SOUTHLAKE, Texas – The Sportscar Vintage Racing Ass’n has announced that Marathon Coach is now the official luxury motorcoach of SVRA.

Marathon Coach, a family-owned business since 1983, is the worldwide leader in luxury motorhomes having sold over 1,300 of the vehicles around the globe.

“Marathon Coach literally fits into our paddock as everyone in motorsports appreciates the role of motor coaches in racing,” said SVRA CEO Tony Parella. “As racers, we all want to be the leader and that’s what Marathon Coach is – the world champion of luxury motorhomes.”

Parella affirms that his entire Speed Tour paddock with SVRA, Trans-Am and premier-brand sponsors, along with myriad other car enthusiasts, presents a huge opportunity for Marathon Coach. The SVRA’s national scale and high-end demographic makes it obvious the relationship can be a win-win for both parties. SVRA team owners and drivers are well known for their discerning taste for best-of-category products.

Existing Marathon Coach customers are eligible to attend Speed Tour weekends and enjoy a unique motorsports experience while enjoying the motorcoach.

Marathon Coach, the world’s largest and most experienced luxury motorhome conversion company was established 36 years ago and is based in Coburg, Oregon. Over the past two decades, Marathon has grown its business to the achieve global industry sales records year after year by producing innovative, quality coaches, as well as possessing an unwavering commitment to after-sale personalized service.

“The partnership is a natural win-win,” said Kasey Hess, Director of Motorsports for Marathon Coach. “We’re excited to partner with SVRA as their passionate drivers and vibrant race scene provide something truly unique to the sport. It’s not surprising motorcoaching and racing go hand-in-hand with their shared priorities of performance and pleasure. This may be one reason why Marathon has such a rich heritage with racing. In fact, the president and owner of the company, Steve Schoellhorn, is an avid racer himself. To add to this, we have been the official motorcoach of the IndyCar Series and top choice for NASCAR drivers since the late 1980s. I’m truly excited to celebrate racing on an even deeper level. Plus, I know how being away from home many weekends a year can make it hard to maintain privacy and family life. My goal is to make life a bit easier by helping those looking for a home at the track find their perfect match.”

Did you miss out on our Black Friday Digital Subscription deal? Worry not because we’ve got a Cyber Monday deal for you! Now through Friday, you can purchase a 12-month digital subscription to either SPEEDSPORT.com or SprintCarandMidget.com for $1 per month/$12 per year! Click the banner below to subscribe today!

STATESVILLE, N.C. – Stewart Friesen and Halmar Friesen Racing will again pursue the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series championship next year, but they’ll be doing so under the flag of a different manufacturer.

After working with Chevrolet since the team debuted in 2016, Halmar Friesen Racing will switch Toyota next season with support from Toyota Racing Development. The team most recently operated with support from GMS Racing.

“We were all very impressed after spending time with Toyota,” Friesen said. “TRD has been welcoming to our organization. With their support, knowledge and technology, we hope to bring our team to another level.”

Halmar Friesen Racing has secured a new base of operations in Statesville, N.C. Trucks will be purchased through Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Tripp Bruce returns to the team as crew chief while Gene Nead has been signed as competition director.

“Through this transition, we’ve been able to retain several members of our team from last season,” Friesen said. “They’ve remained loyal to us and have new energy going into 2020.”

Halmar Friesen Racing principal Chris Larsen feels the team has assembled a championship-caliber organization.

“The championship is our goal,” Larsen said. “Making it to the final four was an accomplishment, but we’re all competitive. You want to be sitting at the head table at the series banquet. We’re working to be that team.”

Friesen, 36, enjoyed a career season on the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series in 2019, placing fourth in points and earning the first two victories of his career at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway in August and the ISM Raceway in November.

Did you miss out on our Black Friday Digital Subscription deal? Worry not because we’ve got a Cyber Monday deal for you! Now through Friday, you can purchase a 12-month digital subscription to either SPEEDSPORT.com or SprintCarandMidget.com for $1 per month/$12 per year! Click the banner below to subscribe today!

LOUDON, N.H. – Three more short track races have been added to New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s Full Throttle Fall Weekend on Sept. 11-12.

The new lineup will include the American-Canadian Tour and Granite State Legend Cars along with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and ARCA Menards Series East and will crown four season champions during the two-day event.

“New England race fans spoke, and we listened,” said David McGrath, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “Full Throttle Fall Weekend is now bigger and better with five heart-pounding short track races in two days. They won’t want to miss this high energy, thrilling race lineup!”

The American-Canadian Tour is no stranger to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, making nine appearances from 2009-16 and making it’s homecoming on Sept. 12. The 75-lap feature is the final race of the Tour’s season and will hit the 1.058-mile oval at 4 p.m., capping off the day’s races.

Prior to the ACT race, the ARCA Menards Series East will take embark upon a 125-lap event at 2:30 p.m., which will also mark the final race of the series’ season. The weekend’s main event, the Musket 200 presented by Whelen, is the longest mileage race on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season and will begin at 12:05 p.m.

