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AP Sports Digest

Posted 5/19/25

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. …

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AP Sports Digest

Posted

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

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UPCOMING

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GLF--PGA CHAMPIONSHIP-SCHEFFLER'S FIRE

DESCRIPTION: CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Everything Scottie Scheffler did on Sunday was expected. When the pressure was on, he hit the fairways he needed to hit. He landed the approach shots he needed to land. And, of course, he made clutch putts he needed to make. It’s what everyone has come to depend on from the world’s No. 1 player, a fine-tuned, almost mechanical approach to the game. It was all expected, even predictable — right up until the celebration. That’s when Scheffler, in a rare display of pure human emotion, took off his hat and slammed it into the green on the 18th hole after winning the PGA Championship. UPCOMING. By Steve Reed. 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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BBO--THIS WEEK IN BASEBALL

DESCRIPTION: Clayton Kershaw made his season debut over the weekend. Although his performance over four innings was forgettable, he still added another accomplishment to his illustrious career. Kershaw has now played in 18 seasons for the Dodgers. By Baseball Writer Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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SOC--MAN UNITED-MOUNT

DESCRIPTION: MANCHESTER, England — Interview with Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final. Mount knows the highs and the lows of playing in major finals. He went from the top of the world to rock bottom within the space of a few weeks in 2021 - winning the Champions League with Chelsea before losing the European Championship final with England on penalties. Both experiences left lasting impressions. By James Robson. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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OLYMPIC MEDALIST ARREST

DESCRIPTION: Olympic wrestling gold medalist Kyle Snyder is scheduled for an arraignment Monday after he was charged with engaging in prostitution during a sting operation in early May in Columbus, Ohio.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 11:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--NFL MEETINGS PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: NFL owners meet at the headquarters of the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday amid talk of changing the seeding system in the playoffs and a proposal to allow players to participate in flag football at the Olympics. By Schuyler Dixon. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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HKN--PANTHERS-HURRICANES-PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: RALEIGH, N.C. — Two years ago, the Florida Panthers swept the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final in a series with four one-goal games, one being a four-overtime thriller. Now the reigning Cup champion Panthers and Hurricanes will do it again, with Carolina hoping for different results compared to their last three visits to this round. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 700 words and photos by 4 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--RAVENS-HENRY

DESCRIPTION: OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Derrick Henry meets with reporters after reaching a contract extension tying him to the Ravens for two more seasons. By Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--TIMBERWOLVES-THUNDER PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: OKLAHOMA CITY — The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, starting Tuesday. It’s a matchup that includes two of the league’s brightest young stars: Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards. By Cliff Brunt. UPCOMING: 700 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT

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BKN--PACERS-EVOLVING CARLISLE

DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle still speaks with his trademark bluntness. He calls out players’ mistakes, critiques their effort when necessary and warns guys about being prepared for anything and everything they could face especially in the NBA playoffs — just like he’s always done. But after celebrating nearly 1,000 regular season victories and surviving 23 seasons as a tough, demanding head coach, Carlisle now finds himself carrying a more genteel title -- savant. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT

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US--NEW POPE-SPORTS

DESCRIPTION: CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox unveil a graphic installation that honors Pope Leo XIV. The pillar artwork at Rate Field marks the location where the future pope cheered for Chicago in Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 400 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 05/19/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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HKN--PANTHERS-MAPLE LEAFS

Panthers rout the Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference final

SUMMARY: Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves, Florida scored three times in a 6:24 span in the second period and the Panthers routed the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 on Sunday night to advance to the Eastern Conference final. The defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the conference final, opening on the road Tuesday night. Seth Jones, Anton Lundell and Jonah Gadjovich scored in the second-period burst and Eetu Luostarinen, Sam Reinhart and Brad Marchand — into an empty net — added goals in the third. Marchand, Luostarinen and Aleksander Barkov each had two assists. Max Domi scored for Toronto. Joseph Woll stopped 28 shots.

