Latest news with #Elliott
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
Good news, bad news for NASCAR Cup drivers ahead of Pocono weekend
Ten races remain before the playoffs as the NASCAR Cup Series goes to Pocono Raceway this weekend. Four organizations have won the last 10 Pocono Cup races: Joe Gibbs Racing (six wins), Hendrick Motorsports (two), Penske (one) and Stewart-Haas Racing (one). Here is a look at the good news and bad news for Cup drivers heading into Sunday's race at Pocono. 23XI Racing — Good news: Tyler Reddick has finished runner-up in two of the last three Pocono races. … Reddick's average finish of 3.3 at Pocono in the Next Gen era (since 2022) is the best among all drivers. … Bubba Wallace has three consecutive finishes of 12th or better. Bad news: Reddick has finished 13th or worse in seven of the last eight races. … Riley Herbst is one of three drivers without a top-finish who have started every race this season, joining Ty Dillon and Cody Ware. Dustin Long, Front Row Motorsports — Good news: Todd Gilliland has finished 18th or better in six of the last 10 races. … Zane Smith has five top-20 finishes in the last seven races. Bad news: Noah Gragson has finished 27th or worse in each of the last three races. Haas Factory Team — Good news: Cole Custer finished a season-best eighth last weekend at Mexico City, earning his first top-10 result of the year. Bad News: Custer ranks 35th in the points. Hendrick Motorsports — Good news: Chase Elliott is coming off a season-best third-place finish in Mexico. … Elliott has scored the most points of all drivers at Pocono in the Next Gen car (since 2022). … Elliott has run all but one lap this season. … William Byron's average finish of 9.36 at Pocono is the best all-time there. … Byron's 604 points scored through 16 races is the most at this point in the season in the Next Gen era (since 2022). … Alex Bowman finished fourth at Mexico, ending a streak of three consecutive finishes of 29th or worse. … Bowman has four top-10 finishes in his last six Pocono starts. … Kyle Larson's nine top-five finishes this season are the most in the series. … Larson has led a series-high 851 laps this year. Bad news: Elliott has gone 43 races since his last Cup victory. Hyak Motorsports — Good news: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has five top-20 finishes in the last seven races. … Stenhouse has made 380 consecutive Cup starts to rank third on the active list. Bad news: Stenhouse had his second incident with Carson Hocevar in the last three weeks and confronted the driver after the Mexico race. Joe Gibbs Racing — Good news: Denny Hamlin returns after missing last weekend's race in Mexico after the birth of his son. … Hamlin finished second last year at Pocono. … Hamlin's seven Pocono wins are the most all-time at the track. … Hamlin has won three of the last eight Pocono races. … Christopher Bell has seven top-three finishes in 16 races after his runner-up showing in Mexico. … Chase Briscoe has three finishes of fourth or better in the last eight races. … Ty Gibbs has been top five in speed and long run speed in each of the last two Pocono races. … Gibbs started a season-best fourth last weekend in Mexico. Bad news: Briscoe has never finished better than 15th in five Pocono starts. Kaulig Racing — Good news: AJ Allmendinger has scored four consecutive top-20 finishes, his longest streak of the season. Bad news: Ty Dillon has not finished better than 17th in 12 Pocono Cup starts. Legacy Motor Club — Good news: Erik Jones has four top-15 finishes in the last six races. … Jones has five top-five finishes in 13 Pocono starts, tied with Darlington for his most at any Cup track. … Jones has two top-10 finishes in the last three Pocono races. … John Hunter Nemechek's sixth-place finish gives him three top 10s in the last six races and also a career-best five on the season. Bad news: Nemechek has three finishes of 27th or worse in the last six races. Richard Childress Racing — Good news: Kyle Busch has four wins and four poles at Pocono. Bad news: Austin Dillon has finished 19th or worse in the last five races. … Busch finished last and fell from tied for the final playoff spot to 50 points behind with Shane van Gisbergen's victory moving the cutline up. … Busch's average finish of 29.7 at Pocono in the Next Gen car (since 2022) is the worst among drivers who have started all three Pocono races in that time. Rick Ware Racing — Good news: Cody Ware has a best finish of 25th in five Cup starts at Pocono. Bad news: Ware ranks last among the 36 full-time drivers in the points. RFK Racing — Good news: Chris Buescher holds the final playoff spot with 10 races left in the regular season. … Buescher is the only driver to have finished in the top 10 in each of the past two races this season. … Brad Keselowski has finished in the top 10 in 11 of the last 16 Pocono races. … Ryan Preece has three top-10 finishes in the last five races. Bad news: With Shane van Gisbergen winning and taking a playoff spot, Preece fell out of a playoff spot and is 19 points from the last playoff position. … Keselowski has failed to finish three of the last seven races. Spire Motorsports — Good news: Michael McDowell placed a season-best fifth in Mexico. … McDowell has two top 10s in the last four races. … Carson Hocevar has scored points in 12 of the last 17 stages. Bad news: Justin Haley has not finished in the top 20 at Pocono in four Cup starts. … Haley has gone 157 races since winning a Cup race, the longest streak among active drivers who have won in the series. … Hocevar has five finishes of 24th or worse in the last seven races. Team Penske — Good news: Ryan Blaney won last year's Pocono race. Bad news: Austin Cindric's Talladega win is his only top-10 finish in the last 11 races. … Joey Logano's average finish at Pocono is 17.5, worst among non-drafting ovals. Trackhouse Racing — Good news: Shane van Gisbergen put himself in a playoff spot with his victory last weekend in Mexico. … Ross Chastain has finished seventh of better in six of the last 10 races. Bad news: Chastain has never scored a top-10 finish at Pocono in nine starts. … Chastain's average finish of 28.6 at Pocono is his worst among active tracks. … Daniel Suarez has one top 10-finish in his last eight Pocono starts. Wood Brothers Racing — Good news: Josh Berry has finished in the top 12 in three of the last five races. Bad news: Berry has finished outside the top 25 in six of the last 10 races.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
DeShon Elliott thanks Steelers in heartfelt message following two-year extension
DeShon Elliott thanks Steelers in heartfelt message following two-year extension DeShon Elliott just signed a two-year extension with the Steelers — and he wasted little time thanking those responsible for the move. Elliott quickly took to social media to thank the Steelers organization — specifically the Rooney family, HC Mike Tomlin, and GM Omar Khan — for giving him an opportunity to call the Steel City of Pittsburgh home. He also thanked CJ LaBoy, Quincy Peyton, and Wasserman NFL for getting him signed, as well as showing gratitude for having the ability to play '…in front of the best fans in the NFL.' Elliott's two-year deal is worth $12.5 million — an average salary of $6.25 million, including $9.21 million in guarantees. The newly extended Steelers strong safety was one of the most underrated acquisitions last offseason and will remain a key part of the Pittsburgh defense — even as the focus now shifts entirely to extending star OLB T.J. Watt. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Breaking: Steelers Sign Safety DeShon Elliott to Contract Extension
Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety DeShon Elliott during a game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now The Pittsburgh Steelers and strong safety DeShon Elliott have agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the end of the 2027 season, according to a report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The new deal between Elliott and the Steelers will add two years and $12.5 million his current deal, with $9.21 million guaranteed, per Pelissero. Advertisement Elliott had been set to enter the final season of a two-year, $6 million contract that he signed with the Steelers ahead of the 2024 season, so his next deal represents a significant pay increase. Elliott earned that raise with stellar performance on the field during his first season with the Steelers. He played in 15 games and finished second on the team with 108 tackles. Elliott also had four tackles for loss, six passes defended, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception. Elliott's performance represented a breakout from his previous six seasons, setting or tying career highs in multiple statistical categories. Advertisement 'I think I was probably born to be a Steeler,' Elliott said to Steelers Now in November. 'I think I was. I love it here. I love the guys in the locker room. There' s a lot of guys who care about each other — a lot of God-fearing men — a coach that preaches a culture of winning, and a tradition of championship football. Pittsburgh Steelers safeties DeShon Elliott and Minkah Fitzpatrick in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 12, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Despite the strong season and the raise, Elliott's deal won't break the bank for the Steelers. His $6.25 million average annual value on the new money will make him the 30th-highest paid safety in the NFL. The specific details, needed to calculate how the new deal will impact his salary cap hit, have not yet been reported. Advertisement With Elliott under contract, the Steelers now have just a few other players that could be looking to sign a contract extension, including holding-out outside linebacker T.J. Watt, slot receiver Calvin Austin III, running back Jaylen Warren and guard Isaac Seumalo. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Breaking: Steelers Sign Safety DeShon Elliott to Contract Extension Related Headlines
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Safety DeShon Elliott Feels at Home in Pittsburgh: ‘I Really Love Being Here'
