Author | Lightnews

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 13h

“When you have the opportunity to have your program showcased on a Friday night on ESPN2, you want to put your best foot forward. We certainly didn’t do that. I don’t think we did that as a football program. We certainly didn’t do that as a fan base either.”

- Brian Wright

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 13h

After a mid-game surge, NAU men’s basketball drops its season opener against Drake, 77-71. It was tied at 71 with under two minutes left.

Zack Davidson had 29 points on 12/19 shooting. Ryan Abelman had 18 points on 5/13 from deep.

Something to note, NAU was 7/12 on free throws.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 14h

NAU men’s basketball is making it rain 3-pointers against Missouri Valley Conference Champion Drake. It is 9-16 on 3s and leads the Bulldogs 51-40 in the second half.

Ryan Abelman and Zack Davidson are combining for 35 points.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 14h

Larson steals NASCAR Cup championship from Hamlin at Phoenix Raceway

The final Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway saw one of the wildest title finishes in recent history. Denny Hamlin was three laps away from his first title before the caution came out.
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Larson steals NASCAR Cup championship from Hamlin at Phoenix Raceway

Kyle Larson won his 2nd career NASCAR Cup Series championship Sunday over season-leading winner Denny Hamlin amid widespread tire failures.

azdailysun.com

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 15h

I think they’re missing a certain other key loss…

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 16h

NAU head football coach Brian Wright said he was disappointed in the fan turnout for their Halloween night game against Idaho.

He also said this week’s homecoming was specially pushed to 4 p.m. on Saturday to allow fans to enjoy their usual homecoming traditions.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 17h

NAU fell out of the top 25 for the first time this season, but received 70 votes to unofficially be No. 26.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 20h

NAU women’s basketball rebuilds with new staff, roster for 2025-26

The Lumberjacks begin a new era of women’s basketball today with an all-new coaching staff, a roster with only two returners and a host of new opportunities.
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NAU women’s basketball rebuilds with new staff, roster for 2025-26

The NAU women’s basketball teams start the season on Monday with a new head coach, new players and new opportunities.

azdailysun.com

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

All three of the non-championship winning drivers in the final four take the table in the Media Center.

Hamlin was here first quickly after the race’s end.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

Kyle Larson wins the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title in the final Championship race Phoenix Raceway before it moves into a rotation of tracks next year.

Ryan Blaney makes a pass on the final turn to win the race.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

The March 2026 Phoenix Cup Series race has a title sponsor.

It will be the Straight Talk Wireless 500.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

PREVIEW: NAU men’s basketball looks to replace departing talent as 2025-26 season approaches

After winning 18 games last season, NAU enters a new season needing to replace the nation’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer.
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NAU men’s basketball looks to replace departing talent as 2025-26 season approaches

After winning 18 games last season, NAU enters a new season needing to replace the nation’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer.

azdailysun.com

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“The rotation matters less if the format changes, but certainly with this format, I think it’s been a huge miss not having the rotation throughout the years.”

Christopher Bell had some strong thoughts about the current playoff format that has seen him in multiple Championship 4s.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“Florida boy here. Florida man says let’s go, ready to rip.”

Florida native Ross Chastain is excited to go back to Homestead-Miami Speedway for next year’s championship. He also said that Charlotte Motor Speedway should be in the championship rotation.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“You can’t go to Daytona or Talladega. You can’t go to a road course. Beyond that, I think there’s a lot of options. Any mile-and-a-half would put on a great race.”

Erik Jones said that any 1.5-mile track would work for a championship race. He also mentioned Vegas as a good fit.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“I’d say this place is pretty underrated from a fan perspective. They pack the house every time. The campground is always really cool.”

Tucson, Arizona native Alex Bowman really wants to win Phoenix Raceway. He has appreciated the championship atmosphere his home track provides.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“It’s an awesome facility, just a great area. Everything is so nice and updated here. It makes for a great experience.”

Josh Berry made the Championship 4 in the Xfinity Series in 2022. He also said Las Vegas Motor Speedway would be a great choice for a future championship race.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“There’s certain tracks that are great, but then you got to look at weather. You want great weather, and that’s why Phoenix is always nice out here. Vegas might come to mind, then again it can be pretty cold.“

Zane Smith mentioned Las Vegas Motor Speedway as a strong possible championship race.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“It’s an odd feeling for sure. I’m excited for it to be at Homestead. I think it’s been a lot of fun at Phoenix and it’s provided a lot of crazy and good overtime finishes.”

Zane Smith won the truck championship in 2022 here Phoenix Raceway under the current playoff format.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“I like this track, but I’m useless at it so far. I don’t know why.”

Road-course phenom Shane van Gisbergen finished 31st in the spring race at Phoenix Raceway. He also said he is a fan of a rotating system for the championship race.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“We don’t want to be at a championship race and it’s 35 degrees out. I look at places like Vegas, somewhere on the west coast if you got ovals out there. Honestly, I think it’s more about the venue.”

California native AJ Allmendinger is on board with the championship race staying west.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“I like the championship to kind of revolve around different race tracks.”

AJ Allmendinger, a former Championship 4 driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, is a fan of the new rotating system for championship races after this season.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“This has been a great racetrack for me. I’ve run really well. It doesn’t get much better than being able to go to Scottsdale and find some good food as well.”

John Hunter Nemechek has raced in the Championship 4 in both the Truck and Xfinity Series at Phoenix Raceway.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

All four Cup Series Championship 4 drivers sit together at the media center table after qualifying.

Brenden Martin @brendenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

“I think keeping it fresh is probably better. I’m an iPad kid. When I’m eating, I got to have stuff going on. Things get dull very quickly. I think anything that we can keep fresh is better.”

Carson Hocevar on having the Championship 4 rotate tracks every year.