The Granite State Legend Cars will also crown two champions at Full Throttle Fall Weekend with a 30-lap oval series race on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the quarter-mile mini oval in turns one and two and a 20-lap road course series event on the .95-mile modified road course on Friday at 5 p.m.

Did you miss out on our Black Friday Digital Subscription deal? Worry not because we’ve got a Cyber Monday deal for you! Now through Friday, you can purchase a 12-month digital subscription to either SPEEDSPORT.com or SprintCarandMidget.com for $1 per month/$12 per year! Click the banner below to subscribe today!

INDIANAPOLIS – REO Speedwagon and Styx will co-headline the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert on May 22 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The concert featuring two of the most popular American rock bands in history starts at 3:30 p.m. on the Miller Lite Stage inside turn four of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Styx will perform first, followed by REO Speedwagon.

General admission tickets start at just $30. A limited number of concert pit tickets are available for $55. For the first time in 2020, a limited number of tickets in a new temporary grandstand are available starting at $95, including concert pit access. A very limited supply of exclusive VIP platform tickets also is available for $250, including pit access, snacks, two complimentary drinks and dedicated bars. Ticket prices will increase as the concert draws closer, so fans are encouraged to buy now.

All general admission, concert pit, grandstand and VIP Deck concert tickets include admission to the concert and to on-track activities that day at IMS, which include the final practice for the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the Freedom 100 Indy Lights race and the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge.

“Miller Lite Carb Day is the start of the most exciting weekend of the year in motorsports, and REO Speedwagon and Styx are the perfect headliners to shift anticipation for the 104th Indy 500 into top gear,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Both bands came from Midwestern roots to become enduring global superstars, just like the Indy 500. Our fans will love rocking to hit after hit performed by these legendary artists at the best high-horsepower party of the year.”

Formed in 1967 at college in Champaign, Ill., signed in 1971 and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon is a band where the main constant over the decades is a never-ending desire to give their all to their fans, year in and year out.

In its early days, REO Speedwagon rode to gigs in station wagons, hopping from small gigs to even tinier gigs, just to get their name out. It worked, as fans quickly realized there was much more going on here than your average college party band. By the early ’70s, the band’s unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording, jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. It carved a path that was eventually followed by Styx, Kansas, Cheap Trick and more.

Platinum albums and freeform FM radio staples such as “Ridin’ The Storm Out” followed, setting the stage for the 1980’s explosive “Hi Infidelity,” which received the Recording Industry Association of America’s 10X Diamond Award for surpassing sales of 10 million units in the U.S. “Hi Infidelity’s” millions in sales were fueled by massive hit singles such as “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run.” All these years later, “Hi Infidelity” still remains a high-water mark for rock bands – the album spent 15 weeks in the No. 1 slot, a feat that modern artists can only dream of achieving.

REO rode the top of the charts with a RIAA-certified 22 million albums sold in the U.S. and 40 million around the globe, with a string of gold and platinum records and international hit singles.

At the center of REO’s desire to keep it rocking for the fans is Cronin, who looks like he’s found the fountain of youth, along with the secret to penning some of the biggest hits in rock. With bandmates Bruce Hall on bass, keyboardist Neal Doughty, Dave Amato on lead guitar and drummer Bryan Hitt, REO has remained busy since the band celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007 with its 15th studio album, “Find Your Own Way,” and tours with fellow legends such as Styx, .38 Special, Pat Benatar, Ted Nugent, Chicago, Def Leppard, Status Quo and Don Felder, including a number of shows to benefit various causes.

The six members of Styx continue to rock to audiences far and wide by entering their second decade of averaging over 100 shows a year. Founded in Chicago in 1972, Styx draws from over four decades of barn-burning chart hits, joyous singalongs and hard-driving deep cuts.

From the progressively sweeping splendor that is “The Grand Illusion” to the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the “Blue Collar Man,” from the majestic spiritual love for a special “Lady” to the seething indictment of preening, primping pageantry for pageantry’s sake of “Miss America,” from an individual yearning for true connection as a “Man in the Wilderness” to a soul-deep quest to achieve what’s at the heart of one’s personal vision in “Crystal Ball,” from the regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away” to the grainy all-in gallop of that rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in its signature sound.

Styx hit its stride with guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw’s first LP with the band, 1976’s “Crystal Ball,” and then it became the first group to score four triple-platinum albums in a row: “The Grand Illusion” (1977), “Pieces of Eight” (1978), “Cornerstone” (1979) and “Paradise Theater” (1981).

Over the ensuing decade, Styx weathered the shifting winds of the public’s musical taste, reconvening for a highly successful 1996 “Return to Paradise” tour that was documented on CD and DVD in 1997.