WORDS: 465 - MOVED: 05/19/2025 1:03 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2636f72800cd7405a1b95e6b05205dde&mediaType=text

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TEN--FRENCH OPEN-ALCARAZ-SINNER

Alcaraz is the clear favorite for the French Open. But Sinner is building back to top form

SUMMARY: Carlos Alcaraz is clearly the favorite for the French Open. Top-ranked Jannik Sinner is back from his doping ban though and building himself back up to full strength day by day. Those were the verdicts after Alcaraz beat Sinner to win the Italian Open a week before Roland Garros starts on Sunday. Alcaraz’s title in Rome boosted his record on clay this season to 15-1. Sinner tells Alcaraz that “on clay right now you’re the best player.” But Alcaraz says the level Sinner showed in Rome “is insane after three months without playing” and that ”he’s going to be a really dangerous player in Paris.”

WORDS: 440 - MOVED: 05/19/2025 1:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5510a3442bb7918875a65744d52ba5ea&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES-BELLINGER

Mets-Yankees: Bellinger caps big Subway Series as scorned Soto comes up empty in the Bronx

SUMMARY: Cody Bellinger lofted a high fly to deep right field, where Juan Soto positioned himself in front of an unfriendly Yankee Stadium crowd and came up short. That summed up the entire Subway Series, really. Soto was booed all weekend during a disappointing return to the Bronx, while Bellinger delivered several big hits that helped the New York Yankees get the best of their crosstown rivals. Bellinger hit a game-breaking grand slam Sunday night that soared just beyond Soto’s reach at the wall, and the Yankees beat the New York Mets 8-2 to take two of three at home in a matchup of first-place teams.

WORDS: 727 - MOVED: 05/19/2025 12:55 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:409102bc0de5105d69d025d9421ef65e&mediaType=text

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PGA-CHAMPIONSHIP-GOLF-PHOTO-GALLERY

AP PHOTOS: Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship for third major title

WORDS: 119 - MOVED: 05/19/2025 12:38 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:344a8ff50f237ff8a6937cc6988570b7&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-ALL-STAR RACE

Christopher Bell beats Joey Logano in action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race

SUMMARY: Christopher Bell passed Joey Logano with nine laps remaining and cruised to victory in an action-packed NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night. In a slam-bang affair that set a record for lead changes, Bell won by 0.829 seconds over Logano to earn his first All-Star Race victory. Ross Chastain finished third, followed by Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott. The field was bunched for the final time on Lap 217 with the “Promoter’s Caution,” thrown by two-time Daytona 500 winner and Fox Sports personality Michael Waltrip, who dropped the yellow flag on the track. The gimmick to guarantee a late restart was a sidebar to an eventful race.

WORDS: 957 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 11:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:399f8e9f4fb89841686ec361253c6544&mediaType=text

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HKN--CONFERENCE FINALS LOOKAHEAD

NHL’s final 4 has a familiar feel with teams known for long playoff runs in the conference finals

SUMMARY: The NHL’s playoff final four has a very familiar feel. The Western Conference final is a rematch of the same round last year with the Dallas Stars facing the Edmonton Oilers. The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are in the East final for a third consecutive spring after beating Toronto in Game 7 of their series. They will face the Carolina Hurricanes for the second time in three years. Panthers-Hurricanes starts on Tuesday and Oilers-Stars on Wednesday.

WORDS: 889 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 10:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b1ebf968b300214b99fe8cd5d35e0812&mediaType=text

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BKL--SKY-REESE-RACIAL COMMENTS

WNBA investigating racial slurs by fans made at Angel Reese during Indiana game, AP source says

SUMMARY: The WNBA is investigating racial comments directed toward Angel Reese by fans during the Chicago Sky’s loss to the Fever at Indiana on Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press condition of anonymity because the league had not publicly identified who the taunts were directed toward or who made the allegations. The league says “the WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society.” The league also says it is “looking into the matter.”

WORDS: 599 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 9:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f77dd6072d1bcb0fc327ed72bbcf0b73&mediaType=text

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GLF--PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Great Scottie! Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship for 3rd major title

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler has won the PGA Championship for his third major title. He won by five shots but this one was a nail-biter until the final hour. Jon Rahm made a furious charge and tied Scheffler for the lead on the back nine. But then golf’s No. 1 player was mistake-free and left the blunders to everyone else. Scheffler shot a 71 and picked up the Wanamaker Trophy. That puts him halfway home to the career Grand Slam and leaves no doubt about his status in the game. Bryson DeChambeau was among three players who tied for second.

