DAN GELSTON Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Be like Mike? Jalen Hurts gets championship tip from Michael Jordan on how to win another Super Bowl

July 23, 2025

Jalen Hurts considers Michael Jordan a friend, and he values his advice. Jordan, who won six NBA titles, shared wisdom with Hurts after the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl win. On Wednesday, during the first day of training camp, Hurts said Jordan used every word but “repeat” when discussing the upcoming season. The Eagles, including coach Nick Sirianni and offensive lineman Jordan Mailata, are focused on resetting for 2025. Hurts, who won Super Bowl MVP, said the season is a blank canvas. He hasn’t been seen wearing his Super Bowl ring, emphasizing his focus on the future.

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover Motor Speedway, Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Denny Hamlin continues climb in NASCAR’s career wins list. With 60 in sight, how far can he go?

July 21, 2025

Denny Hamlin won his 58th career NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway. The victory moved him two away from cracking the top 10 in NASCAR’s career wins list. Hamlin has stood his ground through the years that race wins matter more to his legacy than winning his first career championship. Hamlin is the first Cup driver with four wins this season. He won eight times in 2010, six times in 2019 and seven in 2020, all totals that would get him to 60 this year.

FILE - Denny Hamlin celebrates with the checkered flag after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Dover Motor Speedway, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)

Denny Hamlin vows 23XI Racing will go on, answers will come in December in court battle with NASCAR

July 19, 2025

NASCAR race team owner Denny Hamlin remained undeterred in the wake of another setback in court, vowing “all will be exposed” in the scheduled December trial as part of 23XI Racing’s federal suit against the auto racing series. A federal judge has denied a request from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to race with charters while battling NASCAR in court. This decision means their six cars will compete as open entries at Dover this weekend and Indianapolis next week. The teams argue this move risks their businesses, as charters guarantee race spots and base payouts.

Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez reacts at the end of the Club World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Palmeiras and Chelsea in Philadelphia, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Chelsea advances to Club World Cup semifinals with 2-1 win over Palmeiras

July 4, 2025

Chelsea scored the go-ahead goal on Malo Gusto’s 83rd-minute shot that went in after a pair of deflections, beating Palmeiras 2-1 for a spot in the Club World Cup semifinals. Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead in the 16th minute but Estêvão, an 18-year-old who will transfer to Chelsea, tied the score against his future club with an angled shot in the 53rd. Gusto’s shot following a corner kick appeared to deflect off Agustin Giay and goalkeeper Weverton. Chelsea will face Fluminense on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey.

FILE - Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) shoots the ball against Maryland guard Selton Miguel during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

Ace Bailey of Rutgers shrugs off questions about canceled workout ahead of the NBA draft

June 24, 2025

Rutgers star Ace Bailey remains a mystery heading into the NBA draft. Bailey has not had a public workout for any team, a puzzling strategy that got him called out by critics ranging from current NBA players to analysts to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. A 6-foot-8 forward who can score like few players in this year’s draft class, Bailey offered little explanation Tuesday for why he bailed on a scheduled workout with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers have the No. 3 pick in Wednesday’s draft. One Associated Press mock draft had Bailey dropping to the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 7.

Denny Hamlin celebrates his victory in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

NASCAR set for summer stretch March Madness style. Will new tournament end summer schedule malaise?

June 23, 2025

Following the lead of the NBA, the NASCAR Cup series is planning a five-race, bracket-style tournament that will begin with a night event this weekend in Atlanta. The tournament comes with a $1 million prize to the winner and is part of a new media rights deal that includes TNT. The Atlanta-based cable network will broadcast each race in the tournament, starting off with a 400-miler in its home market on June 28, 2025. The tournament is patterned after in-season tournaments that are staged by soccer leagues around the world and were brought to the NBA this season. Denny Hamlin is the No. 1 seed.

