Thursday, 15 October 2026
NASCAR CEO: TOM CRUISE WANTS TO RACE IN ARCA FOR 'DAYS OF THUNDER 2'
"I’m not sure that’s going to happen, but he wants it to be as authentic as it can be."
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| Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/James Lang |
Over 25 years following Days of Thunder’s original release in 1990, the cult classic’s long-awaited sequel is slated to hit theaters in 2028, with Tom Cruise reprising his role as Cole Trickle, a dirt open-wheel racer who enters the NASCAR Cup Series despite zero experience with stock car racing.
According to NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell, who discussed the upcoming film at Front Office Sports’ Tuned In conference on Tuesday, Cruise, who is famous for doing as many of his own stunts as possible, wants to get behind the wheel for real this time around.
“I was shocked. We have an ARCA racing series … Tom wanted to go race in one of those,” O’Donnell said. “I’m not sure that’s going to happen, but he wants it to be as authentic as it can be.”
While preparing for the first film in 1987, Cruise tested a second-tier O’Reilly Auto Parts Series car at Daytona, topping out at nearly 180 MPH.
ARCA is a minor, semi-professional national touring series that serves as a feeder series into NASCAR. The ARCA Menards Series will begin its 20-race schedule for 2027 at Daytona on Feb. 20, making stops at other iconic racing tracks such as Talladega.
It’ll be up to the discretion of NASCAR, which acquired ARCA in 2018, whether a 64-year-old Cruise will be qualified to race in the series. However, the barrier to entry is relatively low compared to the Truck, O’Reilly, or Cup Series, with 15-year-olds and even YouTube star Cleetus McFarland competing in the past.
O’Donnell says that the Hollywood icon wants the sequel to be as authentic as possible. Several drivers have said they’ve communicated with the filmmakers to help achieve that authenticity, answering questions about racing, and offering advice on stories and scenes, per USA Today. Carson Hocevar, who drives the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, has been in communication with Cruise’s team since January for the film.
“I think if you look at the first one, it showcased what NASCAR was at the time. And so, in talking to Tom Cruise when he was at Daytona, it’s all about where we are today and going forward,” O’Donnell said. “It’s embracing, you know, instead of a car being put together back in the garage, it’s embracing the technology, everything that goes into the sport. And Tom’s message to us was, ‘I’m going to put you in front of an entirely new audience, and you need to be ready.'”
Jonathan Levine will direct the film, with Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway starring alongside Cruise, who is also producing the sequel with Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
O’Donnell is looking at the upcoming blockbuster as a prime opportunity to grow the sport.
“Do people understand the point system? How does the Chase work? How long are your races? All these things to make sure that a new fan who may come out to the racetrack understands,” the CEO said. “Because for us, this is a whole new open door for us to bring new fans.”
- Qwame Skinner
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
FANS REACT TO SHAI HOPE AND KEEMO PAUL STAR IN WEST INDIES' WIN OVER INDIA TO LEVEL T20I SERIES 2-2
- West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the 4th T20I to level the five-match series 2-2.
- Shai Hope's century and Keemo Paul's five-wicket haul proved decisive in Hyderabad.
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| Fans react as Shai Hope and Keemo Paul star in West Indies' win over India to level T20I series 2-2 (Pic Source: X.com) |
Table of Contents
- Shai Hope’s century powers West Indies to a massive total
- Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul seals West Indies’ victory
- Here’s how fans reacted:
West Indies produced a commanding performance to defeat India in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14. The visitors defended a massive total in a high-scoring contest to draw level in the five-match series and take the battle to a decisive final match.
Captain Shai Hope led the charge with a magnificent unbeaten century before Keemo Paul dismantled India’s batting lineup with a five-wicket haul. Although the hosts put up a strong fight during their chase, they eventually fell short, prompting fans to react to the performances and the series result on social media.
Shai Hope’s century powers West Indies to a massive total
After India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field, West Indies made full use of the batting-friendly conditions to post a formidable 247/3 in 20 overs. Hope was the standout performer, smashing an unbeaten 102 off just 50 balls at a strike rate of 204.00. His innings featured four boundaries and nine sixes as he put the Indian bowlers under sustained pressure.
The West Indies skipper received excellent support from Sherfane Rutherford, who remained unbeaten on 49 off 26 deliveries, and Shimron Hetmyer, who hammered 33 off just 12 balls. Rovman Powell also contributed 24 runs to help the visitors finish with a daunting total. India’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav both conceding 52 runs in their four-over spells. With 248 runs required for victory, India faced a challenging task in the second innings.
Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul seals West Indies’ victory
India began their chase aggressively, with Sanju Samson providing an explosive start. The opener smashed 56 off just 23 balls, striking six fours and four sixes to keep the hosts in the hunt. Tilak Varma added 43 off 25 deliveries, while Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a quickfire 41 off 20 balls, including four sixes. Their contributions kept India’s hopes alive, but West Indies continued to strike at crucial moments.
Gudakesh Motie played an important role with figures of 2/13, removing key batters and slowing India’s progress. Paul then delivered the decisive blows, finishing with figures of 5/41 in four overs to break through the Indian batting order. Despite the efforts of India’s middle order, the hosts were bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs, handing West Indies a 24-run victory. The result levelled the five-match series at 2-2, setting up a winner-takes-all fifth T20I at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17.
Here’s how fans reacted:
High-scoring epic! Despite a fierce fight from India, West Indies defend their 247/3 to register a thrilling 24-run win ⚡#INDvWI #westindiescricket pic.twitter.com/ZDrTBgFxhH
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 14, 2026
Shai Hope and Keemo Paul led an inspiring performance against India, setting up an enticing T20I series decider in Bengaluru 👊https://t.co/qvj17gCM6w
— ICC (@ICC) October 14, 2026
Terrific win by West Indies to level the series at two all with one to go. The series of “HOPE” continues.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 14, 2026
The West Indies are beating India at their own game, which is to outhit the opposition. 6s are the differentiators in the game and the West Indies have surpassed India so far.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 14, 2026
shai hope did the damage with the bat, keemo paul finished the job with the ball. brilliant from wi 👍
— Royal (@royalpinto007) October 14, 2026
🚨 WEST INDIES HAVE LEVELLED THE T20I SERIES IN HYDERABAD 2-2. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wFnMtaourU
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 14, 2026
India won the 1st match.
West Indies won the 2nd match.
India won the 3rd match.
West Indies won the 4th match.
A PEAK T20I SERIES 🥶 Shai Hope, The hero of West Indies, We are witnessing greatness. pic.twitter.com/2ItpFqVcgt
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 14, 2026
Kitne aadmi the? Sirf do — Shai Hope aur Keemo Paul! 🔥 Ek ne batting se toda, toh doosre ne bowling se! 🥶#Indvswi pic.twitter.com/e6AI0xrQ4h
— Huzaifa Mir (@huzaifamir95) October 14, 2026
West Indies beat India by 24 runs in Hyderabad to level the T20I series 2-2. WI post 247/3; India are all out for 223 in 19.3 overs. Shai Hope hits 102*; Keemo Paul takes 5/41. Photo: PTI/India Today. File photo. Edited poster. #INDvWI #Cricket pic.twitter.com/bjWDeIoOEZ
— Harshit singh (@Harshit92135329) October 14, 2026
WEST INDIES WIN BY 24 RUNS, SERIES LEVEL 2-2.
Arshdeep Singh retired hurt (left-shoulder pain), ending the match. India finished 223/9. Shai Hope (century) and Keemo Paul (5-wicket haul) secured the win. pic.twitter.com/WP6ywi7g57
— Cricket Pakistan (@crickethub_pk) October 14, 2026
- Ekansh Rastogi
ALVARO ARBELOA HIT WITH £25K FA FINE AFTER SAYING REFEREE WOULD 'NOT LET MANCHESTER UNITED LOSE'
Arbeloa made the comments about match officials following Fulham’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United last month
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| Alvaro Arbeloa hit with £25k FA fine for Man United comments Alvaro Arbeloa has been fined (Bradley Collyer/PA) PA Wire |
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has received a £25,000 FA fine and a warning on Wednesday for post-match comments questioning the integrity of the referee following last month’s Premier League match against Manchester United.
Arbeloa accepted a charge that he had "acted in an improper manner" through remarks made after the 1-1 draw between the sides at Craven Cottage on 20 September.
"I think all fouls for them," the Spaniard stated following the match, in reference to United, who had lost to Manchester City the previous weekend due to a contentious goal.
"Every decision was for them," Arbeloa added, "and I knew, I knew after the game against Man City that they don’t let Manchester United lose here."
Written reasons published on Wednesday showed the independent commission investigating the incident "felt that those words suggested, not only that there was bias on the part of the match officials throughout the game on repeated occasions, but also that there may even have been an element of pre-meditation by them and/or others to try to make up for an error in a different match."
Arbeloa is currently in his first season at Fulham having left Real Madrid over the summer.
Fulham are currently bottom of the table after taking just two points from their opening six games. One of those draws came against United, while they also earned a point away at Liverpool. They have been beaten by Chelsea, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town.