With a little help from their many friends in Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra, “One With Everything” (2006) became a hybrid orchestral rock blend for the ages. And on “The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live” (2011), the band performed at its peak when tackling every track from a pair of their finest triple-platinum albums back to back. Styx also re-recorded two discs’ worth of its classic material with much finesse and musculature, aptly known as “Regeneration Volume I & II” (2011 & 2012). The band’s latest album, “The Mission,” was released to critical acclaim in 2017.

WATERBURY, Vt. – The American-Canadian Tour has announced its schedule of events for 2020.

The 29th year of the ACT late model tour will feature 12 point races at eight tracks throughout the Northeastern United States and Quebec between mid-April and mid-September.

The chase for the ACT championship and the $10,000 top prize will begin and end at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. As previously announced, the tour opens the season at the inaugural Northeast Classic on Saturday, April 18. ACT has also been added to the third annual Full Throttle Fall Weekend at NHMS on Sept. 11-12.

The 75-lap Full Throttle Weekend race bookends the year at New England’s biggest stage. ACT joins a program that includes the Musket 200 presented by Whelen for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, a 125-lap event for the ARCA Menards Series East, and the Granite State Legends Cars. The ACT champion will be honored in the track’s victory lane at day’s end.

In between the two New Hampshire dates, there will be a mix of established events and new locales. ACT will once again have two events each at Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl, Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway and White Mountain Motorsports Park. The Tour will travel to Thunder Road for the 22nd Community Bank N.A. 150 on May 3 and the 42nd Labor Day Classic 200 on Sept. 6.

Visits to Oxford will once again include a pair of 150-lap events. The first is on Sunday, April 26 while the second is on Saturday, Aug. 29 as part of the Night Before the Oxford 250 program. White Mountain Motorsports Park will host the Caron Fabrication Spring Green 120 on Saturday, June 13 and the third annual $10,000-to-win Midsummer 250 on Saturday, Aug. 8.

For the second straight year, ACT will pay visits to the quarter-mile bullrings of Quebec’s Autodrome Chaudiere and Star Speedway. The Claude Leclerc 150 at Chaudiere is slated for Saturday, May 30. The Little Webb’s Tire & Fuel 150 at Star is on Saturday, June 27.

The return of two tracks to the ACT ranks round out the schedule. ACT heads to Riverside Speedway on Saturday, July 11 for the Gardiner & June Leavitt Memorial 150. The tour will also be part of the inaugural Bay State Classic at Massachusetts’ Seekonk Speedway on Wednesday, July 29.

The special mid-week Seekonk show is one of five doubleheaders with the Pro All Stars Series in 2020. The two series are also joining forces for the Northeast Classic at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the two events at Oxford Plains Speedway, and the visit to Star Speedway.

ACT also has two major sanctioned non-point events on the calendar. The third annual Bacon Bowl 200 at Autodrome Chaudiere is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15. The season wraps up with the 58th Vermont Milk Bowl presented by Northfield Savings Bank at Thunder Road on Oct. 3-4.

2020 American-Canadian Tour Schedule

April 17-18 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, N.H.

April 26 – Oxford Plains Speedway – Oxford, Maine

May 3 – Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl – Barre, Vt.

May 30 – Autodrome Chaudiere – Vallée-Jonction, Quebec

June 13 – White Mountain Motorsports Park – North Woodstock, N.H.

June 27 – Star Speedway – Epping, N.H.

July 11 – Riverside Speedway – Groveton, N.H.

July 29 – Seekonk Speedway – Seekonk, Mass.

Aug. 8 – White Mountain Motorsports Park – North Woodstock, N.H.

Aug. 15 – Autodrome Chaudiere – Vallée-Jonction, Quebec (Bacon Bowl, non-point event)

Aug. 29 – Oxford Plains Speedway – Oxford, Maine

Sept. 6 – Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl – Barre, Vt.

Sept. 11-12 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, N.H.

Oct. 3-4 – Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl – Barre, Vt. (Milk Bowl, non-point event)

Take a look at some answers to frequently asked questions about the Presidents Cup:

What's the big difference between the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup?

In the Ryder Cup, the United States plays against Europe. In the Presidents Cup, the U.S. plays against an "International" team, meaning all countries EXCEPT Europe. The Presidents Cup is held every two years, in non-Ryder Cup years, which 2019 happens to be.

So, the Americans have to play one of these cup events every year, while the foreign players get every other year off? Why don't they just combine the two events?

Well, for one thing, they're the properties of different entities. The PGA Tour runs the Presidents Cup, while the Ryder Cup is a PGA of America and R&A production. And each event makes a lot of money for its owners.

Ah yes. "Show me the money." How much money is at stake?

Technically, none. Players do not receive money for participation in the Presidents Cup. Instead, the PGA Tour pledges to contribute to charities which are nominated by the players, captains and assistant captains from both teams.

When did this Presidents Cup start?

The first one was played in 1994. This is the 13th edition.

How does the series stand?

The U.S. leads, 10-1-1.

How are the teams chosen?