WORDS: 1335 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 9:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:806e62df373a7fbc726b41deedeb5eb1&mediaType=text

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GLF--PGA CHAMPIONSHIP-RAHM

‘Embarrassed’ Jon Rahm struggles to keep final-round collapse at PGA Championship in perspective

SUMMARY: Jon Rahm appeared on the verge of potentially doing what few thought possible — overcoming a five-shot deficit on the final day of the PGA Championship to beat Scottie Scheffler. And then came the collapse. After battling back to tie Scheffler with a birdie on the 11th hole, Rahm turned what seemed like a foregone conclusion of a Scheffler victory into an entertaining back nine — at least for a while. But the two-time major champion missed key birdie putts and played the final five holes in 5 over to tie for eighth — seven shots behind Scheffler. The Spanish star said he was embarrassed a little bit by the finish, but encouraged with the week overall.

WORDS: 666 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 9:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b025896b9272073eda86013c7a4345e0&mediaType=text

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CAR--INDY 500

Team Penske has miserable Indy 500 qualifying day with 1 crashed car and 2 failed inspections

SUMMARY: Qualifying day for the Indianapolis 500 turned into a Team Penske disaster when all three of its cars were denied a chance to run for the pole. It comes a year after the same three drivers swept the front row at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The day got off to a horrible start when Scott McLaughlin crashed in morning practice and the team decided to just accept the 12th starting spot in the field. Then, moments before the shootout began, the cars for two-time defending race winner Josef Newgarden and Will Power returned to the garage. IndyCar announced the cars had failed inspection and would not be allowed to qualify.

WORDS: 894 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 8:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2992ad3cdf325a67844428f54807a5d4&mediaType=text

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CAR--INDY 500-SHWARTZMAN-PEACE

Israeli-born, Russia-raised Indy 500 pole winner Robert Shwartzman calls for peace around the world

SUMMARY: Israeli-born IndyCar driver Robert Shwartzman won the pole for the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, then used his platform to ask for peace in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Shwartzman was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, a nation that is currently at war with Hamas-led Palestinian groups. And he was largely raised in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the nation under whose flag he drove until its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Shwartzman said that “we’re all human beings, and we just have to support each other. We have to find ways to, let’s say, negotiate things. Find way to agree on things.” The Indy 500 is May 25.

WORDS: 586 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 8:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:82257295b3358f0fcfa49e778bd269cd&mediaType=text

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BKN--NUGGETS-THUNDER

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder roll into West finals with 125-93 rout of Nuggets in Game 7

SUMMARY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, Jalen Williams added 24 and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled into the Western Conference finals, beating the Denver Nuggets 125-93 in Game 7. The top-seeded Thunder will host the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves starting Tuesday. It’s Oklahoma City’s first trip to the conference finals since 2016. Oklahoma City won a league-best 68 games in the regular season. The Thunder lost to Dallas in the conference semifinals last year as the No. 1 seed in the West. This time, the Thunder had to get past three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and a Denver squad that won the NBA title in 2023.

WORDS: 463 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 7:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0728892f2ce18c63ab27da414134573e&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-FINAL FOUR

The NBA’s final 4 is set: Thunder, Knicks, Wolves and Pacers remain, and parity reigns again

SUMMARY: There will be a new NBA champion. A lot of them, actually, considering almost all of the players left in these playoffs have not even played in the NBA Finals. The New York Knicks haven’t won an NBA championship since 1973. The Indiana Pacers won their most recent title that year — in the ABA. The Oklahoma City Thunder franchise has one title in its history, that coming in 1979 when the team called Seattle home. And the Minnesota Timberwolves have never even been to the NBA Finals.

WORDS: 924 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 6:36 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c10b17d2535f5374a5b5f28eff42e836&mediaType=text

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HKO--WORLDS

US scores 5 goals in middle period to rout Kazakhstan and advance at ice hockey worlds

SUMMARY: After a goalless opening period the United States went on to secure its place in the quarterfinals of the ice hockey world championship with a 6-1 rout of Kazakhstan. The Americans are tied with the Czech Republic on 14 points in Group B, trailing leader Switzerland on 16. The U.S. completes its group stage on Tuesday against the Czechs, who have two more games to play. Switzerland demolished Hungary 10-0 and will play its last Group B game against Kazakhstan on Tuesday. The top four teams from each of the two groups advance.

WORDS: 379 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 5:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f61dcc7e6006a227f3f6c7b0d6beaf03&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Arsenal secures return to Champions League on day of farewells for Everton and Vardy

SUMMARY: Arsenal has sealed its place in next season’s Champions League. Nottingham Forest still has a chance, too. On an emotional afternoon of farewells for Everton and Jamie Vardy, Arsenal claimed the most telling win in the Premier League on Sunday by beating Newcastle 1-0 thanks to Declan Rice’s outside-of-the-area curler. It earned Mikel Arteta’s team the second automatic Champions League spot, alongside Premier League champion Liverpool. The five teams below them are battling for the remaining three qualification places in Europe’s lucrative competition and the fight couldn’t be closer with a week left. Third-placed Newcastle is tied with Chelsea and Aston Villa and just one point ahead of Manchester City and Forest, which held on to beat West Ham 2-1.

WORDS: 846 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 4:50 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:98d09f552fc1f2ba2d0e140d9e9122aa&mediaType=text

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GLF--PGA CHAMPIONSHIP-GARCIA

Struggling Sergio Garcia says he’d decline playing for European Ryder Cup team right now if invited

SUMMARY: Sergio Garcia has appeared in 10 Ryder Cups and amassed more points than any other European player. But the 45-year-old Spaniard says he would decline an invitation to play for Team Europe if he chosen by captain Luke Donald because of how poorly he is playing. Garcia says his feelings could change if he begins to play better. He made the cut at the PGA Championship but was never a factor and finished well down the leaderboard at 7-over 291. Garcia won the LIV Golf Hong Kong event in March but missed the cut in the Masters and is currently not eligible for the U.S. Open or British Open.

WORDS: 254 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 3:40 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2020521d171a623911585899fc7c9a3b&mediaType=text

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BKN--NUGGETS-GORDON

Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon to start despite strained left hamstring

SUMMARY: Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon will start in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite having a strained left hamstring. Denver interim coach David Adelman had said he would be a game-time decision, but the Nuggets upgraded him to available less than an hour before the start. The 29-year-old helped the Nuggets win their only NBA championship in 2023. In this series, he has averaged 14.5 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 45% from 3-point range. He hit the game-winning 3-pointer in Game 1, a 121-119 victory that temporarily gave the Nuggets homecourt advantage.

WORDS: 285 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 3:13 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b72ebb64054d89eb088b6bceee13cb1d&mediaType=text

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TEN--ITALIAN OPEN

Alcaraz beats Sinner again to win the Italian Open and solidify his status as French Open favorite

SUMMARY: There’s only one player who is consistently beating Jannik Sinner. Carlos Alcaraz defeated the top-ranked Sinner again, 7-6 (5), 6-1, to win his first Italian Open on Sunday and add another big clay-court title to his resume. Since the start of last year, Alcaraz is the only player to beat Sinner more than once and now he’s done it four straight times. Alcaraz’s victory before Sinner’s home fans at the Foro Italico snapped the Italian’s 26-match winning streak. It was Sinner’s first tournament back after a three-month doping ban. Alcaraz also solidified his status as the favorite to defend his title at the French Open. Roland Garros starts next Sunday.

WORDS: 786 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 2:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bfccd7dcb61228f1e9ad1022d231cc21&mediaType=text

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CAR--INDY 500-MCLAUGHLIN CRASH

Scott McLaughlin destroys car in huge crash ahead of Indianapolis 500 qualifying

SUMMARY: Scott McLaughlin crashed his Team Penske car in afternoon practice and ruined his chance to repeat last year’s Indianapolis 500 pole-winning run. McLaughlin qualified inside the top 12 and was eligible to run for the pole later Sunday. But he spun at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and immediately braced for impact with the Turn 2 wall. His car was destroyed and Team Penske said they’d slot him at 12th and not even attempt a qualifying run Sunday. The car the team was working on for McLaughlin is Penske’s backup speedway car and had been earmarked for teammate Josef Newgarden to use in next week’s pit crew competition.

WORDS: 399 - MOVED: 05/18/2025 1:54 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ae74844ac449df7db5a98dfc93f23bcc&mediaType=text

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