Chase Pistone, Former NASCAR Driver, Dead at 42

Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died

NEED TO KNOW

• The grandson of a racing legend, Pistone began learning the sport at the age of 6

• In 2006, he finished in the top 10 at Iowa Speedway
  

Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died, his family members have confirmed. He was 42.

Pistone's older brother Nick Pistone shared the news in a post on social media on Monday, March. 2.

"Well my young brother and best friend is gone," Nickwrote on Facebook. "I'm broken hearted and don't know if I'll ever get over this. I miss you Chase already and I hope you are in a better place. I love you and I miss you so much already!!!!!!!"

Nick did not share Chase's cause of death but along with their brother Tom told Legends Nation to "post the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is 988 on a phone or text."

In their tribute to Chase, the industry news source called the former NASCAR driver "a fixture in motorsports and especially Legend Car racing."

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"Chase was not only a wheelman in Legends and Late Models, but his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends team was a force to be reckoned with every time they showed up at a track, and they usually walked away with the winner's trophy,"Legends Nation wrote.

The grandson of early NASCAR legend "Tiger" Tom Pistone, Chase began racing at age 6.

The younger Pistone won the Summer Shootout Championship Legends four times as a driver (two Semi-Pro, two Pro) between 1999 and 2005 and had over 80 feature event wins in Legends, Late Model and USAR competition, according to his bio.

The Charlotte, N.C. native competed in the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and NASCAR Xfinity (now NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts) Series,according toUSA Today.

In 2006, he finished in the top 10 at Iowa Speedway in the No. 50 Dodge for Bobby Jones Racing.If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.

Read the original article onPeople

byDonna Devi

in

March 03, 2026

Chase Pistone, Former NASCAR Driver, Dead at 42

Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died NEED TO KNOW The grandson of a racing legend, Pistone began learni...

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UConn caps its 11th unbeaten regular season, but coach Geno Auriemma warns tougher March ahead

NEW YORK (AP) — UConn completed its 11th undefeated regular season with avictory over St. John'son Sunday night and is nine wins from repeating as national champion with a seventh perfect season.

UConn St Johns Basketball

Despite winning by an average of nearly 38 points per game, coach Geno Auriemma insisted this season hasn't been as easy it's looked from the outside for theNo. 1 teamin the AP women's basketball Top 25. He also knows winning a 13th national championship won't be as easy as last season's title run.

"I do think when the NCAA Tournament begins, it certainly is not going to be as easy as we experienced it last season," he said. "I think somebody like Paige (Bueckers) can (take over the postseason). We have enough good players to have as good a chance as anybody else out there to win a national championship."

The Huskies (31-0), who have won 47 consecutive games, have two of the best players in college basketball in guard Azzi Fudd and forward Sarah Strong.

"Coach came in (the locker room), said he was proud of us," Strong said after the St. John's win. "We also have a lot to work on to get ready for the Big East Tournament, so just enjoy the win now and be ready to get back to work."

The top-seeded Huskies have a bye until the quarterfinals on Saturday. If they do win another Big East Tournament, they'll enter the NCAAs unbeaten for the first time since the 2017 and 2018 seasons. UConn lost in the Final Four both times in heartbreaking fashion on last-second shots.

"Generally, the best team usually wins the national championship, but not always," Auriemma said. "It's the team who comes together at the right time. We've got a great group. We can do a lot of different things, and our defense has been really, really good all season long. So if we stay in that mindset, then we'll have a chance."

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NET rating

UConn stillheld the top spotin the NET ratings Monday ahead of UCLA, South Carolina and Texas. The SEC has four of the top seven teams, while the Big Ten has seven of the first 17.

Richmond and Princeton are the top mid-major teams, coming in at 37 and 38, respectively.

The NET is just one tool the selection committee uses to figure out which teams make the NCAA Tournament and where they are seeded. It has predicted the winner pretty accurately since it first was used in 2021. Four of the five national champions were No. 1 in the NET on Selection Sunday.

NCAA reveal

The NCAA revealed for the second time this season its top 16 teams heading into the start of conference tournaments and UConn, UCLA, South Carolina and Texas were the No. 1 seeds. Fifteen of the 16 teams were the same as the first reveal, with the only exception being Minnesota entered and Ole Miss exited.

Games of the week

The Power Four conference tournaments begin with numerous potential Top 25 matchups in the Big Ten and SEC. If seedings hold, No. 5 Vanderbilt will face fourth-ranked Texas in the SEC semifinals with a potential 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament on the line.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP women's college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

byDonna Devi

in

March 03, 2026

UConn caps its 11th unbeaten regular season, but coach Geno Auriemma warns tougher March ahead

NEW YORK (AP) — UConn completed its 11th undefeated regular season with avictory over St. John'son Sunday night and i...