The teams are comprised of 12 players – eight automatic qualifiers and four captain's picks. The U.S. takes the top eight players from a points list determined by FedExCup points earned between the 2017 and 2019 BMW Championships, with the points doubled for the 2019 season. The International team consists of the top eight international players (non-European) who accrued the most Official World Golf Ranking points from the 2018 Dell Technologies Championship to the 2019 BMW Championship. Each side then adds four captain's picks.

Who are the captains?

Tiger Woods for the U.S. and Ernie Els for the Internationals.

Who are their players?

For the U.S., the automatic qualifiers are Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar and Bryson DeChambeau. The captain's picks are Tiger Woods, Tony Finau, Gary Woodland, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler.

For the Internationals, the automatic qualifiers are Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa; Hideki Matsuyama of Japan; Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith of Australia; Abraham Ancer of Mexico; Haotong Li of China and C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei. Sungjae Im and Byeong-hun An of South Korea, Adam Hadwin of Canada, and Joaquin Niemann of Chile are the captain's picks.

Wait, that's only seven automatic qualifiers for the U.S. Thought you said there were eight?

Very perceptive. World No. 1 Brooks Koepka automatically qualified but withdrew because of a knee injury. Captain Woods replaced him with Fowler.

And Tiger picked himself? Has that happened before?

Yes and yes. The only previous playing captain in these matches was Hale Irwin, for a victorious U.S. team in the inaugural 1994 edition. Irwin went 2-1-0.

Is the format the same as the Ryder Cup?

It's similar, but not an exact duplicate. The Presidents Cup takes place over four days (Thursday through Sunday), with three days of team matches – alternate shot and better ball – followed by Sunday singles. The Ryder Cup takes place over three days. Also, while the Ryder Cup has a total of 28 points at stake, with the Presidents Cup, it's 30 (down from the former total of 34).

Perhaps most significantly, if the competition is deadlocked at the end of singles play, it will be deemed a tie and the teams will share the Presidents Cup. If a Ryder Cup ends in a tie, the team that last won the cup gets to retain it.

Where is this Presidents Cup being played?

At Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Victoria, Australia. That was the site of the 1998 matches, the only time the International team prevailed (20 1/2 to 11 1/2).

Who won the most recent Presidents Cup?

The United States defeated the International team, 19-11, at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, for its seventh consecutive victory. The competition was even more of a blowout than the final score indicated. The U.S. was up 14 1/2 to 3 1/2 after three days. Only three Americans won their singles matches on Sunday, but the U.S. needed but one point to secure the cup.

Last question: When and where is this all on TV?

Great last question. It will be on Golf Channel – beginning WEDNESDAY in the U.S. – and you can click here for the full list of TV times and online links.

The NFL Power Rankings looked at players, coaches and executives on the hot seat in the preseason. Now that we're in the home stretch of the regular season, we figured we'd revisit this subject and see who was under fire going into the final month.

Our NFL Nation reporters took a look at players with rocky futures, coaches who might have to update their résumés and executives whose rosters are under scrutiny on the teams they cover who truly need a big December. Our power panel -- a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities -- evaluates how teams stack up throughout the season.

Previous rankings: 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Preseason

1. Baltimore Ravens (10-2)

Week 13 ranking: 2

Who's under fire: De'Anthony Thomas, PR/KR

It's difficult to designate anyone on the hot seat for a team that's won eight straight games and sits atop the AFC. But there is pressure at returner, especially because Baltimore has already cut one this season in Cyrus Jones. Thomas hasn't been a difference-maker since joining the Ravens four games ago but has shown some progress as a punt returner. He has brought back two punts for more than 15 yards in each of the past two games. The Ravens, though, want more explosiveness and consistency out of that spot. -- Jamison Hensley

2. San Francisco 49ers (10-2)

Week 13 ranking: 3

Who's under fire: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB

Garoppolo isn't really under fire, but all eyes will be on him as the 49ers play in bigger and more meaningful games down the stretch. Garoppolo has been good for the most part this season, save for occasional trouble protecting the ball. He hasn't been asked to carry the freight much for a team with a strong run game and stout defense, but he has delivered productive outings more often than not. The stage is about to get a bit bigger and the lights a bit brighter, but Garoppolo will be the Niner who garners the most attention as the postseason inches closer. -- Nick Wagoner

3. New England Patriots (10-2)

Week 13 ranking: 1

Who's under fire: WRs not named Julian Edelman

The Patriots' loss to the Texans stood out from the standpoint of Houston devoting extra resources to covering Edelman, essentially daring the team's other pass-catchers to create separation and get open. The results were uneven. The Patriots will need more from Phillip Dorsett, Mohamed Sanu, N'Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers the rest of the way. -- Mike Reiss