Arbeloa’s side are due to return to action when they host newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday at Craven Cottage. They will then face another promoted club, Coventry City, seven days later before playing Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup for a spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Fulham’s final match in October will be a trip to Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have failed to bounce back after last month’s draw at Fulham. Since returning from the international break, Michael Carrick’s side have been held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Tottenham, and they were then beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
- Sam Brookes
CARLOS ALCARAZ REACTS TO DJOKOVIC'S SHANGHAI REMARKS AFTER SHOCK LOSS
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| © Tiempodetenis1 / X / Fair Use |
Carlos Alcaraz has agreed that there are some strange things about the playing conditions at the Shanghai Masters after Novak Djokovic complained about the speed of the courts at the Chinese tournament.
The Spaniard suffered a disappointing third-round exit on Monday after losing 7-5, 7-6(4) to Belgian Zizou Bergs. Following the match, the 23-year-old was asked about Djokovic's recent criticism of the courts and whether he had similar feelings.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had described the Shanghai courts as too quick after his second-round defeat to Hubert Hurkacz. Alcaraz, meanwhile, pointed out that the conditions felt completely different between his opening match and the encounter with Bergs.
"To be honest, I just felt the first round it was really, well, it was fast. Today I didn't feel the same way. So, it's weird that in just two days it can feel that I can feel the court, feel the conditions, way different," Alcaraz said.
"Obviously, the first round I played with the roof closed. Today I played outdoors. Yeah, I felt different. I felt the first round it was really quick. Today the ball was bigger, and it was a little bit slower. I don't know why. It's something weird, and something that they have to look after."
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| Carlos Alcaraz. © carlosalcarazbr / X / Fair Use |
Interestingly, the seven-time Grand Slam winner had praised the faster Shanghai courts just two days earlier, following his opening victory against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
"The court is quite fast, which I like, but that's exactly why I didn't start very well. I couldn't find the rhythm or read his serve well, so I decided to try something different," the former world No. 1 explained at the time.
Djokovic and Fritz also had complaints in Shanghai
Djokovic was another player who struggled to adjust to the conditions in Shanghai. The 39-year-old arrived at the tournament after winning his seventh China Open title in Beijing, but his Shanghai campaign ended in his first match.
Hurkacz defeated the Serbian 6-4, 6-3, recording his first victory over the former world No. 1 after losing their previous eight meetings.
The Polish player hit 13 aces and 28 winners during the match, while Djokovic admitted that the fast conditions and his physical condition made things difficult.
The four-time Shanghai champion had enjoyed much better results at the tournament in previous years, winning the title in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018.
Taylor Fritz also had something to say about the balls used in Shanghai this year. The American complained that they were losing their speed too quickly, making it difficult to finish points even when hitting aggressively.
"Thank goodness they sped up the courts this year. The game is faster, so at least that helps a little," Fritz said.
"But these balls are so fast when they're new, and then they wear out at a crazy pace. Once they're worn, it's a nightmare trying to finish a point. It's so hard."
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| Taylor Fritz© Tiempodetenis1 / X / Fair Use |
However, Bergs did not completely agree with Alcaraz's complaints about the balls. The Belgian admitted that some bounces were not perfect, but claimed that the general conditions were good.
"The balls are exactly the same as those we used in the previous tournament, so I don't think the problem comes from there," Bergs said.
"It is true that, now and then, there was an odd bounce on the court. That is something I noticed even during the warm-up. You might encounter a bad bounce every ten or twenty shots. That exists, and I won't deny it, but I think that, in general, both the courts and the balls are very good."
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| Zizou Bergs. © ma__linharess / X / Fair Use |
Alcaraz also admitted his own performance was far from the level he wanted against Bergs. The world No. 3 made many unforced errors and struggled with his returning throughout the match.
"Today it wasn't a good match from my side. I didn't play good. I would say it was a really bad level from me, and it was a really good level from him," Alcaraz said.
The Spaniard had arrived in Shanghai after successfully defending his Tokyo title and winning seven consecutive matches. Since returning from injury, he has won 11 of his 13 matches.
Despite that record, Carlos admitted that finding anything positive immediately after the defeat was quite difficult.
"Right now, all the negative thoughts come to my mind and none of the positives. But I think I will take the good things about having matches," the Spaniard said.
"I can re-watch the matches with my coach, with my team. It's going to be really helpful for the next tournament."
Alcaraz is now expected to return at the Paris Masters in November, where he will try to improve on last year's result. In 2025, the Spaniard lost his opening match in Paris to Cameron Norrie.
- Sead Dedovic
LISANDRO MARTINEZ SAYS MANCHESTER UNITED LACK 'AMBITION' IN CRITICISM OF CLUB'S LEADERSHIP
Defender launched a blistering attack on United’s director of football Jason Wilcox
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| Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez during the Uefa Champions League, league phase match at against Atletico Madrid. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA |
Lisandro Martinez called out Manchester United’s lack of ambition as the defender doubled down on his withering criticism of the club’s hierarchy.
