The celebration after the Indianapolis 500 is almost as famous as the race itself at this point, but the origin of one of racing’s great traditions is more happenstance than anything else.

The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is set for Sunday, May 25, and the scene on victory lane at ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ will inevitably feature the winner driver drinking from a bottle of ice-cold milk. For decades, it has been the defining image to emerge from Victory Circle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s so ingrained in IndyCar’s premier event that the 33 drivers entered in the 2025 Indy 500 once again told race organizers their milk preference in advance.

Milk, however, wasn’t always part of the Indianapolis 500, despite the connection it now holds to this American racing institution. The customary milk chug began because of one three-time winner, nearly ended forever because of another and has now been done 75 times overall entering the 2025 edition of the Indy 500.

Why does Indianapolis 500 winner drink milk?

The origin story of milk being the drink of choice for the Indianapolis 500 winner dates back to the 1936 race, according to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Louis Foster had become the first person to win the Indy 500 three times and celebrated with the crowd while holding a bottle of buttermilk. A Movietone News cameraman captured the moment and the footage eventually made its way to a dairy executive who requested milk be made available to the Indianapolis 500 winner every year.

The Indy 500 winner from 1938 through 1941 and in 1946 (after a hiatus for World War II) each drank milk in Victory Circle. Foster later explained buttermilk was what he grew up drinking to refresh himself on a hot day and he did so out of habit after winning in 1936. He also claimed to have had buttermilk after he won the 1933 Indianapolis 500.

Indianapolis 500: Why did milk tradition almost end?

An ownership change at the Indianapolis 500 led to three-time race winner Wilbur Shaw, who was also the Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and general manager at the time, creating his own Victory Circle tradition. From 1947 through 1954, the winning driver of the Indianapolis 500 would drink ‘Water from Wilbur’ out of an engraved chalice.

Milk returned to Victory Circle for the 1956 Indianapolis 500 following Shaw’s death. The winner, according to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, received $400 for drinking milk and his chief mechanic was awarded an additional $50. Dairy has been part of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ every year since then.

Indianapolis 500 milk tradition in 2025

Sunday will mark the 69th year in a row, and 76th time overall, the Indy 500 winner drinks milk in Victory Circle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Each driver specifies their milk preference ahead of the race and the winner will be handed a chilled bottle of milk by a representative from the American Dairy Association Indiana. Bottles of milk are also delivered to the chief mechanic and team owner. The driver typically drinks from the bottle, and then douses himself and teammates as well.

This year, 29 drivers have chosen whole milk as their post-win drink of choice. The other four drivers in the field ‒ Hélio Castroneves, Conor Daly, Graham Rahal and Alexander Rossi ‒ each picked 2% milk. Drivers are also allowed to drink skim milk. Two-time defending Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden drank whole milk after he won in 2023 and 2024.

Watch the Indy 500 with Fubo

Indy 500: TV, streaming and where to watch

Date: Sunday, May 25
TV time: 10 a.m. ET
Race time: 12:45 p.m. ET
TV channel: FOX
Live stream: Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Returning home and making shots were antidotes for the ills that had troubled the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first two games of the Western Conference finals.

The Timberwolves earned their first win of the series with a dominating 143-101 victory against the Thunder in Game 3 Saturday.  They set a franchise record for most points in a playoff game, shot 57.3% from the field and battered the Thunder in rebounding with a 50-31 edge.

Hopefully for the Timberwolves, they saved some scoring for the rest of the series. All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 30 points, and Julius Randle added 24 for the Timberwolves.

Game 4 is Monday in Minneapolis (8:30 p.m., ESPN). It’s either a 2-2 series going back to Oklahoma City or a 3-1 Thunder series lead with a chance of closing of the series at home and advancing to the NBA Finals.

Here are the winners and losers from Game 3 of Thunder-Timberwolves:

Thunder-Timberwolves Game 3 winners

Anthony Edwards

Edwards had a sub-standard Game 1, played a little better in Game 2 and had his best game of the series in Game 3 with 30 points on 12-for-17 shooting, including 5-for-8 on 3-pointers, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Not only is that the offensive production the Timberwolves need, Edwards’ efficiency was a bonus.