4. New Orleans Saints (10-2)

Week 13 ranking: 5

Who's under fire: Ted Ginn Jr. and Tre'Quan Smith, WRs

New Orleans' biggest problem from late last season remains its biggest problem heading into this December -- a lack of reliable wide receivers outside of Michael Thomas. Neither Ginn nor Smith has had more than two catches in a game since Week 3. The Saints badly need one or both to step up in the playoffs. Regardless, they'll be looking for an upgrade this offseason. -- Mike Triplett

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-2)

Week 13 ranking: 4

Who's under fire: Chris Carson, RB

More specifically, Carson's ball security. That has been his only shortcoming this season. Carson is headed toward a second consecutive 1,000-yard season and is on pace to double his reception total from 2018. But he's fumbled seven times, most among non-quarterbacks. It hasn't cost Carson his starting job -- "Chris is our guy," offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said last week after Carson's latest fumble and Rashaad Penny's breakout game -- but the 2018 first-round pick seems to be closing the gap at least a little. -- Brady Henderson

6. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

Week 13 ranking: 8

Who's under fire: Andy Reid, head coach

Reid isn't going to get fired for playoff failure, but the Chiefs have been waiting 50 years to get back to the Super Bowl. The AFC playoff field looks as though it will be filled with dangerous opponents in a one-and-done setting, but the Chiefs are talented enough to make a deep run. It's Reid's job to navigate them past the likes of the Texans, Patriots and Ravens. -- Adam Teicher

7. Minnesota Vikings (8-4)

Week 13 ranking: 6

Who's under fire: Riley Reiff, LT

By all accounts, Reiff has been decent -- not great, not terrible -- which has been the standard since he signed as a free agent in 2017. He's allowed four sacks and 15 total pressures on an offensive line that is improved but still a work in progress. Reiff is "under fire" because he's at risk of being a salary-cap casualty with his $13.2 million hit in 2020. The Vikings have a lot of hard financial decisions to make this offseason, and overpaying for a left tackle you don't view as a franchise player isn't the smartest thing to do when Brian O'Neill might eventually move over to that side. -- Courtney Cronin

8. Green Bay Packers (9-3)

Week 13 ranking: 7

Who's under fire: Shawn Mennenga, special-teams coach

The Packers are on pace to set a dubious NFL record for fewest punt-return yards in a season. They're at minus-8 -- yes, they've lost yardage -- on punt returns through 12 games. The NFL record for fewest punt-return yards in a season is 27 (by the Cardinals in 1965). The Packers had their longest punt return of the season on Sunday against the Giants: a 3-yard return by Tremon Smith. The next-worst team in punt-return yardage this season is still 98 yards better than the Packers. The best thing you can say about the Packers' special teams is that the unit hasn't cost them a game -- yet. -- Rob Demovsky

9. Houston Texans (8-4)

Week 13 ranking: 9

Who's under fire: Will Fuller, WR

Before the start of next season, the Texans are going to have to make a decision about Fuller, their first-round pick in 2016. Houston's front office tends to extend its first-round picks before their fifth season, but given Fuller's injury history, he might have to play on his fifth-year option instead of signing a big contract extension. Fuller changes the offense for the Texans, but he again missed time with an injury (four games after injuring his hamstring in Week 7), and Houston needs to make sure it can count on him to stay healthy before committing to him long-term. -- Sarah Barshop

10. Buffalo Bills (9-3)

Week 13 ranking: 10

Who's under fire: Stephen Hauschka, K

The Bills are rolling, but Hauschka has struggled this season, connecting on a career-low 71% of his field goals. After he missed two field goals in a three-point loss to the Browns in Week 10 and a field goal and an extra point last week, Hauschka's margin for error is rapidly shrinking. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

11. Los Angeles Rams (7-5)

Week 13 ranking: 12

Who's under fire: Les Snead, GM

Snead signed a contract extension before the season that keeps him with the Rams through 2023, so there's no danger of the general manager losing his job. There's no reason he should after constructing a Super Bowl roster last season. However, the attention on him will undoubtedly grow, as he must find a way to rebuild the offensive line and fill a few key positions with very little cap space. The Rams also don't have a first-round draft pick after Snead traded their 2020 first-rounder (and 2021 first- and fourth-round picks) to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who also is looking for a payday. -- Lindsey Thiry

12. Tennessee Titans (7-5)

Week 13 ranking: 14

Who's under fire: Rodger Saffold, LG

Bringing Saffold to the Titans was supposed to be the move that tightened up the offensive line. Much has been asked of the left guard, who signed a four-year, $44 million deal in March. Saffold admittedly got off to a rough start but said he's hitting his stride after the Titans upset the Colts. -- Turron Davenport

13. Dallas Cowboys (6-6)

Week 13 ranking: 11

Who's under fire: Jason Garrett, head coach/Jerry Jones, owner

There are other candidates, but Garrett has to be at the top of the list. He entered the season in a win-or-else situation because he was in the final year of his deal. He can still earn an extension but might have to do something that is not imaginable at the moment: get to the Super Bowl. Since Jones is responsible for the coaches and players on the roster he is also under fire, but since he owns the team, he isn't going anywhere. Jones thought he put together a team to contend for a championship. That can still happen, but only if Garrett can rise to the occasion. -- Todd Archer

