Shelton's 25 help Eastern Illinois defeat Morehead State 67-62
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MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — Nakyel Shelton had 25 points in Eastern Illinois' 67-62 win against Morehead State on Saturday night.
Shelton shot 8 of 11 from the field and 7 for 9 from the line for the Panthers (10-19, 6-12 Ohio Valley Conference). Obadiah Curtis scored 14 points while shooting 6 for 11, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc. Artese Stapleton shot 2 of 11 from the field and 9 of 9 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points.
The Eagles (14-15, 9-9) were led by Tyler Brelsford, who recorded 14 points. Kenny White Jr. also scored 14 points for Morehead State. Steven Clay also had 10 points and eight rebounds. The Eagles prolonged their losing streak to seven straight.
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Fox Sports
35 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
NASCAR's Mexico City race: How a historic event overcame skepticism and delays
Associated Press MEXICO CITY (AP) — Despite the handful of industry insiders too scared to leave their hotels in Mexico City, NASCAR's first international Cup Series race of the modern era was a cultural experience that brought new fans to the series and provided its competitors with a chance to enjoy a new country. The event had its detractors — rumors persisted for months that it would be canceled over security concerns or the escalating tensions between the United States and Mexico — and some NASCAR team members remained critical all the way through Sunday's race. But was it a success? Even with travel delays, hotel room snafus and confusion over shuttle transportation, it was unequivocally a shining moment for NASCAR. 'Every single thing about this weekend exceeded my expectations,' said Daniel Suarez, the Monterrey-born NASCAR driver who was the face of the three-day weekend. 'The people, the fans, the sponsors, the excitement, the energy. I had expectations for this weekend... and I can tell you that I personally exceeded those expectations.' The idea to try the road course at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez — host of one of the most popular Formula 1 events on that calendar — was the brainchild of Ben Kennedy, executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer. The great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. has been aggressive in shaking up a schedule that went to the same tracks on the same weekends for decades. Bringing the Cup Series to Mexico City — only the third race outside the U.S. in 77 years — was a chance to expose stock car racing to a new demographic and give Mexican fans their first chance to see the series race live. 'This was a historic moment for our sport, for Mexico, and for the global motorsports community,' Kennedy said after Shane Van Gisbergen won Sunday's race to lock the New Zealander into the playoffs. 'One of the coolest parts about this weekend was seeing the reaction of the fans. I had the opportunity to go into the stands a few times,' he continued, 'the energy and the passion of the fans here is unmatched.' Kennedy said 90% of those in attendance were from Mexico, with 44% from Mexico City. Most important, there were 'a lot of new fans coming out of this weekend.' Will NASCAR return? Even so, Kennedy could not guarantee another race in Mexico City. FIFA has World Cup games scheduled for this same week next year and there are the logistical issues of finding a date during a packed 38-week schedule. The cars had to leave Michigan International Speedway immediately after last week's race to make the 40-hour journey across the border, and now must get to Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania in time for this weekend's race. 'I want to go everywhere in the world — England, Germany, South America, Australia, every where we can go,' said Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon, the vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports. "The next thing that makes sense in Canada. But we have to figure out the schedule before we do too much of this. 'We can't do this. Michigan, Mexico City, back to Pocono, can't happen. We're doing it and we're excited to take on the challenge, but it's going to wear on us and I don't think we can do it all back-to-back. So we've got to make some adjustments to the schedule and how do we fit it all in into what's already a very difficult schedule.' Where will NASCAR go next? Nothing is off the table for Kennedy, who is globally exploring where NASCAR can race and showcase its product. One glaring issue: Those in the industry who remain comfortable with the same old schedule of traveling to Bristol, Tennessee, and Martinsville, Virginia, and Darlington Raceway in South Carolina twice a year. While those markets are tied deeply to NASCAR's Southern roots, there isn't room for growth in playing to the same crowds over and over. The pushback on Mexico City didn't come from any high-profile drivers, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s spotter had a scathing social media post ripping the city in which he said 'screw this place, people can talk it up all they want' and 22-year-old driver Carson Hocevar had a similar sentiment in derisive comments on a live stream he has since walked back. 'Maybe a kid that had never been out of the country until Thursday should never give an opinion about what any place is like other than (hometown) Portage, Michigan,' Hocevar posted on social media. "I was skeptical about the trip and believed everything I read or heard about Mexico City from people who more than likely also had never been here. 'Now that I've actually left my hotel a couple times and raced here in front of some of the most passionate fans I've ever seen, my opinion has changed,' he continued. 