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A14 SPORTS
Saturday 18 February 2023
Hurricanes’ outdoor game marks another Sun Belt push for NHL

By AARON BEARD “It’s like a stamp of ap-
AP Sports Writer proval … It’s that statement
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The of, everything’s happen-
Carolina Hurricanes were ing in the right way. It’s like
days away from hosting winning that blue ribbon, if
an NHL Stadium Series out- you will. And you get to talk
door game and Don Wad- about it for years and years
dell was feeling the stress to come.”
of hoping that everything At the minimum, it repre-
goes smoothly and the thrill sents another highlight for
of the opportunity ahead. the former Hartford Whalers
It’s the same mix of emo- franchise since relocating
tions for NHL organizers, to North Carolina for the
too. 1997-98 season.
“It’s very exciting because The Hurricanes have host-
we’re going to expose the ed two Stanley Cup Final
game of hockey to a lot of series, winning in 2006.
people in the region here They hosted the 2004 draft
that have never been ex- and 2011 All-Star Week-
posed to our game,” said end. And after a nine-year
Waddell, Carolina’s presi- playoff drought, they have
dent and general manag- reached four consecu-
er. tive postseasons with two
The Hurricanes face the Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C. is prepared to host an NHL Stadium Series hockey game division titles under coach
Washington Capitals in Sat- Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. The Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes are scheduled to and 2006 captain Rod
urday night’s game at Cart- play Saturday at the stadium. Associated Press Brind’Amour.
er-Finley Stadium, home They also have a devoted
to North Carolina State’s so-called “nontraditional” is just the talk everywhere 2016 All-Star game and fan base known for rarely
college football team and market within its southern we go. We’re in a restau- reached the Stanley Cup passing up the opportu-
just across the street from footprint. rant and the waiter or wait- Final a year later. And this nity to tailgate or create
their home ice at PNC Three years ago was Dal- ress comes up and they’re summer, the Predators will the roaring, festive envi-
Arena. The game, delayed las. Last year was Nashville. talking about the game, an host the NHL draft, 20 years ronments now common at
two years because of CO- Now it’s North Carolina’s Uber driver talking about after first hosting the event. Carolina’s home playoff
VID-19 attendance restric- capital city grabbing a the game, at our hotel. The Meanwhile, the NHL games.
tions, is set to draw a sellout spotlight for professional buzz is really out there.” brought its All-Star game “I think they deserve it,”
crowd of roughly 57,000. hockey in a region long as- Sean Henry, president and earlier this month to the Brind’Amour said.
Beyond Saturday, there is sociated with college foot- chief executive of the Sunrise, home of the Florida “We’ve got a great fan
additional significance: It ball. Nashville Predators, under- Panthers and held one in base down there. We know
marks another season that “This city has embraced stands that feeling. Tampa in 2018. about it. I’m there every
the league known for its us,” said Steve Mayer, the The Predators hosted last “We’re kind of the go-to day with them and they
“Original Six” roots in cit- NHL’s chief content offi- year’s Stadium Series game markets now, which is really pack the place and they’re
ies like New York, Chicago cer and event producer. at the home of the NFL’s nice,” Henry said. loud and they support the
and Toronto is holding mar- “I think one of the things Tennessee Titans. Nashville “It allows you to elevate team in a small market as
quee outdoor events in a we’ve noticed being here had previously hosted the conversations,” he said. well as any in the NHL.” q

What’s the beef? McDonald’s, Wendy’s spat over Daytona 500

By DAN GELSTON Turns out fast-food burger paint schemes for cars on social all week long,” he Gragson was 28th in the
AP Sports Writer wars were on the menu in sponsored by McDonald’s told Sports Business Journal. Daytona 500 time trials.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) the run-up to the Daytona and Wendy’s. “We can’t say the same Wallace and McDonalds
— What’s the beef? 500 over, of all things, the McDonald’s stamped its goes for our McBland com- got the edge in the Day-
ubiquitous golden arches petitors. At Wendy’s, we tona 500 lineup and will
logo on the hood of 23XI don’t cut corners.” start 15th on Sunday over
Racing driver Bubba Wal- McDonald’s wasn’t McLo- Gragson and Wendy’s at
lace’s No. 23 Toyota. Wen- vin’ it. 22nd for NASCAR’s season-
dy’s countered with a pic- The salty retort caught the opener.
ture of a, well, super-sized attention of 23XI President 23XI is co-owned by Mi-
beefy cheeseburger with Steve Lauletta, who flame chael Jordan, of course,
the slogan “The Beef” em- broiled his competitor on a longtime McDon-
blazoned on Noah Grag- Twitter. ald’s pitchman. Wallace
son’s No. 42 Chevrolet. “Beauty is always in the eye weighed in with a GIF of a
Wendy’s CMO Carl Loredo of the beholder so appreci- bemused Gary Payton.
trashed McDonald’s logo ate your thoughts @carl- Perhaps the big chill be-
selection as if it was a pa- loredo,” Lauletta wrote. tween the companies will
Bubba Wallace’s crew changes tires and adds fuel as he per bag full of day-old fries. “I can tell you our focus continue into Sunday at the
comes in for a pit stop during the first of two qualifying auto “We’re proud of Noah @23XIRacing is on results so Daytona 500. How about
races for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Gragson’s No. 42 ‘ The BEEF’ pretty happy with our 11th a McFlurry or a Frosty for
Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Fla. car, and fans have been place qualifying result last the winner to go with that
Associated Press praising the paint scheme night…you?” trophy?q