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

Week 13 ranking: 16

Who's under fire: Randy Fichtner, offensive coordinator

Managing the carousel of quarterbacks hasn't been an easy job for Fichtner. Add in the rotating cast of skill players with injuries decimating the established playmakers, and the job has gotten monumentally harder in the past month. With the defense keeping the Steelers squarely in the playoff hunt, Fichtner is tasked with maintaining an offense that can put points on the board and not turn the ball over. That recipe would be enough to pull off a postseason berth -- something that looked improbable after an 0-3 start. -- Brooke Pryor

15. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)

Week 13 ranking: 13

Who's under fire: Special-teams unit and coaches

Veteran Adam Vinatieri has been a major part of the Colts' special-teams problems, having missed 14 kicks and costing Indianapolis two games this season. But the unit, which was one of the top groups in the NFL a couple of years ago, has struggled as a whole all season. Poor blocking on the line has led to Vinatieri seeing three attempts blocked this season, including a potential go-ahead kick that was returned for a 63-yard touchdown in Sunday's loss to Tennessee. -- Mike Wells

16. Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)

Week 13 ranking: 15

Who's under fire: Mike Groh, offensive coordinator

There are plenty of issues to point to with the 5-7 Eagles, but the inconsistency on offense and in the passing game, in particular -- which Groh is partially responsible for -- have stymied this team's chances. If the Eagles don't turn things around, there's a real chance that changes are made to the staff. -- Tim McManus

17. Oakland Raiders (6-6)

Week 13 ranking: 17

Who's under fire: Derek Carr, QB

Critics of the $125 million franchise quarterback are readying their pitchforks and torches with the Raiders blown out by a combined 74-12 the past two games to fall to 6-6. Yes, fans are a fickle sort, and Carr is quickly becoming one of the most polarizing figures in franchise history with his uneven play. But if Carr can right the ship in two consecutive home games, against the Titans and Jaguars, and then sweep the Chargers and Broncos on the road to close the season, his seat will cool down considerably heading to Las Vegas. -- Paul Gutierrez

18. Chicago Bears (6-6)

Week 13 ranking: 21

Who's under fire: Mitchell Trubisky, QB

That's a no-brainer, right? Trubisky played much better against the Giants and Lions, but for the Bears to win out, Trubisky needs to take his game to another level. The Bears have only one signature victory all season -- against Minnesota -- and Trubisky missed almost the entire game with a shoulder injury. Chicago's playoff chances are slim. For the Bears to make an improbable run to the postseason, Trubisky will have to lead the way. Can he do it? Most of the league remains skeptical. -- Jeff Dickerson

19. Carolina Panthers (5-7)

Week 13 ranking: 18

Who's under fire: Ron Rivera, head coach

The Panthers will miss the playoffs for the second straight season and third time in the past four seasons since reaching Super Bowl 50. They are 12-16 since David Tepper purchased the team for an NFL-record $2.275 billion. Tepper has said he doesn't accept longtime mediocrity and that he hates losing. The Panthers have only three winning seasons since Rivera took over in 2011. All signs point toward Carolina moving on from the two-time NFL Coach of the Year. -- David Newton

20. Cleveland Browns (5-7)

Week 13 ranking: 19

Who's under fire: Freddie Kitchens, head coach

After the disheartening loss at Pittsburgh, it seems unlikely that the Browns will make the playoffs. That alone makes this season a disappointment. Kitchens will have the final four games to prove that he should be given a second season to turn things around in Cleveland. -- Jake Trotter

21. Los Angeles Chargers (4-8)

Week 13 ranking: 20

Who's under fire: Philip Rivers, QB

In the final year of his contract and set to turn 38 on Sunday, Rivers has had one of his worst seasons as a pro. His 15 interceptions are second in the NFL, and for the first time in his pro career, he's thrown eight interceptions over a three-game stretch -- the past three games. Rivers would like to play in 2020 and remain in a Chargers uniform. However, with the Bolts 4-8 and looking to build fan support moving into SoFi Stadium next year, ownership has some tough decisions to make. Whether Rivers stays or goes will be at the top of the list. -- Eric D. Williams

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)

Week 13 ranking: 24

Who's under fire: Jameis Winston, QB

In what's supposed to be a make-or-break season that ultimately decides if the Bucs will award him a new contract, Winston has thrown a career-high 20 interceptions and now has 101 total turnovers for his career. Sources say the organization is currently undecided, with some feeling a new direction is needed at the position. -- Jenna Laine

