DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kyle Busch won the pole for NASCAR’s season-opening Daytona 500 to give the driver with the longest active losing streak in “The Great American Race” a shot at the victory that has escaped him his entire career.

Busch is 0-for-20 in the Daytona 500 and hasn’t started in the top five since 2016, when he drove for Joe Gibbs Racing. He started fourth and finished third that year then was a career-best second to then-teammate Denny Hamlin in 2019.

“Kyle, we’ve got to get him this 500,” team owner Richard Childress said.

“Sounds really good right now — being able to qualify on my first pole for the Daytona 500, that’s pretty special,” said Busch, who wore custom-designed Olympic-themed racing shoes at Daytona International Speedway.

He earned the pole Wednesday night with a lap at 183.925 mph in a Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, the team that signed him before the 2023 season when his contract was up with Gibbs and his salary was too high for most teams.

But his time in the No. 8 has been rocky for the two-time NASCAR champion. He has won three races since joining RCR — all in his first season — and takes a 93-race losing streak into the Daytona 500.

His pole run continues a strong few weeks for Busch and his family: Older brother, Kurt, was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame last month.

“Feels really good for RCR as a group,” Busch said. “Just a valiant effort by everybody here. It would be really nice to be doing an interview like this about being No. 1 come Sunday night.”

RCR last put a car on the pole for the Daytona 500 in 2014 when Austin Dillon, Childress’ grandson, qualified first. Dillon won the race in 2018.

Chase Briscoe, last year’s pole sitter, qualified second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“It’s a really big deal, not only for myself, but I haven’t even checked my phone. I’m sure [Bass Pro Shops owner] Johnny Morris is ballistic already,” Briscoe said of his sponsor. “He gets super fired up for this race. He’s called me two or three times this week telling me he’s so excited to get here and asking me how the car is. It’s a big deal for him, as well. It should be awesome to be on the front row again Sunday.”

Although 37 drivers were locked into the race ahead of time trials, the starting order is not determined until after a pair of Thursday night qualifying races. Of those locked in, 36 are chartered cars that are guaranteed a spot in every race. An additional slot went to seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson under a provisional rule that allows for a 41st “world-class driver” trying to enter a Cup event.

Johnson is a two-time Daytona 500 winner who finished third last year. He left full-time NASCAR racing after the 2020 season.

Two of the open spots were claimed by Corey Heim for 23XI Racing and Justin Allgaier for JR Motorsports. They were the fastest cars in time trials.

Heim, last year’s Truck Series champion, will be making his Daytona 500 debut.

“Kind of nerve-wracking for sure,” the 23-year-old from Georgia said. “So impressed and thank you for 23XI Racing and Toyota, coming here with an open car and a fourth team at 23XI, to be able to do that is pretty impressive even from my eyes. I feel like that’s a very big accomplishment from those guys. Just blessed to be a part of the team.”

Allgaier is in the race for the fourth time in his career and the second consecutive year while driving for two-time race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“It’s such a great sport to be part of it, and it’s awesome to be able to come down here and try to make your way in,” Earnhardt said. “It is stressful, but that’s the best part about it.”

There are two remaining open spots that will be decided Thursday night via a pair of 150-mile qualifying races. The highest finisher in each race among the drivers not qualified will earn a berth in the Daytona 500.

Those still trying to get in the race are Anthony Alfredo, Corey LaJoie, BJ McLeod, Casey Mears, Chandler Smith and J.J. Yeley. Only two will race Sunday.

Manchester United said Thursday that the club takes pride in being “inclusive and welcoming” following co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that the UK has been “colonized by immigrants.”

Ratcliffe said he was sorry if he had “offended some people” for his remarks in a Sky News interview on Wednesday, which were heavily criticised by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

Sources have told ESPN that the English Football Association (FA) is aware of Ratcliffe’s comments and is looking into the matter.

“Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club,” the Premier League club said in a statement.

“Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home.

“Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.

“We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.”

Earlier on Thursday. Ratcliffe said in his own statement: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.

“My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.

“My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone. It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”

His attempt to row back cut little ice with the Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club (MUMSC), who issued a dissatisfied response.

“We have noted Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s apology for his ‘choice of language,’ the group said. “However, we do not believe this sufficiently addresses the seriousness of what was said.

“The term ‘colonised’ was repeated and used to describe modern Britain. That language carries significant weight and cannot be dismissed as simply poor phrasing.”

“Expressing regret for causing offence is not the same as acknowledging the wider impact of words used. Leadership requires accountability as well as openness to debate.”

Ratcliffe told Sky News on Wednesday: “You can’t have an economy with 9 million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.

“I mean, the UK is being colonized. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonized by immigrants.”

Should the FA choose to formally investigate the comments, the probe may be focused on FA Rule E3.1, which covers general activity.

The rule states: “A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”

Rule E3.2 states that a breach of Rule E3.1 would be considered an “aggravated breach” where it includes a reference, whether express or implied, to any one or more of the following — ethnic origin, color, race, nationality, religion or belief, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability.

