Sports

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The goal was obvious to William Byron: put the No. 24 Chevrolet in victory lane in the 2024 Daytona 500 to launch Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary season. Mission accomplished, even if Byron had to complete an agonizing final lap under caution around Daytona International Speedway awaiting the winner to be declared. “Did we win it? …

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Auston Matthews scored his NHL-leading 49th goal of the season and added an assist, sparking the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Monday. “It’s pretty nice to watch him,” Matthew Knies said about Matthews. “He’s been a huge leader. He’s a big influence for our whole team. I’m really …

LEXINGTON, Miss. (AP) — A winter sun is setting over the brown, patchy field where Ronald Redmond’s kids have been playing football since they were 5. The goalposts are rusting and the fence is ripped. But Redmond knows what kids who played on this field have gone on to achieve: high school stardom, college scholarships and even NFL glory. “Stay …

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker is open to a long-term contract and says preliminary dialogue had begun. “Personally, I think we have the best team in the league,” Tucker said Monday as the Astros started full squad workouts. “That’s the vibe around the clubhouse. You have to have that mindset, but you still …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. Pittsburgh Panthers (17-8, 8-6 ACC) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (16-9, 8-6 ACC) Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Tuesday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Pittsburgh plays the Wake Forest Demon …

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton found himself playing a new role on NBA All-Star weekend — host. He served as Indianapolis’ unofficial ambassador. He became a part-time concierge, offering suggestions for restaurant choices and places to visit. He promoted the NBA’s 2K esports league, even doubled as a ticket broker. He made a video thanking local fans …

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker is open to a long-term contract and says preliminary dialogue had begun. “Personally, I think we have the best team in the league,” Tucker said Monday as the Astros started full squad workouts. “That’s the vibe around the clubhouse. You have to have that mindset, but you still …

Roy Hodgson, the oldest ever manager in the English Premier League at age 76, left Crystal Palace on Monday just days after falling ill during a training session amid widespread reports he was about to be replaced. The former England coach said he made the decision to step aside so Palace could bring forward its plans to appoint a new …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. San Francisco Dons (21-6, 10-2 WCC) at Saint Mary’s Gaels (21-6, 12-0 WCC) Moraga, California; Tuesday, 11 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: No. 18 Saint Mary’s (CA) faces the …

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) — Jannik Sinner confirmó su gran momento al proclamarse el domingo campeón del Abierto de Rotterdam en su primer torneo desde que conquistó el título del Abierto de Australia. Máximo cabeza de serie del torneo bajo techo, Sinner salió airoso de su segunda final seguida en Rotterdam al derrotar 7-5, 6-4 al australiano y quinto preclasificado Alex …