'I am embarrassed by my comments.' A cultural field trip This was baffling to some of the more well-traveled drivers, including Kyle Larson, who has raced at 200-plus different tracks around the world and makes annual trips to Australia and New Zealand. He also attended the 2021 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi and then vacationed in Dubai. He likened Mexico City to a field trip for NASCAR because the drivers all stayed in the same hotels and rode buses together to the circuit each day. On a normal weekend, they are holed up in their motorhomes at the track and rarely venture out. 'It's honestly really fun and enjoyable to be around your competitors and get to know each other a bit better because on a typical weekend, we just kind of lock ourselves in wherever we're at,' he said. "We don't talk to anybody or anything. So it's nice that, yeah, you're almost forced to hang out with each other. It's cool. You get to know them, so I've enjoyed that.' Even Kyle Busch, who was arrested in Mexico in 2023 for carrying a concealed weapon, was surprised by the few who had a negative response to racing in Mexico City. 'The food is amazing, the city has some of the top restaurants in the world,' Busch said. 'This is a great place to be and I don't understand the people holed up in their hotels too scared to leave. Live a little.' ___ AP auto racing: recommended
San Francisco Chronicle
40 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Smith and Vasil look like two Rule 5 hits for the rebuilding Chicago White Sox
CHICAGO (AP) — Shane Smith pitched a total of 10 1/3 innings during his college career at Wake Forest. He had a shoulder operation as a freshman, and his sophomore year was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then he had elbow surgery. At that point, even Smith began to wonder if baseball was going to work out for him. 'My dream of playing professional baseball, to say it didn't waver would probably be lying,' he said. 'But I knew there was an avenue somehow.' There sure was. Smith has turned into a pleasant surprise for the last-place Chicago White Sox after he was selected by the team in the Rule 5 draft. The White Sox also have Mike Vasil, another 25-year-old Rule 5 right-hander who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay in March. The Rule 5 draft provides an opportunity for players left off big league team's 40-man rosters after several minor league seasons. Teams pay $100,000 to select a player in the major league portion. 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Smith or Vasil very well could represent the last-place White Sox at next month's All-Star Game in Atlanta. Dan Uggla with the Florida Marlins in 2006 is the only player to be named an All-Star in the season after he was selected in the Rule 5 draft, according to Sportradar. Being a Rule 5 player is a unique situation in that first year, but Vasil said he doesn't think about it very often. 'I've spent my whole life trying to get here,' he said. 'So I think it's already hard enough, don't put more pressure on yourself.' The 6-foot-5 Vasil was selected by the New York Mets in the eighth round of the 2021 amateur draft out of the University of Virginia. He was picked by Philadelphia in the Rule 5 draft in December and then traded that same day to the Rays for cash. The White Sox are Vasil's fourth organization since the end of last season. 'It's a lot,' he said. 'But I think for me, at the same time, I guess you could say you feel wanted by a lot of different teams.' 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Keller began the 2018 season in Kansas City's bullpen before moving into the rotation in late May. He finished his rookie year with a 9-6 record and a 3.08 ERA in 20 starts and 21 relief appearances. 'I think you definitely pull for all the Rule 5 guys because I feel like, not to say this in a bad way, but Rule 5 guys kind of get a bad rap, right?" said Keller, a key reliever for the Chicago Cubs. "It's like they're like nobody's got a chance. That's not true. Some organizations are in different situations where they can't protect guys that they want to.' Smith had been in Milwaukee's organization since he signed with the Brewers as an undrafted free agent in 2021, just weeks after he had Tommy John surgery. He had a 3.05 ERA in 32 appearances over two minor league stops last season, finishing the year with Triple-A Nashville. Smith has a big four-seam fastball that gets into the high 90s, to go along with a good slider and curveball. But the biggest key to his success this year has been the development of a nasty changeup that really came together in the offseason after years of work. Fortunate timing for Smith and the White Sox. 'For a guy that hasn't really pitched above Double-A, he had some innings in Triple-A, but to come here and pitch the way that he does, it just speaks to his ability and his confidence and also speaks to the group of players and staff here to support him,' general manager Chris Getz said. "Shane is doing really well and we expect him to have a really productive, healthy season for us.' ___
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NASCAR's Mexico City race: How a historic event overcame skepticism and delays
Shane Van Gisbergen, center, celebrates at the Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race with second place Christopher Bell, left, and third place Chase Elliott at Hermanos Rodríguez race track in Mexico City, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Shane Van Gisbergen, center, celebrates at the Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race with second place Christopher Bell, left, and third place Chase Elliott at Hermanos Rodríguez race track in Mexico City, Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) MEXICO CITY (AP) — Despite the handful of industry insiders too scared to leave their hotels in Mexico City, NASCAR's first international Cup Series race of the modern era was a cultural experience that brought new fans to the series and provided its competitors with a chance to enjoy a new country. The event had its detractors — rumors persisted for months that it would be canceled over security concerns or the escalating tensions between the United States and Mexico — and some NASCAR team members remained critical all the way through Sunday's race. Advertisement But was it a success? Even with travel delays, hotel room snafus and confusion over shuttle transportation, it was unequivocally a shining moment for NASCAR. 'Every single thing about this weekend exceeded my expectations,' said Daniel Suarez, the Monterrey-born NASCAR driver who was the face of the three-day weekend. 'The people, the fans, the sponsors, the excitement, the energy. I had expectations for this weekend... and I can tell you that I personally exceeded those expectations.' The idea to try the road course at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez — host of one of the most popular Formula 1 events on that calendar — was the brainchild of Ben Kennedy, executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer. The great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. has been aggressive in shaking up a schedule that went to the same tracks on the same weekends for decades. Bringing the Cup Series to Mexico City — only the third race outside the U.S. in 77 years — was a chance to expose stock car racing to a new demographic and give Mexican fans their first chance to see the series race live. Advertisement 'This was a historic moment for our sport, for Mexico, and for the global motorsports community,' Kennedy said after Shane Van Gisbergen won Sunday's race to lock the New Zealander into the playoffs. 'One of the coolest parts about this weekend was seeing the reaction of the fans. I had the opportunity to go into the stands a few times,' he continued, 'the energy and the passion of the fans here is unmatched.' Kennedy said 90% of those in attendance were from Mexico, with 44% from Mexico City. Most important, there were 'a lot of new fans coming out of this weekend.' Will NASCAR return? Even so, Kennedy could not guarantee another race in Mexico City. FIFA has World Cup games scheduled for this same week next year and there are the logistical issues of finding a date during a packed 38-week schedule. Advertisement The cars had to leave Michigan International Speedway immediately after last week's race to make the 40-hour journey across the border, and now must get to Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania in time for this weekend's race. 'I want to go everywhere in the world — England, Germany, South America, Australia, every where we can go,' said Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon, the vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports. "The next thing that makes sense in Canada. But we have to figure out the schedule before we do too much of this. 'We can't do this. Michigan, Mexico City, back to Pocono, can't happen. We're doing it and we're excited to take on the challenge, but it's going to wear on us and I don't think we can do it all back-to-back. So we've got to make some adjustments to the schedule and how do we fit it all in into what's already a very difficult schedule.' Where will NASCAR go next? Advertisement Nothing is off the table for Kennedy, who is globally exploring where NASCAR can race and showcase its product. One glaring issue: Those in the industry who remain comfortable with the same old schedule of traveling to Bristol, Tennessee, and Martinsville, Virginia, and Darlington Raceway in South Carolina twice a year. While those markets are tied deeply to NASCAR's Southern roots, there isn't room for growth in playing to the same crowds over and over. The pushback on Mexico City didn't come from any high-profile drivers, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s spotter had a scathing social media post ripping the city in which he said 'screw this place, people can talk it up all they want' and 22-year-old driver Carson Hocevar had a similar sentiment in derisive comments on a live stream he has since walked back. 'Maybe a kid that had never been out of the country until Thursday should never give an opinion about what any place is like other than (hometown) Portage, Michigan,' Hocevar posted on social media. "I was skeptical about the trip and believed everything I read or heard about Mexico City from people who more than likely also had never been here. Advertisement 'Now that I've actually left my hotel a couple times and raced here in front of some of the most passionate fans I've ever seen, my opinion has changed,' he continued. 'I am embarrassed by my comments.' A cultural field trip This was baffling to some of the more well-traveled drivers, including Kyle Larson, who has raced at 200-plus different tracks around the world and makes annual trips to Australia and New Zealand. He also attended the 2021 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi and then vacationed in Dubai. He likened Mexico City to a field trip for NASCAR because the drivers all stayed in the same hotels and rode buses together to the circuit each day. On a normal weekend, they are holed up in their motorhomes at the track and rarely venture out. Advertisement 'It's honestly really fun and enjoyable to be around your competitors and get to know each other a bit better because on a typical weekend, we just kind of lock ourselves in wherever we're at,' he said. "We don't talk to anybody or anything. So it's nice that, yeah, you're almost forced to hang out with each other. It's cool. You get to know them, so I've enjoyed that.' Even Kyle Busch, who was arrested in Mexico in 2023 for carrying a concealed weapon, was surprised by the few who had a negative response to racing in Mexico City. 'The food is amazing, the city has some of the top restaurants in the world,' Busch said. 'This is a great place to be and I don't understand the people holed up in their hotels too scared to leave. Live a little.' ___ AP auto racing:
