Author: alaskaadmin

The 2026 INDYCAR season has already delivered stellar moments, even before “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” That highly anticipated race happens on Sunday, May 24, with the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Coverage for the Indy 500 begins at 10 a.m. ET. You can watch the Indy 500 pre-race and race broadcasts on FOX and stream the broadcasts on FOX One, FOX Sports.com and the FOX Sports App. Ahead of all the action, we’ve rounded up the best drivers to grace the course. Here are the 10 best Indianapolis 500 drivers of all time. 10 Best Indy 500 Drivers Of All Time 10. Dario Franchitti Although he had one of the shorter Indy 500 careers on this list, Franchitti managed to compile some impressive results. He earned three victories at the track between 2007-2012. Moreover, he added three other top-10 finishes to his name despite participating in just 10 races. His best stretch was when he claimed six top-seven finishes in seven attempts from 2005 and 2012. 9. Arie Luyendyk Luyendyk won the Indy 500 twice, but it was a mixed bag overall. He raced in the event every year from 1985 to 2002 and withdrew in 2003, but he finished outside the top 10 in 10 different races. Still, few can match the success he found, with seven top-10 finishes at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 8. Louis Meyer The first three-time winner in the race’s history, Meyer is one of the top drivers who isn’t talked about nearly enough. He had a truly remarkable race in 1936, becoming just the second racer in history — and last — to win the Indy 500 from a starting position of 28th or lower. Meyer grabbed first and second, respectively, in his first two tries in Indianapolis. 7. Bobby Unser It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Never has that been more true than with Unser, who had just one top-10 finish in his first four tries at Indy. However, Unser would eventually win the Indy 500 three times (1968, 1975 and 1981). In his last four starts, he had three top-six finishes, including winning the event on his last time at the track at age 47. 6. Johnny Rutherford Another three-time Indy 500 winner, Rutherford claimed his victories between 1974 and 1980. Rutherford had a bit of a slow start to this race, finishing 18th or lower in each of his first nine times at the track. He then turned in four straight top-10 finishes, including winning in 1974 and 1976 and grabbing second in 1975. 5. Wilbur Shaw As good as Rutherford’s three-year stretch was, Shaw one-ups him with his bonkers four-year run. From 1937 to 1940, Shaw placed first, second, first and first. A run like that automatically vaults you into the top five in the history of the Indy 500. Before that, it had been an up-and-down race for Shaw, but you cannot overlook just how dominant he was overall, with three victories and seven top-five finishes. 4. Helio Castroneves Castroneves is the first of four drivers on this list tied for the most wins (four) at the Indy 500. He earned his most recent victory in 2021, while his previous three wins came between 2001 and 2009. He’s also one of just six drivers to claim back-to-back Indy 500 victories, doing so in 2001 and 2002. Perhaps the most remarkable part of his driving career at IMS is the fact that he owns the record for the longest span between his first and last win — 20 years. 3. Al Unser Sr. Unser isn’t just tied for the most Indy 500 wins, claiming his four in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. He’s also the oldest winner ever at 47 years, 360 days old, slightly edging out his brother, Bobby. In his second-to-last race at IMS in 1992, Unser finished in third, while his son, Al Unser Jr., was the winner. 2. A.J. Foyt Foyt is undoubtedly deserving of one of the top spots on this list as the first four-time winner in the race’s history, finishing in first place in 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977. Most impressive about his career in Indy, though, is that Foyt has the most starts there of any driver (35), including racing in every single one from 1958 to 1992. 1. Rick Mears The other driver tied for the most wins at IMS, Mears dominated in Indy. He started 11 times on the front row, with six of those times coming consecutively from 1986 to 1991 — both of which are records at the track. He has also claimed a record six pole positions at the event and is one of just 12 racers to earn back-to-back pole positions. Check out all of our Daily Rankers.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

In the NFL, the bar is always rising. Each offseason, superstars reset the market, altering the salaries that the best players at each respective position expect to receive. Well, we’re only a few weeks into the 2026 offseason, and we’ve already seen a few players become the new highest-paid star at their respective position. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba became the most recent player to earn that honor, agreeing to a four-year, $168.6 million pact with the Seattle Seahawks. Smith-Njigba joins an illustrious list of players to be the highest-paid player at their respective position. So, who does he join on the All-Highest-Paid-Player-Per-Position Team?  Here are the NFL’s highest-paid players at each position, per average annual value (AAV), via Spotrac: QB: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys ($60 million AAV) Prescott became the NFL’s highest-paid player when he signed his extension on the eve of the Cowboys’ Week 1 game against the Browns in 2024. The four-year, $240 million deal was the culmination of an awkward offseason in which Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was wishy-washy about paying Prescott. Prescott earned his long-term deal after the best season of his career in 2023, when he completed a career-high 69.5% of his passes and threw a league-leading 36 touchdowns. RB: Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles ($20.6 million AAV) The value of running backs is constantly being disputed and Barkley did a lot to help his peers, and himself, out. Barkley was rewarded with a two-year, $41 million extension after winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year in his first year with the Eagles. The New York Giants didn’t want to pay Barkley after six seasons with the team, so the Eagles took advantage of that, scooping him up in free agency in 2024. WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks ($42.15 million AAV) Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase held the honor of being the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history for roughly a year, thanks to a contract that paid him just north of $40 million per season. But Smith-Njigba’s memorable 2025 campaign helped him usurp Chase for that honor. Smith-Njigba has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seahawks. Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, leading the league in receiving yards (1,793). His dominant regular season preceded Seattle’s run to a Super Bowl title, which saw Smith-Njigba put up a 153-yard performance in the NFC title game. TE: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers ($19.1 million AAV) A few days after the 2025 NFL Draft ended, Kittle agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million extension with the 49ers. His new deal is worth an average of $19.1 million, surpassing the contract Trey McBride ($19M AAV) signed with the Arizona Cardinals earlier in April of that year. The 31-year-old Kittle is the only remaining player from San Francisco’s 2017 draft class, the first with head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. Since the 49ers drafted him in the fifth round that year, Kittle has been one of the top tight ends in the league. In his eight seasons, he’s been a dependable receiver and blocker for the Niners offense. He’s made an All-Pro team five times and earned six Pro Bowl nods, totaling 595 receptions for 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns. However, Kittle might be facing his toughest test yet following another injury-plagued season in 2025. He missed time due to a hamstring tear before tearing his Achilles in the playoffs. OT: Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders ($30.1 million AAV) Tunsil agreed to a two-year, $60.2 million extension at the start of the 2026 offseason that made him the highest-paid offensive tackle. The 31-year-old took that honor from Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, who signed a five-year, $140.6 million extension in 2024. Tunsil has been one of the game’s top offensive tackles since he entered the league in 2016. He’s been named a Pro Bowler five times, and was graded as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-best offensive tackle in 2025. OG: Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys ($24 million AAV) Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler in his first four years in the league, became the highest-paid guard in the NFL in September when he agreed to a four-year, $96 million extension. He did play at left tackle for a bit, though, in 2025. OC: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs ($18 million AAV) Humphrey has been the NFL’s highest-paid center for nearly two years. He signed a four-year, $72 million extension in August 2024. Since then, Humphrey has been named first-team All-Pro twice and became a four-time Pro Bowler through the first five years of his career. DE: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns ($40 million AAV) Garrett was briefly the highest-paid non-quarterback of all-time, signing a contract worth $160 million, including $123.5 million in guarantees, in March 2025. The extension came more than a month after the Browns’ star pass-rusher had requested a trade. Cleveland’s front office, though, was adamant that Garrett would not be dealt. In the end, both sides came to an agreement to keep him in Ohio. Garret repaid the Browns by setting the single-season sack record in 2025, winning his second Defensive Player of the Year award. DT: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs ($31.75 million AAV) Jones became the highest-paid defensive tackle when he agreed to a five-year, $158.75 million deal to remain in Kansas City during the 2024 offseason. The Chiefs star certainly made a strong claim to earn the title of highest-paid player at his position. The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro has recorded at least nine sacks in five of the last eight seasons, helping