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Christina Applegate reveals she had an abortion at 19 amid abusive relationship

Christina Applegatehas rarely let difficulty keep her from sharing her truth, as she proves while opening up about an abusive relationship in her teens that led to her getting an abortion at 19.

Inher new memoirYou With the Sad Eyes, published Tuesday, theMarried…With Childrenactress reflects on the long-term relationship with an abusive boyfriend that began in her late teens. It was with this unnamed beau that Applegate, now 54, found out that she was pregnant in 1991, and eventually chose to have an abortion.

"In late April 1991, I fell pregnant. I want to turn away from what happened, but it's all recorded in my diary," Applegate writes in the memoir delving into her tumultuous life prior to stardom. "There are moments in my life that are too painful to force into narrative or meaning, so I'll let my voice from back then speak."

In the excerpts from Applegate's old journals, she laments discovering that she was "6 1/2 weeks pregnant."

"Two days before I found out, I got into a car accident on the way to the gynecologist. My car didn't survive, but luckily, I did," a young Applegate wrote. "I knew I was pregnant. I couldn't understand why even though I was watching my eating I still felt fat. I couldn't understand why sex made me sick and I cried at the drop of a hat. Now I know. I always felt that if I ever got pregnant when I knew it was the wrong time, I wouldn't have any problem having an abortion. 'Oh, whatever, it isn't even a baby yet.' That's bulls---, this creature is incredible. It makes me feel whole, safe..."

It was her partner at the time that "opened" Applegate's eyes to why her situation was untenable. "My boyfriend said I was a disgusting, self-obsessed, eating-disordered fat pig today (not in so many words)," she reveals. "That opened my eyes a great deal...I don't really understand my relationship anymore. It isn't good. Sometimes I don't think it's worth it... I feel I have lost myself somewhere, and I can't find her for the life of me."

Applegate — who recalls watching her single mom, actress Nancy Priddy, struggle with a heroin addiction and a physically abusive boyfriendin the memoir as well— writes about her own experience with physical abuse at the hands of her unnamed boyfriend, at one point detailing an incident where she was almost certain he would kill her.

"When I look back, I realize something: he seemed to have gotten great enjoyment out of treating me like that," she writes. "He seemed to take pleasure in making me truly believe he was going to kill me. My all-consuming fear appeared to satisfy him. I felt like he could see the terror in my face, how his anger made my body useless. It's as if making me cry, making me feel terror, and my showing him that terror in my eyes had been enough for him. It seemed as though he had gained some power, as though that's what he liked."

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It was with that in mind that Applegate made her decision to end her pregnancy. Things quickly took a turn "only days" after she confirmed that she was expecting, theDead to Mealum shares. Her younger self had self-committed to "killing my child" as she agonized over where she could go to "recuperate from murder..."

"His family will hate me when they find out that I killed their family member because they don't believe in it. But I can't have this baby because I have work to do to entertain this f---ing world. Besides, I can't... now," she writes.

In an entry dated June 13, 1991, Applegate reveals that "it's over," writing: "I feel pretty okay. Just kind of woozy. That gives me no time to realize what I have done. Which is most likely the best right now."

She continues, "I was looking over what I'd written yesterday and just have to laugh. My emotions were extremely warped (I really don't feel that way. Honestly, I think when you're pregnant you tend to feel that way about the male figure in your life). My life is pretty wild. I could seriously write a book. I guess this kind of is."

Years later, the actress welcomed daughter Sadie LeNoble with her musician husband Martyn LeNoble. During an appearance onJimmy Kimmel Livelast month, Applegate revealed that she actually shared her journals with the 15-year-old to show that she understands what she's going through as a teen.

"I let her go through that one because I was like, 'You're not unique in the sense of like -- just understand that your mom understands it, right?'" she told the host at the time. "'You know, that like you're hurting and I'm sorry, I'm going to say ... s--- happens, and it's awful.' I needed her to like see that her mom understood that it hurts."

Applegate, whorevealed in 2021that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, previouslyalluded to her past strugglesduring a 2019 interview with NPR in which she rejected the notion that she's an unrelatable elite.

"My past is no different and also probably a lot darker than a lot of people's," she said at the time. "So I really do take offense when people think that I've had a silver spoon in my mouth and that I haven't seen the dark side of life."