Ratcliffe, as a club co-owner, is subject to FA rules as a participant.

– UK PM Starmer demands apology from ‘offensive’ Ratcliffe
– Sir Jim Ratcliffe: ‘Very unpopular’ Man United changes paying off

Burnham, who is part of a group of local officials working with Ratcliffe and United on the regeneration of the Old Trafford area and stadium, said: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races and faiths have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC.

“Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing, portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory and should be withdrawn.

“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester’s NHS and other essential services and industries.

“We appreciate their contribution as a city region famous for the warmth of our welcome.”

In what appeared to be criticism of the Glazer family who hold a majority stake in United, Burnham added: “If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions.”

ESPN’s Rob Dawson and PA contributed to this report.

Team USA has won its opening game in the 2026 Olympic men’s ice hockey tournament, upending Latvia by a final score of 5-1.

The contest was not without some drama, as the first period included two successful coach’s challenges from Latvia that wiped U.S. goals off the board.

After that, however, the ice seemed to tilt the Americans’ way, and goals from Tage Thompson, Auston Matthews and a pair from Brock Nelson were the difference.

Here’s what we learned in the opener, along with an overall team grade and big questions to ponder prior to Team USA’s matchup against Denmark on Saturday.

Takeaway 1: Who did it better, the Hugheses or the Tkachuks?

There are certain players every team must rely on if it’s going to win. Team USA is no different, and that’s what makes the Hughes and Tkachuk brothers rather crucial.

Let’s start with the Hughes brothers. Quinn might be the most important player on the roster. He’s a top-pairing defenseman who can be trusted in every situation. That was on display against Latvia, as he finished with a team-high 21:29 in ice time and registered two assists. Jack opened the game on the fourth line and also finished with a pair of assists.

What about the Tkachuks? Physicality was a theme Thursday, and the Tkachuks are at the heart of why it was a factor. But there’s so much more to their respective games than being bruising power forwards. It’s why they were on the top line alongside Jack Eichel, which created a combination that used size, speed and skill to present numerous issues throughout the game for Latvia. Brady scored the game’s opening goal, and Matthew added a pair of assists.

Takeaway 2: Does coach Mike Sullivan have a decision to make about his lines?

We’ll expand on Brock Nelson’s individual exploits here shortly, but his contributions showed how the U.S. got quite a bit from its fourth line. Nelson anchored the line featuring Jack Hughes and J.T. Miller and had two goals (and could have had more).

The younger Hughes brother had a pair of assists, but Miller’s contributions are a bit more complicated. Miller set up Quinn Hughes for a first-period goal that was one of the two that were disallowed. He was also at the net front for what became a second disallowed goal that was called back for goaltender interference. Miller had the most ice time of the trio, with a little more than 12 minutes, while his linemates each finished with slightly more than 11 minutes.

Will we see some changes in the games against Denmark and Germany, or will Sullivan stick with what worked?

Everything coming up BROCK. NELSON. #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/yy7xGkXiR0

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2026

Takeaway 3: The fatigue factor

One of the underlying themes from the 4 Nations Face-Off was the pace, especially in the final game between Canada and the U.S.

That pace was a factor in the first four minutes of this game, as part of an approach that saw the U.S. wear down Latvia in numerous ways. Combining that speed with physicality and puck possession eventually made Latvia go from a team that tied the game at 1-1 to a team that struggled to just keep up for the final 40 minutes. There were the penalties. There were the goals that came from those penalties. There were those long shifts that allowed the U.S. to dictate play in a way that helped it score four unanswered goals.

Can the U.S. do that against other teams? It’s possible against the other nations with a mix of NHLers and non-NHLers, but what we saw from the Canadians on Thursday indicates that they would be able to keep up.

Player of the game: Brock Nelson, center

There were the two goals he scored. There were also the two goals he almost scored: one off the post, and one disallowed for goalie interference.

Either way, Nelson had the most memorable and arguably strongest performance of any Team USA player.

Naturally, the conversation around Nelson’s game is going to center around his goal contribution. But there’s also a point to be made about how was always in position and used his 6-foot-4 frame to create openings in what was a physical game against Latvia.

Will the U.S. score even more goals against Denmark?

Being the two gold medal favorites is why there’s going to be one eye on Team USA and another on Canada throughout this preliminary round.

Canada struck first with a dominant 5-0 win over Czechia, shifting the focus to the U.S. in its matchup later on Thursday. The answer was a 5-1 win.

Now it’s about seeing if Team USA can carry that over into its next game Saturday against Denmark. The Danes were playing at the same time as the U.S. and lost 3-1 to Germany, despite the fact they finished with 38 shots.

Overall team grade: A-

The only blemish for Team USA in its opening game was the lone goal it allowed because of a net-front scramble. Beyond that, the Americans controlled every aspect of their opening game.

Those disallowed goals along with Latvia’s game-tying goal created a bit of a tenuous start. But the four unanswered goals — and how the U.S. flexed its skill and strength — made it too hard for Latvia to find an opening.