A company that specializes in autonomous power deployment said it has raised $31.8 million to scale its operations, with investments from major groups including Google and Bill Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). California-based Planted said the new capital expands its robotic fleet. The company said the funding also supports the launch of Sage, its next-generation robot, as demand outpaces the company's current capacity.Planted on September 15 said the funding round was led by Piva Capital and RA Capital Management Planetary Health, with participation from Gigascale Capital and Open AI-backer Khosla Ventures, along with Google and BEV. Gigascale Capital was founded by former Meta executive Mike Schroepfer."Globally, solar needs to be deployed about five times faster than it is today to hit the scale experts project we'll need by 2050, and the gap is growing as the industry confronts constraints involving supply chains, land, interconnection, and skilled labor," said Eric Brown, CEO of Planted. "The way to close that gap is to turn the construction of a power plant into a manufacturing problem: building robots and deployment systems, not just projects. We have robots in the field proving the model works today. This round is how we scale it."
Brown's group on Tuesday said a record 664 GW of solar photovoltaic power was installed worldwide last year, but noted terawatts of new generation capacity are needed to meet projected demand. The company said it combines planning software, high-density terrain-following solar arrays, storage, and field robotics into one system, which enables Planted to build on parcels of land that legacy trackers cannot use. The company said its system also delivers twice the energy per acre, resulting in smaller project footprints and a lower profile on the landscape.Planted said its array "is simplified, designed for automation, and defined in software," and thus can deliver new power generation capacity in months rather than years. Planted's most recent build, a 28-MW behind-the-meter project serving a neocloud data center, went from first call to power in 10 months, with field construction completed in under three months.Planted on Tuesday said the company's development model "is proven and bankable," and noted its projects carry independent engineering validation and project financing. The company completed Bowes Solar, an 11-MW project in Illinois for Cultivate Power, and will next build Aligned Climate Capital's Armoracia project on 16 acres, 10 fewer than the original design required. The denser redesign moved the project through local review after the initial layout was rejected, according to the company. Planted, which deployed more than 10 MW in 2025, is on track for 100 MW in 2026, a 10x jump in a single year, with a project pipeline of more than 20 GW.The company said Sage, the next-generation robot, will be deployed later this year.

#Solar

A company that specializes in autonomous power deployment said it has raised $31.8 million to scale its operations, with investments from major groups including Google and Bill Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). California-based Planted said the new capital expands its robotic fleet. The company said the funding also supports the launch of Sage, its next-generation robot, as demand outpaces the company's current capacity.Planted on September 15 said the funding round was led by Piva Capital and RA Capital Management Planetary Health, with participation from Gigascale Capital and Open AI-backer Khosla Ventures, along with Google and BEV. Gigascale Capital was founded by former Meta executive Mike Schroepfer."Globally, solar needs to be deployed about five times faster than it is today to hit the scale experts project we'll need by 2050, and the gap is growing as the industry confronts constraints involving supply chains, land, interconnection, and skilled labor," said Eric Brown, CEO of Planted. "The way to close that gap is to turn the construction of a power plant into a manufacturing problem: building robots and deployment systems, not just projects. We have robots in the field proving the model works today. This round is how we scale it."
Brown's group on Tuesday said a record 664 GW of solar photovoltaic power was installed worldwide last year, but noted terawatts of new generation capacity are needed to meet projected demand. The company said it combines planning software, high-density terrain-following solar arrays, storage, and field robotics into one system, which enables Planted to build on parcels of land that legacy trackers cannot use. The company said its system also delivers twice the energy per acre, resulting in smaller project footprints and a lower profile on the landscape.Planted said its array "is simplified, designed for automation, and defined in software," and thus can deliver new power generation capacity in months rather than years. Planted's most recent build, a 28-MW behind-the-meter project serving a neocloud data center, went from first call to power in 10 months, with field construction completed in under three months.Planted on Tuesday said the company's development model "is proven and bankable," and noted its projects carry independent engineering validation and project financing. The company completed Bowes Solar, an 11-MW project in Illinois for Cultivate Power, and will next build Aligned Climate Capital's Armoracia project on 16 acres, 10 fewer than the original design required. The denser redesign moved the project through local review after the initial layout was rejected, according to the company. Planted, which deployed more than 10 MW in 2025, is on track for 100 MW in 2026, a 10x jump in a single year, with a project pipeline of more than 20 GW.The company said Sage, the next-generation robot, will be deployed later this year.

#project #next

MADRID (AP) — Changes are expected to the new Madring track next year after its lackluster debut at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.
Organizers said they are open to trying to improve the layout that produced virtually no overtaking opportunities and drew widespread criticism from Formula 1 drivers. The lack of track action was criticized by fans as well as F1 returned to Madrid after a 45-year absence.
Event director Luis García Abad said that governing body FIA has already indicated the changes that might be needed on the urban track that mixes existing roads and purpose-built sections. Madrid signed a 10-year contract to be on the F1 calendar.
"Well, to be honest, FIA has clearly defined how to improve the circuit layout, and we will be open to that because we will have to refurbish the circuit for next year," Abad told Motorsport.com.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli won Sunday's race after pole-sitter Lando Norris caught an unlucky break with the timing of the deployment of the virtual safety car. Norris ended third, behind Max Verstappen.

#track #improve

The inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring has drawn heavy criticism from F1 fans and drivers over the limited overtaking opportunities on the narrow circuit. Its layout reportedly made the race a dull spectacle for many, and now even Spain's Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, has weighed in. Puente didn't hold back, describing the event as "an absolute dud."
Puente has kept his criticism constructive, comparing the Spanish GP with the Monaco GP, which is also known for offering limited overtaking opportunities. Monaco's narrow city streets have become increasingly challenging as F1 cars have grown larger over the decades, while significantly widening the roads is simply not a realistic option.
Despite Monaco's reputation for limited overtaking, this year's race featured 10 overtakes during the entire race, according to a social media post from Autosport. By comparison, the Madrid race last weekend saw just four overtakes.
Spanish Grand Prix, Sunday Madrid: Motorsport: FIA F1 Grand Prix of Spain, Formula 1 2026
on September, 13, 2026, (Photo by Hoch Zwei)
Start
01 NORRIS Lando (gbr), McLaren F1 Team MCL40, action
12 KIMI ANTONELLI Andrea (ita), Mercedes AMG F1 Team W17, action
44 HAMILTON Lewis (gbr), Scuderia Ferrari SF-26, action
Puente expressed his view while replying to a user on X who stated that the sporting side of the event suffered the most. The minister wrote:

#spanish #race #team

The FedEx Cup Fall is here.
The 2026 Biltmore Championship, a new PGA Tour event in Asheville, North Carolina, kicks off Thursday. The Presidents Cup is set for next week outside of Chicago, but the first Tour event since the season-ending Tour Championship is up. The Cliffs at Walnut Grove will host the tournament. The layout is a par-71 measuring 7,249 yards.
Being a fall event, the purse is significantly smaller than most events from the regular season. The biggest name initially in the field, Justin Thomas, withdrew Sunday, too, but there are other notables set to take on the Biltmore.
Here's a look at the purse and prize money payouts for the 2026 Biltmore Championship, where $5 million is up for grabs in Asheville, North Carolina.
More: PGA Tour fall schedule includes 8 events, international competition, silly season

#biltmore #north

F1 free live streams: How to watch Formula 1 2026 Spanish Grand Prix without cable originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This weekend marks a historic return to Madrid for Formula 1, with the Spanish Grand Prix taking place at the brand new Madring on Sunday.
The Madring marks the first all-new venue to be added to the F1 calendar since the Las Vegas Strip Circuit in 2023, meaning drivers have no idea what to expect. The layout features a combination of public roads and new purpose-built sections, as well as an intense Turn 12 nicknamed 'La Monumental', which is officially the longest banked corner in the sport.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli returned to winning ways at his home race in Monza last week, even with a grid penalty that started him in the 19th position. The 19-year-old is still holding strong at the top of the Drivers' Championship standings, with teammate George Russell 66 points behind.
F1 hasn't competed in the Spanish capital in 45 years. Who will become the inaugural champion at the Madring?