You With the Sad Eyesis now available to purchase wherever books are sold.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byDonna Devi

in

March 03, 2026

Christina Applegate reveals she had an abortion at 19 amid abusive relationship

Christina Applegatehas rarely let difficulty keep her from sharing her truth, as she proves while opening up about an abu...

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Warriors center Porzingis misses 5th straight game with illness coach Steve Kerr calls "mysterious"

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State center Kristaps Porzingis is still dealing with a medical issue that has sidelined him for a week and a half.

Celtics Warriors Basketball

"It's a little mysterious," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before his team hosted the Los Angeles Clipper on Monday night. "We're obviously working with him and hoping that he can get some clarity and he can kind of break through and get to a point to where he's consistently healthy. But that's something that the medical staff is working hard on with him."

Porzingis had returned to practice Friday and was listed as questionable for Saturday's home loss to the Lakers, then missed his fifth straight game Monday with an illness. It's unclear if he will travel for the team's upcoming three-game road trip.

Kerr said he spoke with Porzingis earlier Monday.

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"We had a good chat. He's doing fine," Kerr said. "He's obviously wanting to be back and wanting answers and we'll keep supporting him."

The 7-foot-2 big man from Latvia made his Warriors debut Feb. 19 against his former Boston Celtics team after being acquired in a trade from Atlanta, but hasn't played since. He has appeared in just 18 games overall this season, averaging 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/NBA

byDonna Devi

in

March 03, 2026

Warriors center Porzingis misses 5th straight game with illness coach Steve Kerr calls "mysterious"

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State center Kristaps Porzingis is still dealing with a medical issue that has sidelined him ...

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NFL trade predictions: Fits for Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie

NFL free agency is almost upon us. The first major movement of the new league year comes months ahead of the start of offseason training regiments.

This part of the calendar could pay off in a big way. Last year,Seattle signed Sam Darnoldand he powered them to a Super Bowl title over theNew England Patriots. The teamSeattleplayed in the NFC championship game - theLos Angeles Rams- made a splash in free agency as well bysigning wide receiver Davante Adams.

This year's free agent class has good players at other positions. Pro Bowl players at center (Tyler Linderbaum), linebacker (Devin Lloyd) and edge rusher (Trey Hendrickson) lead the way. There are also many options at running back and wide receiver for teams to choose from.

But this won't necessarily be the only way a player changes teams in this portion of the offseason. Trades could play a huge role in changing the league landscape.

Players on the move:When does NFL free agency start in 2026 and what to watch

Money to spend:How much salary cap space does each NFL team have in 2026?

TheChicago Bearssurged to a division title in 2025 behind an improved offensive line. Chicagosigned center Drew Dalmanin free agency but also used trades to acquire starters on either side of him inJoe ThuneyandJonah Jackson.Dallas acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers via tradeand he became a second-team All-Pro.

Player movement doesn't need to be limited to the open market. Here are four trades involving veteran players that could be made around the start of free agency:

NFL free agency 2026:LB tops Tyler Dragon's top 32 free agents

CBTrent McDuffieto theLos Angeles Rams

McDuffie is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract. His cap number jumps from $4.46 million to $13.63 million, per OverTheCap figures, which is no small deal for the Chiefs who are looking to add to the roster and had to release starting tackle Jawaan Taylor to get under the 2026 salary cap.

McDuffie is a year away from free agency. Chiefs outside cornerback Jaylen Watson is heading to free agency this season. This feels like a Kansas City roster in transition with key free agents at all levels on the defense and multiple spots on offense. The biggest piece on the defense, defensive lineman Chris Jones, is another year older.

Kansas City can rely on developing secondary talent. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Co. have a track record of turning Day 3 or undrafted players into viable starters or even Pro Bowlers (e.g. Watson and Charvarius Ward). Spending big money at the cornerback position may not be the best use of their resources knowing this.

That makes offloading McDuffie a year before he hits free agency more lucrative. Los Angeles' needs at cornerback were exposed at times in the playoffs and they have an extra first-round pick this year. If they don't want to use that to find Matthew Stafford's successor or another piece to develop, they could maximize Stafford's post-MVP year with a splash trade. Los Angeles is running out of time before their young defense gets expensive. They've found and developed talent on the defensive line and this could balance that out ahead of key contract decisions.

EdgeMaxx Crosbyto theSan Francisco 49ers

Las Vegas is starting over in 2026 with a new head coach (Klint Kubiak) and starting quarterback (presumably Fernando Mendoza). This isn't exactly a team for a veteran defensive lineman looking for his best success after years of individual accolades and recognition.

