2026 Daytona 500 preview: Your cheat sheet to the Great American Race

2026 Daytona 500 preview: Your cheat sheet to the Great American Race - ESPN

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — For 68 years, the world's greatest stock car racers have descended upon the white sands of eastern Florida to compete for the most coveted checkered flag their sport has to offer. Actually, they have come here for much longer than that — high-horsepower machinery first started barreling down the actual sands of the actual beach all the way back in 1902. But in 1959, when Big Bill France rounded up every bulldozer he could find and constructed a 2.5-mile D-shaped oval with 31 degrees of banking, stacked 40 feet wide and 20 feet tall, the racing moved inland and the Daytona 500 was born.

Leader Allgaier, Hamlin part of 20-car crash at Daytona 500 - ESPN

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The «Big One» happened earlier than usual at the Daytona 500 on Sunday: a 20-car crash just past the midway point that involved three-time race winner Denny Hamlin and several other contenders.

Sources: Raiders hire Seahawks' Andrew Janocko as OC - ESPN

Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko has been hired as the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday.

Sources: Seahawks expected to hire 49ers' Brian Fleury as OC - ESPN

RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks are expected to hire San Francisco 49ers tight ends coach and run game coordinator Brian Fleury as their new offensive coordinator, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday.

Chess-Norway's Carlsen wins first FIDE Freestyle World Championship

Feb 15 : Norway's Magnus Carlsen added another crown to his collection on Sunday by becoming the first official FIDE Freestyle Chess world champion after a comeback win over Fabiano Caruana in Germany.

Napoli stay third after late goal earns 2-2 draw with Roma

NAPLES, Italy, Feb 15 : Napoli debutant Alisson Santos scored a late equaliser as the Serie A champions snatched a 2-2 home draw against AS Roma on Sunday to keep them third in the Serie A standings and maintain their unbeaten home record in the Italian league this season.

Speed skating-'Social media queen' Leerdam uses growing spotlight to inspire young girls

MILAN, Feb 15 : With more than six million Instagram followers and a growing spotlight on her, Olympic champion Jutta Leerdam said on Sunday that social media is not a distraction but a platform she hopes to use to inspire young girls to take up speed skating.

Figure skating-Malinin attends pairs event, will compete at world championships

MILAN, Feb 15 : Ilia Malinin was in the stands for the Olympic figure skating pairs competition on Sunday, two days after his shock poor performance in the men's free skate left the runaway favourite for the event off the podium.