Sports
Grand Slam Track files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing $40m in debts
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Grand Slam Track trophy at Franklin Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Grand Slam Track filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a court filing last week, citing more than $40 million in debts and less than $1 million in total assets.
The league, led by four-time Olympic gold-medalist sprinter Michael Johnson who serves as the commissioner, claimed it would treat track athletes as true professionals and “revolutionize the track landscape” by signing 48 of the world’s best athletes and having them compete in four events with a $12.6 million prize pot.
Only three of the events ended up being held in Kingston, Jamaica, Miami and Philadelphia before the final scheduled meet in Los Angeles was canceled.
Another filing states that Grand Slam Track accrued just $1.8 million in revenue last year, leaving many of the promised payments currently undistributed.
The track athletes listed as being owed money in the bankruptcy filing include four-time Olympic gold-medalist hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ($268,750), reigning U.S. 100-meter champion Kenny Bednarek ($195,000) and Olympic 200-meter gold medalist Gabby Thomas ($185,625).
Johnson is also cited in the filing as being owed more than $2.4 million. He gave $2.25 million to the business in May of 2025 in order to help the Philadelphia event proceed as scheduled.
In all, the bankruptcy filing cites 340 creditors owed a combined liability total of $40,679,508.68. The company lists $831,385.46 in assets, all categorized as personal property.
Grand Slam Track cited “more than $30 million in financial commitments from investors and strategic partners” in a September 2024 press release. However, The Athletic reported it actually only received $13 million from its lead investor, Winners Alliance, with an option at a later date to invest an additional $19 million.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Romain Grosjean returning to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing
Romain Grosjean ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Romain Grosjean has signed with Dale Coyne Racing for the 2026 IndyCar season, marking a return to the team with which he made his series debut in 2021.
The announcement was made on Friday, with the former Formula 1 driver stepping into the No. 18 Honda for DCR. He will team with rookie Dennis Hauger for the team, which parted ways with Rinus VeeKay after last season.
“Pairing an exceptional rookie in Dennis with a proven veteran like Romain gives us a strong competitive foundation,” team owner Dale Coyne said. “Bringing back key pieces of our history while building new global partnerships positions us well for 2026.”
Grosjean was out of IndyCar in 2025 after racing with Juncos Hollinger Racing. He competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, but in August he expressed optimism about returning to the IndyCar grid.
The 39-year-old Swiss-born Frenchman started 179 F1 races from 2009-20. He has made six podiums and won three poles in 64 IndyCar races.
The 2026 IndyCar season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Darren Clarke posts 2 eagles, shares Chubb Classic lead with Michael Wright
Darren Clarke tees off on 1 to start the final round of The Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Sunday, March 30, 2025. Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland made two eagles over his final four holes to grab a share of the first-round lead at the Chubb Classic on Friday in Naples, Fla.
Clarke and Australian Michael Wright posted 7-under-par 65 at Tiburon Golf Club’s Black Course with two rounds to go. Tied for third one stroke behind are defending champion Justin Leonard, Scott Parel, Rob Labritz and Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez.
Clarke already had a busy round when he reached the par-5 15th hole, with five birdies and two bogeys on his card. He reached the green in two on that hole, and again at the par-5 18th, sinking eagle putts both times.
“The one on 15, I hit driver, 3-iron from 237 (yards) to 12 feet and holed it for eagle,” said Clarke, 57. “Then the last one I hit driver, 3-wood. The 3-wood was from 241 or something straight into the wind. Hit it to 15 feet behind the hole. So they were both pretty good. Take those any day.”
Wright, 51, is newer to the tour and is well-positioned to go for his first win.
He sank nine birdies, including four of his last five holes, helping absorb a double bogey at the par-4 13th. He said his son Charlie carried his bag and read most of his putts for him Friday.
“This is his first Champions event and his first event ever was three weeks ago in Australia,” Michael Wright said. “He’s doing a great job. I love having him on the bag.”
Leonard posted four birdies on each nine. After a bogey at No. 17, he bounced back at No. 18 when he stuck his approach shot a few feet from the hole to set up birdie.
“I hit a lot of greens today,” Leonard said. “I think I may have only missed one or two greens. Did make a couple bogeys, but I played well on the par-5s and got off to a good start. I kind of did all the things you need to do around here.”
Leonard won by four shots here in 2025.
Two shots off the pace at 5-under 67 are Bo Van Pelt, David Toms, Germany’s Alex Cejka and South Korea’s K.J. Choi.
–Field Level Media
Sports
William Byron to use backup car in pursuit of Daytona 500 three-peat
Feb 13, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) during NASCAR Cup Series practice at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images William Byron will need to rely on a backup car on Sunday when he tries to become the first driver to win the Daytona 500 in three consecutive years.
Byron’s preferred No. 24 Chevrolet took enough damage during qualifying Thursday to relegate him to a backup car for the Great American Race.
The bright side for Byron? He drove a backup car in 2024 when he won the first of his two Daytona titles.
“We’ve won this race with a backup car, so I’m not super worried on that aspect,” Byron said. “But it does suck that you put a lot of work into the primary and you don’t get to race it.”
The Hendrick Motorsports driver is attempting to achieve a three-peat that Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Sterling Marlin and Denny Hamlin had chances at over the years before each fell short in Year 3.
Byron, 28, will start 39th in the 41-car pack.
–Field Level Media
Romain Grosjean returning to IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing
Darren Clarke posts 2 eagles, shares Chubb Classic lead with Michael Wright
