8-29-23 roundup: Pro football, baseball, basketball and soccer, High school football, volleyball and soccer, College football and athletics, Middle school football and softball, NASCAR

By Richard Walker

When the Charlotte 49ers open their 2023 football season on Saturday at 6 p.m. against South Carolina State at Jerry Richardson Stadium, former Huss standout Prince Bemah will be one of 8 team captains in Biff Poggi’s college head coaching debut.

“Prince is a great kid,” Poggi said of Bemah, a 2019 Huss graduate. “He’s a winner and a really good football player. The football team loves him and he’s a real important guy for us.”

Bemah, a linebacker, will share opening game captain’s duties with running back Shadrick Byrd, punter Grant Gonya, safety Wayne Jones, defensive end Mike Kelly, tight end Bryce Kennon, linebacker Demetrius Knight and offensive tackle Kevin Williams.

Poggi, quarterback Jalon Jones and defensive end Eyabi Okie-Anoma met with media on Tuesday for the 49ers’ first weekly news conference of the year.

“It’s been a great outpouring of fan love since I’ve gotten here,” said Jones, one of 52 newcomers on the roster since Poggi was hired last November.

Poggi, Jones and Okie-Anoma said the team was excited about the prospect of playing another team for the first time since they began work as a team earlier this year with spring practice, summer drills and ongoing fall practice.

“We’ve had a really good spring, a really good summer and a really good fall camp,” Poggi said.

Poggi, a former college assistant and high school head coach, admitted he would feel some anxiety when Saturday’s season-opener kicks off.

“I’m nervous as a cat,” he said. “Thank God I’m not playing. I’m the new guy. It’s not jitters – just excitement. I can’t wait to see our team play.”

Ever since being hired, Poggi has talked about the success he expects the 49ers to enjoy on the field – even as Charlotte is leaving Conference USA to play in the higher-rated American Athletic Conference.

“I have the highest of expectations,” Poggi said. “I made the kool aid and I’m drinking it. The nice thing is that we have the players that can drink the kool aid.”

Poggi says his strong feelings are borne of his relationship with his players, many of whom he coached in high school and later recruited to Charlotte.

“I love these guys,” Poggi said. “It’s a blessing to be around them every day.”

Here is this week’s upcoming Carolinas NCAA Division I (FBS and FBS) schedule:

(Thursday, Aug. 31)
North Greenville at Charleston Southern, 6 p.m.
Elon at Wake Forest, 7 p.m.
William & Mary at Campbell, 7 p.m.
Tennessee Tech at Furman, 7 p.m.
N.C. State at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m.
North Carolina A&T at UAB, 8 p.m.

(Saturday, Sept. 2)
East Carolina at Michigan, noon
Davidson at VMI, 1 p.m.
Wofford at Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m.
Gardner-Webb at Appalachan State, 3:30 p.m.
Western Carolina at Arkansas, 4 p.m.
Winston-Salem State at N.C. Central, 4 p.m.
S.C. State at Charlotte, 6 p.m.
The Citadel at Georgia Southern, 6 p.m.
North Carolina at South Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

(Monday, Sept. 4)
Clemson at Duke, 8 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro football

The Carolina Panthers got down to the NFL’s mandated 53-player roster Tuesday after making a series of moves.

Late Monday night, the Panthers traded for Chiefs wide receiver-return specialist Ihmir Smith-Marsette in a swap of conditional 2025 seventh-round picks.

Earlier on Tuesday, right guard Austin Corbett was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in last year’s finale; Corbett will miss at least the Panthers’ first four games.

Also, defensive end Henry Anderson was placed on injured reserve and Carolina terminated the contracts of the following 22 players: running back Spencer Brown; wide receivers Shi Smith, Javon Wims and Josh Vann; offensive linemen Justin McCray, Michael Jordan, Deonte Brown, Sam Tecklenburg and J.D. Direnzo; defensive lineman Raequan Williams; outside linebackers Kobe Jones, Eku Leota and Jordan Thomas; inside linebackers Deion Jones, Brandon Smith and Ace Eley; safety Eric Rowe; and cornerbacks Keith Taylor, Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Herb Miller, Mac McCain and Mark Milton.