Timberwolves bench: Special shoutout Terrence Shannon Jr.

In the final tally, Minnesota’s bench outscored Oklahoma City’s 66-52. But in the first two quarters – when the game was decided and the Timberwolves led 72-41 at halftime – the Timberwolves had a 29-8 edge in bench points in the first half.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 12 points and Naz Reid added 10 points off the bench, but the biggest contribution came from rookie Terrence Shannon Jr., who hadn’t played more than seven minutes or scored more than two points in six playoff appearances before Game 3. He finished with 15 points, including nine in four minutes in the second quarter.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch knew he needed a boost to the rotation and found it in Shannon.

Minnesota’s 3-point shooting

In the first two games of the West finals, the Timberwolves shot 28.9% on 3-pointers. Reid was 0-for-12, Edwards 4-for-17, Donte DiVincenzo 5-for-18 and Mike Conley 2-for-9. Ouch.

In Game 3, the Timberwolves were 20-for-40 on 3s – one shy of matching a franchise record for most made 3s in a playoff game. Reid finally made one and was 2-for-3; DiVincenzo 2-for-2; Edwards 5-for-8; Conley 2-for-6; Randle 2-for-4; Alexander-Walker 2-for-4; and Jaden McDaniels 2-for-4.

The Timberwolves don’t need to shoot 50% to win but less than 30% won’t yield many victories at this stage of the playoffs.

Julius Randle

Randle scored 24 points after scoring just six while sitting out the fourth quarter of Game 2.

“Me and Finch, through all the ups and downs this season, he knows who I am, I know who he is. Obviously as a competitor, I want to play and do anything I can to help our team win. I know he trusts me to do that. I also know I trust him to do what’s best for the team at all times. I know he doesn’t have any ill-intent. … For me, its about how you come back the next game. I just wanted to come out aggressive.”

Randle has now scored at least 24 points in six of Minnesota’s past seven games.

Thunder-Timberwolves Game 3 losers

Thunder offense

The Thunder were 35-for-86 from the field and 14-for-44 on 3-pointers. They scored a season-low 14 first-quarter points, and no player scored more than 14 points.

Thunder defense

Oklahoma City allowed a season-high 143 points. They had given up 130 or more just three times season this season. The Thunder had the best defense during the regular season so Game 3 was likely an anomaly, and what matters most is how they respond in Game 4.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s shooting

Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned the 2024-25 MVP earlier in the week, scored just 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting. He had scored 30 or more points in five consecutive playoff games, including 38 in Game 2 against Minnesota.

He averaged a career-high 32.7 points and shot 51.9% from the field this season. Again, Game 3 was an anomaly. But the Thunder are at their best when Gilgeous-Alexander is closer to 30 points and going to the free throw line more than four times in a game.

Memorial Day weekend marks the biggest three days of motorsports in the world. Stars of NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula 1 will be action for some of the biggest races of their seasons.

The action on Sunday, May 25 will start at 9 a.m. ET with the F1 Monaco Grand Prix. It’s the crown jewel of the F1 calendar and a race every driver who grew up dreaming of making it in the sport wants to win. It’s a challenging circuit that forces drivers to race near 150 mph just inches away from the walls.

Once the white-knuckle action comes to a close in Europe, the biggest event in open-wheel racing in America – the Indianapolis 500 – starts at 12:45 p.m. ET. There are plenty of intriguing storylines entering the race; a rookie starts on pole for the first time since 1983 and Josef Newgarden’s aiming for a historic three-peat.

The action wraps up with NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway. The longest race on NASCAR’s schedule begins at 6 p.m. ET and sees the drivers go from racing in the daytime to under the lights at night.

Auto racing fans will have no shortage of excitement over the holiday weekend. One driver certainly won’t, either: Kyle Larson.

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion is attempting ‘The Double’ in 2025 by racing in both the Indy 500 for Arrow McLaren and the Coca-Cola 600 for Hendrick Motorsports. He’s ranked 13th to win the Indy 500 and the favorite to win the Coca-Cola 600, per BetMGM’s latest odds.

