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Denny Hamlin edges Kyle Larson for pole at Chicagoland

Jul 4, 2026; Joliet, Illinois, USA;NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) speaks to the media after winning the pole award for the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesJul 4, 2026; Joliet, Illinois, USA;NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) speaks to the media after winning the pole award for the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

JOLIET, Ill. — When it comes to oval tracks, Denny Hamlin has established himself firmly on the throne as king of qualifying.

In Saturday’s time trials at Chicagoland Speedway, Hamlin edged Kyle Larson by 0.001 seconds to claim the pole position for Sunday’s eero 400 (6 p.m. ET on TNT, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Hamlin sped around the 1.5-mile intermediate track in 30.296 seconds (178.241 mph). Larson, who ran later in the qualifying order, fell just short at 178.235 mph.

The Busch Light Pole Award was Hamlin’s fourth of the season, his first at Chicagoland (which hasn’t hosted a NASCAR national series race since 2019) and the 52nd of his career, breaking a tie with Ryan Newman for ninth all-time.

Hamlin, the 2015 Chicagoland winner, won poles at the previous two oval tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway. He is the only driver to win poles at both Chicagoland Speedway and the Chicago Street Course (2023).

“I’m the Chicago master — what can I say?” Hamlin quipped.

In fact, Hamlin considered himself lucky to win his third straight oval-track pole, having gotten the benefit of favorable cloud conditions.

“I don’t want to continue to underplay it, but we got very fortunate,” said Hamlin, who leads the series standings by one point over Tyler Reddick. “The last 12 cars had full sun — 100 percent sun. The last few had 90 percent, but I think that was the deciding factor.”

“We saw that, right after I went, the track definitely got hotter, and it seemed like the corner speeds of those guys started to slow down. I think if there was one more car behind Ty Gibbs (the final qualifier), they definitely would have beaten us, because it went full shade.

“We got fortunate there, but they (Hamlin’s No. 11 team) did a real good job overnight with my car (whose balance wasn’t ideal during Friday’s practice).”

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford drivers Chris Buescher (178.153 mph) and Brad Keselowski (178.089 mph) qualified third and fourth, respectively. With two victories at Chicagoland, Keselowski is the only driver in the field for Sunday’s race with multiple wins at the track.

Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe claimed the respective fifth through seventh starting positions. Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott and William Byron completed the top 10, which consisted of four JGR Toyotas, three Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets, two RFK Fords and one 23XI Racing Toyota (Wallace).

The No. 2 and top remaining seed in the NASCAR Cup Series In-Season Challenge, Hamlin faces Erik Jones in Sunday’s second round. Jones qualified 22nd.

In battles between teammates, Larson faces Byron, while Gibbs takes on Briscoe.

Hamlin, however, will have his eye on Larson.

“In my personal opinion,” Hamlin said, “Kyle Larson is the best driver at this race track, so he’s going to be someone I have to contend with, and I’m sure all the Hendrick cars are.”

Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet failed inspection three times and must start from the rear of the field under penalty. McDowell will have to serve a pass-through on the opening lap.

–Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service

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Mexico to double security for England match after fan deaths

June 30, 2026; Illinois, U.S.; A Mexico fan celebrates waving the national flag after the match, at Rivers Edge Park in Aurora.  Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images June 30, 2026; Illinois, U.S.; A Mexico fan celebrates waving the national flag after the match, at Rivers Edge Park in Aurora. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

After four deaths were tied to celebrations surrounding Mexico’s round of 32 victory in the World Cup on Tuesday, government officials have moved to reduce crowds at the city’s watch parties and double security in advance of Sunday’s round of 16 match against England.

Mexico’s 2-0 victory against Ecuador at Mexico City this week was the country’s first win in a knockout-round match since 1986.

Large crowds have gathered to watch matches near Mexico City’s “Angel of Independence” monument, including Tuesday when four people died from either asphyxiation or cardiac arrest.

As an investigation into the deaths is ongoing, Mexico City mayor Clara Brugada announced that the crowd near the monument will be restricted to 25,000 people on Sunday. More gathering spots with video screens will be set up in the area.

A similar procedure will be in place at Mexico City’s main square. There will be more than 50 designated viewing areas in the city.

A victory on Sunday would put Mexico into the quarterfinals of the tournament, where they have been just twice before in both 1970 and 1986. In both years, the team was playing on home soil, but were eliminated before reaching the semifinals.

–Field Level Media

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Tiger-Cats look to beat Bombers for 2nd time this season

Nov 8, 2025; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (19) throws a pass during warm up before the start of the Eastern Final against the Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesNov 8, 2025; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (19) throws a pass during warm up before the start of the Eastern Final against the Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will look to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the second time on the young season when the teams square off Sunday night in Hamilton, Ontario.

The Blue Bombers (1-2) only can hope Bo Levi Mitchell is a bit rusty after Hamilton’s bye. The veteran has completed 34 of 42 passes for 572 yards with eight touchdowns and zero interceptions over his last two games, including a 287-yard, three-score effort in Hamilton’s 37-27 win at Winnipeg on June 11.

Mitchell’s five-touchdown performance in a 41-27 win over the BC Lions on June 19 helped the Tiger-Cats (2-1) head into their bye with some momentum.

“That’s huge,” Mitchell said. “It was really important. We always talk about having a hot start to the year, but we never play at home early in the year. I was disappointed in us not getting the job done in front of our fans in Week 1, but really proud of us coming out and playing that way (versus the Lions). It’s how we always need to play for them.”

Tiger-Cats star receiver Kenny Lawler has yet to find the end zone in three games against his former team. The two-time Grey Cup champion had two catches for 17 yards in last month’s encounter with the Blue Bombers.

Hamilton will face a tall task in slowing down Zach Collaros, who threw for 421 yards in the first meeting with the Tiger-Cats.

Winnipeg, however, limps into Sunday’s encounter on a two-game losing skid. The Blue Bombers dropped a mistake-filled 23-18 decision to the Edmonton Elks last week.

“This one’s extremely important,” receiver Nic Demski said of Sunday’s game, per the Winnipeg Free Press. “We’ve got to get back into a groove and get back into the win column.”

Tim White has reeled in two touchdown passes this season, and he admitted he’d be pretty amped if he scored against the team with which he spent his first five CFL campaigns.

“When I score, I’ll be pretty turnt up,” White said, per the Winnipeg Free Press. “It’ll definitely be an exciting time. I’m just ready to step out there with the team.”

–Field Level Media

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Kimi Antonelli back on pole ahead of Ferrari at British Grand Prix

May 3, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli (12) reacts after winning the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesMay 3, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli (12) reacts after winning the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Kimi Antonelli earned his fifth pole position of the season, recording the fastest time Saturday in qualifying for Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, England.

After setting the provisional pole time, the 19-year-old Mercedes driver landed the top spot with a time of 1 minute, 28.111 seconds around the 5.891-kilometer circuit.

Antonelli questioned why he was first on the track to complete qualifying but brushed off what he considered a slight disadvantage.

“I was a bit stressed because I never really like going first for the last run,” Antonelli said. “But yeah, the last lap was very tidy, I have to be honest. It all came together. It was very tricky with the wind because it was very gusty and unpredictable. But yeah, we built our way through qualifying, and to bring home pole is very satisfying.”

Ferrari landed the second and third spots behind Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, respectively, while Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell was fourth. Isack Hadjar of Red Bull was fifth, Lando Norris of McLaren was sixth and Max Verstappen of Red Bull was seventh.

Norris won last year’s British Grand Prix.

Antonelli also was on the pole at the Chinese Grand Prix, Japanese Grand Prix, Miami Grand Prix and Monaco Grand Prix. The Italy native has won five times in his breakout season and leads the drivers’ championship standings by 43 points over Russell.

–Field Level Media

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