23. Detroit Lions (3-8-1)

Week 13 ranking: 22

Who's under fire: Bob Quinn, GM/Matt Patricia, head coach

The general manager/head coach team is plummeting toward another top-10 draft pick and is 9-18-1 over the past two seasons after Quinn fired Jim Caldwell. It can be argued two years is not enough time to pull off an overhaul like the one Quinn and Patricia want to do, but the results have not been there in any way. The Lions might have led in every game this season, but they've proved they can't finish, having lost seven of eight games. The future of both men in Detroit at the end of the season is in question. -- Michael Rothstein

24. Denver Broncos (4-8)

Week 13 ranking: 28

Who's under fire: Garett Bolles, OT

Bolles, the Broncos' first-round pick in 2017, has been one of the most penalized offensive linemen in the league. As the Broncos head toward another offseason with plenty of roster changes on the horizon, they are almost certainly going to look long and hard at offensive linemen -- in both the draft and free agency -- particularly tackles. Bolles leads the team in penalties, having been flagged 14 times overall -- five more than the next-most-penalized player (Ron Leary) -- with 12 of those flags for holding. Bolles is actually on pace to be penalized more this season than he was in '18 (14) or as a rookie (15). -- Jeff Legwold

25. Arizona Cardinals (3-8-1)

Week 13 ranking: 23

Who's under fire: Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator

The Cardinals' defense is the worst in the NFL. It's ranked 32nd in yards per game and in passing yards per game allowed -- and that all falls on the shoulders of Joseph. If those numbers weren't bad enough, there's more: The Cardinals are allowing the most first downs per game and have allowed the most passing yards to tight ends by 152. Four tight ends have had more than 100 yards against Arizona this season. The Cardinals' offense has been coming along slowly, but the defense hasn't done its share of carrying the burden. And that might cost Joseph his job. -- Josh Weinfuss

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)

Week 13 ranking: 26

Who's under fire: Doug Marrone, head coach/Dave Caldwell, GM/Tom Coughlin, executive VP

Can't pick just one because those three are connected, and they're all in jeopardy with the way the season has gone. Coughlin and Caldwell are responsible for the bad deal with Blake Bortles and not drafting a quarterback, which led them to sign Nick Foles for $88 million. That's not working out well. The team is undisciplined on the field, and after Sunday's shouting match in the locker room, it looks like Marrone might have lost the locker room, too. Nothing short of a 4-0 finish could save their jobs. -- Mike DiRocco

27. Atlanta Falcons (3-9)

Week 13 ranking: 27

Who's under fire: Dan Quinn, head coach

Since the 3-9 Falcons are guaranteed a losing record, there's very little Quinn can show owner Arthur Blank over the final four games to salvage the season. What Quinn has to do is make certain his team isn't embarrassed over this final stretch, especially at home against Carolina and Jacksonville. -- Vaughn McClure

28. New York Jets (4-8)

Week 13 ranking: 25

Who's under fire: Adam Gase, head coach

Gase received a vote of confidence from ownership, which said he will return in 2020, but the coach is under fire from the fan base. Sunday's clunker in Cincinnati erased the feel-good vibe from the Jets' three-game winning streak, angering the fans once again. Gase is the first Jets coach since Rich Kotite (1995) not to have a winning record in his first season. The franchise doesn't have many positive trends, and now that one is busted. -- Rich Cimini

29. Miami Dolphins (3-9)

Week 13 ranking: 29

Who's under fire: Entire offensive line

It will be an offseason of change, and Miami could use its significant draft and monetary resources to upgrade at least three starting spots in the trenches. In fact, the coaching staff and front office might be the only areas that don't see significant change this offseason. The Dolphins have given up the most sacks in the NFL, and their rushing attack is ranked last. Change is coming, but how many of the current group will be safe? A strong December from a few members of the O-line, such as Michael Deiter and Jesse Davis, could help them remain starters. -- Cameron Wolfe

30. Washington Redskins (3-9)

Week 13 ranking: 31

Who's under fire: Bruce Allen, team president

Allen has been in charge for a decade and the main football guy since Mike Shanahan was fired after the 2013 season. Despite a two-game winning streak, the Redskins are having their worst season in quite a while, and many around the league believe they will never win consistently with Allen in charge. But does Daniel Snyder agree? Would the owner fire someone he's close to in Allen? Would he just strip the football duties from Allen -- and, if so, would that lead to a power play down the road? There are a few ways this could go, as Allen's regime will be more scrutinized than ever. -- John Keim

31. New York Giants (2-10)

Week 13 ranking: 30

Who's under fire: Pat Shurmur, head coach/Dave Gettleman, GM

When you haven't won since September and are in the running for the dishonor of being the worst team in the league, you have to start at the top. Shurmur is 7-21 as the Giants' head coach and Gettleman has only made the roster worse since arriving on scene in the final week of 2017. They need some wins and signs of progress to validate their work. Otherwise, a third season with this duo in charge appears to be in serious doubt. -- Jordan Raanan

32. Cincinnati Bengals (1-11)

Week 13 ranking: 32

Who's under fire: Jim Turner, offensive line coach

Between a few offseason departures and the situation involving tackle Cordy Glenn, Turner's offensive line has been the subject of criticism at times this season. The Bengals' rushing attack has also struggled as the line lacked continuity at the beginning of the season. Still, Turner likely won't receive enough heat for coach Zac Taylor to make a change. The two men have strong ties and worked together with the Dolphins and the University of Cincinnati. -- Ben Baby

Some high-ranking club executives believe that third baseman Anthony Rendon will be the first of the mega-dollar free agents to come off the board this winter. Rendon has already had meetings with teams, including the Dodgers and Rangers, and before Rendon reached the open market, Washington made an offer in an effort to keep him.

