Kevin Harvick enjoyed watching Kyle Larson‘s son Owen join him in the car after winning the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick reacted to Owen riding on the side of his father’s car during his victory lap.
“This is the whole scenario, and when you’re winning a lot of races and you’re talking about what you’re going to do next, these are the types of things the conversations that Kyle and Owen are having I’m sure as far as victory celebrations,” Harvick said. “Yeah, I’m sure they weren’t happy about him hanging out of the car, but it was still really cool.”
Harvick added: “So cool to be able to share those moments and so cool that he’s winning enough races to be able to be creative. With the next victory celebration, maybe Owen will drive the car.”
It was a dominant performance for Kyle Larson, leading 462 of the 500 laps and winning by seven seconds. After the race, Larson spoke to NBC Sports about celebrating the win with his son.
“Obviously I love having my family here, and I don’t really I feel like ever win when they’re here. I guess only a quarter of them were here tonight,” he said.
“But no, I got the checkered flag and we were pitted — our pit stall was on the backstretch. I was like, I’m going to drive down to the backstretch and maybe my team is on the wall and I can celebrate with them. As I drove by I saw Owen was on pit road celebrating, and I was like, that’s cool.
“I knew he went to the suite or I thought you went to the suite during the race so I thought I’d meet him in Victory Lane or something by the time it took to get all the way down. When I saw him there, I said, cool, I’m going to stop right here and have him hop on and go slow so I don’t hopefully get in trouble.”
Larson added: “No, it’s just cool building memories like that, and I’m hoping he will remember these moments for the rest of his life. Hopefully, someday when he’s winning races and has a family of his own, he’ll get to find his own way to get to celebrate with his children.”
With the win, Larson advanced to the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs which features seven other drivers. The first race of the second round will be on Sunday, the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
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Richard Childress is standing by his driver after a controversial move in the closing laps of Saturday's Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Austin Hill, driver of the No. 21 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing, appeared to hook Aric Almirola on Lap 91 after Almirola had gotten Hill loose in the previous corner. In recent years, NASCAR has set a precedent that right-hooking a fellow driver at speed is grounds for a suspension, though their failure to do so with Austin Cindric at COTA in March or with Austin Dillon at Richmond in August 2024 drew scrutiny. Unsurprisingly, Childress doesn't think Hill should have to sit out the Aug. 2 race at Iowa Speedway. "Hell no," Childress said when asked if he believed Hill should have to sit for a week. "They didn't do a damn thing to the 2 car (Cindric) when he wrecked Ty (Dillon, Childress' grandson) and admitted to it, drove him in the right-rear and wrecked him at COTA. It's who you are. We're a blue-collar team, they (NASCAR) give us trouble all the time." Hill was given a five-lap penalty for reckless driving and finished the race in 34th.
Shedeur Sanders has been working with the Cleveland Browns' equipment staff as the No. 4 quarterback this summer. He'll have a new opportunity following troubling injury news for Kenny Pickett. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice and will not receive reps until his issue is re-evaluated. "Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources," Schefter posted on X. "Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Pickett's injury will shake up the quarterback race in Cleveland. Through OTAs and early in training camp, Sanders has been the odd man out as the only signal caller on the roster not to receive reps with the first-team offense. It's unclear if the Browns coaching staff intends to give Sanders reps with the first-team offense now that Pickett is sidelined, but the fifth-round pick will have more chances this week to prove that he deserves an opportunity to stay in Cleveland. The Browns are in a unique situation with their rookie quarterbacks. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was selected before Sanders, but the son of Deion Sanders fell to Day 3 of the draft for reasons other than talent. The majority of draft analysts had Sanders as a better-graded quarterback than Gabriel, and many thought the Colorado product would be taken in the first round. The Browns can use the injury as an excuse to give Sanders reps with the first team, and it's a task they need to take advantage of before the team names a starter. Sanders has the potential to be a starter in the league, and this week is pivotal for his rookie season in Cleveland.
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
The Green Bay Packers may have found their next offensive weapon in rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden. Just a few days into training camp, Golden has already made a name for himself, earning praise from teammates and coaches alike. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia even gave him the nickname “Bullet,” a nod to his blazing speed and dynamic playmaking ability. With expectations high, Golden is showing why he was a first-round pick and why he could be a key piece in the Packers’ offense this season. A Strong Start to Green Bay Packers Training Camp Golden has wasted no time making an impact in his first NFL training camp. His smooth route running and explosive speed have been on full display, drawing attention from both fans and teammates. According to reports, Golden has already been utilized in a variety of ways, including jet sweeps and motion plays, hinting at the versatile role he could play in the Packers’ offense. Rich Bisaccia’s nickname for Golden, “Bullet,” is a reference to former Olympic sprinter and Dallas Cowboys legend Bob “Bullet” Hayes. The comparison is fitting, as Golden’s speed has been a standout trait since his college days. “He’s got that extra gear,” said head coach Matt LaFleur. “You can see it in the way he separates from defenders. It’s exciting to think about what he can bring to our offense.” Matthew Golden: College Dominance at Texas Golden’s college career at Texas was nothing short of spectacular. In his final season, he recorded 1,215 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.2 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays in critical moments made him one of the most dangerous receivers in the country. Over his three-year college career, Golden amassed 2,987 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns, solidifying his status as a first-round talent. His performance at the NFL Combine only added to the hype. Golden ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, showcasing the elite speed that has already earned him comparisons to some of the league’s top deep threats. His combination of size, speed, and route-running ability made him a no-brainer for the Packers, who were in desperate need of a reliable target for quarterback Jordan Love. Filling a Key Role in the Packers’ Offense The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver room has undergone significant changes in recent years. With Christian Watson recovering from a torn ACL and other young receivers like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks still developing, Golden has a clear path to playing time. His ability to create separation and make plays downfield could make him a go-to option for Love, especially in critical third-down situations. Golden’s versatility also makes him a valuable asset. Whether lining up in the slot, running jet sweeps, or stretching the field on deep routes, he has the skill set to contribute in multiple ways. “He’s a guy who can do it all,” said veteran running back Josh Jacobs. “You can see the potential. He’s going to be a problem for defenses.” Final Thoughts Matthew Golden’s first week of training camp has been nothing short of impressive. From earning the nickname “Bullet” to showcasing his elite speed and versatility, he’s already proving why the Green Bay Packers invested a first-round pick in him. With his college pedigree and early flashes of brilliance, Golden has the potential to be a game-changer for Green Bay’s offense. As the season approaches, the Packers may have found their next star wide receiver, and the rest of the league should take notice.
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