Latest news with #TheEngine
The Star
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Basketball-WNBA's 'The Engine' Thomas gets fitting NASCAR tribute
An illustration shows a newly unveiled "The Engine" design with images of WNBA basketball player Alyssa Thomas for Castrol RFK Racing, in this handout rendering. Castrol and RFK Racing/Handout via REUTERS NEW YORK (Reuters) -WNBA MVP contender Alyssa Thomas will feature on the Dover Motor Speedway this weekend - though not behind the wheel - as her face graces the hood of RFK Racing driver Ryan Preece's No. 60 Castrol car. It is a fitting honour for the Phoenix Mercury guard nicknamed "The Engine" for her relentless drive on the court, as she earned her sixth selection for the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday in Indianapolis. Preece will drive the car, which features the name and likeness for the league's all-time triple-double leader, in Sunday's Auto Trader EchoPark Automotive 400 in Dover and again a week later in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Not many people can say that they designed a car and have their face on it. So I'm super appreciative of it," Thomas told Reuters. The collaboration connects one of the WNBA's biggest stars with a sport that has long carried a male-dominated reputation, from the driver's seat to the stands. Castrol said the project was designed to "bridge worlds". "It's an honour to have Alyssa Thomas' legacy and mindset represented on our No. 60 car. Her 'Engine' mentality is all about pushing limits and delivering under pressure," Preece said in a statement. The collaboration comes amid a surge of interest in the top-flight women's league, with TV viewership and attendance continuing to climb, and during another stellar year for Thomas. The 33-year-old was the face of the Connecticut Sun franchise for 11 years before her surprise move to Phoenix this year, where she quickly hit her stride and catapulted herself into the MVP conversation over the last few weeks. "I needed a change after 11 years in Connecticut. My heart wasn't there anymore. It was time for me to move on," said Thomas. "And credit to our organization of putting so many shooters around me." She hit the game-winning free throw in Monday's 78-77 win over the Golden State Valkyries and was averaging 15.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game ahead of Wednesday's meeting with the Minnesota Lynx. "When we talked during free agency, they told me about the offense and how I would be able to do what I do," she said. "We're truly a family here." (Reporting by Amy Tennery in New YorkEditing by Christian Radnedge)
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
WNBA's 'The Engine' Thomas gets fitting NASCAR tribute
An illustration shows a newly unveiled \"The Engine\" design with images of WNBA basketball player Alyssa Thomas for Castrol RFK Racing, in this handout rendering. Castrol and RFK Racing/Handout via REUTERS NEW YORK - WNBA MVP contender Alyssa Thomas will feature on the Dover Motor Speedway this weekend - though not behind the wheel - as her face graces the hood of RFK Racing driver Ryan Preece's No. 60 Castrol car. It is a fitting honour for the Phoenix Mercury guard nicknamed "The Engine" for her relentless drive on the court, as she earned her sixth selection for the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday in Indianapolis. Preece will drive the car, which features the name and likeness for the league's all-time triple-double leader, in Sunday's Auto Trader EchoPark Automotive 400 in Dover and again a week later in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Not many people can say that they designed a car and have their face on it. So I'm super appreciative of it," Thomas told Reuters. The collaboration connects one of the WNBA's biggest stars with a sport that has long carried a male-dominated reputation, from the driver's seat to the stands. Castrol said the project was designed to "bridge worlds". "It's an honour to have Alyssa Thomas' legacy and mindset represented on our No. 60 car. Her 'Engine' mentality is all about pushing limits and delivering under pressure," Preece said in a statement. The collaboration comes amid a surge of interest in the top-flight women's league, with TV viewership and attendance continuing to climb, and during another stellar year for Thomas. The 33-year-old was the face of the Connecticut Sun franchise for 11 years before her surprise move to Phoenix this year, where she quickly hit her stride and catapulted herself into the MVP conversation over the last few weeks. "I needed a change after 11 years in Connecticut. My heart wasn't there anymore. It was time for me to move on," said Thomas. "And credit to our organization of putting so many shooters around me." She hit the game-winning free throw in Monday's 78-77 win over the Golden State Valkyries and was averaging 15.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game ahead of Wednesday's meeting with the Minnesota Lynx. "When we talked during free agency, they told me about the offense and how I would be able to do what I do," she said. "We're truly a family here." REUTERS
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mercury send powerful message to Alyssa Thomas after huge milestone
The post Mercury send powerful message to Alyssa Thomas after huge milestone appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Phoenix Mercury have been one of the best teams in the WNBA this season, and they recently got a major boost with the return of Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper from injury. Following their 83-75 win against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday, the Mercury improved to 9-4. Not only that, but Alyssa Thomas reached a career milestone in points as well, prompting a powerful message from the Mercury on social media. Advertisement With 14 points against the Sun, the milestone that Alyssa Thomas reached was 4,000 career points. The Mercury made sure to recognize that incredible accomplishment. 'Power. Persistence. Pure Buckets,' the team posted on social media. '4,000 career points for The Engine!' The Mercury's game against the Sun was also significant in that it was Thomas' first game back as an opponent. Originally selected by the New York Liberty with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Thomas was traded to the Sun on draft day. She played the first 11 seasons of her career with the Sun before being acquired by the Mercury in a blockbuster sign-and-trade deal this past offseason. In true Thomas fashion, she had a strong all-around game against the Sun. In addition to her 14 points, she grabbed eight rebounds and dished out 11 assists. Coming into Wednesday's game, Thomas had appeared in seven games in her Mercury debut at a little over 31 minutes per game. Advertisement She had been averaging 14.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 1.9 steals with splits of 52.5 percent shooting from the field and 63 percent shooting from the free-throw line. A five-time All-Star, Thomas was expected to be part of a new Big 3 with the Mercury alongside Copper and Satou Sabally. While injuries pushed back their debut, the Mercury are now able to use the lineup they've been waiting to unleash on the WNBA. The trio combined for 39 of the team's 83 points against the Sun. Related: Natasha Cloud, Brittney Griner joyfully reunite before Liberty-Dream clash Related: Returning Kahleah Copper is Mercury's final piece of 'death lineup'
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Josh Taylor beaten by Ekow Essuman on points in thriller as Scottish hero's comeback bid ends in defeat
Thriller wows fans as The Engine grinds down home favourite in Glasgow TAYL OF WOE Josh Taylor beaten by Ekow Essuman on points in thriller as Scottish hero's comeback bid ends in defeat Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOSH TAYLOR'S Scotland homecoming and welterweight welcome against Ekow Essuman ended in disaster. The 34-year-old Tartan Tornado was supposed to leap up a weight and dominate the 36-year-old Nottingham underdog. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Josh Taylor was caught by Ekow Essuman in an absorbing fight Credit: PA But Ekow 'The Engine' put on a brilliant showing of grit and commitment to win a unanimous decision. The Three ringside judges in Glasgow called it: 116-113, 116-112 and 115-113. Scotland's former undisputed super-lightweight king raced away with the opener, jabbing Essuman's head but then brutalising his body. Essuman enjoyed some right-hand success in the second but it was Taylor who was always landing the more punishing blows, especially to the torso. Taylor shipped another right hand as soon as the third started and failed to box his way back the session. And the fourth was a screamer as Essuman was wobbled by a left hand and then Taylor was staggered by a right. A seventh-round head clash cut Taylor around his left eye and gave Essuman a big red bullseye to aim for. And Essuman's scores and confidence grew as the fight went on, as Taylor kept trying to land a stunning stoppage and allowed his rival to snatch rounds. The tenth was a brilliant round for the away fighter who was supposed to give Taylor a warm and victorious welcome to the 10st 7lb division. Taylor stopped punching back in the championship rounds as Essuman exposed him with so much more energy and enthusiasm right up until the final bell. 2 The pair slugged it out in a high-class contest Credit: PA
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Josh Taylor beaten by Ekow Essuman on points in thriller as Scottish hero's comeback bid ends in defeat
JOSH TAYLOR'S Scotland homecoming and welterweight welcome against Ekow Essuman ended in disaster. The 34-year-old Tartan Tornado was supposed to leap up a weight and dominate the 36-year-old Nottingham underdog. 3 3 But Ekow 'The Engine' put on a brilliant showing of grit and commitment to win a unanimous decision. The Three ringside judges in Glasgow called it: 116-113, 116-112 and 115-113. Scotland's former undisputed super-lightweight king raced away with the opener, jabbing Essuman's head but then brutalising his body. Essuman enjoyed some right-hand success in the second but it was Taylor who was always landing the more punishing blows, especially to the torso. Taylor shipped another right hand as soon as the third started and failed to box his way back the session. And the fourth was a screamer as Essuman was wobbled by a left hand and then Taylor was staggered by a right. A seventh-round head clash cut Taylor around his left eye and gave Essuman a big red bullseye to aim for. And Essuman's scores and confidence grew as the fight went on, as Taylor kept trying to land a stunning stoppage and allowed his rival to snatch rounds. The tenth was a brilliant round for the away fighter who was supposed to give Taylor a warm and victorious welcome to the 10st 7lb division. Taylor stopped punching back in the championship rounds as Essuman exposed him with so much more energy and enthusiasm right up until the final bell. 3