Later on Tuesday – and before the 4 p.m. deadline – Carolina terminated the contracts of offensive tackle Cam Erving, cornerback Greg Mabin and defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth.

The Panthers may well be able to re-sign some of the players they let go on Tuesday when they establish a practice squad on Wednesday.

Here is the 2023 preseason and regular season schedule for the Carolina Panthers:

(Preseason)
Aug. 12 N.Y. Jets (L 0-27)
Aug. 18 at N.Y. Giants (L 19-21)
Aug. 25 Detroit, 8 p.m. (L 17-26)

(Regular season)
Sept. 10 at Atlanta, 1 p.m.
Sept. 18 New Orleans, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 1 Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Detroit, 1 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Miami, 1 p.m.
Oct. 22 OFF WEEK
Oct. 29 Houston, 1 p.m.
Nov. 5 Indianapolis, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Chicago, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 19 Dallas, 1 p.m.
Nov. 26 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Dec. 3 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Dec. 10 at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 17-18 Atlanta, TBD
Dec. 24 Green Bay, 1 p.m.
Dec. 31 at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Jan. 6-7 Tampa Bay, TBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school football

(This week’s games)
Avery County at Bessemer City
Blacksburg, S.C. at Cherryville
Crest at Shelby
East Gaston at Cramer
Foard at West Lincoln
Forestview at Freedom
Highland Tech at Union Academy
Kings Mountain at Burns
Lincolnton at East Lincoln
Providence at Huss
South Point at Charlotte Christian
West Meck at Ashbrook
Off – Mountain Island Charter, North Gaston, North Lincoln

-Friday
Berry at Hopewell
Catholic at Providence Day
Cuthbertson at South Meck
Garinger at Harding
Glenn at Chambers
Hough at Dutch Fork, S.C.
Independence at West Charlotte
Kell at Marvin Ridge
Monroe at Rocky River
Myers Park at Sun Valley
Palisades at Indian Land
Parkwood at East Meck
West Cabarrus at Olympic
East Burke at Draughn
Hibriten at West Caldwell
Newton-Conover at East Rutherford
North Iredell at Alexander Central
South Iredell at Statesville
Thomas Jefferson at Asheville Christian
Watauga at Maiden

-Saturday
Butler at Fairburn, Ga., Hughes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school boys soccer

East Lincoln 3, Watauga 1 (Monday): Zachary Hoyt (2 goals), Alexander Valencia (1 goal) and defenders Jesse Patterson, Miles Hart, Dani Espinal, Joseph Echeverria and Carson Brown led East Lincoln.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High school volleyball

Kings Mountain d. Clover 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-16): Meile Songaila (19 kills, 2 blocks, 5 digs, 5 serve receptions, 9 service points), Camden Pasour (31 assists, 6 digs, 1 block, 3 service points), Myracle Davis (9 kills, 7 blocks), Jessie Ozmore (13 digs, 11 serve receptions, 8 service points) and Mary Grace Hogue (4 kills, 5 digs, 2 blocks, 6 service points) led Kings Mountain (8-0).
In the JV match, Kings Mountain won 2-0 (25-21, 25-9) behind Madi Broome (6 serve receptions, 4 assists, 6 digs), Abigail Hedgepath (7 assists, 6 digs, 3 kills, 11 service points) and Campbell Benton (7 kills, 3 digs).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College athletics

The Atlantic Coast Conference officially announced its new home in Charlotte on Tuesday by raising the conference flag and flags of all 15 member institutions at a ceremony at the new office headquarters at Legacy Union’s Bank of America Tower in Uptown Charlotte.

The ACC Board of Director had previously voted unanimously on Sept. 20, 2022 that the league was relocating its headquarters from the Greensboro home it had since the league’s formation in 1953 to Charlotte.

“I am proud to be the mayor of this wonderful city and I’m honored today to be able to raise the City of Charlotte’s flag in the ceremony,” Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles said in a news release. “I want to say to each of you who are participating in this, on behalf of our entire community we welcome the ACC leadership, the staff, the coaches, the players, and fans.
“We’re thrilled to have the following of the ACC and host the conference headquarters in our great city of Charlotte. Thank you for choosing Charlotte, thank you for choosing North Carolina, and we look forward to many years of partnership and memories. Again, let’s have a great ACC year, and welcome to the Queen City.”

Added ACC commissioner Jim Phillips: “It is a historical day for the ACC as we are welcomed to the Queen City. This has been a journey over the last 18 months, and we are thrilled to be joining the Charlotte community. We are honored and proud to call Charlotte the home of the ACC.”

The ACC and Charlotte have enjoyed a longstanding partnership that includes the Queen City hosting a significant number of ACC events and championships. In April 2018, the ACC and the Charlotte Sports Foundation announced a 10-year agreement that will retain the ACC football title game in Charlotte through 2030. The ACC men’s basketball tournament has been played in Charlotte 13 times, most recently in 2019 at the Spectrum Center. The 2021 and 2022 ACC baseball championships were played at Truist Field and the league has participated in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl since its began in 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school football

(Gaston County Conference Aug. 30 games)
Aug. 30: Holbrook at Mount Holly, York Chester at Grier, Belmont at Stanley, Chavis at Cramerton, Bessemer City at Southwest, BYE – W.C. Friday

(Tri-County Conference Aug. 30 games)
Aug. 30: Burns at Crest, East Rutherford at East Lincoln, Kings Mountain at Shelby, Lincolnton at Chase, R-S Central at North Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson at West Lincoln

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle school softball

Gaston County Conference standings through Aug. 28:

Belmont 2-0
Stanley 2-0
W.C. Friday 1-0
Bessemer City 1-1
Chavis 1-1
Holbrook 0-0
Southwest 0-0
Mount Holly 0-1
Cramerton 0-2
Grier 0-2

(Aug. 28 games)
Belmont 15, Cramerton 3
Bessemr City 12, Chavis 2 (5 innings)
Stanley 15, Grier 0
Holbrook at Southwest, ppd., Aug. 30
BYE – W.C. Friday, Mount Holly

(Aug. 30 game)
Holbrook at Southwest

(Aug. 31 games)
Belmont at Bessemer City, York Chester at Chavis, Stanley at Cramerton, Southwest at W.C. Friday, Mount Holly at Grier, BYE – Holbrook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro basketball

The Charlotte Hornets officially confirmed recent reports that forward P.J. Washington, Jr., has re-signed with the franchise with an official news release on Tuesday.

Washington, Jr. averaged a career-high 15.7 points in the 2022-23 campaign, in addition to posting 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in 73 start. He had 9 games with at least 25 points in 2022-23 after logging 5 such games in his first three NBA seasons, and he was 1 of five players to record at least 50 steals, 75 blocks and 100 3-pointers last season along with Jaren Jackson, Jr., Jaden McDaniels, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.

Washington, Jr., whose career-high 43 points at Oklahoma City came on March 28, was originally selected by the Hornets in the first round (No. 12 overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft out of Kentucky.

Here is the Charlotte Hornets’ full 2023-24 schedule:

October
Wed. 25 ATLANTA 7 p.m.
Fri. 27 DETROIT 7 p.m.
Mon. 30 BROOKLYN 7 p.m.
November
Wed. 1 at Houston 8 p.m.
Sat. 4 at Indiana 7 p.m.
Sun. 5 at Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 8 WASHINGTON 7 p.m.
Fri. 10 at Washington 7 p.m.
Sun. 12 at New York Noon
Tue. 14 MIAMI 7 p.m.
Fri. 17 MILWAUKEE 7 p.m.
Sat. 18 NEW YORK 6 p.m.
Mon. 20 BOSTON 7 p.m.
Wed. 22 WASHINGTON 7 p.m.
Sun. 26 at Orlando 6 p.m.
Tue. 28 at New York 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 30 at Brooklyn 7:30 p.m.
December
Sat. 2 MINNESOTA 5 p.m.
4-9 Two games TBD
Mon. 11 MIAMI 7 p.m.
Wed. 13 at Miami 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 15 NEW ORLEANS 7 p.m.
Sat. 16 PHILADELPHIA 7 p.m.
Mon. 18 at Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 20 at Indiana 7 p.m.
Sat. 23 DENVER 7 p.m.
Tue. 26 at LA Clippers 10:30 p.m.
Thu. 28 at L.A. Lakers 10:30 p.m.
Fri. 29 at Phoenix 9 p.m.
January
Mon. 1 at Denver 9 p.m.
Tue. 2 at Sacramento 10 p.m.
Fri. 5 at Chicago 8 p.m.
Mon. 8 CHICAGO 7 p.m.
Wed. 10 SACRAMENTO 7 p.m.
Fri. 12 at San Antonio 10 p.m.
Sun. 14 at Miami 6 p.m.
Wed. 17 at New Orleans 8 p.m.
Fri. 19 SAN ANTONIO 7 p.m.
Sat. 20 PHILADELPHIA 7 p.m.
Mon. 22 at Minnesota 8 p.m.
Wed. 24 at Detroit 7 p.m.
Fri. 26 HOUSTON 7 p.m.
Sat. 27 UTAH 7 p.m.
Mon. 29 NEW YORK 7 p.m.
Wed. 31 CHICAGO 7 p.m.
February
Fri. 2 at Oklahoma City 8 p.m.
Sun. 4 INDIANA 6 p.m.
Mon. 5 L.A. LAKERS 7 p.m.
Wed. 7 TORONTO 7 p.m.
Fri. 9 at Milwaukee 8 p.m.
Sat. 10 MEMPHIS 7 p.m.
Mon. 12 INDIANA 7 p.m.
Wed. 14 ATLANTA 7 p.m.
Thu. 22 at Utah 9 p.m.
Fri. 23 at Golden State 10 p.m.
Sun. 25 at Portland 9 p.m.
Tue. 27 at Milwaukee 8 p.m.
Thu. 29 MILWAUKEE 7 p.m.
March
Fri. 1 at Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Sun. 3 at Toronto 6 p.m.
Tue. 5 ORLANDO 7 p.m.
Fri. 8 at Washington 7 p.m.
Sat. 9 BROOKLYN 7 p.m.
Mon. 11 at Detroit 7 p.m.
Wed. 13 at Memphis 8 p.m.
Fri. 15 PHOENIX 7 p.m.
Sat. 16 at Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Tue. 19 at Orlando 7 p.m.
Sat. 23 at Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Mon. 25 at Cleveland 7 p.m.
Wed. 27 CLEVELAND 7 p.m.
Fri. 29 GOLDEN STATE 7 p.m.
Sun. 31 LA CLIPPERS 6 p.m.
April
Mon. 1 BOSTON 7 p.m.
Wed. 3 PORTLAND 7 p.m.
Fri. 5 ORLANDO 7 p.m.
Sun. 7 OKLAHOMA CITY 6 p.m.
Tue. 9 DALLAS 7 p.m.
Wed. 10 at Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 12 at Boston 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 14 at Cleveland 1 p.m.

Charlotte’s In-Season Tournament Group Play Schedule:

Nov. 10 at Washington, 7 p.m.
Nov. 14 MIAMI, 7 p.m.
Nov. 17 MILWAUKEE, 7 p.m.
Nov. 28 at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Quarterfinals: Dec. 4-5 at higher-seeded teams
Semifinals: Dec. 7 at Las Vegas
Championship game: Dec. 9 at Las Vegas

The NBA In-Season Tournament Groups:

Western Conference
A: Memphis, Phoenix, L.A. Lakers, Utah, Portland
B: Denver, L.A. Clippers, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston
C: Sacramento, Golden State, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, San Antonio

Eastern Conference
A: Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, Indiana, Detroit
B: Milwaukee, New York, Miami, Washington, Charlotte
C: Boston, Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago, Orlando

The Charlotte Hornets’ 2023 preseason schedule:

Oct. 10 at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Washington Wizards, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 Oklahoma City, 5 p.m.
Oct. 19 Boston Celtics, 7 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro soccer

Here is Charlotte FC’s full 2023 schedule with results:

(8-8-8 record)
Feb. 25 New England Revolution (L 0-1)
March 4 at St. Louis City SC (L 1-3)
March 11 Atlanta United FC (L 0-3)
March 18 at Orlando City SC (W 2-1)
March 25 New York Red Bulls (T 1-1)
April 1 at Toronto FC (T 2-2)
April 8 at Real Salt Lake (L 1-3)
April 15 Colorado Rapids (T 2-2)
April 22 Columbus Crew (W 1-0)
April 29 at D.C. United (L 0-3)
May 6 New York City FC (W 3-2)
May 13 at Atlanta United FC (W 3-1)
May 17 Chicago Fire FC (W 2-1)
May 20 Nashville SC (L 1-2)
May 27 at L.A. Galaxy (W 1-0)
May 31 at Philadelphia Union (L 0-1)
June 3 at Columbus Crew (W 4-2)
June 10 Seattle Sounders FC (T 3-3)
June 21 at New York Red Bulls (T 2-2)
June 24 CF Montreal (T 0-0)
July 5 at New York City FC (T 1-1)
July 8 FC Cincinnati (T 2-2)
July 15 at CF Montreal (L 0-2)
Aug. 26 L.A. FC (W 2-1)
Aug. 30 Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at Nashville SC, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 at FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 30 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Inter Miami CF, 8 p.m.
Oct. 21 Inter Miami CF, TBD

(Leagues Cup schedule – Group stage)
July 21 at FC Dallas (T 2-2, wins 4-1 on penalty kicks)
July 29 Necaxa (W 4-1)
(Round of 32)
Aug. 3 Cruz Azul (at Dallas TX) (T 0-0, wins 4-3 on penalty kicks)
Aug. 7 at Houston Dynamo (W 2-1)
Aug. 11 at Inter Miami (L 0-4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro baseball

Jacksonville 2, Charlotte 1 (6 innings/rain): Hurricane Idalia shortened the Knights’ loss on Tuesday night in the opener of a 6-game series to 6 innings and has altered the schedule. The 2nd game of the series has been moved to Thursday with a 5:05 p.m. doubleheader slated for Friday to make up Wednesday’s game before playing the regularly-scheduled contest.

Here is the full Charlotte Knights’ 2023 schedule:

Overall record: 46-81
First half record: 35-40
Second half record: 11-41

-First half
March 31-April 2 Louisville (2-1)
April 4-9 at Columbus (3-3)
April 11-16 Jacksonville (3-3)
April 18-23 at Louisville (2-4)
April 25-30 Norfolk (2-4)
May 2-7 at Gwinnett (4-2)
May 9-14 Durham (3-3)
May 16-21 Scranton-Wilkes Barre (2-4)
May 23-28 at Jacksonville (4-2)
May 30-June 4 Nashville (3-3)
June 6-11 at Gwinnett (1-5)
June 13-18 at Durham (3-3)
June 20-25 Louisville (3-3)

-Second half
June 28-July 3 at Norfolk (1-4)
July 4-9 Jacksonville (1-5)
July 14-16 at Lehigh Valley (0-3)
July 18-23 Memphis (1-5)
July 25-30 at Durham (1-5)
Aug. 1-6 at Norfolk (2-5)
Aug. 8-13 Gwinnett (0-6)
Aug. 15-20 at Nashville (2-4)
Aug. 22-24, 26-27 Memphis (3-3)
Aug. 29, 31, Sept. 1-3 at Jacksonville (0-1)
Sept. 5-10 Durham
Sept. 12-17 Nashville
Sept. 18-24 at Memphis

Here is the full Gastonia Honey Hunters’ 2023 schedule:

Overall record: 69-36
First half record: 41-22
Second half record: 28-14

-First half
April (3-0)
28 Spire City (W 10-4)
29 Spire City (W 8-6)
30 Spire City (W 7-4)

May (17-9)
2 at So. Maryland (W 8-6)
3 at So. Maryland (W 11-6)
4 at So. Maryland (L 2-4)
5 at Long Island (W 3-2)
6 at Long Island (L 1-3)
7 at Long Island (L 4-6)
9 Spire City (W 2-1 in 10)
10 Spire City (W 10-0)
11 Spire City (W 9-7)
12 at High Point (L 5-8)
13 at High Point (W 12-5)
14 at High Point (L 3-4)
16 Charleston, W.Va. (W 13-4)
17 Charleston, W.Va. (W 4-2)
18 Charleston, W.Va. (L 4-6)
19 at Lexington (W 15-2)
20 at Lexington (W 8-0)
21 at Lexington (W 5-3)
23 at Spire City (W 6-0)
24 at Spire City (W 8-5)
25 at Spire City (W 8-3)
26 Lancaster (L 3-4 in 11)
27 Lancaster (ppd., rain)
28 Lancaster (ppd., rain)
29 Lancaster (W 9-1)
29 Lancaster (L 3-4)
30 High Point (L 8-10)
31 High Point (W 14-10)

June (19-8)
1 High Point (W 7-4)
2 Lexington (W 3-2)
3 Lexington (W 10-1)
4 Lexington (W 4-1)
6 at Charleston, W.Va. (W 4-1)
7 at Charleston, W.Va. (L 1-13)
8 at Charleston, W.Va. (L 2-4)
9 at Spire City (W 5-4)
10 at Spire City (W 12-7)
11 at Spire City (L 6-9)
13 So. Maryland (W 5-0)
14 So. Maryland (L 9-10)
15 So. Maryland (W 11-6)
16 Staten Island (W 5-4)
17 Staten Island (W 7-5)
18 Staten Island (W 5-1)
20 at Lancaster (L 0-6)
21 at Lancaster (W 9-7)
22 at Lancaster (W 4-1)
22 at Lancaster (L 2-6)
24 at Staten Island (W 12-3)
25 at Staten Island (L 2-7)
27 High Point (W 8-3)
28 High Point (W 7-3)
29 High Point (L 1-11)
30 So. Maryland (W 15-0)

July (13-13)
1 So. Maryland (L 6-7)
1 So. Maryland (W 8-7)
2 So. Maryland (W 3-2 in 10)
4 at Spire City (L 3-4)
5 at Spire City (L 8-18)
6 at Spire City (L 4-6)
7 at High Point (L 1-8)
-Second half
8 at High Point (W 7-2)
9 at High Point (L 13-14)
11 at Charleston, W.Va. (W 5-3)
12 at Charleston, W.Va. (W 2-1)
13 at Charleston, W.Va. (ppd.)
14 Staten Island (W 7-3)
15 Staten Island (L 10-12 in 10)
16 Staten Island (W 13-8)
18 High Point (W 6-5)
19 High Point (L 5-9)
20 High Point (W 10-5)
21 at So. Maryland (L 9-11)
22 at So. Maryland (W 8-6)
23 at So. Maryland (L 8-12)
25 at Staten Island (W 10-2)
26 at Staten Island (L 3-8)
27 at Staten Island (W 17-5)
28 at Long Island (L 1-18)
29 at Long Island (W 12-5)
30 at Long Island (L 2-4)

August (15-7)
1 High Point (L 3-6)
2 High Point (L 3-7)
3 High Point (ppd.)
4 Lexington (W 9-8)
5 Lexington (W 9-2)
6 Lexington (W 4-3)
8 Spire City (W 8-3)
9 Spire City (L 2-3)
10 Spire City (W 9-6)
11 at Long Island (L 5-7)
12 at Long Island (W 14-3)
13 at Long Island (W 10-7)
15 York (W 6-5)
16 York (L 1-2)
17 York (W 5-2)
18 Lexington (W 12-8)
19 Lexington (L 1-5)
20 Lexington (W 8-3)
22 at Long Island (W 6-5)
23 at Long Island (W 5-0)
24 at Long Island (W 13-12)
25 at Lancaster (W 4-1)
26 at Lancaster (L 2-6)
27 at Lancaster (W 5-4)
29 Spire City
30 Spire City
31 Spire City

September
1 So. Maryland
2 So. Maryland
3 So. Maryland
4 So. Maryland
5 at High Point
6 at High Point
7 at High Point
8 Charleston, W.Va.
9 Charleston, W.Va.
10 Charleston, W.Va.
12 So. Maryland
13 So. Maryland
14 So. Maryland
15 at Lexington
16 at Lexington
17 at Lexington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto racing

The NASCAR Cup Series championship contenders now has 16 contenders for the title entering the first race of the playoffs, which begins next Sunday with the Southern 500 at Darlington, S.C., Raceway.

The 16 playoff drivers will compete in in the 10-race postseason, which consists of four rounds, three sets of eliminations, a lot of points and one winner-take-all championship race on Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway.

The 13 drivers who qualified with a win are:

Kyle Larson
Ryan Blaney
Martin Truex Jr.*
Kyle Busch*
Chase Elliott*
Alex Bowman
William Byron
Joey Logano*
Brad Keselowski*
Kurt Busch*
Christopher Bell
Michael McDowell
Aric Almirola

And the 3 drivers who qualified based on points are:

Denny Hamlin
Tyler Reddick
Kevin Harvick*

*-indicated previous NASCAR Cup Series champions.

The 2023 NASCAR schedule (with winners in parentheses):

Feb 5 Clash at The Coliseum, Los Angeles CA (Martin Truex, Jr.)
Feb 16 Duel No. 1, Daytona Beach FL (Joey Logano)
Feb 16 Duel No. 2, Daytona Beach FL (Aric Almirola)
Feb 19 Daytona 500, Daytona Beach FL (Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.)
Feb 26 NASCAR Cup Series at California, Fontana CA (Kyle Busch)
Mar 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV (William Byron)
Mar 12 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ (William Byron-2)
Mar 19 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA (Joey Logano-2)
Mar 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas, Austin TX (Tyler Reddick)
Apr 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA (Kyle Larson)
Apr 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN (Christopher Bell)
Apr 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville VA (Kyle Larson-2)
Apr 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL (Kyle Busch-2)
May 1 NASCAR Cup Series at Dover, Dover DE (Martin Truex, Jr.-2)
May 7 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS (Denny Hamlin)
May 14 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC (William Byron-3)
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open Race, North Wilkesboro NC (Josh Berry)
May 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, North Wilkesboro NC (Kyle Larson-3)
May 29 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC (Ryan Blaney)
Jun 4 NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison IL (Kyle Busch-3)
Jun 11 NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma, Sonoma CA (Martin Truex, Jr.-3)
Jun 25 NASCAR Cup Series at Nashville, Lebanon TN (Ross Chastain)
Jul 2 NASCAR Cup Series at Chicago, Chicago IL (Shane van Gisbergen)
Jul 9 NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta, Hampton GA (William Byron-4)
Jul 17 NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire, Loudon NH, noon on USA (Martin Truex, Jr.-4)
Jul 23 NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono, Long Pond PA, 2:30 p.m. on USA (Denny Hamlin-2)
Jul 30 NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond, Richmond VA, 3 p.m. on USA (Chris Buescher)
Aug 6-7 NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan, Brooklyn MI, noon on USA (Chris Buescher-2)
Aug 13 NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Road Course, Speedway IN (Michael McDowell)
Aug 20 NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen, Watkins Glen NY (William Byron-5)
Aug 26 NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona, Daytona Beach FL (Chris Buescher-3)

(Cup Playoffs)
Sep 3 NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington, Darlington SC, 6 p.m. on USA
Sep 10 NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas, Kansas City KS, 3 p.m. on USA
Sep 16 NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol, Bristol TN, 7:30 p.m. on USA
Sep 24 NASCAR Cup Series at Texas, Fort Worth TX, 3:30 p.m. on USA
Oct 1 NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega, Lincoln AL, 2 p.m. on NBC
Oct 8 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte, Concord NC, 2 p.m. on NBC
Oct 15 NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas, Las Vegas NV, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Oct 22 NASCAR Cup Series at Miami, Homestead FL, 2:30 p.m. on NBC
Oct 29 NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville, Martinsville, 2 p.m. on NBC
Nov 5 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, Avondale AZ, 3 p.m. on NBC