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VIR TA2 race a homecoming for Silver Hare Racing owners and driver Zilisch

For Silver Hare Racing, VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) is home for many reasons. In addition to being the closest track to the team’s High Point, N.C. race shop, team owners Maurice and Laura Hull (pictured above) own and operate Waukegan Farms, which is located just six miles southeast of VIR in Semora, N.C. But more than that, VIR is the heart of Silver Hare Racing. It’s where Laura, who grew up 30 miles south of the track in Union Ridge, N.C., met Maurice, setting in motion the events that led to the creation of the successful multi-car CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series team. Laura worked as the PR and marketing director at VIR from 2002-04, and met Maurice, who was racing sports cars and vintage cars at the track. Introduced through a mutual friend in 2002, the two have been together ever since.

“When I think about VIR, I would have to say there’s no place like home, especially racing at home,” said Laura Hull. “Every year at this time, we really want to extend our warmest welcome to the racing community by saying, ‘Welcome to our home.’ We couldn’t be more excited for this weekend. Not only is it such a unique track and a beautiful part of the country, my personal experience at VIR was completely life changing. Between my work experience there and my love for racing, it’s where I truly met the love of my life, not to sound cliché. It was in the paddock there that Maurice and I were introduced by a mutual friend way back in 2002, and meeting him completely changed my life. It led to the creation of Silver Hare Racing, which Maurice and I are so terribly proud of.”

Not only is VIR a home track for the team, but it’s also a very special track for Connor Zilisch, who is back in the Trans Am Series this weekend for the first time since his season-opening TA2 win at Sebring International Raceway in February. Zilisch made his Trans Am debut at VIR with Silver Hare in 2021, earning the pole in his first weekend in a TA2 car. Last year, Zilisch made history, sweeping the weekend and becoming the first driver to win both a TA and TA2 race in a single weekend, driving to GYM WEED Winners Circle in his first-career TA start.

“Obviously, VIR is special to me because that’s where it all started for me with Silver Hare Racing,” said Zilisch. “I had my first test with them back in 2021. Then going there and winning in the TA2 race last year and winning the TA race on the same weekend, becoming the first person to sweep a weekend, it makes it a special track for me and one that I really enjoy, too.

“It’s one of my favorite tracks in the country, and I always have a good time when I race there. It’s historically been a really good track for me as well, so I’m looking forward to getting back there and racing with everybody and getting back with the Trans Am Series. Obviously, things have changed since I last was there with the series, so I’m looking forward to getting there and seeing how the series has grown and I’m ready to make the most of this opportunity at a track that I love.”

Outside of the Trans Am paddock, Zilisch has been forging a name for himself in all forms of motorsports. He started the year with an LMP2 win in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and followed that up with a victory in the same class in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. He has earned five ARCA Menards Series wins, and earned a pole and top-five finish in his NASCAR Truck Series debut at Circuit of The Americas. Zilisch has a multi-year development contract with Trackhouse Racing and Chevrolet, has joined the Red Bull family of athletes, and most recently made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, where he scored both the pole and the race win at Watkins Glen International in his first career start.

This weekend, Zilisch will have the additional challenge of competing in Saturday’s race without practice or qualifying, as he will be driving in the NASCAR Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Friday night. The team is also welcoming three partners from the region to Zilisch’s No. 57 Camaro: Bankers Insurance Group, Guy M Turner Company and Clark Outdoor, in addition to receiving support from Chevrolet Driver Development.

“I’m really excited for this weekend back at VIR. I’ve got the NASCAR Truck Series race at Talladega on Friday and it’s going to be a busy day on Saturday getting back up to VIR to run the TA2 race,” said Zilisch. “We tested a little bit at VIR and felt really comfortable with the car. We’re just building off the speed we had there last year; we were really fast and it was probably one of our best races last year.

“It’s really special to race at VIR, being the home race for Silver Hare Racing, and it’s the closest race on the schedule to my house, as well, so it’s also a home race for me and that makes it even more important and more special to go out and perform. Obviously, this is only my second race with Silver Hare Racing this year in the TA2 series, and it’d be cool to go two-for-two. It means a lot to race with this team and get back with all the guys that I kind of started my professional career with. I’m going to try and do everything I can to apply everything I’ve learned this year in all the other series I’ve been blessed to be able to race in and make the most of this opportunity.

“It means a lot to be able to race with Silver Hare Racing again and be back with Maurice and Laura Hull, Gil Martin and Jeff Holley, and everybody who I’ve learned from over the years. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off last time. We won the race at Sebring and just want to build on that success and the success we had the last half of last season. I’m looking forward to it and I’m ready for the opportunity and ready to make the most of it.”