Michael Carrick’s 10 men fell to a 2-0 loss at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday but the only talking point afterwards revolved around a player nicknamed “The Butcher” wielding his cleaver.
Martinez criticised United’s director of football Jason Wilcox for a lack of summer transfer business during an interview with Prime Video.
But the Argentina international did not stop there as the outspoken centre-back reiterated his stance when speaking to former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel on CBS Sports.
“We are trying to be positive and trying to be honest,” Martinez said. “We have to change, we have to do more because I think we are capable to do better.
“We have the players and, yeah, we expect but also, for sure, when you watch the television and you watch the games, you see the players and the manager and you point the finger, which is right.
“We take the responsibility but also as a club I expect more, you know. I expect more. I’m not going to close my mouth.
“I expect more. We need more and we need more ambition. We need to talk more about winning the Champions League, to talk about winning the Premier League in terms of other things.”
When Schmeichel pointed out that it was only October, the frustrated United defender said: “Yeah, but every season we are talking the same thing.”
After the 1999 treble winner interjected to say clubs did not win or lose anything at this stage of a campaign, Martinez said: “No, no for sure. For sure. But if we don’t say the truth, nothing will change.”
Martinez’s interviews will dominate the build-up to Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated Premier League trip to rivals Leeds as pressure mounts on Carrick.
The 28-year-old suggested there should also be focus on the Ineos-led boardroom as United travel to West Yorkshire with their worst points tally after six games since 1986 and fresh from a fruitless night in Spain.
United reacted well after falling behind inside a minute to an avoidable Pablo Barrios goal, with Atleti substitute Ademola Lookman completing a 2-0 win shortly after Leny Yoro was sent off.
“I think the belief, the energy [are issues],” Martinez said. “We are not playing well as a team. You can see the disconnection.
“We can’t do sometimes three, four passes together and the body language. We miss some chances and we are negative.
“And, yeah, when you play against these teams, especially in Champions League, you can’t miss [the] opportunity and you can’t concede in the first minute the goal we concede and, yeah, that’s it.”
Asked whether the disconnect he mentioned was down to a lack of confidence, fitness or understanding, the United defender said: “Yeah, for sure the confidence and also the rotation in the team, you know.
“Because we have many, many games and you have to rotate players and, for me, we don’t have the best squad at the moment compared with other top teams.”
- PA
Tuesday, 13 October 2026
GIANNI INFANTINO IN FRESH FIFA CONTROVERSY OVER 'SECRET WORLD CUP PAYMENT'
Gianni Infantino allegedly failed to disclose a World Cup payment he received
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| Gianni Infantino in fresh controversy over 'secret World Cup payment' Infantino reportedly failed to disclose a World Cup payment Reuters |
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was paid a previously undisclosed $1.72 million World Cup sum, according to Fifa and IRS documents obtained by ESPN.
The report, published on Tuesday, said the absence of transparency surrounding the remuneration is a potential breach of Fifa statutes.
Records from the IRS show Infantino was given the money in 2024 by FWC2026, the US-based organisation established by Fifa to operate the 2026 World Cup held in North America this summer.
This $1.72 million came on top of Infantino's salary and benefits from Fifa for 2024, which totaled around $4.9 million. Per the report, the supplementary payout was omitted from Fifa's 2024 annual report.
According to Fifa's rules, "The individual compensation of the Fifa President, the members of the Council and the Fifa Secretary General shall be made public."
A spokesperson for Fifa told ESPN that the governing body "strongly rejects any suggestion there has been a violation" of the statutes.
A Fifa statement read: "Fifa does not pay a second salary to the Fifa President and complies with all reporting requirements in relation to compensation. The Fifa President's annual compensation, as well as other contractual benefits, are decided by the independent Compensation Sub-Committee.
"Fifa strongly rejects any claims that it has failed to disclose any financial information and has violated Fifa's Statutes. Fifa accounts are independently audited, and all declarations are in line with tax regulations in Switzerland, the United States and elsewhere.
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| Gianni Infantino in fresh controversy over 'secret World Cup payment' A Fifa spokesperson reacted to the fresh controversy surrounding Infantino Reuters |
"Fifa is fully focused on the Fifa Council meeting on Thursday and looks forward to discussions with its members to further grow the game following the most successful Fifa World Cup in history."
It is the newest controversy to hit Infantino, 56, who has been in post since 2016. Earlier this year, he faced criticism over a since-abandoned plan to sell a 20 per cent stake in the World Cup to private investors.
Despite the controversy surrounding Infantino, he still intends to stand for re-election as president next March. It was also announced last week that Aleksander Ceferin, who has been a fierce critic of Infantino, is planning to seek a fourth term as Uefa president.
- Sam Brookes
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