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Perpetual Man in Motion, McAleer Helps Raise Gradient’s Mojo

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Before the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Stevan McAleer received instructions from Gradient Racing owner Andris Laivins:

Just finish the race.

It had been a rough start to the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Gradient’s No. 66 Acura NSX GT3. A mechanical problem at the Rolex 24 At Daytona resulted in a 19th-place finish in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class. A crash in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Cadillac left the team in 14th place in GTD standings.

The just-finish instruction led McAleer to ask a specific question of Laivins:

“What happens if we’re P4 fighting for P3?’” McAleer said. “He said, ‘I just want to finish this race.’”

Oddly enough, that scenario – fourth fighting for third – is precisely where McAleer found himself in the final minutes at Long Beach.

“I came on the radio and said, ‘How badly do you guys want this podium?’” McAleer said. “I think I scared them a little bit. To be fair, I didn’t really have anything for Mike Skeen at the end, but it was a great weekend.”

Funny how a basic finish can revitalize things. McAleer, moved to a full-time role after the team parted with Katherine Legge in early April, helped Gradient Racing improve to 12th in the GTD championship points standings heading into this weekend’s Motul Course de Monterey Powered by Hyundai N at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“You could see the relief on the team’s faces,” McAleer said. “Fourth place to me is maybe not great – I’m always after some of the biggest trophies – but it was certainly a win for a team whose last couple of races had been unlucky.”

Now he and co-driver Sheena Monk press forward to WeatherTech Raceway, where McAleer has memories of a victory in 2016 with Freedom Autosport in what is now the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. WeatherTech Raceway’s offseason repaving project is the first topic of conversation leading into the weekend.

“It will be interesting to see how that suits the Acura,” McAleer said. “Looking at the lap times from last year, the car definitely had some pace. It didn’t look like it was the fastest, but it was in a window that I can work with.”

McAleer’s newfound duties with Gradient Racing are added to his already crowded schedule, joining his previous commitment to co-drive the No. 28 RS1 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport with Trent Hindman in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. McAleer will race in both series this weekend, along with his extensive coaching obligations that include co-ownership of a Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin team with four cars entered.

In his world, a busy schedule is beneficial.

“The constant being in a race car regardless of what it is has always helped me adapt to something that I’m maybe not necessarily familiar with,” McAleer said. “People might have concerns with that, like maybe you’re not going to be as efficient as you could be. I disagree. Each car has a limit, and it’s my goal to find it. I thoroughly enjoy it.”

McAleer, who spent last weekend coaching drivers in another series at Sebring International Raceway, has multiple student clients in different series. Add his involvement with go-kart racing to his coaching and driving, and he’s eternally busy.

“That’s all deliberate for me,” McAleer said. “I’ve seen drivers’ careers disappear overnight for whatever reason – they get hurt, they move on to something else, or the team retires. There are so many variables in this sport just because of the sheer amount of funding it takes to run programs. … If I have 10 programs going, I know without a doubt that 10 programs are not going to disappear overnight.”

So, he aims for the weekend, with a crowded calendar, a never-give-up attitude, and few complaints.

“I would argue that there is nobody in the paddock as busy as I am from a driving standpoint, but that’s my own doing,” McAleer said. “When I complain that I’m tired, my wife tells me quite quickly that I did it to myself.”

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Sports

Bubba Wallace Fires Back: “Couldn’t Care Less” About Trump’s Possible Daytona 500 Return

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Images: Florida National News

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – NASCAR star Bubba Wallace made it clear during the 2025 Daytona 500 Media Day that he is focused on racing, not politics, as speculation swirls about Second-term President Donald Trump potentially attending the Daytona 500 on Sunday.

When asked about the president’s possible return, Wallace took a direct stance, stating:

“Couldn’t care less if Trump shows up at NASCAR’s biggest race of the year.”

Wallace, the only full-time Black driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, has a tense history with Trump, dating back to 2020 when the then-president falsely accused Wallace of staging a controversy over a noose found in his Talladega garage. Federal investigators later ruled that the rope had been hanging since October and was used as a garage door pull. Despite NASCAR and the FBI confirming the findings, Trump suggested Wallace should apologize, sparking backlash.

Bubba Wallace Shuts Down Trump Question: “We’re here to race. Not for the show,” Wallace reaffirmed during media day, signaling that politics will not distract him from the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest event.

Florida National News’ Jenny Rosario reports on President Donald J. Trump serving as the Daytona 500 Grand Marshal in 2020. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David III.

Trump, who previously served as the Daytona 500 Grand Marshal in 2020, made headlines earlier this month by attending Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. Florida National News covered both events. With a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notice hinting at his arrival in Daytona, speculation is rising about whether the president will take another victory lap at the track. However, NASCAR officials stated Wednesday that they have not received official confirmation of Trump’s attendance.

With or without Trump’s high-profile presence, Wallace and the rest of the NASCAR field remain locked in on the prize: taking the checkered flag at the Great American Race.

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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

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FloridaNationalNews.com Super Bowl Coverage: Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show Shatters Viewership Record

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NEW ORLEANS, La. (FNN SPORTS) – FloridaNationalNews.com provided in-depth coverage of Super Bowl 59, including Rap megastar Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking halftime show, which drew an astonishing 133.5 million viewers—the highest in Super Bowl history.
Hollywood icon Samuel L. Jackson kicked off Lamar’s electrifying performance, appearing dressed as Uncle Sam in a bold, theatrical opening. Tennis legend Serena Williams also made a surprise cameo, adding to the star-studded spectacle.
In addition to the halftime show, FloridaNationalNews.com covered Super Bowl Week events, capturing the energy and excitement leading up to the championship showdown.

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Eagles Crush Chiefs 40-22 to Win Super Bowl Behind Jalen Hurts’ MVP Performance

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NEW ORLEANS, La. (FNN SPORTS) – The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl champions once again, delivering a dominant 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs to claim their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. The win marks redemption for quarterback Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni, who fell short in Super Bowl LVII against the same Chiefs squad.

This time, Philadelphia left no doubt. A suffocating defensive performance and a record-setting night from Hurts fueled the Eagles past the reigning back-to-back champions, denying Kansas City its shot at an unprecedented three-peat.

Eagles Defense Smothers Chiefs, Forces Key Turnovers

The Eagles’ defense set the tone early, limiting Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ high-powered offense to just 225 total yards. The defensive front overwhelmed Mahomes, sacking him six times, disrupting his rhythm, and forcing critical mistakes. One of the game’s turning points came in the second quarter when rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean intercepted Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown, extending Philadelphia’s lead.

Hurts’ MVP Performance Leads the Way

Hurts, named Super Bowl MVP, delivered a near-flawless performance, finishing 17-of-22 for 221 passing yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 72 yards – the most by a quarterback in Super Bowl history – and a signature Tush Push touchdown. Running back Saquon Barkley contributed 97 total yards, including 57 on the ground on 31 touches.

Mahomes Struggles Under Pressure

Despite throwing for 257 yards and three touchdowns, Mahomes struggled under constant pressure, tossing two interceptions and losing a fumble. The six sacks by the Eagles’ defense proved decisive, making it nearly impossible for Kansas City to find its rhythm until the game was out of reach.

With the loss, Mahomes now falls to 3-2 in five Super Bowl appearances, while the Eagles celebrate their first championship since Super Bowl LII.

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J Willie David, III and Mike Brodsky
Florida National News and FNN News Network
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

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