The 29-year-old Rendon helped lead the Nationals to the World Series title and finished third in the National League MVP balloting last month.

As reported in September, friends of Rendon believe he's not going to take the conventional path through free agency. Rather than look for a long-term deal that lasts into his late 30s, they think he's more interested in a deal in the range of five years, presumably for a higher average annual salary. In fact, some executives believe that Rendon's forthcoming contract could establish a record for highest annual value.

The Rangers will move into a new ballpark next spring, and Rendon, a Texas native, could be the big marquee name on the revamped team.

The Dodgers have coveted Rendon because of his perfect fit with their hitting approach and their financial strategy. Under baseball operations chief Andrew Friedman, they have shied away from doling out deals of more than three-to-five years. Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner has one more year left on his contract, but he has told reporters that he'd be willing to change position. Turner, like Max Muncy and so many other Dodgers, could move to different spots on the field according to the needs of the day.

Rendon is represented by Scott Boras, who is the agent for many of the big-name free agents this winter. Boras has moved deliberately through his winter work in recent offseasons. Bryce Harper, another Boras client, didn't sign until late February, for example. But other agents expect that because of the high volume of work required to represent Rendon, Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and others, Boras will get some players signed earlier.

The Dallas Morning News was the first to report Rendon's meeting with the Rangers.

Event grows to PSA Silver for men and women
By SEAN REUTHE – Squash Mad Correspondent

Tickets are on sale now for the 2020 Manchester Open, PSA Silver tournament taking place at Manchester’s National Squash Centre between May 6-10.

This season’s edition of the Manchester Open follows the inaugural women’s-only tournament earlier this year – where New Zealand’s Joelle King beat Tesni Evans of Wales in the final – and will feature a men’s event alongside the women’s.

Manchester has a history of hosting the world’s greatest squash players, with the 2008, 2013 and 2017 PSA World Championships being held in the city, while the historic British Open has also been staged in Manchester on four occasions.

“We’re delighted to give squash fans the opportunity to watch a number of the world’s top men and women battle it out for the honour of becoming Manchester Open champion,” said Tournament Director Tim Garner.

“Last season’s tournament resulted in some exceptional squash being played out in front of captivated crowds, and, alongside Manchester City Council, we will work hard to ensure that next year’s tournament will be even better.”

Tickets start from £7.50 and will be available for purchase via Ticketmaster.

For more information on the 2019 Manchester Open, visit the official tournament website: https://manchesteropensquash.com/ 

Report by SEAN REUTHE(PSA). Edited by ALAN THATCHER.

Pictures courtesy of  PSA

Love Island winner Greg O'Shea has been named in Ireland's squad for their maiden World Sevens Series appearance.

O'Shea, who won the reality series with Amber Gill, will travel to Dubai as part of Anthony Eddy's 13-man squad.

Ireland will face the USA, Australia and Scotland in their first appearance as a Sevens core team.

On top of their debut in the Sevens Series, Ireland will bid to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the World Rugby Repechage tournament in June.

Billy Dardis leads Ireland's squad for the Dubai Sevens, while Terry Kennedy, Mark Roche, Foster Horan and Harry McNulty, who were part of the initial Men's Sevens squad in 2015, are all included.

Eddy has been able to retain the main core of the side that achieved World Series qualification in Hong Kong as O'Shea, Adam Leavy, Bryan Mollen, Jordan Conroy and John O'Donnell are all named in the squad.

Leinster Academy back Aaron O'Sullivan, who made his Ireland Under-20 debut against England at last summer's Under-20 World Championship in Argentina, is in line for his first Sevens cap, while former Ireland Under-20 captain Jack Kelly and Hugo Lennox of Skerries complete the panel.

Ireland's women will also be in action in Dubai and will take on Australia, Spain and Fiji in their pool.

Two development squads will travel to the UAE for an invitational tournament and will link up with the senior squads.

Under-20 Grand Slam winners Liam Turner, Iwan Hughes and Rob Russell are included in the men's development squad, while Ulster Academy wing Aaron Sexton is joined by his provincial team-mate Graham Curtis on the trip.

Ireland international Enya Breen, who recently featured for Adam Griggs' side against Wales in the November Test, has been named in the women's development squad, which also includes Grace Moore and Soneva Scott, who have both come through the IQ Rugby system.