To the big teams go the spoils… or something like that. Close and competitive racing has been a common theme in the IndyCar Series for years, but the end-of-year results always favor the usual suspects. 

Chip Ganassi Racing wrapped up its seventh title over the last 12 years in North America’s premier open-wheel championship, with Team Penske having captured it the other five times over that span. The last time a team other than those two dominant forces won the championship was in 2012 when Andretti Global (then known as Andretti Autosport) won it all with Ryan Hunter-Reayat the helm. And, excluding the Champ Car era that was dominated by Newman/Haas from 2004-07, the most previous title won by a team not named Andretti, Ganassi, or Penske happened over two decades ago in 2002, courtesy of the long since-defunct Panther Racing. 

The combination of elite drivers, personnel and resources are obviously all a large part of why the same powerhouse teams are constantly fighting for wins and titles. However, another element that comes into play is how much testing they are provided compared to the smaller teams.

Alex Palou at Sebring test

Photo by: Penske Entertainment

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Gavin Ward, Team Principal for Arrow McLaren, widely considered the other member of the ‘Big Four’ alongside rivals Andretti, Ganassi and Penske due to its depth of resources, shared his thoughts on the current testing situation that exists in IndyCar.

“It is ridiculous,” Ward told Motorsport. “IndyCar needs to take a look at itself with regards to competitiveness, as they claim to be a great competitive series. We can put on competitive races, but you can’t deny the last 20 years that three teams have won championships, and only one outside of Penske and Ganassi. In that time, every time there’s a new aero package, every time there is a tire test, who gets favorability? The teams that are winning.”

And that was certainly the case during the early phases of the hybrid unit. When the current 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine was initially paired with hybrid power in August 2023, it was Penske and Ganassi leaned on heavily by respective manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda. Andretti and Arrow McLaren received their turns in October of 2023. Over the introductory three months, the four teams, stretched across 13 drivers, logged a total of 15,256 miles. 

It wasn’t until late March of 2024 the remaining teams of AJ Foyt Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, Ed Carpenter Racing, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Meyer Shank Racing and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, were provided the first on-track outing with the hybrid — ending up with nearly 2,000 miles combined over two days of running.

“We’re somewhere in the middle because we got to do some testing that other teams didn’t get to do but we certainly didn’t get to do near what Penske and Ganassi were able to do,” Ward said. 

Rahal Milwaukee test

The benefits also extended to tire testing, with Penske and Ganassi getting the chance to log laps at Milwaukee in October 2023. How it played a vital part, according to Ward, is in allowing the teams to return with data to bolster setups when there was a series-wide hybrid test back in June.

“Even this year, Penske and Ganassi got to test at Milwaukee last October, so they showed up at the Open Test having done a 7 post session, built the track, optimized the dampers and they’re one test ahead of everybody else because they could do that,” Ward said. 

“Now, the rules say they can only do one tire test burned. We go to Nashville. Arrow McLaren and Andretti go to Nashville. I have a tire failure (with Pato O’Ward), come back to Nashville and who do they invite? Penske and Ganassi. So, where’s our advantage? Where’s the equalization? It doesn’t make any sense. Invite Coyne. Invite Carpenter. Invite Rahal for crying out loud. 

“Meanwhile, you look at last year with the hybrid system, we got the advantage of doing some testing. You know where we tested? Sebring and Homestead; two places we don’t race. You know where Penske and Ganassi tested in addition to those places? Gateway, Barber, Road America. IndyCar has a testing equality problem. And I’ve told them that before.”

Will Power participating in Indianapolis 500 Hybrid Testing

Photo by: IndyCar Series

Chris Simmons, Director of Performance at Chip Ganassi Racing, had his own counterpoints on why the smaller teams should not be the ones leaned on, specifically for tire testing.

“To be honest, what we see with this is those teams show up to do a tire test and not push the tires as hard to the point there could be reliability problems,” Simmons told Motorsport.com.

