen was ... maybe not as good as what they got for Greene? And the Wayne Simmonds trade with the Buffalo Sabres, retaining salary for a conditional 2021 fifth-rounder that can become a fourth-rounder is ... maybe a favor for a former co-worker with the Penguins, Jason Botterill?

But the biggest question about the Devils is something that happened on his predecessor's watch: Given the incredible prices that were paid at the Feb. 24 deadline, did New Jersey make a big goof in trading Taylor Hall back in December?

Winner: Chris Kreider

Chris Kreider wanted to remain with the Rangers, but as Sunday's talks ended, the two sides were still separated by a year on his next contract. He was, by far, the most desirable forward at the trade deadline for a reason: Kreider is the kind of physical scoring forward that contenders covet. The Rangers are close to being a contender. Had they cut ties with him, they would have searched for a "Chris Kreider type" for the next few years.

So they bridged the gap, and gave Kreider a seventh year at $6.5 million annually, slightly down from the $7 million annually over six seasons the Rangers wanted. But again: Kreider wanted to be a Ranger, and he will be for the foreseeable future.

Loser: Bathroom breaks

The drip, drip of information on trade deadline day leaves fans looking for any signs of what may be forthcoming. Whenever a player abruptly leaves the ice during practice, there's a rush of attention. Your social media stream was probably flowing with news that Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames had trickled off the ice during practice.

False alarm! Said Gaudreau, still a Flame, after practice: "I had to pee. I talked to [coach Geoff Ward] and he said there are only two minutes left in practice. He said it was good to get off, I got off and my phone was blowing up. Nothing to worry about."

Johnny Gaudreau explains why he left practice early ? pic.twitter.com/JkjsqvcofO

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 24, 2020

The Italian government is moving toward having football matches played behind closed doors in affected areas as authorities try to contain a spreading virus that has made northern Italy the focal point of the outbreak in Europe.

Thursday's Europa League match at San Siro between Inter Milan and Ludogorets was the first to be confirmed as going ahead in an empty stadium, with the Italian club releasing a statement on Monday night.

Bulgarian side Ludogorets added that UEFA has said it is monitoring the situation and will react immediately if anything changes.

Serie A president Paolo Dal Pinto sent a letter to the government on Monday asking that games no longer be postponed in the affected areas but played without fans in attendance -- noting there is little time for make-up dates considering all elite competitions must be completed by May 24 because of the upcoming European Championship.

Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora also proposed the closed-door plan to Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte -- although no final decision had been made.

"Playing all sports behind closed doors for the next week could be possible, because then fans can more easily stay at home," said Maurizio Casasco, the president of the Italian federation for sports physicians. "But the clubs have to be in agreement.

"There's more than just football in Italy. It's an issue that regards all sports."

Four Serie A games scheduled for the previous round on Sunday were postponed, including Inter Milan's game against Sampdoria at San Siro Stadium.

Also Monday, the first board meeting for the Milan-Cortina Olympics was changed to a video conference instead of being held in Milan. Members of the newly created board of directors for the 2026 Games called in from their respective offices in the Lombardy and Veneto regions, the areas hardest hit by the virus, the Italian Olympic Committee said.

Turin-based Juventus are scheduled to host Inter (Live on ESPN+, Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET). Other games scheduled for northern Italy next weekend include Udinese vs. Fiorentina on Saturday and AC Milan vs. Genoa on Sunday.

Lyon was in contact with UEFA and French authorities over concern about the 2,500-3,000 Juventus fans traveling over the border to a Champions League game in the French city on Wednesday.

Juventus shares fell 11% on the Milan stock exchange in early trading on Monday, forcing a suspension in trading. Juventus also announced its museum at the Allianz Stadium would remain closed through Saturday. Stadium tours also were suspended.

LIVERPOOL, England -- There is something remarkable about the Liverpool team that is now just four victories away from claiming the Premier League title: Even the extraordinary is beginning to seem routine for Jurgen Klopp and his players.

