Sports

NASCAR to use oval for Brickyard anniversary

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2 years ago

October 4, 2023

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Associated Press

Sep 28, 2023, 02:18 PM ET

INDIANAPOLIS — NASCAR will return to the 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next season for the 30-year anniversary of stock cars racing at the historic venue.

The inaugural Brickyard 400 was held on Aug. 6, 1994, and was won by Indiana icon Jeff Gordon in the first of his five Indianapolis victories. That NASCAR debut was the first race beside the Indianapolis 500 to be held at the famous track since 1916.

NASCAR raced on the oval from 1994 through 2020, but under Roger Penske’s ownership of IMS the race was held on the 2.439-mile road course the past three seasons as part of a shared weekend with the IndyCar Series.

The Brickyard 400 will be held on July 21, with the Xfinity Series racing on the oval one day earlier.

“While it’s been exciting to watch the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series drivers tackle the IMS road course over the past three years, being back on the oval for the 30th anniversary is a much-anticipated homecoming for drivers and fans alike,” said Doug Boles, president of IMS. “Whether you’ve been with us all 30 years or are a new fan, the celebration as we ‘come back around’ will be can’t-miss and truly unforgettable.”

The last NASCAR driver to win on Indy’s oval was Kevin Harvick in 2020. He’s retiring at the end of the season. Michael McDowell won the Cup race in August, and Ty Gibbs won the Xfinity race.

“It’s always an honor to race at IMS, but it’s no secret that I’m excited for NASCAR’s return to the oval,” said 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson. “The Brickyard 400 is one of the crown jewels of the sport’s season. To win on the oval, especially during NASCAR’s 30th anniversary at the track, is to add your name to the history books.”

Larson is also running the Indianapolis 500 next year.

Sports

Padres vs. Dodgers (Jun 16, 2025) Live Score – ESPN

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2 hours ago

June 17, 2025

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Padres vs. Dodgers (Jun 16, 2025) Live Score - ESPN

Shohei Ohtani pitches, hits in game for first time since ’23

Shohei Ohtani made his pitching debut from Dodger Stadium on Monday, giving up a run in his lone inning of work, then struck out in his first plate appearance as Los Angeles’ DH, marking the first time he has pitched and hit in a game since Aug. 23, 2023.

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Source: Steelers extend S Elliott on 2-year deal

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2 hours ago

June 17, 2025

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Source: Steelers extend S Elliott on 2-year deal

Jun 16, 2025, 10:32 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers and safety DeShon Elliott have agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million extension with $9.21 million guaranteed, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Elliott, 28, was one of the Steelers’ best run defenders last year with 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 tackles for loss and 108 combined tackles.

NFL Network first reported the deal.

A former sixth-round pick, Elliott spent his first four seasons in the league with the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions before joining the Miami Dolphins for one year.

The Steelers signed Elliott as a free agent to a two-year deal before the 2024 season.

He has 395 tackles in 72 career games.

Sports

Ex-Ohtani interpreter reports to federal prison

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2 hours ago

June 17, 2025

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Ex-Ohtani interpreter reports to federal prison

Tisha ThompsonJun 16, 2025, 03:36 PM ET
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Ippei Mizuhara, the disgraced former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, is in federal prison in Pennsylvania, a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons told ESPN on Monday.

Mizuhara, 40, was ordered to surrender to federal authorities by Monday. He is in custody at Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low, a low-security facility, after being sentenced to 57 months in prison for stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani.

Mizuhara was initially ordered to report to prison in March, but a federal judge granted the delay. The reasons for the delay remain under seal.

Mizuhara’s attorney declined ESPN’s request for comment, but previously stated that he expects Mizuhara, a Japanese citizen, to eventually be deported.

The Dodgers fired Mizuhara in March 2024 after an ESPN investigation revealed he sent millions in wire transfers from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaker. He pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return in June 2024, admitting that he placed about 19,000 bets with the bookie over a two-year period and accumulated over $40 million in debt.

The bookmaker, Mathew Bowyer, pleaded guilty in August to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering and subscribing a false tax return. He is awaiting sentencing.