#madring #grand #marks #preferred

The opening round at the Irish Open delivered a brutal test of patience and precision. Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Ireland, saw play slowed significantly across the field as strong winds dominated the conditions. Defending champion Rory McIlroy managed to stay in the hunt, carding a 1-under 69 despite a costly double bogey on the 13th hole. While he sits four shots behind the leader, his position remains viable heading into the second day. The defending champion knows the margin for error is slim when the elements turn hostile. He remains tied for 17th place, a spot that offers hope but demands immediate improvement to challenge for the **** le.
According to GolfMagic, Joaquin Niemann seized the early lead with a spectacular 5-under 65. The LIV Golf standout made his move with four consecutive birdies from the 14th to the 17th holes. His drive on the 14th landed a mere three feet from the cup, creating a simple birdie opportunity that propelled his charge. Niemann's sole mistake was a bogey on the 12th following a three-putt. When asked about the experience, he noted, "It was a lot of fun out there."It's a really tricky course and a really fun golf course to play, especially with the Irish weather, he also praised the layout, stating. Despite the pressure of chasing the leader, Niemann capitalized on the scoring opportunities while others struggled.
Rory McIlroy's round told a different story of resilience. His tee shot at the 13th rolled into a bunker, hit the lip, and came back into the sand. His second shot then hit below the lip, skipped out of the sand, and landed on the fairway, yet the damage was done with a double bogey. Playing alongside Brooks Koepka, who shot a 75 after a triple bogey start, McIlroy faced a difficult back nine. Koepka's struggles on the opening hole highlighted how the high grass and wind punished errant shots. Despite his own errors, McIlroy managed to finish under par. "I hung in there, shot under par, and at least don't feel like I'm out of the tournament," he admitted. He added, "A good day tomorrow gets me right back in it."
Shane Lowry provided a local perspective on the day's difficulty. According to ESPN, Lowry finished at 67 and remained bogey-free on the back nine. He was tied with Shaun Norris. Lowry faced the same darkness issues as others, noting, "I honestly didn't think we were going to get finished." That's probably the longest round of golf I ever played, in a three-ball, anyway. I'm happy with my score."I felt like I did a solid job of making pars and trying to get to the clubhouse as quick as I could," he explained his strategy, saying. Meanwhile, Adrian Meronk was at 3 under but unable to finish before darkness fell. Patrick Reed shot 68 in the challenging conditions.
The gap between McIlroy and Niemann is significant but not insurmountable. Four shots is a manageable deficit in a four-round event, provided the weather cooperates. McIlroy's ability to recover from the bunker disaster

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday night as the playoff battle continues at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.
The Nu Way 225 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with drivers looking to make a major statement as the championship fight begins to heat up. The race will be the second event of the 2026 O'Reilly Series chase.
World Wide Technology Raceway is one of the most difficult tracks on the O'Reilly Series schedule because of its unique layout.
The 1.25-mile oval features different corner characteristics, forcing teams to find a setup that works in both ends of the track. Drivers will also have to manage tire wear, track position and restarts throughout the night.
Gateway is a track where experience can make a major difference. With the championship battle underway, mistakes could become extremely costly.

#technology #night

F1 drivers check out the new Madring circuit ahead of the Spanish GP, as they discuss the dangers, difficulties in overtaking and getting a lap done, and talk about the La Monumental corner.
Jeddah? Macau? Monaco? Baku? Zandvoort? The new Madring circuit has been compared to a lot of other tracks on the F1 calendar due to its nature and layout. The drivers are bracing for a hard and tough outing in this weekend's Spanish GP. The narrow and high-speed combination never works well for everyone, with the Saudi Arabian GP a prime example in recent times.
Of course, the F1 drivers eventually find a way through to get things right. But still, ahead of the start, they have mixed emotions, with most agreeing that it will be dangerous. Even though some feel it will not be as dangerous as Jeddah already is, the majority agree that defending will be much easier and overtaking much harder, as seen in Monaco.
Even getting a lap right in qualifying will be a challenge, which the F1 drivers accept. Almost everyone has had a run in the simulator, but they are waiting for the real feel, as the speed and power can only be ascertained once someone is really on track. One of its major attractions is the long, banked La Monumental, which, of course, everyone is looking to try in the real car.
Here's a list of F1 drivers speaking about the dangers:

#drivers #monaco #even #circuit

JBM Packaging has opened a 52,500ft² site in Lebanon, Ohio, US, approximately a mile from its main base, as it expands its contract packaging, kitting and filling activities.
The facility will support up to 50 additional jobs.
It will house operations that had previously been run from rented premises in Queensgate, where JBM began its contract packaging business in 2021.
The new building has 28ft clear-height ceilings, dense warehouse racking and a layout intended to improve the movement of materials and completed goods.
JBM said the move lifts total machine capacity by 50%, giving it scope to handle a larger share of customers' packaging requirements, including planning, production and distribution.

#contract

Several of architect David McLay Kidd's most popular courses have focused on extreme and creative playability, with Gamble Sands in Washington and Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley in Wisconsin as prime examples. Even his first-ever design, the original Bandon Dunes layout at the famed resort of the same name in Oregon, put playability at the forefront.
Kidd had a few deviations from the playability theme in his career, but in recent years he has talked at length about designing courses that are approachable for any level of golfer. The trick, he has said, is to challenge the best players while allowing less-skilled golfers to keep swinging.
Consider that challenge accepted at Bone Valley in Florida, his latest completed creation that will open in late September for preview play at the well-regarded Streamsong Resort. Built with an appreciation of the resort's other courses and with those layouts' DNA in mind, Kidd has constructed a new, full-sized 18 that offers ample width and plenty of opportunities to bounce **** into greens – those are keys to playability for less-skilled players.
But just as megalodon shark teeth can be found in the sand piles left over from the site's history as a phosphate mining operation, Bone Valley can offer a bit of a bite. Stray too far from the best scoring lines, and even the best players will struggle with the angles as they attempt to set up birdie putts.
"My team and I felt like we got to build something really, really fun both visually, strategically, creatively," Kidd said. "I think golfers, when they come here, won't be disappointed. I think they'll have a blast trying to figure out how to navigate their way through. I think every hole has a dozen different attacks you could make, a thousand different ways you could recover from error. It's not overly penal, but she is going to put up a fight against scoring. I think I've been able to refine that over the last dozen years or so."

#think #players #dunes

NBA star Ja Morant has sold his Eads, Tennessee mansion for $3.2 million after purchasing it in 2022 for around $3 million following his $200 million contract extension. The property sits just 62 feet from the home he bought for his parents in 2019, reflecting his desire to stay close to family. With over 13,000 square feet, the estate combines scale, privacy, and a layout built for both daily living and entertaining.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Ja Morant sells Tennessee mansion

#morant #eads

NASCAR playoff standings 2026: Updated points, scenarios for final Cup Series spots at Daytona originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After a regular season filled with highlights, the Cup Series is mercifully approaching its crescendo — a 10-race postseason to determine who will hoist NASCAR's greatest prize, the Cup Series crown.
This year's playoff format is markedly different from its latest predecessors. The "win-and-in" format gave way to the Chase, popularized in the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s. The new layout rewards consistency as opposed to one-race excellence, offering a new path for riders who routinely place inside the top-five and top-10.
Toyota has shined in lieu of the change thus far — five of the top six performers helm the **** pits of the **** anese manufacturer, including regular-season champion Denny Hamlin.
Further down the standings, things remain compelling. Austin Cindric and Shane van Gisbergen are clinging to postseason berths heading into the final week of the regular season. They have more work to do to lock themselves into the Round of 16 and give themselves a chance at competing for the top-flight's signature prize.

#playoff #race

The PGA Tour finally pulled the trigger on a massive overhaul for its season finale. After years of sticking to the same starting-strokes format at East Lake, the circuit is shifting to a two-week match play event. We're seeing a complete reinvention of how the season ends, not just a tweak. The changes kick in for the 2028 season. Fans who love the drama of head-to-head golf now have a reason to tune in for the final two weeks of the year.
The new structure breaks the final event into two distinct parts. The first week features a group stage, according to Golf Monthly. Thirty-two players will split into eight groups of four. They will play three rounds of stroke play within their groups. The top two from each group move on. Week two shifts to pure match play. This format hasn't been seen on the PGA Tour since the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour CEO, addressed the media ahead of the current Tour Championship to clarify the path forward. He noted that the current model is just the start of a broader evolution.
The goal is to create more excitement and higher stakes. The season-long points list will still determine who qualifies. The top 32 on that list earn their spot in the finale. But the way they compete will be totally different. The top 90 players on the points list will still retain their cards, but only the elite 32 get to fight for the trophy in this new way.
For years, East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta has been the only home for the Tour Championship. That ends in 2028. The tournament will now rotate between prestigious venues. The Tour has promised to include courses that the modern circuit hasn't traditionally been able to feature. This opens up the door for historic layouts to host the finale. Rolapp confirmed that conversations are already underway to secure these new locations. He told reporters that East Lake is still a strong option for the future, but it won't hold a monopoly anymore.
East Lake remains among the options being considered for upcoming Tour Championship events. This flexibility allows the Tour to bring the championship to different markets and fan bases. It also adds a layer of novelty that the starting-strokes format lacked. The rotation ensures that the final event feels like a grand tour rather than a local fixture.

#east #play #season #golf

AC Milan head into Matchday 2 of Serie A to face Venezia on Friday in what would be their first league match at home this season.
Date: Friday, 28th August.
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.
Venue: San Siro, Milan.
The squad remains highly robust, though a few adjustments will alter their layout. Midfielder Samuele Ricci has been officially excluded from the squad as he edges closer to a finalized loan move away to Como.

#squad #matchday #serie #kick

Formula 1 star Max Verstappen will take on a new challenge next month when he goes up against 100 drivers in what has been touted as the world's biggest kart race.
The Red Bull driver will line up on the back of the grid at a purpose-built kart layout at Silverstone on 16 September, and be tasked with overtaking all 100 rivals before the time runs out.
The race, named 'Max vs 100' will be broadcast live on Disney+ around the globe and ESPN in the US.
The Dutchman will be up against a field comprising stars from various disciplines, including Red Bull athletes, celebrities, content creators and everyday fans. While the full entry list is yet to be released, Red Bull has already confirmed the participation of ultrarunner Arda Saatçi, basketball star Chris Matthews, freestyle mountain biker Matt Jones and streamers TheGrefg, Caedrel and TheDonato.
Verstappen, who started his own career in karting at the age of four before rising through the ranks to make his F1 debut with Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls) at the age of 17, said: "In go-karts you learn all the basics: starts, defending, overtaking.

#verstappen #race #september

The IndyCar Series will race by the National Archives and the Smithsonian Air and ***** e Museum today in the Freedom 250 on the streets of Washington, D.C.
Championship points leader Alex Palou starts from the pole position for the longest street course race in series history, 147 laps on a 7-turn, 1.7-mile layout. He has an outside chance to lock up his fourth consecutive ***** le, and fifth in six years.
Kyle Kirkwood also earns a front-row starting spot as he and David Malukas (starting 6th) and Christian Lundgaard (9th) fight for second place in the standings.
President Trump is scheduled to wave the green flag shortly after 1 p.m.
We will have leaderboard updates and highlights throughout, so remember to refresh.

#race

The IndyCar Series' first race in Markham, Ontario, Canada, will have a different look up front. Louis Foster starts from the pole position and Christian Lundgaard is second for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, a 90-lap race on the 12-turn, 2.19-mile layout.
These drivers crashed during practice or qualifying: Alex Palou, Caio Collet, Will Power and Josef Newgarden all start further back in the field than they'd like.
These drivers face 6-position grid penalties for excessive engine changes: Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen, Marcus Armstrong, Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood and Pato O'Ward.
We will have leaderboard updates and highlights throughout, so please remember to refresh.
(*-drivers moved back 6 places on starting grid for excessive engine changes)

#drivers #markham #grid

The IndyCar Series' first race in Markham, Ontario, Canada, will have a different look up front. Louis Foster starts from the pole position and Christian Lundgaard is second for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, a 90-lap race on the 12-turn, 2.19-mile layout.
These drivers crashed during practice or qualifying: Alex Palou, Caio Collet, Will Power and Josef Newgarden all start further back in the field than they'd like.
These drivers face 6-position grid penalties for excessive engine changes: Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen, Marcus Armstrong, Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood and Pato O'Ward.
We will have leaderboard updates and highlights throughout, so please remember to refresh.
(*-drivers moved back 6 places on starting grid for excessive engine changes)

#markham #christian #position #excessive

Louis Foster wins the pole position for the IndyCar Series race in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Christian Lundgaard is also on the front row for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, a 90-lap race on the 12-turn, 2.19-mile layout.
Many drivers crash while testing the limits on a new course.
Series points leader Alex Palou crashes during the second round of qualifying and takes the 11th spot, his first starting position this season outside the top 10.
Caio Collet's hurriedly repaired car fails on track during qualifying; he crashed during the second practice session.
Will Power also crashed in practice, and he spins during qualifying.

#qualifying #ontario #louis

PORTLAND, Ore. — Sophia Schubert birdied two of the final three holes for a 5-under 67 and a share of the lead with Arpichaya Yubol on Saturday in The Standard Portland Classic.
Yubol, the second-round leader, had a 68 to match Schubert at 16-under 200 with a round left on the tree-lined Columbia Edgewater Country Club layout.
The leaders are winless on the LPGA Tour, with the 30-year-old Schubert back on the big tour after finishing 10th in the Epson Tour standings last year. The American — the 2017 U.S. Women's Amateur winner — is ranked 295th in the world and is 125th in the tour's points race.
"I love the Epson Tour. It's great. I loved playing out there," Schubert said. "I think it was a great boost for my confidence. Competition is great and you get the sense of winning."
The 24-year-old Yubol, from Thailand, is ranked 112th in the world and is 28th in the tour's season standings. She finished second this year at Mayakoba and the ShopRite LPGA.

#great

MARKHAM, Ontario – After IndyCar had to call off Friday's practice session for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, cars have made it on track for the rescheduled session Saturday morning.
With the race's promoter, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, being behind on preparation for the new street course in Markham, all on-track activities were placed on hold Friday before being eventually postponed to Saturday. This is the first year that the series is racing at the 12-turn, 2.19-mile street course after racing at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto for 37 of the last 40 years.
"IndyCar is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site," IndyCar president Doug Boles said in a news release. "Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.
"Once we hit the track, we believe the circuit will be spectacular. We would like to thank the city of Markham for the major support it has made to provide IndyCar a layout, which is fast, technical and will put on a terrific show on Sunday."
Green Savoree Racing Promotions needed to receive and install the necessary tire packs for the tire barriers in runoff areas. The three support series in attendance – USF 2000, USF Pro 2000 and NASCAR Canada – completed their practice sessions Saturday morning before Indy cars got on track. IndyCar has another practice at 2:30 before qualifying at 6:30. The race begins at noon on Sunday.

#ontario

MARKHAM, Ontario – After IndyCar had to call off Friday's practice session for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, cars have made it on track for the rescheduled session Saturday morning.
With the race's promoter, Green Savoree Racing Promotions, being behind on preparation for the new street course in Markham, all on-track activities were placed on hold Friday before being eventually postponed to Saturday. This is the first year that the series is racing at the 12-turn, 2.19-mile street course after racing at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto for 37 of the last 40 years.
"IndyCar is incredibly disappointed that our promoter was not able to complete the track build on time, despite significant support from our team on site," IndyCar president Doug Boles said in a news release. "Ontario has always been a magnificent market for our sport and the number of spectators that attended today is a shining example of that. New events can always pose logistical challenges and we join in the frustration of our loyal fans and apologize.
"Once we hit the track, we believe the circuit will be spectacular. We would like to thank the city of Markham for the major support it has made to provide IndyCar a layout, which is fast, technical and will put on a terrific show on Sunday."
Green Savoree Racing Promotions needed to receive and install the necessary tire packs for the tire barriers in runoff areas. The three support series in attendance – USF 2000, USF Pro 2000 and NASCAR Canada – completed their practice sessions Saturday morning before Indy cars got on track. IndyCar has another practice at 2:30 before qualifying at 6:30. The race begins at noon on Sunday.

#track #racing #ontario

World number one Scottie Scheffler matched the course record with a nine-under par 61 to grab a three-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the PGA St. Jude Championship.
The 30-year-old American sank 11 birdies against two bogeys to stand on 11-under 129 after 36 holes in the PGA FedEx Cup playoff opener at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.
"I felt like I did a lot of stuff well," Scheffler said. "I gave myself a lot of looks, hit some nice iron shots and was able to make some birdies."
Four others have also fired 61s at the layout, the most recent being England's Justin Rose in 2023.
South Korean Im Sung-jae fired a 66 to stand second on 132 with Norway's Viktor Hovland. Sweden's Ludvig Aberg was another stroke adrift and Colombian Nico Echavarria, Americans Brian Harman and Jordan Spieth and England's Tommy Fleetwood, the reigning playoff champion, on 134.

#stroke #fired #World #jude

The Chargers released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2026 season. While coaching staffs frequently remind fans to take early PR-generated depth charts with a grain of salt, this layout highlights several intense training camp position battles, personnel choices, and notable rookie standings.
Here are the key takeaways from each position group following the team's first depth chart release:
Justin Herbert firmly anchors the starting role. As no surprise, Trey Lance secures the direct backup QB2 spot over DJ Uiagalelei, setting expectations for how preseason game snaps will flow.
Omarion Hampton leads as the starting back. Behind him, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal are locked in a tight committee race for the primary RB2 role. Alec Ingold is the clear FB1, backed up by Scott Matlock. Matlock has also been getting reps at offensive tackle throughout camp.
Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston are listed as the primary starters alongside Tre' Harris. Camp standout Brenen Thompson, who is ahead of Derius Davis and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, is rapidly building momentum to push for meaningful reps by the regular season.

#depth #chart #primary

Spire Motorsports enters Sunday afternoon's Iowa Corn 350 with plenty of work ahead after a difficult showing in practice and qualifying at Iowa Speedway. It certainly was no encore from the Brickyard for Spire.
The organization struggled to find consistent speed around Iowa's 7/8-mile layout on Saturday, with none of its three cars qualifying inside the top 10.
Michael McDowell led the way for Spire, qualifying 11th in the No. 71 Chevrolet. While McDowell narrowly missed the top 10, his starting position gives him the best opportunity of the three Spire drivers to move toward the front early.
Carson Hocevar will have more ground to make up after qualifying 18th in the No. 77 Chevrolet. Hocevar has shown plenty of speed throughout the 2026 season, but Iowa has not produced the same results so far. Starting in the middle of the field puts an added emphasis on gaining track position early without getting caught up in trouble.
The toughest challenge belongs to Daniel Suárez.

#qualifying

The Denver Broncos' new facility was built with the idea of bringing the entire organization under one roof. Broncos president Damani Leech believes the team has accomplished its goal. While addressing media members last Saturday, Leech spoke about the project at length.
"This building is just… It's amazing," Leech said. "It's amazing; every day I walk the building, I see different parts for the first time post-construction, and I think it's amazing. It's a testament to ownership, to Greg and Carrie (Penner), the investment they've made into football. Football first, but also our business to bring nearly 100 business staff into the building to create culture, to design a building with football in mind. The ******* es are really well thought of. Very intentional layout. The player path of travel was really, really important. I love coming to work every day, and I think everybody else does too."
The first floor is specifically tailored for the players, second floor is for football operations, and the top level is the business side of the franchise. Take a look at an inside video of the building courtesy of DNVR's Zac Stevens.
Leech spoke about the features of the building which make it special in his eyes, including a fun feature he "begged for."
"What I think is unique about this building is that it is distinctly Colorado," Leech said. "I think people walk the building and they feel like they understand that this is the Denver Broncos' training facility. We're here in Colorado, a lot of the natural wood. I love on the third floor, which we'll see, the elevated ceilings, the mass timber is a great place for me to come and work every day. I was begging for the golf simulator and I got it, so there's really nothing that we didn't get."

#building #Broncos

ZANESVILLE – Efforts to bring the Gus Macker basketball tournament back to Zanesville took a major step forward with the selection of a host site at Ohio University Zanesville/Zane State College and the YMCA of Zanesville, as community partners, sponsors and organizers work toward the event's return in July 2027.
Next, the Gus Macker executive committee will have a 30- to 40-minute site walkthrough in August with facility, campus and concession representatives to review the venue layouts and complete the proposed site plan. That'll include mapping out the areas for the hoops, parking, overflow, and food vendors, added Dominique Proctor, the Gus Macker Zanesville committee's executive chair.
Then, the committee can start working on a final contract with the tournament's headquarters. Discussions are expected to start after Labor Day.
More: Will Gus Macker basketball tournaments return to Zanesville?
The contract is a three-year agreement with a first-year opt-out, in case 2027's tournament falls short of expectations. Though, a well-attended event could secure two more in 2028 and 2029, the TR previously reported. Another agreement could be looked at after that.

#tournament #committee #contract

LATROBE – Day Three of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp was unlike any Steelers practice I've covered in terms of its layout. It was an incredibly light day for the Steelers that featured players in caps and bucket hats rather than helmets as the team ran a walkthrough for the entire two hour practice.
The plays were ran at 50-60 percent speed, and it was a very energetic, laid back environment. So, with that as a prerequisite, there frankly wasn't much to take away from Day Three, but Joey Bray and I will both share the few takeaways we had from Friday morning's practice.
Germie Bernard took the field with the First-Team during practice, working largely from the slot while DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman were on the outside. Roman Wilson took some reps on the outside with the second team. This was by design, as head coach Mike McCarthy said ahead of practice that he would be looking to give Wilson some outside reps as to not pigeon hole him at one spot. – Jarrett Bailey
Throughout practice, Aaron Rodgers was under center a lot. This is something that Rodgers had stressed in his pre-training camp presser on Tuesday. He wants to be under center more this season and it looks like McCarthy is going to grant his wish and give him those opportunities this season. – Joey Bray
Mike McCarthy spent the majority of practice with the third and fourth teams coaching up Will Howard and Drew Allar. Howard is the guy McCarthy has arguably talked up the most this offseason, while Allar is the hand picked developmental quarterback. It's refreshing to see a head coach so involved with the development of his young quarterbacks. If anything, it shows that McCarthy is looking toward the future and wants to get every opportunity he can at these young guys. It would be much better for the Steelers long term if one of the guys on the roster ends up being their future franchise guy, and McCarthy knows that. Howard has much more to prove over the next few weeks of camp and preseason compared to Allar, but getting that increased one-on-one time with their new head coach is crucial. – Joey Bray

#steelers

Julian Menser, who had never seen the Pfau Course at Indiana University before this week, can certainly see where the teeth of the notoriously difficult layout would come out. It's just that, playing in Golfweek's Hoosier Amateur on July 28-30, he didn't experience it that way – and that made all the difference.
"I knew it was hard, everyone said it was hard, but when you're playing good, even hard golf courses sometimes don't feel that difficult," said Menser, who is about to enter his junior year at Michigan State. "But the second you start hitting it offline, courses get really difficult. I hit it pretty well. I was hitting it off the center of the face off the tee too, so I didn't really see much of the trouble, which made it feel a little easier, but it's out there. I hit a couple wayward shots and all of a sudden, you're staring double in the face."
At the end of a final round in which four different players held the lead at some point in the day, Menser, of South Lyon, Michigan, walked away with the Hoosier Amateur **** le by a one-shot margin. Rounds of 68-70-69 left him at 6 under for the week, and a birdie on the 17th hole in the final round was key in moving him to the top of the leaderboard, ahead of Grand Canyon junior Benjamin Keil, who bogeyed the 17th. Silas Haarer, a sophomore at Liberty University, finished third at 3 under.
Key in Menser's victory also was a lack of bogeys. He only made three all week. Menser correctly realized that the Pfau would not give up many birdies – he had nine of those in 54 holes – so steadiness would be key. Menser is typically not a player who pours in a ton of birdies anyway, he acknowledged.
"It's just not really my style," he said. "I knew if I would stay steady, don't miss it short side, just make a bunch of pars, I'd probably end up in good shape."

#pfau #university