The NASCAR All-Star race is making history this weekend as it heads to the Northeast for the first time ever. Dover Motor Speedway will host the event on Sunday, featuring a unique format where all 36 drivers compete in the initial two segments before the field narrows to 26 drivers for a final 200-lap showdown. Nineteen drivers have already secured their spots in that decisive segment. Notably, the winner’s payout has remained unchanged at $1 million since the race’s inception in 2003.
In golf news, Alex Smalley has positioned himself at the top of the leaderboard at the PGA Championship in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The 29-year-old from Rochester, New York, carded a 2-under 68 on Saturday, featuring six birdies on the back nine at Aronimink Golf Club. His late surge with three birdies in the final four holes gave him a two-stroke advantage heading into the final round. A crowded field of contenders remains close behind, including Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg just one shot back, while Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed trail by two strokes.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler faces an uphill battle after struggling on the greens, missing six putts from inside 10 feet and falling five shots behind the leader. The five-time major winner acknowledged his putting woes but expressed confidence in his ability to mount a comeback, drawing on his experience from last month’s Masters where he finished second to McIlroy.
Horse racing saw Napoleon Solo claim victory in the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park in Maryland, defeating Iron Honor by 1 1/4 lengths. The race was relocated from its traditional home at Pimlico in Baltimore due to ongoing reconstruction. With Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo sitting out, the field of 14 horses was wide open. Taj Mahal entered as the betting favorite at 9-2 odds, marking the longest odds for a Preakness favorite since the race adopted its current 1 3/16-mile distance in 1925. Napoleon Solo, who went off at 7-1, secured his first win of the year after two fifth-place finishes.
In baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell will undergo surgery Tuesday to remove loose bodies from his left elbow. The two-time Cy Young Award winner, who made his season debut last weekend after dealing with shoulder issues, was scratched from his scheduled Friday start against the Los Angeles Angels. Manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Snell’s potential for a quick recovery and return this season.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol is embracing fan enthusiasm in a unique way. After a group of college baseball players from Stephen F. Austin’s club team energized the crowd during Friday’s victory over the Royals by removing their shirts and leading chants from the right-field seats, Marmol announced he would purchase tickets for fans wanting to continue the spirited atmosphere in the “right field Loge.” The Lumberjacks accepted his offer and returned for Saturday’s win over Kansas City, earning a postgame meeting with Marmol and Cardinals players.
Across the pond, Manchester City captured the FA Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley. Antoine Semenyo provided the decisive moment with a spectacular back-heeled goal in the 72nd minute, keeping Pep Guardiola’s squad in contention for a domestic trophy treble. City has already secured the English League Cup and sits second in the Premier League, trailing Arsenal by just two points with two matches remaining.
International hockey action featured teenage captain Macklin Celebrini leading Canada to a 6-0 shutout victory over Italy at the world championship in Switzerland. Celebrini netted twice, including his tournament-opening goal via one-timer in the first period and another early in the second. Dylan Holloway, Fraser Minten, Evan Bouchard and Ryan O’Reilly also found the net for Canada, which improved to 2-0 in Group B play.