‘I enjoy challenges and I enjoy trying to learn on the fly,’ Larson told USA TODAY Sports ahead of his second attempt of racing both events.

Here’s what to know about Larson’s challenge on Sunday.

What is ‘The Double’?

It wasn’t possible to do both races on the same day until 1993 when Charlotte Motor Speedway officials installed lights on the track and moved the Coca-Cola 600 to a night race. Given the Indy 500’s earlier start time, that created enough room for drivers to realistically do both.

Completing both events covers 1,100 miles, roughly the distance from New York City to Des Moines, Iowa, in the span of nine hours.

Who was the first driver to attempt ‘The Double’?

In 1994, John Andretti became the first driver to attempt to race both the Coca-Cola 600 and Indy 500 on the same day. Andretti was a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver at the time with some previous experience in open-wheel racing.

He finished 10th in the Indy 500 and barely made it to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, arriving via private jet as the national anthem began. He didn’t finish the Coca-Cola 600 and retired after 220 laps due to engine trouble.

Drivers who have attempted ‘The Double’

Andretti was the original but many have raced in both events in the three decades since.

Tony Stewart

1999:

Indy 500: 9th
Coca-Cola 600: 4th

2001

Indy 500: 6th
Coca-Cola 600: 3rd

Robby Gordon

2002

Indy 500: 8th
Coca-Cola 600: 16th

2003

Indy 500: DNF (gearbox)
Coca-Cola 600: 17th

Kurt Busch

2014

Indy 500: 6th
Coca-Cola 600: DNF (engine)

Larson on challenges of Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600

A rain delay of the Indy 500 kept Larson from starting the Coca-Cola 600 in 2024. With no rain on the weather reports for Indianapolis, he’s ready for another attempt this year and confident in both Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports.

‘I wouldn’t be doing it, obviously, if I didn’t feel like I had a shot to win both,’ Larson said. ‘It’s going to be really, really tough. Heck, it’s tough to win any race, let alone two races in the same day in two different types of cars … I look forward to the challenge.’

The physicality that prior drivers struggled with – Stewart said he collapsed after the Coca-Cola 600 in 1999 – isn’t on Larson’s mind too much entering Sunday.

‘At least compared to what I typically do, I don’t think it takes anything much more,’ Larson said. ‘Just staying on top of your hydration throughout this week and on race day especially.’

A nine-hour day behind the wheel is no easy task, especially at speeds well over 200 mph. Larson spent more time preparing for the Indy 500 trackside but feels comfortable in Hendrick Motorsports having everything ready for him in the Coca-Cola 600.

‘Honestly, I think there’s more similarities than there are differences (between IndyCar and NASCAR) even in the way that the cars feel,’ Larson said. ‘Although they look way different, (the cars) drive pretty similar. And then I think the most similar thing is just the race strategy and how the race feels.’

How to watch the 2025 Indy 500

Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, Indiana
TV: FOX
Streaming: FoxSports App, Fubo

Watch the Indy 500 with Fubo

How to watch the 2025 Coca-Cola 600

Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina
TV: N/A
Streaming: Prime Video

Watch the Coca-Cola 600 with Prime Video

There’s no love lost when it comes to a game featuring sports teams (and fans) representing Los Angeles and San Diego.

San Diego FC and the LA Galaxy released a statement following their game on Saturday evening regarding an incident between fans at Snapdragon Stadium.

Fans were seen fighting in a video on social media in the upper deck level of the stadium during the game.

“San Diego FC and the LA Galaxy are united in our efforts to foster a safe and welcoming environment for all fans attending our matches,” the statement read. “The incidents that occurred following Saturday’s match at Snapdragon Stadium do not reflect the values of either club and are entirely unacceptable.”

Both clubs are working with the stadium security, Major League Soccer and local law enforcement to review the incidents.

“Any behavior found to be in violation of the MLS Fan Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action, which may include stadium ejections and bans.”

Has there ever been a fan brawl incident at Snapdragon Stadium before?

