SPORTS digest

Sprint Cars set for Sharon Speedway

Hartford

Sharon Speedway will look to complete the third program of the 90th anniversary season on Saturday with the return of the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply “410” Sprint Cars in a Menards “Super Series” event.

Also on the card for Sawtelle Tree Service Night will be the non-wing RUSH Sprint Cars, Elite Econo Mod Series, and the HTMA/Precise Racing Products RUSH Sportsman Modifieds. Power wheels races for kids will be held at intermission. Race time is 7 p.m.

Pits are open throughout the afternoon on Saturday with pit passes ($30) going on sale at 4 p.m., while the main grandstand open at 5.

Those with grandstand rain checks from last Saturday’s rainout can use them this week or June 8, while pit passes will be good for the remainder of the season.

Grandstand admission for those 14 and older costs $13, while senior citizen tickets cost $10. Patio seating upgrades cost $5 and fan suite seating upgrades cost $20 over the cost of general admission.

For ticket information, call 330-772-5481 or visit the website www.sharonspeedway.com.

Newman to drive with hot dog livery

DARLINGTON, S.C.

Ryan Newman won’t be an Oscar Mayer weiner, just run in a car painted like the hot dog maker during Darlington Raceway’s throwback weekend at the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend.

Newman debuted the paint scheme Tuesday at Darlington, which has hosted NASCAR’s “Old Timer’s Day” where fans, teams and drivers honor a past era of stock car racing. This season, Darlington is highlighting the years 1990 through 1994.

The layout of Newman’s car is similar to the one run by Mark Martin in winning the 1993 Southern 500. It was the first win in the crown jewel race for Jack Roush, owner of Roush Fenway Racing.

Newman said he’s excited to run the car and expects to put on a strong showing at the race on Sept. 1.

Formula 1 confident in US Grand Prix future

AUSTIN, TEXAS

A Formula One official says the series expects to race the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas for “many years to come” despite the track’s failed effort to secure $25 million in Texas public money.

Formula One Managing Director of Commercial Operations Sean Bratches suggested Tuesday that F1 remains confident in the race’s financial security.

The Circuit of the Americas relies heavily on annual payments from the state and has collected more than $150 million from the Major Events Reimbursement Program since 2012. A missed paperwork deadline in 2018 disqualified the track’s application last year.

Some Texas lawmakers wanted to let the track re-apply for the cash, but the effort failed before the Legislature adjourned Monday until 2020. The track can still apply to the fund for future races.

Circuit of the Americas President Bobby Epstein declined comment Tuesday.

High security for League Final

MADRID

Spain says it will deploy unprecedented security measures for Saturday’s “high risk” Champions League final in Madrid.

Spanish authorities say the police operation prepared for the final between Liverpool and Tottenham will be the biggest ever for a sporting event in the Spanish capital.

Officials say the measures will surpass those put in place for last year’s Copa Libertadores final between Argentine rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors, a match that was also declared “high risk” by authorities.

More than 4,700 security personnel will be involved in the Champions League operation, which for the first time will include the use of drones to monitor fan activity.

More than 30,000 English fans are expected to watch the final at the 68,000-capacity Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Staff/wire report