For 13 second-half minutes against West Ham at Anfield, Liverpool's historic season appeared to be heading straight for an unexpected road block, with David Moyes's relegation-threatened team taking a 2-1 lead after goals from Issa Diop and Pablo Fornals had cancelled out Georginio Wijnaldum's eighth-minute opener. No big deal, perhaps. Liverpool are so far ahead of the rest in the Premier League that one defeat was hardly going to knock them off their stride and put the title in jeopardy.

But losing would have denied Liverpool the chance to emulate Arsene Wenger's Arsenal Invincibles by going through a season without suffering a league defeat. A defeat, or a draw, would also have stopped Liverpool equalling Manchester City's record of 18 successive Premier League wins. Klopp's men would have fallen one short of equalling Liverpool's own all-time record of 21 consecutive top-flight home wins, set in 1972, as well.

But a goal from Sadio Mane during the final 10 minutes turned defeat into victory, making it 109 points from the last 111 available, and all of those records and achievements were back on the table. They have now equalled City's run of 18 straight league wins -- Liverpool can set a new mark by beating Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday -- and they will break their home record with a 22nd consecutive win against Bournemouth at Anfield on March 7. Both of the above will be incredible feats, but they are likely to be nothing more than footnotes when the full story of Liverpool's 2019-20 season is finally told.

"I never thought [City's record] would be broken or equalled," Klopp said. "We did it and I cannot believe it happened, to be honest."

In any other season, those two records would be heralded as hallmarks of a truly great team, but there are so many bigger and more historic achievements in Liverpool's path that these will pale into insignificance.

If Liverpool win their next four games and seal the title -- the club's first since 1990 -- against Crystal Palace at Anfield on March 21, they will have done so in record time. But they are also unbeaten in 44 Premier League games -- five more will equal Arsenal's record of 49 top-flight games without defeat -- and they are just 11 games away from joining the 2004 Invincibles in the pantheon of great teams if they avoid defeat for the remainder of the campaign. City's record tally of 100 points is also likely to be obliterated and.

Let's not forget, Liverpool are still alive in the FA Cup and Champions League, too, so Manchester United's 1999 Treble is also there to be matched. Having already won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup this season, a haul of five major trophies would surely end any debate as to whether this is the greatest club side that English football has ever seen.

One statistic that may not create too many headlines, however, is the one that tells you that the 3-2 win against West Ham was the 13th time this season that Liverpool have won a league game with a one-goal margin. It's not a number that should be dismissed as a footnote. In many ways, it emphasises the many qualities of Klopp's team.

It demonstrates that Liverpool have discovered the crucial knack of always finding a way to win. They have not blown teams away this season, but they have overcome all of them, with the exception of Manchester United at Old Trafford, but even on that occasion, they dug out a late equaliser because they are prepared to take risks to get something from games.

"Sometimes you have to squeeze it and force it," Klopp said. "And that is what we did tonight."

It is an approach that has taken Liverpool to the brink of history even if, on this occasion, a couple of costly mistakes by West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski helped them on their way to victory.

The record books are waiting to be rewritten. They might as well pulp the ones that have gone before because there are so many new highs that Liverpool are preparing to hit. The only question is how many trophies they will win along the way, but for now, Klopp just wants his players to keep their foot on the pedal until the title is confirmed.

"You see City playing and this is the team in world football that are able to win all their other games," he said. "We have to keep winning. We need to be ready, and it is a home game for Watford [next]. It is not about shining, but the hardest work. As long as the boys are ready to work hard I am not concerned, but it is still a job to do."

Klopp need not be worried. It is now just a case of when Liverpool win the league, not if.

PHILADELPHIA -- As the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons' management team work with doctors to evaluate a course of action on the All-Star guard's injured back, Simmons is expected to be sidelined for an undetermined period of time, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The anticipated length of time missed and next steps in remedying his back injury could be decided as soon as Tuesday.

The injury will have longer-term implications than simply the 76ers' upcoming West Coast road trip.

"I don't know," Sixers coach Brett Brown said before Monday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks when asked how long Simmons will be sidelined. "It really is kind of, like, how long is a piece of string? Who knows? Who knows?