There was a similar incident involving fans at Snapdragon Stadium on March 29. 

A series of videos were posted on social media showing fans of opposing teams fighting after San Diego FC’s 3-2 victory over LAFC, according to The Athletic. A similar statement was released by the MLS and SDFC.

Less than one month after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Travis Hunter is celebrating another key life milestone.

Hunter and his longtime fiancée, Leanna Lenee, were married on Saturday in a ceremony that took place at a luxury wedding venue in Athens, Tennessee, according to DailyMail.com.

Hunter surprised his new bride with a luxury six-figure black Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 Brabus 800 to cheers from the assembled guests.

Hunter and Lenee – whose full name is Leanna De La Fuente – started dating in 2022. They first got into contact after Hunter sent Lenee a direct message on Instagram, one to which Lenee didn’t initially respond for two months.

‘He just wasn’t my type,’ Lenee said in a video the two posted to YouTube in October 2022.

Once Lenee responded, the two remained in consistent communication for a couple of months. The two joked Hunter was in the ‘friend zone’ at that time, but things changed after he accompanied Lenee to a friend’s birthday party, to which she didn’t want to go alone.

‘He went with me and then, we was in love,’ Lenee said.

The two officially started dating on Feb. 26, 2022, as the two shared in social media posts celebrating their anniversary.

The couple became engaged in 2024, as Lenee confirmed in a post to her Instagram.

‘A million times, yes,’ the caption read.

And on Saturday, they were married in front of family and friends — including Travis Hunter Sr., who was granted permission to attend his son’s wedding. The elder Hunter, 39, is about halfway through the community control portion of his sentence stemming from gun and drug charges.

Amazing what a difference it makes when a team makes shots.

Struggling offensively through the first two games in road losses against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves returned home to find rediscover their offense in Game 3.

Minnesota crushed Oklahoma City 143-101 Saturday, making it a 2-1 series. Game 4 is Monday in Minneapolis (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Timberwolves, who set a franchise record for most points in a playoff game, led early and kept piling up the points and piling on the Thunder. Minnesota led 34-14 after one quarter, 68-33 late in the second quarter, 105-63 late in the third quarter and 126-82 with 5:07 left in the fourth.

Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 30 points plus nine rebounds, six assists and two steals, and Julius Randle scored 24 points for the Timberwolves. In a surprising lift off the bench, Minnesota rookie Terrence Shannon Jr., who hadn’t played more than seven minutes or scored more than two points in six playoff appearances before Game 3, scored 15 points.

Thunder star and 2024-25 NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14 points.

Timberwolves vs. Thunder highlights

Final: Timberwolves 143, Thunder 101

It was the Timberwolves’ highest-scoring performance in a playoff game. It was also the largest playoff loss (42 points) for Oklahoma City.

Anthony Edwards finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Timberwolves. Julius Randle scored 24 points in the victory.

End of Q3: Timberwolves 107, Thunder 70

The Timberwolves have their foot on the gas and aren’t letting up. Minnesota has a 37-point lead over Oklahoma City heading into the fourth quarter. Anthony Edwards has a game-high 40 points and is one rebound shy of a double-double with nine rebounds and six assists. Julius Randle added 24 points and Jaden McDaniels has 10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder with 14 points. The Timberwolves out-rebounded the Thunder 38-23.

Halftime: Timberwolves 72, Thunder 41

Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault was worried about the haymakers the Timberwolves would throw with their backs to the wall in Game 3. His concern was merited.

Trailing 2-0 in the series, the Timberwolves threw a flurry of punches in the first two quarters of Game 3, pummeling the Thunder in the first half for a 72-41 halftime lead, which marks a franchise playoff record for points in a half. Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards has a game-high 20 points, and rookie Terrence Shannon Jr., who hadn’t played more than seven minutes or scored more than two points in six playoff appearances before Game 3, provided a huge lift off the bench with nine points in four minutes. Naz Reid added 10 points for the Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves are 27-for-48 shooting from the field and 9-for-19 on 3s, and the Thunder are 12-for-40 and 6-for-23. Minnesota led by as many as 35 (68-33) in the first. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a team-high nine points but also has four turnovers.