Zilisch will be competing with Silver Hare Racing teammate Jake Drew (No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro), who has had an impressive first season in Trans Am. Drew has earned three podium finishes and six top-five finishes so far, and he is currently in a tight race for the Young Gun award. Boris Said Jr. will also be flying the Silver Hare banner in the No. 75 HendrickCars.com/Silver Hare Chevrolet Camaro.

The green flag will wave for the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race at VIR on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 12:40 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on MAVTV as well as on the Trans Am Series YouTube channel.

With big names down the leaderboard, Scotsman David Law, chasing status for 2025, sits a shot back Alfred Dunhill Links

It’s been a season of toil and trouble on the course for Law.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Until the golf writers put the finishing touches to our groundbreaking teleportation pod – we’ve lost the Allen Key and can’t tighten the screws – the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship will always remain something of a guddle.

You can’t, after all, be in two places at one time, let alone three. So, you decide to base yourself at the Old Course in St. Andrews but then something starts brewing at Kingsbarns and you opt to tootle off there before news filters through of a dazzling development at Carnoustie.

By that point, of course, you’re halfway between St. Andrews and Kingsbarns with no chance of getting to Carnoustie and you end up birling about in a flustered fankle like the Keystone Cops on a dodgem ride. How’s that teleportation pod doing again, lads?

Alex Fitzpatrick putts on the third green during day two of the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns Golf Links. (Luke Walker/Getty Images)

In this here, there and everywhere palaver, at least Scotsman David Law is exactly where he wants to be heading into the weekend’s action.

A tidy five-under 67 for a 13-under aggregate left the Aberdonian in a share of third, just a shot off the lead held by Australia’s Cameron John and Belgium’s former Ryder Cup player, Nicolas Colsaerts.

It’s been a season of toil and trouble on the course for Law. In this game of fine margins, though, the small things can make a big difference.

For a casual observer, a share of 29th in last week’s Spanish Open may not have been a cause to hang out the bunting.

For Law, however, that morale-boosting result has given him the kind of shot in the arm that used to come in a blue envelope from the NHS.

He needs an injection of something, of course. At 141st on the DP World Tour rankings, and with events running out, Law is desperate to pull a big finish out of the bag soon to vault into the safety zone of the top 115.

On home turf this week, it’s a case of so far, so good.

“Tied 29th (in Spain) may not sound like a great week but the way things had been going, it was,” said Law, who has made just nine cuts in 24 events this season.

“It’s an amazing game. Something like that can just kick start you. Flying back from Spain, there was a feeling of optimism and momentum. And that’s something I’ve not felt this year at all.

“When you’re not playing well, you try to do everything perfectly. I’d been travelling a little bit earlier to events and playing more holes in practice.

“But it wasn’t working. So, last week, I pitched up on the Tuesday, played nine holes and that was me. I’ve done the same this week.”

After his 64 at Kingsbarns on Thursday, Law fortified his position in the upper echelons with a bogey-free effort around the Old Course. Starting on the 10th, the 33-year-old reeled off three birdies in a row to get himself up and running.

Hopefully, it’s onwards and upwards.

“I’m not enjoying being where I am at all,” he said of his perilous position on the rankings. “But as much as I’d love to be 115 just now, at least I’m not looking over my shoulder. I’m looking up and that has to be the mindset. Be positive.

“First and foremost, I’m looking to secure my job for next year. The easiest way to do that is win this tournament. Failing that, it’s about finishing as high up as possible. I’m in a great place just now.”

Co-leaders set the pace

Colsaerts and John are both in a pretty good place too. The leading duo’s combined world ranking may be a lowly 1,702 but they’re the No. 1s here in the cradle of the game after 36 holes.

Colsaerts began his second round at Carnoustie with a bogey on the third but roared back with a bag of eight birdies as he posted a best-of-the-day 65 – his second 65 in a row – to surge to the summit.

In his own words, Colsaerts suggested that the early bogey left him “agitated.” He took his frustrations out on the treasured Angus links with a pounding that just about left it nursing a bruise.

“I’m just happy to be here,” said the 41-year-old, who is moving towards more television commentary than competing these days.

John, a winner on the east coast back in 2016 when he landed the Scottish Amateur Open Strokeplay title at Gullane, repaired the damage caused by a double-bogey on the fifth hole of the Old Course with a haul of six-birdies in a four-under 68.

John earned his first pro win in his native Australia this year but this outing in Scotland is just his seventh start on the DP World Tour.

“If you’d told me before that I’d be leading, I’d have said you were being a bit far-fetched,” he said with a smile.

Fife’s Connor Syme, who made his debut in the Dunhill Links 10 years ago as an amateur, kept ticking along nicely with a 67 for 10-under but Glasgow’s Scott Jamieson came a cropper at the Road Hole and leaked three shots in a 72 for nine-under.

Rory McIlroy is back on six-under after a 69 at Kingsbarns which included a mighty drive on the 14th which rolled onto the green as Robert MacIntyre was putting.

The Scot was nae happy. A double-bogey on the 18th, in a 72 for 5 under, didn’t do much to lighten the mood.

Will Nick Chubb return to the field vs. Commanders?

No, Nick Chubb will not return this week

Despite a full week of practice this week for the Cleveland Browns, running back Nick Chubb is not yet ready to make his return against the Washington Commanders.

He has been ruled out for this Week 5 matchup as the Browns desperately need to get back in the win column.

The Browns opened his 21-day practice window this week, meaning they still have two weeks to add him back onto the 53-man roster and ramp him back up to game speed. Chubb is ready to roll and is not afraid to take on contact once again, but the Browns are sticking to their schedule.

The Browns, however, will get running back Pierre Strong Jr. back in this game against the Commanders after missing the last three matchups. Jerome Ford, fresh off of one of his best games, will likely be the bellcow once again against the Commanders after stealing the bulk of the carries against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Next week, however, the Browns a bit east to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Given the competitive nature of that game, we could see Chubb make his return. More triumphantly, however, the Browns host their first AFC North battle the week after against the Cincinnati Bengals.

A welcome back at home may be the only way to get Chubb back on the field.

Jets vs. Vikings: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 5

The New York Jets will face the Minnesota Vikings in their upcoming Week 5 matchup.

Even with it being a a cross-conference clash, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Jets (2-2) against the Vikings (4-0) matchup:

CB Sauce Gardner vs. WR Justin Jefferson

This one needs little introduction.

Gardner is considered among the NFL’s best at his position. The same can be said for Jefferson.

It’s a battle of heavyweights here which will be fun to watch.

OL Olu Fashanu vs. ED Pat Jones II

The Jets offensive line, as a whole, must play better than they did last week. New York’s first-round rookie in Olu Fashanu did not play well in his first start. Pro Football Focus dropped his overall grade for the season all the way down to 45.3 after that outing, which is the third-worst of any tackle in the NFL.

Fashanu will see plenty of edge defender Pat Jones II. The Vikings defender has five sacks.

LB Jamien Sherwood vs. QB Sam Darnold

As is always the case, it’s a full-defensive effort to stop an opposing quarterback. However, CJ Mosley (toe) is unlikely to play again meaning Sherwood will be in position to be the “quarterback” of the Jets defense once again. He needs to make sure that the Jets defense is in position to stop Darnold throughout the day. Mosley would have had a bit of a leg up on Sherwood, potentially. He was one of Darnold’s former teammates in New York.

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Derek Carr has only beaten the Chiefs once since they drafted Patrick Mahomes

Former Raiders QB Derek Carr has only beaten the Chiefs once since they drafted Patrick Mahomes. The Saints can help him rewrite that narrative:

The New Orleans Saints haven’t played the Kansas City Chiefs much in their history. The two teams have faced off only 12 times over the last 52 years. Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr on the other hand is extremely familiar with the Chiefs.

Familiarity isn’t always a good thing though. Carr began his career with the Las Vegas Raiders, so he shared a division with Kansas City and played them twice a year. In that time frame, he has played the Chiefs more than the Saints have in their history.

The thing is, Carr has had minimal success. His record is 3-14, and the victories have obviously been sporadic. His last victory came in 2020, and it’s the only time Carr has defeated Patrick Mahomes.

Beyond wins and losses, Carr also averages an interception per contest and has thrown at least one in 7 of the last 8 games. Carr has thrown an interception in each of the Saints’ last 3 games as well.

History and trends do not appear to be on New Orleans’ side. The Saints, as an organization, have a losing record against the Chiefs as well. The record is much closer at 7-5, but it features three straight Chiefs victories.

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Is an All-Pro receiver headed to an AFC North rival?

The Browns might have another All-Pro in the division as Davante Adams hints at a possible trade to the Ravens

Wide receiver Davante Adams has been on the trade block this week, and now it looks like he might be heading to a division rival of the Cleveland Browns: the Baltimore Ravens.

Adams and the Las Vegas Raiders have been at odds this week after head coach Antonio Pierce liked an Instagram post insinuating that the All-Pro receiver had played his last snap for the team. The team has since been shopping the 32-year-old.

As he and the Raiders continue to search for a trade partner, however, Adams did post a cryptic picture on his Instagram. The picture posted is of Edgar Allen Poe, who is famously from Baltimore and where the nickname of the Ravens stems from.

And looking at their wide receiver room, the Ravens could use someone as talented as Adams to go along with Zay Flowers and the island of misfit toys. If the Ravens were to land a talent like Davante Adams to their wide receiver room for Lamar Jackson to target, it would certainly make their offense more lethal.

Oh nothing, just Davante Adams posting a pic of Edgar Allen Poe… pic.twitter.com/7Usp4HbHfl

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 4, 2024

Patriots reportedly putting perceived draft bust WR on trade block

One Patriots wide receiver could soon be on the move

The New England Patriots are all ears if any would-be suitors are interested in trading for 2022 second-round draft pick wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.

The Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora reported on Friday that the Patriots have made it known to NFL teams that Thornton is available. Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick drafted the former Baylor standout in hopes that his speed and size would translate into a reliable receiving target on the outside.

But it has been nothing but injuries and disappointment from Thornton.

Granted, he isn’t exactly playing in a functional offense to highlight his skills. So an argument could be made that Thornton has underperformed due to the ongoing offensive struggles in New England.

Then again, it’s hard to argue with the numbers—37 catches for 365 yards and two touchdowns in 26 games over three seasons.

That isn’t good enough.

The addition of Kendrick Bourne could also have a profound impact on Thornton’s snap count. He’s on the brink of getting buried on the depth chart, and the Patriots are trying to figure out what to do with him before that happens.

Maybe another team would love a shot at spinning that draft bust narrative into a success story.

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Steelers injury update: Starting guard non-committal on status vs Cowboys

Isaac Seumalo isn’t sure if he’s playing Sunday night or not against the Cowboys.

Last week the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line was dealt a serious blow when starting guard James Daniels was lost for the season with a torn Achilles. However, the hope was this week the team would get fellow starting guard Isaac Seumalo back after missing the first four games of the season to help bolster the offensive line against the Dallas Cowboys.

But when Seumalo spoke to the media on Friday, he wasn’t ready to declare himself playing this Sunday and instead left it up to head coach Mike Tomlin to make that call.

“Yeah, I feel pretty good,” Seumalo said. “I’ll let Coach Tomlin decide on that, but I felt good the past couple days.”

This doesn’t sound like a guy who is 100 percent and ready to roll. Seumalo has been dealing with a pectoral injury and it isn’t the type of injury you rush back from. We won’t be at all surprised if Tomlin opts to give him one more week of rest.

This would mean that rookie Mason McCormick would slide over from the left to the right to replace Daniels and Spencer Anderson would plug into Seumalo’s starting spot at left guard.

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Saints cut second-year draft pick in surprise roster move

The New Orleans Saints cut A.T. Perry in a surprise roster move. The second-year draft pick never did climb the depth chart this season:

This is a bit of a shock. The New Orleans Saints waived wide receiver A.T. Perry on Friday, as first reported by NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill and confirmed by other local outlets. Perry was only in his second year with the team after the Saints traded up to draft him in 2023 out of Wake Forest, sending tight end Adam Trautman to the Denver Broncos in the process.

The timing is odd — because the Saints are playing on “Monday Night Football” this week, they’re only in the second day of practice — so you have to wonder if there’s an injury involved. Perry was limited on Thursday with a hamstring issue, so maybe they waived him with the goal of putting him on injured reserve. It’s also possible they want to keep him on the practice squad. It’s just too soon to say for sure.

Either way, it’s a disappointing turn for his career. Perry struggled to get in the lineup last season due to injuries and finished his rookie year with a dozen catches for 246 yards, scoring 4 touchdown receptions. But he never did meet expectations over the summer and was surpassed on the depth chart by other players. Minor injuries and inconsistent performance on the practice field have kept him out of each of the first four games this season, and it might be the end of the raod for him in New Orleans.

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Wisconsin star running back Chez Mellusi leaves program

Wisconsin has lost another key starter, this time running back Chez Mellusi

There was shocking news that came out of Madison, Wisconsin, on Thursday night.

Wisconsin Badgers star running back Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the program. The news was first reported by Wisconsin State Journal’s Colten Bartholomew.

According to Bartholomew’s report, Mellusi’s departure from the program is health-related: “Senior running back Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the program to continue rehabbing injuries that prevented him from playing to his expectations, according to a statement from the program,” Bartholomew said in his report.

Additionally, it does not sound like Mellusi’s departure is necessarily permanent, and a potential return is still possible. How likely a return is is still a major question at this time.

The loss is a major one for the Badgers, as Mellusi was the program’s leading rusher this season, with 232 rushing yards on 56 carries and three touchdowns.

Injuries have been a major issue for Mellusi over the last few years, only totaling 51 carries last season before suffering a gruesome ankle injury against Purdue in late September. Since arriving in Madison prior to the 2021 season, Mellusi has not played a full season with the Badgers.

In 26 career games with Wisconsin, the Florida native has totaled 392 rushing attempts for 1,827 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Nebraska is set to face Wisconsin later this season on November 23.

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