"Whatever the time equals on days, games, period of time, then we can talk more honestly as this thing shakes out, but as it sits right now, that's how I see the world."

Simmons, who played less than five minutes in Philadelphia's loss to the Bucks on Saturday night before exiting with back soreness, was described by sources as emotional after leaving the X-ray room at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum.

He also missed Thursday's overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets with lower back tightness.

Simmons, 23, was ruled out of Monday's game. The team said a further determination on a course of action will be decided within 24 hours.

The team declined to put any sort of time frame on how long Simmons would be sidelined.

What is certain, however, is that the Sixers are going to be without Simmons for the immediate future, which includes a trip to Los Angeles to play both teams there Sunday and Tuesday as part of a weeklong trip through California.

Brown and the Sixers had hoped to spend the opening weeks after the All-Star break solving their yearlong issues on the road (Philadelphia entered Monday with the league's best home record at 26-2, while having one of the worst road marks at 9-20).

Instead, Brown now must figure how he's going to survive without his lead ball handler and one of the two pillars of his team, alongside center Joel Embiid.

"It's not ideal," Brown said. "But that's why you have a team. Now, coach it.

"This is the opportunity we have without an NBA All-Star, without a starting point guard, and we will manufacture ball carriers with the group that's been left back outside of Ben not being with us, and what that role looks like and who has that responsibility."

Brown said the Sixers will not try to replace Simmons, who entered Monday averaging 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 8.3 assists this season, with one player, instead opting for a "point guard by committee" approach. Monday night saw second-year guard Shake Milton start in place of Simmons against the Hawks.

Meanwhile, the Sixers still have to sort out what else is going on with their team.

Al Horford's role continues to be in flux. After coming off the bench the prior three games -- against the LA Clippers before the All-Star break, and then both Thursday against Brooklyn and Saturday against Milwaukee, he was re-inserted into the starting lineup Monday night.

Brown repeated the line he used Friday about Horford's awkward first season with the Sixers after signing as a free agent last summer.

"I have to help him help us," Brown said Monday.

The lack of shooting across the roster remains a problem, as is Philadelphia's ongoing issues away from home. All of that together has left the Sixers, who were expected to be challenging for the top spot in the East with Milwaukee this season, in fifth place in the conference with 25 games to go -- and currently in line to face former Sixer Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

But as he waits for an update on just how long Simmons will be sidelined, Brown tried to maintain a positive outlook on what the Sixers can learn about themselves with their star guard watching from the sidelines.

"There's 25 games left," Brown said. "It's an eternity. Just keep going back to the end game. What's the bottom line? I'll say it again: If you get the health and the spirit, it's got a chance to equal form.

"It's all about landing the plane. That's what the playoffs are. There's 25 games left. We've taken a hit with Ben. I do see it this way. I'm not spinning it. It's an opportunity for us to learn, and something will emerge.

"We need something to emerge. We're going to learn something, and find something. If this were six games out? I wouldn't be telling you this story. When it's 25 games out, it's with all my heart what I think. That's what I said to my team, that's what I really think and that's what I'm going to try to pull off."

England are set to still be without prop Mako Vunipola for their next Six Nations match against Wales on 7 March but back Anthony Watson could return.

Vunipola missed Sunday's win over Ireland after travelling to Tonga for family reasons and is unlikely to be back for the Wales tie at Twickenham.

Watson, who plays wing or full-back, has not appeared in the championship so far because of a calf injury.

"Mako probably won't be back for Wales," said head coach Eddie Jones.

"Anthony's got to do a running session and if he gets through that we'll get him into camp."

Vunipola, 29, was not selected for England's opening weekend defeat by France, but started in the round two win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Joe Marler replaced him at loosehead for the win over Ireland at Twickenham, with Ellis Genge coming off the bench.

Watson's return would boost England's options in the back three, after George Furbank, who started the first two games at full-back, missed the Ireland game through injury, with Elliot Daly moving to full-back and centre Jonathan Joseph playing on the wing.