End Q1: Timberwolves 34, Thunder 14

The Timberwolves came out with a sense of urgency in Game 3 and jumped to a 20-point lead over the Thunder. The Timberwolves held the Thunder to 14 first-quarter points, which marks a season-low for Oklahoma City, who shot 6–of-21 from the field and 2-of-11 from three. Anthony Edwards singlehandedly outscored the Thunder with 16 points (6-of-8 FG, 3-of-5 3PT), five rebounds and two assists. Chet Holmgren has a team-high five points.

Thunder-Timberwolves Game 3 starting lineups

Timberwolves starters

Jaden McDaniels
Julius Randle
Rudy Gobert
Anthony Edwards
Mike Conley

Thunder starters

Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein
Lu Dort
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Thunder prepping for Timberwolves’ best shot

Minnesota can’t afford to lose Game 3 and go in a 3-0 hole. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said his team needs to be ready for what the Timberwolves bring as the series shifts to Minneapolis for Games 3-4.

‘The guys understand that Minnesota’s coming home down 0-2 and that we’re going to get a haymaker from them, and we have to rise to that,’ Daigneault said.

Thunder-Timberwolves pregame coach’s chatter

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said his team remains confident and just needs to start making shots.

“We have the utmost confidence,’ Finch said about two hours before Game 3. ‘We’ve got to figure out the adjustments that we need to make. Just try to stay on an even keel. Guys have been putting effort it. They just haven’t made shots. We were very, very happy with the shots that we have been able to generate.

‘Got to tighten some things up. We focused and highlighted on a lot of things that we’ve been doing well and got to bring the urgency to what tonight needs. That’s been our approach.”

Finch said it was important that the Timberwolves avoid the “five-minute meltdown” that hindered his team in the first two games.

What time is Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?

Game 3 of the NBA’s Western Conference final series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.

How to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, stream

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
TV: ABC
Stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 3 predictions

The Oklahoman: Minnesota 110, OKC 108

Justin Martinez writes: ‘It’s hard to win a game in Oklahoma City. Every mistake is magnified by an electric Paycom Center crowd, and that energy fuels some huge OKC runs. But Minnesota will have the home crowd on its side this time, and it’ll be desperate to avoid a 3-0 series hole. I think the Thunder will win this series in five games, and I’m picking the Timberwolves’ lone win to come in Game 3.’

ESPN: Thunder have a 67% chance to win

According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a 67.1% chance to win Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Pickswise: Timberwolves

Staff writes: ‘What has really killed Minnesota is how badly the Wolves have gotten crushed from a turnover disparity perspective, particularly in those disastrous third quarters. Therefore, if Anthony Edwards and company are able to minimize those live-ball mistakes, that should take away a number of chances for Oklahoma City to get out on the break and generate easy points in transition. All things considered, I’ll take Minnesota to get in the win column at home.’

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3 odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win Game 3, according to BetMGM.

Odds as of Saturday, May 24.

Spread: Thunder (-4.5)
Moneyline: Thunder (-150), Timberwolves (+130)
Over/under: 218.5

No Sam Reinhart, sitting out Game 3 after being injured in Game 2.

No Eetu Luostarinen, ejected in the first period for a boarding infraction.

A new look in the Carolina Hurricanes net with Pyotr Kochetkov getting the start.

It didn’t matter. The Florida Panthers improved to 3-0 against the Hurricanes after a 6-2 win on Saturday night. They have outscored Carolina 16-4 in the series and can earn their third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final on Monday with a win at home.

Kochetkov kept the game close as the teams entered the third period tied 1-1. But Jesper Boqvist, reinserted in the lineup after the Reinhart injury, broke the tie early in the third period and the Panthers poured in five consecutive goals in a little more than nine minutes.

Niko Mikkola and Aleksander Barkov each scored twice, and Brad Marchand also scored as the Panthers took advantage of turnovers.

Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov was minus-4 and slammed his stick in frustration after his turnover led to a Barkov goal. He was beaten on another goal and had one deflect in off his skates.

‘You can’t put it all on him … but you can’t be winning at this time of year when you make mistakes like that,’ Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said.

The only disadvantage for the Panthers: Mikkola left the game after going hard into the boards, though coach Paul Maurice said after the game, ‘We think he’s going to be OK.’

Highlights from Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers:

Panthers vs. Hurricanes highlights

Game recap

Final score: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2

The Hurricanes kept it a game for two periods and still got crushed. That’s 15 consecutive losses in the conference finals, dating to 2009. One more Carolina loss Monday night and the Panthers will return to the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row.

Game getting feisty

Andrei Svechnikov and Sam Bennett slash each other and also get misconducts. Then there’s another scrum and Florida’s A.J. Greer goes down the tunnel with an injury.

NHL scores: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2

Matthew Tkachuk goes after Sebastian Aho, who had injured Sam Reinhart in Game 2. On the ensuing power play, Seth Jarvis scores 11 seconds in.

NHL scores: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 1

Brad Marchand scores as the Panthers pour it on.

NHL scores: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 1

The Panthers take advantage of another turnover. Aleksander Barkov’s pass attempt goes in off Shayne Gostisbehere’s stick.

Niko Mikkola injury

The Panthers defenseman, who has two goals, goes hard into the boards and leaves the game.

NHL scores: Panthers 4, Hurricanes 1

‘Dmitry Orlov’s pass is stolen by Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov finishes off the play to give Florida two goals in 29 seconds. Orlov slams his stick in frustration. He’s minus-4 for the game.

NHL scores: Panthers 3, Hurricanes 1

Niko Mikkola scores his second goal of the game, jumping into the rush. The Hurricanes had hit the post not long before that while Sergei Bobrovsky was without his stick.

NHL scores: Panthers 2, Hurricanes 1

The Hurricanes kill off the penalty but turn over the puck in the neutral zone. Jesper Boqvist makes a great move around Dmitry Orlov before scoring on Pyotr Kochetkov. Tough night for Orlov, who had the first Panthers goal go off his skates. Boqvist is in the game because of an injury to Sam Reinhart.

Third period underway

Florida starts on the power play.

End of second period: Panthers 1, Hurricanes 1

Much better period by the Hurricanes. After not connecting on their five-minute power play, they do score on their next one as Logan Stankoven ties the game. But Carolina will need to kill the remainder of a Panthers power play to start the third period.

Panthers go on power play

They pin Carolina in their defensive zone and Sebastian Aho is called for holding Carter Verhaeghe. The power play will carry over into the third period.

NHL scores: Hurricanes 1, Panthers 1

Brent Burns takes a shot from the point and Logan Stankoven knocks in the rebound. The Hurricanes had a lot of movement on that power play before connecting.

Hurricanes go on power play

Gustav Forsling puts the puck over the glass and is called for delay of game.

Panthers go on power play

Near the end of the Eetu Luostarinen penalty, Carolina’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi is called for cross-checking. The Hurricanes kill it off.

Second period underway

Jackson Blake is back on the ice. Panthers still has to kill nearly two minutes of Eetu Luostarinen’s boarding major. No much going for Carolina and Florida gets a couple short-handed rushes.

End of first period: Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour started Pyotr Kochetkov in net to ‘change the vibes,’ and the goalie has shined. The only shot that got past him went in off his defenseman. Still, the Hurricanes trail 1-0 in a must-win game.

We’ll have to see whether Carolina’s Jackson Blake can return after being slammed into the boards. Florida’s Eetu Luostarinen won’t. He receives a five-minute major and game misconduct for that hit. Carolina has two minutes left on the power play to start the second period.

Hurricanes go on power play

They get a five-minute power play after an Eetu Luostarinen boarding penalty and game misconduct is confirmed on review. Hurricanes get a few shots, and about two minutes of the penalty will carry over to the second period.

Jackson Blake injured; Eetu Luostarinen ejected

Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake is slammed into the boards by Eetu Luostarinen and is down on the ice for several minutes before going off. Luostarinen is ejected for boarding.