San Francisco's reaching the twilight years of many of their stars. It's unlikely Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams and Fred Warner can keep up All-Pro level production for much longer. Plus, an ironman who rarely misses games would be a welcome sight for a 49ers team that constantly navigates injuries.

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San Francisco would likely have to send at least a first-round pick to the Raiders for Crosby depending on how much salary they take on. The 49ers have a decent amount of cap space and can create more by restructuring deals with Nick Bosa and Brock Purdy. It'd certainly paper over some concerns about the interior defensive line with Bosa and Crosby on the edges.

For Las Vegas, it'd help turn the page to a new era of Raiders football. Crosby doesn't quite match up with their current timeline as the team is likely at least two years away from properly contending. Another asset in the form of a first-round pick could lay the groundwork for a more complete turnaround.

2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Spencer Fano, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Miami Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – WR Denzel Boston, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Baltimore Ravens – DL Caleb Banks, Florida

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Makai Lemon, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. Minnesota Vikings – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Carolina Panthers – DT Peter Woods, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 23. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 30. Denver Broncos – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 31. New England Patriots – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine

WRMichael Pittman Jr.to thePittsburgh Steelers

Alec Pierce enjoyed a breakout year for theIndianapolis Coltsin 2025 and is hitting free agency this offseason. Dallas put the franchise tag on Pickens which makes Pierce arguably the top option on the free agent market this year – if he gets there.

Looking at the 2026 NFL Draft, there are many big-bodied outside receivers in the mold of Pittman who the Colts could target as a successor and instead use the money they'd save to retain Pierce. Pittman's on the final year of a three-year extension he signed in 2024 and will count $29 million against the cap in 2026. Indianapolis would save $24 million by trading him before June 1 which would free up space to sign Pierce as well as quarterback Daniel Jones.

For Pittsburgh, the offense could use more weapons on the outside beyond D.K. Metcalf. He's a vertical threat thanks to his speed and Pittman would bring another physical skillset to the offense. The Steelers have a dozen picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including a projected five combined selections in Round 3 and Round 4. If they're willing to take on most of his salary, Indianapolis could get one of those selections back in a deal that may be worthwhile for both teams.

WRA.J. Brownto theBuffalo Bills

Neither Eagles coach Nick Sirianni nor general manager Howie Roseman completely shut the door on potentially moving on from Brownwhen asked about a potential tradeduring the NFL scouting combine.

"Will A.J. be here next season?" Sirianni said. "I think we're still in a spot, like, I can't guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season. I'm thinking I'm going to be the coach next season but you can't guarantee anything past tomorrow."

If the team is open to a deal, Buffalo may be the team who comes calling.

The Bills have struggled to find consistent high-level production from the wide receiver position since Stefon Diggs' peak in 2021 and 2022. With New England now viewed as contenders following a breakout run to the Super Bowl, Buffalo can't cruise to an AFC East title and wait to make noise in the playoffs.

Brown is entering his age-29 season and holds a $23.39 million cap hit in 2026. The Bills would have to move money around to make this work but it could be worth it to make a statement in Year 1 of the Joe Brady tenure. Buffalo has just seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft so it may have to be a package of multiple picks to make it work, especially if they cannot take on all of Browns' owed money for 2026. It would take some work but could in the end be very worth it for both parties.

DTJordan Davisto theJacksonville Jaguars

If Brown stays put, the Eagles could make a different move. Like Pittman and McDuffie, Davis is one year away from free agency and thePhiladelphia Eaglesalways seem to plan ahead. They drafted and developed Moro Ojomo in the likely (and ultimately true) event of Milton Williams signing elsewhere in free agency last season. They may execute a similar playbook this offseason.

Davis is in the final year of his rookie contract and counts for $12.93 million against the cap in 2026. Philadelphia may judge the current state of the roster and prioritize retaining trade deadline acquisition Jaelan Phillips, who could cost upwards of $18 million per year on his next deal.

Jacksonville doesn't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft but does have 10 total selections over seven rounds. After making a run to the playoffs in 2025, Jacksonville has some work to do to maintain that postseason presence in 2026. Improving the interior defensive line between Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker should be one of the priorities.

They could flip one of their projected Day 2 or Day 3 picks to the Eagles in return for Davis. The Jaguars would need to shift money around to make it work but could move money around on current deals for Hines-Allen, Patrick Mekari and Walker Little to create some space for this move.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL trade predictions: A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie find perfect fits

byDonna Devi

in

March 03, 2026

NFL trade predictions: Fits for Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie

NFL free agency is almost upon us. The first major movement of the new league year comes months ahead of the start of off...

Read More