Chase Briscoe holds off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin to win at Pocono

June 22, 2025

Chase Briscoe returned to victory lane Sunday at Pocono Raceway, conserving fuel down the stretch to hold off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin for his first win with his new race team. Briscoe raced his way into an automatic spot in NASCAR’s playoffs and gave the No. 19 Toyota its first victory since 2023 when Martin Truex Jr. had the ride. Briscoe lost his job at the end of last season at Stewart-Haas Racing when the team folded and he was tabbed to replace Truex. Hamlin, who holds the track record with seven wins, appeared on the brink of reeling in Briscoe over the final, thrilling laps only to have not enough in the No. 11 Toytota to snag that eighth Pocono win.

FILE - Hall of Fame driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks on prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sept. 3, 2023, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)

Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins NASCAR national series debut as crew chief at Pocono

June 21, 2025

Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his NASCAR national series debut as a crew chief in Saturday’s Xfinity Series at Pocono Raceway. Pressed into unexpected service, Earnhardt called the shots for 18-year-old prospect Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 Chevrolet and they both landed in victory lane. Earnhardt made a pit stop from his day job as team owner at JR Motorsports with normal crew chief Mardy Lindley suspended one race because of a lug nut infraction earlier this month at Nashville.

Carson Hocevar is introduced to fans prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 25, 2025, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Stenhouse has vowed retaliation on rival Carson Hocevar. Will NASCAR payback be delivered at Pocono?

June 21, 2025

Carson Hocevar walked around Pocono Raceway without a scratch on his face. His polo shirt looked more tailored than tattered and the Spire Motorsports driver was ready to race rather than rumble. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hadn’t socked Hocevar with a right hook quite yet after his threat to beat up his rival after last week’s race. Their beef has little chance of getting squashed any time soon, a dispute that started three races ago when Hocevar wrecked Stenhouse early at Nashville. Hocevar sent Stenhouse spinning last week in Mexico City, which ignited a postrace melee on pit road.

FILE 0 Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner acknowledges the crowd after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

And the Emmy goes to … Phillies star Trea Turner? Documentary on Turner’s ovation wins Emmy Award

June 13, 2025

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner already won an NL batting title and a World Series championship ring in his 11-year MLB career. On deck, an Emmy Award. Turner may not actually have the award in hand to keep for good, but he got to hoist the real deal ahead of Friday’s game against Toronto in a short celebration for the Emmy won on a best sports short documentary produced on the 2023 standing ovation credited with turning around his season. “The Turnaround” won a sports Emmy in May and documentary producer Kyle Thrash and Phillies fan Jon McCann, whose personal struggles with mental health and kinship with Turner were the heart of the film, attended Friday’s game to show off their new bling to Turner.

Kayla Harrison, left, talks to Amanda Nunes after her women's bantamweight bout against Julianna Peña at the UFC 316 mixed martial arts event Sunday, June 8, 2025 in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Kayla Harrison survived sex abuse to win Olympic gold. She’s now a UFC champ with a mega fight ahead

June 8, 2025

Around her neck or around her waist, Kayla Harrison has a knack for winning gold. Harrison is a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist. She’s now a UFC champion after winning the 135-pound title in front of a packed house that included President Donald Trump and Mike Tyson. Harrison remains an outspoken advocate of child abuse as her profile rises as a mixed martial arts champion. Harrison is hopeful of a super fight early next year against UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes. Harrison says “everything I ever wanted is happening.”

Kayla Harrison, right, exchanges punches with Julianna Peña during the second round of a women's bantamweight bout at the UFC 316 mixed martial arts event Sunday, June 8, 2025 in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Merab Dvalishvili retains his 135-pound championship at UFC 316 with President Trump looking on

June 7, 2025

Merab Dvalishvili retained his 135-pound championship when he tapped out Sean O’Malley in the third round in the main event of UFC 316 at the Prudential Center. Dvalishvili, a 34-year-old from the country of Georgia, won the belt in a convincing — though not aesthetically pleasing — unanimous decision last year over O’Malley. Dvalishvili had his number in the rematch in front of a packed crowd that included President Donald Trump and retired heavyweight great Mike Tyson. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison tapped out 135-pound champion Julianna Peña with five seconds left in the second round to add another major championship in her fight career.

DAN GELSTON Sports Writer.