NHL scores: Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0

Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola throws the puck to the front of the Hurricanes net and it goes in off the skate of Carolina defenseman Dmitry Orlov. The Panthers now have 14 goals from their defensemen.

Panthers go on power play

Pyotr Kochetkov, who has been busy so far in net, is called for tripping Evan Rodrigues. Carolina kills it off, allowing only one shot.

Pyotr Kochetkov saves

He stops Sam Bennett in close, stops him later and scrambles later to keep the puck out of the net.

Game underway

Panthers lead series 2-0.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes starting lines

It will be Florida’s Sam Bennett line vs. the Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho line. Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Pyotr Kochetkov in net.

What time is Hurricanes vs. Panthers Game 3?

Game 3 of the Carolina Hurricanes-Florida Panthers series is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday in Sunrise, Florida.

How to watch Hurricanes vs. Panthers NHL playoff game: TV, stream

Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, Florida)
TV: TNT/truTV
Stream: Sling TV, Max

Stream Hurricanes vs. Panthers Game 3 on Sling

Carolina Hurricanes lineup

Sean Walker injury update

The Hurricanes defenseman was on the ice for warmups but is listed among the scratches on the NHL roster report. Rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin will be in the lineup.

Florida Panthers lineup

Jalen Chatfield injury update

Chatfield will miss his fourth consecutive game with an undisclosed injury.

Hurricanes’ Sean Walker injury update

Coach Rod Brind’Amour said the defenseman is a game-time decision. Walker left Game 2 with an injury.

Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov will start Game 3

Hurricanes backup goalie Pyotr Kochetkov will get the Game 3 start against the Panthers.

“Just change the vibes a little bit,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Saturday morning. “I don’t blame Freddy for any of the goals that went in.”

Kochetkov played the third period of Game 2, giving up one goal on five shots after Andersen yielded four in the first two period.

Kochetkov, who had a 2.60 goals-against average during the regular season, won Game 5 in the first round, 5-4 in overtime against the New Jersey Devils, in his lone previous start when Andersen missed that game because of an injury.

Who is Jesper Boqvist?

Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Jesper Boqvist will play on the top line in Game 3 in place of injured Sam Reinhart.

Boqvist had already played with Aleksander Barkov on that line when Evan Rodrigues was hurt. Rodrigues has returned, so the top line for Game 3 is Barkov, Rodrigues and Boqvist.

‘There’s a familiarity there that lets those guys just go and play,’ Maurice said.

Boqvist signed as a free agent in July and had 12 goals and 23 points during the regular season. He also kills penalties and scored a short-handed goal. He has a goal and an assist in nine games this postseason.

Panthers’ Sam Reinhart won’t play in Game 3

Panthers forward Sam Reinhart won’t play in Game 3 and is day-to-day after being injured during the team’s 5-0 win in Game 2 against the Hurricanes.

Reinhart was sent flying by a Sebastian Aho hit during the first period of Thursday’s game and didn’t return because of a lower-body injury.

Reinhart plays on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and had 57 goals last season. He’s a finalist (along with Barkov) for the Selke Trophy as top defensive forward after finishing with five short-handed goals.

The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday evening to close out the most exciting day in motor sports.

Following Formula One’s Monaco Grand Prix and IndyCar’s Indianapolis 500, the Coca-Cola 600 takes center stage for NASCAR’s annual Memorial Day weekend event and the series’ longest race of the year at 600 miles.

All eyes will be on Kyle Larson, who is attempting the motor sports double for the second consecutive year. Larson will begin his day at Indianapolis, where he starts 19th in the Indy 500 in the No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Following his afternoon at Indy, he will immediately fly to North Carolina and hop into his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for the Coca-Cola 600, as he seeks to become the first driver since Tony Stewart in 2001 to race 1,100 total miles and complete the Indy-Charlotte double.

Larson won the Coca-Cola 600 in 2021 en route to his first Cup Series championship. Can he do it again this year? Here’s all the information you need to get ready for the race:

What time does the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 start?