Kansas City win three Super Bowls during that time. Jones had 29 total tackles and seven sacks this past season. While his box score stats might not pop out, Jones led all defensive tackles in pass-rush win rate (20%) and was third in pressures (63) at the position, per PFF. OLB: Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers ($46.5 million AAV) As part of the surprising trade that saw Parsons go from the Cowboys to the Packers in August 2025, the star edge rusher signed a four-year, $186 million extension to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Parsons was the definition of consistency during his time with the Cowboys, racking up over 12 sacks and 40 tackles each season. He continued that in his first year in Green Bay, logging 12.5 sacks and 41 total tackles despite playing just 14 games as an ACL tear sidelined him for the end of the 2025 season. ILB: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers ($21 million AAV) Of the defensive positions, inside linebacker has the cheapest average annual value contract leader. Still, Warner is making a pretty penny. He reached a three-year, $63 million extension ($56 million guaranteed) when he re-signed with the 49ers in May 2025. Warner is one of the longest-tenured 49ers, having played seven seasons with the team since he was drafted in 2018. He is arguably the NFL’s best inside linebacker, and if not, he’s at least the most consistent. He had been named to three consecutive All-Pro teams before an injury cut his 2025 campaign short. Warner was also the engine of San Francisco’s defense during its run to Super Bowl LVIII. He had recorded at least 118 total tackles in each season of his career prior to his injury-shortened 2025 season. While Smith has never led the league in tackles, he’s finished in the top 10 five times and has finished in the top five in run stops three times, per PFF. CB: Trent McDuffie, CB, Los Angeles Rams McDuffie became the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL just days after the Rams agreed to give up a first-round pick for the star corner. McDuffie signed a four-year, $124 million extension with $100 million guaranteed, taking over the highest-paid cornerback honor from Indianapolis Colts star Sauce Gardner. McDuffie, 25, has been one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks since the Chiefs selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He helped Kansas City win back-to-back Super Bowls in his first two seasons and is a two-time All-Pro. Even though McDuffie missed five games in 2025, he was still productive. He allowed 37 receptions on 55 targets for just 342 yards and three touchdowns this past season, per PFF. McDuffie has allowed just 6.6 yards per attempt when targeted in coverage over his career as well, per PFF. S: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens ($25.1 million AAV) Kyle Hamilton’s monster 2024 campaign (107 combined tackles, 77 solo tackles) earned him a four-year, $100.4 million extension, with $82 million of that guaranteed. The 25-year-old safety is heading into his fifth year in the NFL, all with the Ravens, and has already been named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler three times in his career. K: Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans ($6.5 million AAV) Fairbairn became the highest-paid kicker in the NFL when he agreed to a two-year, $13 million extension with the Texans earlier this offseason. His 44 made field goals in 2025 were the most ever made by a kicker in a single NFL season. P: Jordan Stout, New York Giants Stout was one of a few members of the Ravens’ organization to follow head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants, and he was paid handsomely for doing so. Stout received a three-year, $12.3 million deal at the onset of free agency this offseason. Stout was named first-team All-Pro in 2025, with his 44.9 average net yards per punt leading the league.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Editor’s note: This piece has been updated since it was originally published ahead of the 2025 Daytona 500. There are few sporting events bigger than the Daytona 500, with the 2026 version taking place Sunday (1:30 p.m. ET on FOX). The race happens at Florida’s scenic Daytona Beach. The famous event began in 1959 when Lee Petty won the inaugural race, finishing with an average speed of 135.52 miles per hour. Petty, racing in an Oldsmobile branded car, is also the event’s first winner as both a driver and owner. In all, Daytona has seen 13 multi-time winners and 14 teams win multiple times. William Byron, who last year became the first driver to win back-to-back Daytona races since Denny Hamlin did so in 2019 and 2020, is eyeing a historic three-peat in 2026. That said, who’s the best driver to race this event? Here are the 10 best drivers in Daytona 500 history. 10. Sterling Marlin Marlin’s career at Daytona started with a bang when he earned his first NASCAR victory at the Daytona 500, becoming just the ninth driver to accomplish that feat. Moreover, his second career victory also came at the Daytona 500, winning in back-to-back years — something just five drivers can say about their careers. 9. Bill Elliott Eliott was a fixture at the famed racetrack, making 30 career starts, which ties him with Michael Waltrip for fourth all-time in career Daytona 500 starts. He was also able to claim pole position a record-tying four times throughout his career, including three straight from 1985-1987, doing so with Ford three times and Dodge once. His two victories are tied for the seventh-most all time. 8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. The son of a legend and a NASCAR Hall of Famer in his own right, Earnhardt Jr. was one of the more popular drivers during his time behind the wheel. He was able to deliver for those fans, earning two Daytona 500 victories during that time. Those races were especially meaningful for him after seeing his father struggle to win the race in his career. His average starting position of 5.67 is the second-best all-time for the race. 7. Dale Earnhardt Perhaps the most famous NASCAR driver of all time, Earnhardt made sure to bring his A-game to Daytona. Overall, he collected 34 victories at Daytona International Speedway, but only one of those came specifically at the Daytona 500, winning his 20th attempt at the track in 1998. That race victory was considered the crown jewel of an otherwise stellar racing career. Unfortunately, this track was also the site of his fatal accident in 2001, during his final lap at the event. His devastating loss resulted in numerous safety changes that have made every driver safer since. 6. Dale Jarrett Jarrett was a fantastic driver and the Daytona track brought out the best in him. He claimed three Daytona victories from 1993-2000. His most famous moment at the course, though, was his first victory when he battled Earnhardt in a neck-and-neck battle referred to as the “Dale and Dale show.” Jarrett would pull ahead on the final lap for the heart-racing victory in one of the best battles of all time. 5. Bobby Allison The résumé Allison put together at Daytona is beyond remarkable. He was able to win three races from 1978-1988, collecting victories in 1978, 1982 and 1988. But he routinely was at the top of the leaderboard and within striking distance of winning, finishing in second place three separate times and grabbing third place in two different races. In 1988, he became the oldest Daytona 500 winner on record at age 50. 4. Jeff Gordon Gordon was fantastic at pretty much any track, but he always delivered at Daytona. His first victory there came in 1997, before claiming his second win in 1999 and his final win there in 2005. He also claimed pole position two separate times, in 1999 and then in 2015. Gordon was always at his best when it came to the Super Bowl of racing. 3. Denny Hamlin Hamlin made history in 2020 when he claimed his second consecutive Daytona 500 win. That made him the fourth driver in the race’s long history to win back-to-back races at the event. He would come up short in his quest to become the race’s first-ever back-to-back-to-back winner, but finishing fifth in that attempt is nothing to sneeze at. 2. Cale Yarborough You could make a real argument that Yarborough is the best driver in the race’s history. He’s one of just four racers to win back-to-back times at Daytona, doing so in 1983 and 1984, but he also was able to routinely set himself up well for those races. Yarborough was in pole position four times throughout his time at Daytona, had four second-place finishes and one third-place finish. Yarborough is also one of just two drivers to win multiple times from pole position, joining Elliott. 1. Richard Petty If it wasn’t for Petty, Yarborough would be a shoo-in for the top spot, but Petty was otherworldly at Daytona. He’s the only driver to win the event five times or more, earning seven victories throughout his career there. Moreover, he’s also one of the four drivers to win back-to-back Daytona 500 races. Overall, he has finished in the top three 12 times in his career, a remarkable achievement. Check out all of our Daily Rankers. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are facing off for Super Bowl LX, and NFL will then head south in California for next year’s big game. After Levi’s Stadium hosts its second Super Bowl, it will be SoFi Stadium’s turn to host the title game for the second time. After that, the NFL will reportedly have two more stadiums to host their second Super Bowl. Let’s take a look at the sites of future Super Bowls: Super Bowl Locations and Dates Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the site of the Philadelphia Eagles’ triumph last year, hosted its 11th Super Bowl, which is tied for the most selections in history. Prior to 2026, Levi’s Stadium hosted only one other Super Bowl — Super Bowl 50. SoFi Stadium will host its second Super Bowl in 2027 — the first was Super Bowl LVI in 2022. In 2028, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host its second Super Bowl, most recently hosting in 2019.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

A calling card for both teams in Super Bowl LX is defense. The Seahawks gave up the fewest points in the NFL this season (292), while the Patriots — ranked fourth in points allowed — have been dominant defensively in the postseason, conceding just two offensive touchdowns in three playoff games. So this is the perfect time to recognize the best defenses that have played on football’s biggest stage. In descending order, here are my top nine defenses to have appeared in the Super Bowl — a subjective ranking based on lore, regular-season numbers, playoff success and talent. 9. 2015 Denver Broncos Boasting one of the best defenses of the 21st century, the 2015 Broncos featured a prime Von Miller alongside fellow stars in pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. Denver had the NFL’s best pass defense, with a league-leading 52 sacks and allowing fewer than 200 passing yards per game. The unit held 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton and the Panthers to one touchdown in a 24-10 victory in Super Bowl 50. 8. 1990 New York Giants The 1990 Giants featured arguably the best defensive player of all time in Hall of Fame outside linebacker Lawrence Taylor, along with Pro Bowlers in nose tackle Erik Howard and inside linebacker Pepper Johnson. New York led the NFL in scoring defense (13.2 points allowed per game) and held opponents to 10 or fewer points in nine of its 19 games (regular season and playoffs). The Giants edged the Bills 20-19 in Super Bowl XXV. 7. 2013 Seattle Seahawks The 2013 Seahawks boasted one of the best secondaries of the modern era, the iconic “Legion of Boom” featuring Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. But the defensive front was elite, too, with one of the best middle linebackers of the modern era in Bobby Wagner — currently with the Commanders — plus standout defensive linemen Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. Seattle led the league in scoring defense (the second of four straight years), total defense, pass defense, takeaways and red-zone efficiency. The Legion of Boom held the Peyton Manning-led 2013 Broncos, the league’s top offense that season, to one touchdown in a 43-8 Seattle rout in Super XLVIII. 6. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers Of all the “Steel Curtain” defenses of the 1970s, this group may have been the best to play in the Super Bowl. The ’75 Steelers allowed just 11.6 points per game, which ranked second in the league that season, helping the franchise to a Super Bowl X victory over the Cowboys. Pittsburgh’s 1975 defense had Hall of Famers on every level — defensive tackle Joe Greene, linebackers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert and defensive back Mel Blount. Eight of the 11 starters were Pro Bowlers that season. 5. 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers The 2002 Bucs defense is one of the most iconic units of all time. Its foundation was set by former head coach Tony Dungy, who led the team from 1996-2001 and popularized the “Tampa 2” defense. This Bucs team featured four Hall of Fame defenders in cornerback Ronde Barber, defensive tackle Warren Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks and safety John Lynch, who’s now the general manager of the 49ers. Former Pro Bowl pass rusher Simeon Rice also made his lone All-Pro team with the Bucs in 2002. Tampa Bay’s defense led the NFL in points allowed, red-zone efficiency and yards allowed, helping the franchise to a 48-21 Super Bowl XXXVII win over the Raiders. 4. 1971 Dallas Cowboys The ’71 Cowboys defense posted one of the best-ever Super Bowl performances, holding the Dolphins to just three points in a 21-point beatdown in Super Bowl VI. Just one other team in Super Bowl history (1966-present), the 2018 Patriots, has held its opponent to three points. In 1971, Dallas led the NFL with 51 takeaways. The unit had five Hall of Famers: defensive lineman Bob Lilly, linebacker Chuck Howley, and defensive backs Herb Adderley, Mel Renfro and Cliff Harris. 3. 1972 Miami Dolphins The team with the only perfect season in NFL history not surprisingly had one of the best defenses ever. The ’72 Dolphins led the league in scoring defense (12.2 points per game) and didn’t allow an offensive touchdown in their 14-7 Super Bowl VII win over Washington. Linebacker Nick Buoniconti is the only Hall of Fame defender from the team, but he had three other Pro Bowlers alongside him: defensive end Bill Stanfill and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott. 2. 2000 Baltimore Ravens The 2000 Ravens have a case for the best defense ever. They led the league in points allowed (10.3), run defense (60.6 yards allowed per game) and takeaways (49). Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis was the heart of the unit, but it also had a Hall of Famer in the back end in safety Rod Woodson, plus Pro Bowl defensive tackle Sam Adams. In four playoff games, Baltimore allowed just one offensive touchdown, which came in the divisional round at Tennessee. The Ravens clobbered the Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV. 1. 1985 Chicago Bears The ’85 Bears are widely recognized as having the most feared defense in NFL history. They had four Hall of Famers — linebacker Mike Singletary, defensive tackle Steve McMichael and defensive ends Dan Hampton and Richard Dent — leading their famous “46” defense, an aggressive scheme that overwhelmed opposing offensive lines. The Bears allowed zero points in the NFC divisional round and conference championship games combined, and then held the Patriots to one touchdown in a 46-10 Super Bowl XX rout.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports