Welcome Weekend
A new naughty name for a stadium, the best lineup we’ve seen since Beyoncé performed at Coachella and where Hollywood and sports unite.
It’s almost a three-day weekend and that is cause for celebration.
Be the toast of the town,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Golf Meets Football
Get excited because there will be a plethora of sports to go along with your social distance barbecue this Memorial Day weekend. “The Match: Champions of Charity” will no doubt be the biggest event of the weekend. The battle between Team Tiger Woods/Peyton Manning and Phil Mickelson/Tom Brady will take place on Sunday with over $10 million going to COVID relief charities. The players are having a good time with it, talking trash and starring in “Caddyshack” beer commercials. THE FIVE REASONS ‘THE MATCH’ IS MUST SEE TV
Overtime
With their contract with current sponsor Mercedes-Benz expiring next year, the New Orleans Saints (NFL – National Football League) are looking for a new sponsor for the naming rights for their home stadium. So naturally an adult website, Stripchat, put in a substantial offer. It’s not likely to fly as the Saints longtime quarterback Drew Brees and their owner Gayle Benson are very religious. STRIPCHAT SUPERDOME DOES HAVE A NICE RING TO IT
Sideline stat
In the wake of the success of the Michael Jordan documentary, ESPN will begin airing a documentary on Lance Armstrong which is said to not be as flattering as “Last Dance” was to Jordan. The story (or maybe exposé is the right word?) dives into the doping scandal and in the first two and a half minutes Armstrong gives us 15 curse words and four obscene hand gestures. Needless to say, the director and Armstrong did not see eye to eye on some issues. She (the director) said, “I was very clear with him that I was going to make the film that needed to be made,” which means it’s going to be juicy. RACY REPORT
Coaches’ corner
It’s not likely that the New York Yankees (MLB – Major League Baseball) are going to be holding games at their stadium anytime soon so when life gives you lemons, you turn it into lemonade served via carhop. Yankee Stadium is turning into a drive-in movie and live-music concert venue with car-side dining. Residents can still abide by state laws around social distancing and enjoy a night out. MAKING THE BEST OF IT
What to watch
The Memorial Day weekend tradition of a salute to the troops at the Coca-Cola 600 (NASCAR – National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) will continue this Sunday but without fans. As part of the 600 miles of remembrance, each driver will proudly display the name of a fallen service member across the windshield of their car. THANK YOU
The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About The Indy 500
One of the biggest highlights of every Memorial Day weekend isn’t the famous baked beans at Uncle John’s BBQ, it’s the Indianapolis "Indy" 500 race. Don’t worry today’s Rundown has all you need to know to carry on a conversation with anyone at said BBQ.
Hot dog or hamburger?
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Things To Know About The Indy 500
- The Indy 500, called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway aka the Brickyard. It’s called the Brickyard because the track used to be made of bricks, which are still exposed under the asphalt at the start-finish line. It’s a tradition to kiss these bricks. We can confirm that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention did not come up with that idea.
- Scott Dixon set the pole (see Coaches’ Corner) for this year’s Indy 500. He was going so fast in qualifying, a mere 232 MPH, that he thought his dashboard was broken. Later that same day, Dixon and another driver were robbed at gunpoint at a local Taco Bell. The cherry on top of the day.
- Actor Jake Gyllenhaal and Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman will serve as honorary starters for the race. Gyllenhall is set to play Bauman in an upcoming movie. This is the first time two people will wave the green start flag. The anthem will be sung by singer Bebe Rexha.
- Pippa Mann is the lone female driver in the race. For the fourth straight year, she'll use this spotlight to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and prevention.
- Not into racing? Don’t worry. Within the race track is the “The Snake Pit,” which hosts EDM (Electronic Dance Music) concerts during the race. It's no Preakness port-a-potty races, but close.
Overtime
- The Dancing With The Stars finale came down to two athletes, former Chicago Cubs catcher David Ross and NFL (National Football League) player Rashad Jennings. The judges and America voted and the athlete with the best moves is Rashad Jennings. While it’s no Super Bowl ring, the current free agent (he’s looking for a job) took home the famed mirror ball trophy.
Sideline Stat
- The crowd at this year’s Indy race is expected to be over 300,000 people. That’s slightly behind the 350,000 at last year’s 100th anniversary race. For perspective, the second largest sporting venue in the U.S., behind the Brickyard, is the University of Michigan’s football stadium and that holds 107,601 fans.
Coaches’ Corner
- What is pole position in auto racing? The pole position is the number one position to start the race. Drivers have to qualify beforehand by driving the track. Typically, the driver with the fastest time from qualifying is slotted into the pole position. In this case, that's Scott Dixon.
The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up Edition - Memorial Day Madness
While you've been taking in some R&R on your start-to-the-summer weekend; it’s been a busy weekend in the world of sports.
Remember on this Memorial Day to thank those who have risked their lives to make our country great.
Hats off to you,
The Last Night’s Game Team
F1 (Formula One)
- Mercedes takes Monaco. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (previously linked to singer Nicole Scherzinger) capitalized on numerous mistakes made by other teams to win the rain soaked race at Monaco.
IndyCar
- Finished on fumes. Rookie Alexander Rossi, 24, won the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in front of a record crowd of 350,000 fans. Rossi took a risk and chose not to fuel up the last 90 laps. He crossed the finish line just as his car ran out of gas.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Truex triumph. Martin Truex Jr dominated the Coca-Cola 600 where he led 392 of 400 laps and brought home his first win of the year. In honor of those who have lost their lives for our country, the name of a fallen solider was painted on every car in the race.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Moving on. Cleveland Cavaliers secured a spot in the NBA finals with a series win over Toronto Raptors. Cavs superstar LeBron James has made six consecutive NBA Finals, but the Cavs have never won an NBA title. They will play the winner of Thunder/Warriors game for the championship.
- It’s all on the line. On Saturday, Golden State Warriors beat Oklahoma City Thunder on their home turf. Warriors were behind in the game but with a combined 70 points from Klay Thompson and Steph Curry they pulled out a miraculous win. With the win the Warriors force a decisive game seven tonight at Golden State (9 pm EST on TNT).
NHL (National Hockey League)
- Finally, the finals. San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins take the ice tonight in the first game of the best-of-seven series to determine who will win the Stanley Cup.
Soccer
- Champions! Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in a shootout to win the coveted Champions League title. After 120 minutes of regulation time and overtime, the game was still tied 1-1. It all came down to a shootout where Real Madrid won the game. Cristiano Ronaldo nailed the fifth penalty kick to guarantee the win, wiping away his past struggles with high pressure penalty kicks
Overtime
- During his graduation speech at the Naval Academy, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds can defer his service commitment to play in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens. "I am truly excited to proudly serve my country while having the ability fulfill my dream of playing for the best organization in the NFL," said Reynolds.
Sideline stat
- Floor seats for tonight’s Western Conference Final game between Thunder and Warriors are going for a mere $29,000 a piece.
Coaches’ Corner
- Unlike NASCAR, F1 and IndyCar (except on oval tracks) will race in the rain.