England are still in contention to win this year's Six Nations title as they sit second after three rounds, four points behind leaders France.

After facing Wales, Jones' side complete their campaign against Italy in Rome on Saturday 14 March.

ORLANDO – The Drag Illustrated World Doorslammer Nationals presented by CTech Manufacturing has added another marquee partner as race officials have announced that Strutmasters has been named a major sponsor of the race.

The inaugural event, which takes place March 6-8 at Orlando Speed World Dragway, features a purse of more than $300,000, awarding the winners in Pro Stock and Pro Mod $75,000 and $50,000, respectively. For Strutmasters founder and owner Chip Lofton, it’s another way to be involved in a sport – and now an event – he loves.

“You look at this event, and it offers big money, it’s going to draw a lot of teams, it’s at the beginning of the year, and I really think it’s going to be a great event,” Lofton said. “They’ve put a lot of time and thought into what makes a great race, and it’s a great location as well. The track owners (Ozzy and Maria Moya) are wonderful people and all of it together is going to make it a really incredible show, so I’m excited to be involved.”
In recent years, Lofton and Strutmasters have become major players in the sport, working with a number of top NHRA teams.

It’s done wonders for the business and for Strutmasters’ visibility, as Lofton noted in part because of the aggressive sponsorship deals it increased his business 30 percent last year.

His 2020 sponsorships include the likes of former NHRA Pro Stock world champion Bo Butner and three-time NHRA Pro Mod world champ Rickie Smith, and both of the standouts will be in attendance and racing for big money in Orlando.

“I’m so excited that they’re both going to be there,” Lofton said. “As a sponsor, I look at racing as branding. I hope you see the Strutmasters name somewhere and it helps you go look at my company. Both Bo and Rickie, they’re high-profile guys and bring a lot of attention. People will be watching them in Orlando, but I know there’s going to be a good car count and fan turnout.

“You’re also going to see some of the quickest times of the year and maybe some records. It’s going to be a great circus, and that’s what you need to keep people and fans enticed. And I think the drivers like that side of it, too.”

Strutmasters created the original suspension conversion kit two decades ago, and has further perfected it since then. They’ve established themselves as an industry leader when it comes to all aspects of suspension parts and kits, while Lofton has ramped up the company’s visibility in recent years.

That noticeable presence will be apparent in Orlando as well, providing support for the most successful names in the doorslammer world at one of the biggest races of the year.

“Chip and Strutmasters have been so great for drag racing and we’re thrilled they are major sponsors for this historic event, the World Doorslammer Nationals,” Drag Illustrated Founder and Editorial Director Wes Buck said. “Chip’s company is one of the finest recent examples of how loyal race fans are to companies that support drag racing. Chip has gone above and beyond to offer his support to so many teams, and it’s had a remarkable impact. It’s exciting to have Strutmasters on board for a race we are confident will deliver one of the most memorable experiences possible for everyone involved.”

INDIANAPOLIS – The USAC Midwest Thunder Speed2 Midget Series has announced an expanded 25-race schedule, featuring events at 12 different venues across Indiana, Ohio and Illinois.

The docket begins this weekend, Feb. 28-29, indoors at the Southern Illinois Center in DuQuoin for the Midwest Winter Nationals.

Two full nights of racing are on tap in DuQuoin, featuring both the MTM and the Engler IMRA Speed2 Midgets competing together in a non-points special event.

On April 17, MTM is in action at Indiana’s Bloomington Speedway alongside the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series, as will be the case on July 4 at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind.

Two trips are planned for the series at Bloomington as well, with a return on June 26.

MTM makes its debut at Indiana’s Paragon Speedway on May 1 and returns on Aug. 14.

Additional debuts take the series to U.S. 24 Speedway in Logansport, Ind., on May 23 and June 11, as well as Circus City Speedway in Peru, Ind., on Aug. 15 and Oct. 3.

The series will make visits to traditional venues Gas City (Ind.) I-69 Speedway on May 22, June 19, July 10, August 8, Sept. 11 and Oct. 2, as well as Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway on May 24 and Oct. 16.