“I think you want the teams that are pushing the tires to the limit during the test, otherwise you end up showing up to a race weekend and they’re not in the load range that was predicted for the tires and then you end up with problems across the board from the aero-spec, tire-spec, everything.” 

Simmons stressed the testing is “very limited as it is” and noted it is part of the reasons first-year drivers have a tendency to struggle in IndyCar. 

“Even for the rookies, it might be a way for them to have a chance of catching up,” Simmons said. “We don’t have enough tires to run. It’s tremendously difficult to come in as a rookie and be on pace, whether that’s the team or the driver. The teams that have the resources to do those tire tests have the drivers to push the cars are probably the ones that should be setting what spec compound it should be. … Everybody who doesn’t get to test is always going to be upset, I get that. Everybody is always pointing fingers at everybody else thinking they got the advantage. I think the really important thing  is that we end up with the right tire-spec and the right aero-spec to put on the best show we can and let the teams go race for it.”

CHANNEL 4 could broadcast top-class snooker action involving the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Shaun Murphy – a week before the next Crucible Worlds begin.

SunSport understands some of the best cueists in the world have agreed in principle to play in four events on TV next year – the Snooker 900 Grand Slam – with one scheduled for a London venue on April 12-13.

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The Rocket, the seven-time world champion, is the headline act linked to this new eight-player series along with reigning world champion Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson and Mark Wiliams.

Organisers are liaising with the World Snooker Tour because players who have a Tour Card require permission to appear in any non-sanctioned TV tournaments.

Two of the four proposed events have been granted approval but discussions are ongoing about the other two which are later in 2025.

The ‘Macau 5’ episode in October 2023 forced a significant change within the sport as some stars had planned to skip the WST’s Northern Ireland Open for a Far East exhibition.

Following that situation, there was a long negotiation of the players’ contract, which now allows flexibility and leniency to appear in third-party conflicting events that are put on by independent promoters.

The 2025 World Snooker Championship will start on Saturday April 19 as Wilson looks to defend his title and finally break the Crucible curse.

Murphy, the 2005 world champion, was asked about social media rumours of this new Grand Slam – organised by leading promoter Jason Francis – and he confirmed its existence in his onefourseven snooker podcast.

The Magician, 42, said: “It is true. Yeah, I’m delighted to be asked but I don’t know very much about it.

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FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O’Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.

“I know that Jason was planning to put on four two-day events.

“I had no idea until I saw the list on social media myself, who else was asked to play in it.

“I’m just happy to play and looking forward to these opportunities.

“As luck would have it, two of those dates do clash with potential events in the 25/26 calendar, so I think only two of them so far have been granted permission.

“Excited about it. You know, I think competition is good.

“I personally, for what it is worth, think that as a professional snooker player, as a self-employed tradesperson, I should be allowed to play snooker wherever and whenever I want.

“That’s my own personal view. So I see this as a real positive step that these events are going to be put on and players are going to be able to ply their trade.

“Put balls in pockets, put smiles on people’s faces and entertain people who are wanting to watch us. That’s what it is all about.”

Channel 4 and the World Snooker Tour have both declined to comment.

He added: “It is a huge part of their DNA from a young schoolboy which is what they cherish, and it also helps that they have 150kg human beings.

“Everyone needs to roll their sleeves up and be absolutely invested, then we will have it out.

“Credit where credit is due, they have a great set piece, but I am not just going to roll over and let them have it.”

Despite that challenge for the England pack, Genge says preparation remains the same.

“You can wear boys out by doing too many scrums, you could do 100 scrums this week and it isn’t going to change the outcome on Saturday,” Genge said.

“You have got to stick to our process, I think our scrum has been good over the last two weeks.”

England have narrowly lost their last two games against Australia and New Zealand, with both coming down to the final play.

“It is tough when you are up against it and you need to shake that negative energy I guess and move on,” the Bristol Bears prop added.

“A week like South Africa at Twickenham is probably the best week to do so.

“Everyone thinks they are amazing, myself included, I think they are a great team. I’d love to get after the best.”

Featherweights Edson Barboza and Steve Garcia are set to clash at the upcoming UFC Fight Night event scheduled on Feb. 22 with a location for the card still to be determined.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Tuesday.

A 36-fight veteran with 14 years spent in the UFC, Barboza has a reputation as one of the nastiest strikers on the entire roster. When the Brazilian returns in early 2025, he’s looking to get back on a winning track after coming up short in a Fight of the Night against Lerone Murphy back in May.

That was actually Barboza’s third consecutive fight to earn him a bonus after he also picked up a Fight of the Night for his battle with Sodiq Yusuff as well as a Performance of the Night for his knockout over Billy Quarantillo.

Meanwhile, Garcia has been on a tear with wins in his past five fights in a row while finishing every single opponent by knockout. The Jackson-Winklejohn fighter has been tearing through his competition, which included a first-round finish over Kyle Nelson in a short-notice bout he took in September.

Garcia now looks to add a veteran like Barboza to his resume when the featherweights meet in February.

The season finale is not just for crowning the series champion, but it also signifies the end of careers, partnerships and in some cases, race teams. The 36th and final points-paying race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup season at Phoenix Raceway was no different. While all the focus was on the championship showdown, several other storylines were quietly tying up their own endings in the background.

MTJ is going fishing

There was Martin Truex Jr., making his final start as a full-time driver. MTJ hasn’t missed a Cup race since 2005 in an impressive streak totaling nearly 700 consecutive races. Truex was given a round of applause by his fellow drivers in the pre-race meeting, who then took a group picture with the future NASCAR Hall of Famer.

Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry

Photo by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images

Anyone who has been watching NASCAR for long enough would have immediately recognized the DEI-esque paint scheme — a throwback scheme honoring his Cup debut from nearly two decades ago — leading the charge of his final full-time race. And while race itself didn’t pan out perhaps the way Truex would have wanted to end things, which has been a theme for him this year, he crossed the finish line in 17th.

Later, on pit road, he was approached by legends such as Michael Jordan and Jeff Gordon who simply wanted to shake his hand.

“Yeah, it means a lot to have the respect of guys like that and what they mean to the sport,” said Truex. “Absolute legends, right? It makes me feel good that I’ve earned that respect over the years, and it means a lot. From here forward, I’m just going to go have some fun and do a little bit of racing here and there just for fun. Hopefully, it will be less stressful than days like today.”

A NASCAR giant calls it quits

For Truex, it was his choice to finally walk away from the weekly grind, but for others, this was the end and not exactly by choice. Stewart-Haas Racing, co-owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, are shutting their doors now that the season is over. They were one of just three four-car Cup operations in the sport, and a constant presence on the grid since 2009. On Sunday, the No. 4, No. 10, No. 14 and No. 41 raced under the SHR banner for the final time with 323 employees cheering them on. Noah Gragson was the best of the bunch ending the race in 12th place.

Some of the drivers organized a victory lap of sorts on the cool-down lap and later, Stewart himself directed the last hauler out of the track. 16 seasons, 70 wins, 62 poles, nearly 20,000 laps led later, the journey has come to an end. 

“Man, this is just such a special group and I can’t say thank you enough to everyone at SHR for all they did this season,” said Berry, who is heading to Wood Brothers Racing in 2025. “We had some really tough circumstances and a lot of uncertainty, and the No. 4 group still showed up and gave it their all and I am just so thankful.”

Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing, Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang

Photo by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images

Chase Briscoe, who earned SHR’s final win with a dramatic victory in the Southern 500 at Darlington, was probably about as happy as you’ll ever see someone after running near the back all day.

“I mean, this is probably the most smiling and laughing we’ve ever had after a 29th-place finish,” noted Briscoe. “So, yeah, we obviously would’ve loved to have a better result, but at the end of the day, it was all about just enjoying each other and the people and everything that makes Stewart-Haas so special. It’s been a place I’m so thankful to have called home for the last seven years. I knew, honestly, it was going to be a little bit emotional but, I mean, I was crying before we rolled off pit road. Just appreciative of the opportunity Tony (Stewart) and Gene (Haas) gave me. My dream was to make it to the Cup Series and the 14 car was the car I always cheered for, so the fact that I got to drive it and do it for my childhood hero was pretty cool. Definitely something I never took for granted.”

Nearly 20 years of shipping it to P1

Elsewhere, the sun was quietly setting on another partnership dating back to 2006. FedEx has stood beside Denny Hamlin since he made his Cup debut almost two decades ago and was one of the longest driver/partnerships remaining in the sport — perhaps only beaten by Bass Pro Shops and Truex. However, FedEx has gradually disappeared from the No. 11 Toyota, sponsoring fewer races every year. Hamlin posted a somber video on race morning, thanking FedEx and essentially confirming their exit. Hamlin won his very first race with those colors on his car, taking the checkered flag in the 2006 Clash at Daytona as a 25-year-old rookie. 47 of his 54 Cup wins over the years came with FedEx as the primary sponsor.

“Thank you FedEx for being there from the start,” a voiceover from Hamlin began in the video. “All the wins, and all the losses … thank you for letting me be me. For always making a difference. For helping make this kid from Virginia’s dream come true. Thank you FedEx for everything.”

The end of a record win streak

Lastly, an impressive statistic also came to an unceremonious end. Kyle Busch held the record for most consecutive years with a race win at 19 total. While 2024 was perhaps the worst year of his career, he still came agonizingly close to extending that win streak with runner-up finishes at Darlington and Daytona. He also crashed from the lead at Kansas, and lost Atlanta in the closest three-wide photo finish in NASCAR history.

Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro , Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet Camaro and Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, BodyArmor Zero Sugar Ford Mustang race to the checkers

Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

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The streak certainly did not end without a valiant fight from KB, but it did ultimately end with a 21st-place finish at Phoenix. Taking up the mantle with the longest active win streak is the sport’s newly crowned three-time champion Joey Logano, who has won at least one race for 13 consecutive seasons.

These are just the major storylines that played out in the shadow of the main event on Sunday. To add, there were retirements of highly-respected industry figures, while several drivers still face uncertain futures in the sport. But like every season finale, some stories will conclude with happy or bittersweet endings in some kind of bow, as the rest will ready themselves to add another chapter — next year.

REFEREE David Coote may face an unusual FA charge due to “reference to nationality” during his furious tirade towards ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

A shocking clip, which appears to be at least two years old, emerged showing Coote, 42, branding Klopp, 57, a ” German c**t” and Liverpool as “s**t”.

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Within a couple of hours of it first being circulated publicly, it was announced the ref had been “suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation” by the PGMOL.

According to The Times, the FA will make their own separate probe for the use of the word “German” and that could lead to an aggravated misconduct charge.

That is because references to a person’s nationality can lead to stiffer sanctions.

FA rules state that an “aggravated breach” includes a reference “whether express or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality”.

An FA spokesperson said: “We are aware of the matter, and we are investigating.”

SunSport understands Coote “cannot recall” abusing Klopp in the video rant that seems certain to end his refereeing career.

But the Nottinghamshire official is not denying the accuracy of the footage.

In the video circulated online, Coote also said: “Aside from having a right pop at me when I was refereeing them against Burnley in lockdown, he accused me of lying and then had a right f*****g pop of me.

“I have no interest in speaking to someone who is f*****g arrogant.

“So I do my best not to speak to him. James Milner is alright, I get on with him.

“You can see me there with a ‘mask’ on. But, my God, German c**t, f**k me.”