CONCORD, N.C. — Brad Sweet remained at the top of the National Sprint Car Rankings this week, but Donny Schatz and Danny Dietrich, who became the first driver to reach the 50-start plateau, each closed the gap.

Sweet, who won the $175,000 Kings Royal sprint car race at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway on July 20, has an average finish of 4.957 in 46 starts.

Schatz, who won Saturday’s Summer Nationals at Pennsylvania’s Williams Grove Speedway, is second in the standings with a 5.109 average finish in 46 starts.

With 53 starts, Dietrich was able to toss out his three worst finishes of the season and he jumped to third in the rankings with a 5.220 average finish.

Central Pennsylvania regulars Lance Dewease and Logan Wagner round out the top five.

Dietrich leads the Eastern region on the strength of 12 victories, while other regional leaders are Buddy Kofoid (Great Lakes), Billy Balog (Great Plains), Dominic Scelzi (West), Jacob Patton (Mid-America) and Carl Bowser. (Ohio-PA).

Ninety-eight drivers have combined to win 232 features run through July 28.

To see the National and Regional rankings, advance to the next page.

The 85th anniversary of SPEED SPORT is an unparalleled milestone in this industry. The brand pre-dates, and therefore has documented the history of nearly every national sanctioning body in motorsports.

NASCAR (1947), NHRA (1951), USAC (1955) and the World of Outlaws (1978) — from infancy to their greatest moments — are completely chronicled in the pages of SPEED SPORT.  From the board tracks of the early ’30s to IndyCar, which ran its first race as the Indy Racing League in 1996, SPEED SPORT has been there and brought its readers along for the ride.

Our longevity is definitely worth celebrating and we revel in the history, events and characters that make it so interesting. Ultimately, it’s those events that shape us and fuel the passion that propels us forward.  But we are humbled as well — this business is every bit if not more daunting as it was for William Kay back in 1934.

Back then, the very idea of an enterprise devoted to covering the then-fledgling sport of auto racing was not mainstream — and risky. But the publishers saw the opportunity and ultimately created something special. We owe a lot to those gentlemen for laying the foundation blocks of motorsports journalism.

Just as in 1934, our success or failure is predicated on the support of our readers (and viewers) and the motorsports industry. Earning and maintaining that support requires listening to our constituents and constantly evolving to adapt to their changing needs. In 2009, then owner and publisher Corinne Economaki (Chris’ daughter) asked me to advise the company on how to adapt. The readers and industry had evolved, but SPEED SPORT was at that time essentially the same business as it was in 1934 — a weekly newspaper.

Just a few years later, Ralph Sheheen and I found ourselves the new shepherds of the SPEED SPORT name — entrusted by the Economakis to keep it relevant and valuable to readers and the industry while also remaining true to its past and principles.  We took our charge seriously and have been on the run ever since.

SPEED SPORT has evolved and grown tremendously in the last 10 years — arguably more than the previous 75 years combined. We are now quite literally everywhere, on every type of device or format. Print, email, social media, web, mobile and even award-winning television shows are all part of the makeup of a brand that continues to evolve and adapt. SPEED SPORT’s amazing team of contributors, columnists and editors, led by Sheheen, is the best and biggest it’s ever been, and collectively they produce more content at a higher frequency than ever before.

Compared to 1934, everything has changed. We now live in a hyper-connected world of 24/7 news channels, apps, feeds, and live-streams where the very idea of waiting a week for your racing news seems, well, antique.

But as I read SPEED SPORT editor Kay’s column from 85 years ago (available tomorrow on SPEEDSPORT.com), I was struck by how much of it fits today. Our core mission has not changed. We continue to adapt to serve you — our subscribers, advertisers and the sport as a whole. And just as back then, SPEED SPORT cannot operate, yet alone succeed, without the reciprocity of subscriptions, advertising dollars and the support of the industry. That support is the fuel that prints and ships magazines, hosts websites, pays our editors, producers, journalists and photographers, and keeps the lights and phones on at the office.

So thank you for your patronage. If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe or renew.  Tell your friends about SPEED SPORT and please support the companies that advertise in these pages, on our website and on our TV programs. Help us continue to be the leader in accurate, insightful motorsports journalism for many years to come!

Thanks and see you at the race track!

Editor’s Note: Joe Tripp is Co-Founder & CEO of Turn 3 Media, which owns and operates SPEED SPORT and Sprint Car & Midget.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – As if Mazda Team Joest needed further incentive to keep its torrid streak in the DPi class going in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, there’s a looming tidbit from John Doonan.

The director of motorsports for Mazda North American Operations has overseen the development of the brand’s sports car program that has culminated in victories in each of the past two races.

First there was a win by the No. 55 entry at Watkins Glen Int’l on June 30, and then there was another by the No. 77 a week later at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

In each of those events, Mazda posted a 1-2 finish.

As monumental and gratifying as those triumphs were, Doonan is keen on making it three in a row in Sunday’s IMSA Road Race Challenge at Road America. The Wisconsin circuit holds a special place in his heart.

“I certainly don’t want to make it about me,” Doonan said, “but I want this one pretty bad. This is a place where I grew up with my family, coming here with my dad when he was racing in the ‘70s and ‘80s. I was here when I was six weeks old.

“Out of all the races, you want to win the big ones – Daytona and Sebring – but I told the guys at Multimatic when we were testing here a while ago that I’d love to get one here. We’ll see what happens.”

With three weeks off following the back-to-back wins, those involved with the Mazda Team Joest program have had the chance to take in the achievement.

That includes Tristan Nunez, co-driver of the No. 77 with Oliver Jarvis that captured the most recent triumph at CTMP.

“With a couple weeks off to let it all set in, it’s pretty special,” said the 23-year-old Nunez, part of the Mazda program since 2013. “It’s something we’ve been trying for the past six years, so to complete it in that style, there’s no words to describe it.

“We’re here at Road America now, so we’ve just got to keep the momentum going and get some more results, and maybe we’ll be in the championship fight.”

As one of the long-tenured members of the Mazda program, Nunez has taken extra satisfaction in the recent results after years of hard work.

“I’ve been through it all – all the highs and lows – but I never gave up on it,” he said. “I know how special this brand is and it’s a great brand to be a part of. I love everything that they stand for.”

Nunez believes that his car and the No. 55 co-driven by Jonathan Bomarito and Harry Tincknell will continue to be a threat at Road America and beyond, despite recent Balance of Performance adjustments from IMSA.

“I don’t think the momentum’s going to stop now,” Nunez said. “I’m really excited to get this weekend started and see where we stack up. The new BoP did come out and we did get hit pretty hard, but I really don’t think it’s going to make that big of a difference. I trust the IMSA system.

“The track is amazing; it’s a true driver’s track and it’s just a beautiful course. I’m really excited.”

Doonan also believes Mazda teams are still in the hunt for the championship with four races remaining. The No. 77 is tied for fifth in the standings, 19 points behind the first-place No. 6 Acura Team Penske. Meanwhile, the No. 55 is just 20 points out of the lead.

Doonan credited Multimatic’s influences for making the car so solid on permanent circuits.

“They have made this race car love natural terrain road courses,” Doonan said. “We’ll be quick at a lot of places, but surely seeing how the car came alive at The Glen and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (was impressive), and now the last three races of the season are all on those types of circuits.

“God willing, we could be in the championship hunt heading into Petit (the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta), I hope.”

The New Jersey Devils continued their busy offseason by reaching agreement on a deal with promising young defenseman Will Butcher.

The two sides avoided arbitration with a three-year, $11.2 million contract, according to the team.

The Devils have traded for All-Star defenseman P.K. Subban and former KHL star Nikita Gusev after drafting center Jack Hughes No. 1 overall.

The Devils won the Butcher sweepstakes when they signed the defenseman to a two-year entry-level contract out of Denver in 2017. With that contract up, New Jersey had to decide just how he fit with the rebuild that has taken some big steps.

Butcher, 24, had five goals and 44 points for the Devils in 2017-18, when they snapped a five-year playoff drought. But New Jersey took a step back last season -- missing the playoffs -- and Butcher's numbers also dropped to four goals and 26 assists. He was also a minus-17.

Butcher was a solid contributor on the Devils' power play this past season, however.

The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Samuel Girard to a seven-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.

The new deal runs through the 2026-27 season. The annual average value of the deal is $5 million, according to the Denver Post.

Girard, Cale Makar and top draft pick Bowen Byram form the core of a promising young Avs blue line. They'll be counted on to contribute after the trade of Tyson Barrie to Toronto.

Girard, 21, had four goals and 23 assists while appearing in all 82 games for the Avalanche last season, his first full campaign in Colorado after being traded by the Nashville Predators in 2017-18 as a rookie.

He has played in 150 consecutive regular-season games, the longest active streak for an Avalanche player.

"Samuel has been one of our best all-around defensemen since joining the Avalanche," general manager Joe Sakic said in a statement. "He plays important minutes and is someone our coaches count on to play against other teams' top lines. He has an exceptional ability to skate and move the puck. As a member of our core, we felt it was important to sign him to a long-term deal and we are excited to announce this extension."

Nothing triggers hockey gambling more than a nationwide heat wave. Caesars posted futures and propositions for the upcoming NHL season.

Below are the top plays from ESPN Sports Betting Analyst Doug Kezirian and Senior NHL Writer Greg Wyshynski.

Note: Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.

Winnipeg Jets UNDER 96.5 points (-110)

Kezirian: This team ended last season as poorly as a playoff team can with a weak second half and an upset first-round exit. Winnipeg also lost key figures (Jacob Trouba, Kevin Hayes, Tyler Myers) this offseason and now returns to what's considered the best division in hockey.

Less than 15 months after hiring Paul Fenton as general manager, Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold changed his mind. Claiming it was not "the right fit," Leipold fired Fenton, with assistant GM Tom Kurvers taking over on an interim basis until a permanent replacement can be found.

About that permanent hire, we've got some thoughts on the identity of that person, as well as the task ahead when the hire is made:

Greg Wyshynski, senior NHL writer: Before we get to the next general manager, I'd like to pour a little out for Paul Fenton. The trick to promoting either assistant coaches or assistant general managers to the big job is betting on which ones are the worker bees and which ones can run the hive. Fenton was a much-respected front-office guy with the Nashville Predators and coveted for many openings. But it turns out that, generally, he wasn't a good manager.

As owner Craig Leipold put it: "I knew him in a different way. He was assistant general manager. He was scouting. That was his role. He was tremendous at that. But it was the other portion of being a general manager: the organizational, the strategic, the management of people, the hiring and motivating of the departments. When I'm talking about not being a fit, that's what I'm talking about."

So the question is now, Emily: Who, or what, fits the Wild?

Emily Kaplan, national NHL reporter: You don't need to parse Leipold's words to understand he's looking for a strong communicator and collaborative leader. Over the next few weeks, as dirty laundry is inevitably aired, Paul Fenton's name will become somewhat of a punchline (we'll reserve judgment, except for the bizarre lizard quote, which should live in infamy).

"I told him when I was talking to him that he's like a lizard, the way a lizard takes his tongue and sticks it as far as it does and retrieves what it was trying to do." - GM Paul Fenton on @Zuccarello36

? → https://t.co/2V4Lig6AeV #mnwild pic.twitter.com/2tjfFXo1GJ

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 1, 2019

But like Greg, I think we need to give Fenton credit where it's due. He acted with conviction. Even as many outsiders questioned it, he stayed his course. That's an important attribute for the next candidate. I imagine the Wild will try to overcompensate for Fenton's weaknesses by hiring someone with experience. This is the NHL, after all. "When in doubt, simply retread!" is pretty much a league mantra. You'll hear names like Ron Hextall (fired by the Flyers last year) and Peter Chiarelli (fired by Boston, then again by Edmonton last year) mentioned.

Greg, do you think experience is necessary to clean up the mess Fenton left?

Wyshynski: No, I don't. I think there are plenty of executives with the talent and the vision to start to turn this team in the right direction. (I will forever continue to hype Bill Zito, Columbus Blue Jackets assistant GM, until he gets his shot.) But I think the problem is that the catalysts for Fenton's departure -- a lack of communication and respect with veteran leaders, a general inexperience in managing people -- probably mean Leipold is going with experience here.

If that's the case, then Ron Hextall is my guy. Drafting Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Travis Konecny, Carter Hart, Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. Handing out cap-essential deals to young stars like Shayne Gostisbehere and Sean Couturier. And hey, his two biggest issues with the Flyers -- hiring the wrong coach in Dave Hakstol and failing to find a solution in goal until Hart was ready -- are arguably the Wild's greatest strengths.

Do you have someone in mind for the gig?

Kaplan: Like you, I'm not in the camp that a candidate must have experience to thrive in this job. Plenty of rising stars in front offices could mop up this mess -- if given the opportunity. I've heard terrific things about Chris Drury's work with the New York Rangers, first as director of player development, now as assistant GM and GM of the Hartford Wolfpack. I've been told the former NHL center is the next great ex-player to become a general manager, though I'd bet this specific opening is a long shot.

I wonder if the Wild will revisit New Jersey's Tom Fitzgerald, who was runner-up when Fenton got the gig. If I were Leipold, I'd also circle back with Bill Guerin. Former NHL goaltender Sean Burke (most recently Canada's GM for the 2018 Olympics) could get an interview, and I see Mark Hunter (the best candidate not currently in the NHL) as a wild card. Minnesota native Tom Kurvers, who is serving as interim GM, is widely respected in the league, especially for his longtime work with the Lightning. However, Kurvers was diagnosed with lung cancer in January, and I'm not sure where he stands health-wise.

Greg, anyone you don't think should get the job?

Wyshynski: If Peter Chiarelli earns another chance after mangling the Edmonton Oilers' roster to the point where Connor McDavid's saintly patience is being tested, then we might as well rename it the Old Boys League and be done with it. Even Dean Lombardi, builder of a two-time Stanley Cup champion in Los Angeles, whose roster looks glacial by 2019 standards, would be a more palatable choice.

But my quandary here is less about which GM they hire than what that GM is going to be allowed to do. Take Ron Hextall. He likes to develop prospects at a moderate pace and horde draft picks to select them, while also icing a competitive team. Does that square with what Leipold wants, considering the age of the core that's apparently calling the shots here? It should be, if he likes winning. But after owning two different franchises since 1997 and never having watched his team in even the conference final, maybe he should leave the driving to someone else.