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back DeShon Elliott during a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 21, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety DeShon Elliott is coming off a career-best year, recording 108 tackles (72 solos), four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and six passes defended. To say the least, Elliott turned heads in his first season with the Black and Gold. Elliot has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins in his career, but nothing compares to Pittsburgh. Elliott credits Mike Tomlin for creating a family-like atmosphere. Advertisement 'All I can do is thank God for the position that Mike [Tomlin] has given me, the opportunity to play the game,' Elliott said, via the Steelers' website. 'Because 'I've been to a lot of places but it's the only place where I feel like home, so I appreciate them so much for the opportunity.' Tomlin's ability to relate to players might be his best attribute has a coach. Elliott appreciates Tomlin's authenticity and sincerity. 'You walk in the building, and honestly, it's hard to describe the feeling,' Elliott said. 'Just knowing that when a coach talks to you, he's not talking to you just to check a box. He's talking to you because he actually cares. 'If I'm talking to Mike T, it's about my family or the things I have going on at home, like my dad. They've reached out to try to help me with that. It feels like something different for me. I really love being here.' Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety DeShon Elliott warms up before a preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 15, 2024. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now During a one-on-one interview with Missi Matthews of last year, Elliott revealed that Patrick Queen recruited him to sign with the Steelers. Advertisement 'He was like, do you wanna become a Steeler? I was like, what do you mean? He goes, I was talking to the GM, do you wanna become a Steeler? I was like freak yeah bro, hell yeah, I'll come play with you; what are you talking about? And so the next day, made it happen,' Elliott said. After bouncing around the league from Baltimore to Detroit to Miami, it appears that Elliott has found a home in Pittsburgh. Elliott is heading into a contract year, but if he has a another season like last year, he should receive a hefty payday from the Steelers. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Safety DeShon Elliott Feels at Home in Pittsburgh: 'I Really Love Being Here'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
DeShon Elliott Reacts to Contract Extension with Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety DeShon Elliott warms up before a preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 15, 2024. -- Alan Saunders / Steelers Now Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety DeShon Elliott released a statement on his Instagram story after reaching a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension with the Steelers late Monday night. Elliott expressed nothing but gratitude. 'Grateful to the Rooney family, Omar Khan and Coach Tomlin for bringing me to Pittsburgh and giving me a home. Thankful to be extended for two more years to play for the best organization and in front of the best fans in the NFL,' Elliott wrote. Advertisement 'Also want to thank CJ LaBoy, Quincy Peyton and Wasserman NFL for getting this done. They've changed my life in the last four months more than any representation has previously, through business and building relationship.' Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott tackle Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Elliott had been set to enter the final season of a two-year, $6 million contract that he signed with the Steelers ahead of the 2024 season, so his next deal represents a significant pay increase. Elliott earned that raise with stellar performance on the field during his first season with the Steelers. He played in 15 games and finished second on the team with 108 tackles. Elliott also had four tackles for loss, six passes defended, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception. Advertisement Elliott made 108 of 111 tackle opportunities in 2024 – a 97.3% tackle efficiency rating – the highest rating in Next Gen Stats history (since 2018 and minimum 100 tackle opportunities). Elliott's performance represented a breakout from his previous six seasons, setting or tying career highs in multiple statistical categories. 'I think I was probably born to be a Steeler,' Elliott said to Steelers Now in November. 'I think I was. I love it here. I love the guys in the locker room. There' s a lot of guys who care about each other — a lot of God-fearing men — a coach that preaches a culture of winning, and a tradition of championship football.' Elliot has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins in his career, but nothing compares to Pittsburgh. Elliott credits Mike Tomlin for creating a family-like atmosphere. Advertisement 'All I can do is thank God for the position that Mike [Tomlin] has given me, the opportunity to play the game,' Elliott said in May, via the Steelers' website. 'Because 'I've been to a lot of places but it's the only place where I feel like home, so I appreciate them so much for the opportunity.' Tomlin's ability to relate to players might be his best attribute has a coach. Elliott appreciates Tomlin's authenticity and sincerity. 'You walk in the building, and honestly, it's hard to describe the feeling,' Elliott said. 'Just knowing that when a coach talks to you, he's not talking to you just to check a box. He's talking to you because he actually cares. 'If I'm talking to Mike T, it's about my family or the things I have going on at home, like my dad. They've reached out to try to help me with that. It feels like something different for me. I really love being here.' Advertisement Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: DeShon Elliott Reacts to Contract Extension with Steelers Related Headlines