A return to the Land of Lincoln in Illinois arrives on May 2 at Wayne County Speedway in Wayne City, Ill., while the state of Ohio welcomes the Midwest Thunder series on five occasions, beginning May 8 at Limaland Motorsports Park.

Three events at Waynesfield Raceway Park set for June 14, July 2 and Aug. 22, while Atomic Speedway in Waverly, Ohio is scheduled for a Sept. 5 showdown.

Furthermore, 12 MTM events will also be USAC Midwest Regional Midget events. USAC Speed2 licensed competitors will be eligible for bonuses and will earn points toward the USAC Midwest Thunder Speed2 Midwest Thunder Midget championship in those events.

The dozen commences April 17 at Bloomington, before continuing May 1 at Paragon, May 2 at Wayne County (non-points), May 22 at Gas City, May 24 at Kokomo, June 26 at Bloomington, July 4 at Lincoln Park, Aug. 14 at Paragon, Aug. 15 at Circus City, Oct. 2 at Gas City, Oct. 3 at Circus City and concluding Oct. 16 at Kokomo.

2020 USAC Midwest Thunder Speed2 Midget Series Schedule

Feb. 28 – Southern Illinois Center – DuQuoin, Ill. ** (I)
Feb. 29 – Southern Illinois Center – DuQuoin, Ill. ** (I)
April 17 – Bloomington Speedway – Bloomington, Ind. (R)
May 1 – Paragon Speedway – Paragon, Ind. (R)
May 2 – Wayne County Speedway – Wayne City, Ill. ** (R)
May 8 – Limaland Motorsports Park – Lima, Ohio
May 22 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Ind. (R)
May 23 – U.S. 24 Speedway – Logansport, Ind.
May 24 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Ind. (R)
June 14 – Waynesfield Raceway Park – Waynesfield, Ohio
June 19 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Ind.
June 26 – Bloomington Speedway – Bloomington, Ind. (R)
July 2 – Waynesfield Raceway Park – Waynesfield, Ohio
July 4 – Lincoln Park Speedway – Putnamville, Ind. (R)
July 10 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Ind.
July 11 – U.S. 24 Speedway – Logansport, Ind.
Aug. 8 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Ind.
Aug. 14 – Paragon Speedway – Paragon, Ind. (R)
Aug. 15 – Circus City Speedway – Peru, Ind. (R)
Aug. 22 – Waynesfield Raceway Park – Waynesfield, Ohio
Sept. 5. – Atomic Speedway – Waverly, Ohio
Sept. 11 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Ind.
Oct. 2 – Gas City I-69 Speedway – Gas City, Ind. (R)
Oct. 3 – Circus City Speedway – Peru, Ind. (R)
Oct. 16 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Ind. (R)

** represents a non-points special event
(I) represents an event co-sanctioned with the USAC IMRA Speed2 Midgets
(R) represents an event co-sanctioned with the USAC Midwest Regional Midgets

DUQUOIN, Ill. – Brady Bacon, who’s already gotten off to a red hot start this season, has secured a ride for the fifth annual Shamrock Classic presented by Dooling Machine on March 7 inside the Southern Illinois Center.

Bacon will pilot the Kelly Hinck-owned No. 21h during the third NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series race of the season.

The 2014 and 2016 AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series champion, is undefeated thus far in USAC national competition this year, capturing a two-night USAC sprint car sweep at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., in mid-February.

The Shamrock Classic will mark the Broken Arrow, Okla., native’s first NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series appearance of 2020.

Bacon is one of just two drivers to have started in the feature event of all four previous editions of the Shamrock Classic with fourth-place finishes in both 2016 and 2017 serving as his best.

He also took 14th in 2018 and 18th in his most recent start in 2019.

Bacon, an eight-time USAC National Midget feature winner, drove for Hinck a year ago and will do so again as they chase after the $5,000 winner’s share in the Shamrock Classic.

Bacon and Hinck will also team up to compete in the March 6-7 micro sprint portion of the Shamrock Classic.