The Coca-Cola 600 is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

What TV channel is the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on?

There is no national TV broadcast for Sunday’s race. Amazon Prime Video is broadcasting the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, the first of five consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races on the streamer. Prime will air a pre-race show at 5 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the Coca-Cola 600?

The race can be live streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

How many laps is the Coca-Cola 600?

NASCAR’s longest race is 400 laps around the 1.5-mile track for a total of 600 miles. The race will feature four segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 100 laps; Stage 2: 100 laps; Stage 3: 100 laps; Stage 4: 100 laps.

How will Kyle Larson get from Indianapolis to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600?

As soon as Larson’s day is done in the Indy 500 – pending any possible weather delays – the Hendrick Motorsports driver will immediately board a helicopter at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and then get on a plane to fly to Charlotte. Another helicopter will take Larson to Concord, North Carolina, for the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Who won the Coca-Cola 600 last year?

Christopher Bell led 90 of 249 laps, including the final 18, in the rain-shorted race on May 26, 2024. Bell was declared the winner under red-flag conditions with Brad Keselowski finishing second and William Byron third.

What is the lineup for the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600?

(Car number in parentheses)

(19) Chase Briscoe, Toyota
(5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet
(24) William Byron, Chevrolet
(17) Chris Buescher, Ford
(16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
(42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
(54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
(4) Noah Gragson, Ford
(48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
(20) Christopher Bell, Toyota
(47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
(45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota
(7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
(2) Austin Cindric, Ford
(71) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet
(22) Joey Logano, Ford
(84) Jimmie Johnson, Toyota
(21) Josh Berry, Ford
(10) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
(11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota
(12) Ryan Blaney, Ford
(9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet
(38) Zane Smith, Ford
(8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
(99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
(3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
(43) Erik Jones, Toyota
(60) Ryan Preece, Ford
(41) Cole Custer, Ford
(88) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet
(35) Riley Herbst, Toyota
(23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
(87) Connor Zilisch, Chevrolet
(34) Todd Gilliland, Ford
(6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
(51) Cody Ware, Ford
(44) Derek Kraus, Chevrolet
(66) Josh Bilicki, Ford
(77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
(1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet

President Donald Trump knows a thing or two about staying in the conversation.

From the Super Bowl and College Football Playoff games to the Daytona 500 and everything in between, the president is no stranger to big sporting events. So when the ‘greatest day in motorsports’ is on the calendar, it begs the question, will Trump be in attendance?

Options are aplenty on this Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend.

There’s the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1, the Coca-Cola 600 in NASCAR and, of course, the Indy 500 in IndyCar.

After attending the Coca-Cola 600 in 2024 and the Daytona 500 in 2025, it became a question whether the president would make the trek to Indianapolis to check out the ‘greatest spectacle in racing’ at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 109th Indianapolis 500.

Will Trump be in attendance at Indy this year? Here is your answer.

Is Donald Trump going to 2025 Indy 500?

Trump will not be at the Indianapolis 500 in 2025.

The president was invited by IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske during a visit to the White House on April 9. While there is always a possibility of a surprise visit or last-minute change when it comes to Trump, the president appears ready to skip the event this year.

News of Trump opting to not attend the event was first reported by Politico’s Adam Wren. A person with direct knowledge of the situation told IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, the speedway was of the same understanding of the decision.

Has POTUS ever attended Indy 500?

No sitting President of the United States has ever attended the Indianapolis 500.

Several former presidents, however, attended the legendary race after their time in the White House. Gerald Ford was the first former president to attend when he was at the track in 1979. In 2003, former President George H.W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton both attended on race day.

On the other hand, presidents have been at race day prior to their election. Harry Truman attended the Indy 500 in the late 1930s before he was elected, and Trump actually attended the 2002 edition of the race.

In 2011, Trump was named the pace car driver for the 100th Indy 500, but it came during controversial statements he made regarding then-President Barack Obama’s citizenship and his possible run in the 2012 election. After backlash of Trump’s selection for the centennial edition of the race, Trump backed out of his position and was replaced by four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt.