Can we get an amen? The NFL regular season is almost here! Ed Kracz, Philadelphia Eagles beat writer for SI.com and official NFL contributor to The Balance, joins Tom Marquis for a special Tuesday drop packed with late-breaking football news. Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement and returning to Los Angeles on a one-year, $20 million deal—joining Myles Garrett on what could become the most terrifying defensive front in football. Does Donald still have enough left to dominate, and did the Rams just become the team to beat in the NFC? We’ll also discuss Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen’s arrest in Indianapolis on preliminary impaired-driving charges, what it could mean for Allen and the Colts, and why judgment must wait as the legal process unfolds. Then it’s on to the biggest preseason takeaways, winners and losers from roster cuts, the latest NFL power rankings, an Eagles report straight from the beat, and perhaps a little fantasy football before we go. The waiting is nearly over. Real NFL football returns next week—and The Balance has you covered! Donald’s return and contract have been reported. Allen was arrested on preliminary charges, with a final charging decision left to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office

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The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into the World Center of Racing with everything on the line! Steve Wilson, editor-in-chief of Speedway Digest, joins Tom Marquis on The Balance to preview Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. For the first time during the 2026 Cup Series season, NASCAR will race live on NBC—and the network couldn’t have drawn a more dramatic opener. Five drivers are fighting for the final three positions in The Chase, Ross Chastain has captured the pole, and NASCAR is introducing a brand-new aerodynamic package that could completely change how the cars draft, pass and form their lines. Who survives Daytona? Who misses The Chase? And will the Big One turn the entire championship picture upside down? Buckle up—400 miles under the lights will decide everything!

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Dust off the helmets, fire up the fight songs, and clear the couch—college football is back! Adam Jividen—super Browns fan, super Guardians fan, super Buckeyes fan, super Cavaliers fan, and The Balance’s great prognosticator—joins Tom Marquis to break down the first big Saturday of Week Zero. We’ll preview North Carolina and TCU playing in Dublin, NC State and Virginia taking college football to Brazil, USC opening against San José State, the Hawaii–Stanford rematch, and a late-night showdown between Memphis and UNLV. Then we ask the question every college football fan is already debating: Who is ready to launch a Heisman Trophy campaign? CJ Carr? Arch Manning? Jeremiah Smith? Julian Sayin? Or will somebody come flying in from outside the preseason favorites? Indiana begins the season as the defending national champion, Ohio State is looking to climb back to the top, and every contender begins with the same record. It’s Week Zero, the gridiron is open for business, and The Balance has everything you need for kickoff!

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Start your engines, America—INDYCAR is making history in the nation’s capital! Derek Vance of the Push to Pass Podcast, our official INDYCAR contributor, joins Tom Marquis on The Balance to preview the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.—a once-in-a-lifetime event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. For the first time ever, INDYCAR machines will race through the heart of Washington on a challenging 1.7-mile street circuit framed by the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument and Smithsonian. The seven-turn, counterclockwise layout features six left turns, only one right turn and absolutely no previous race data for the teams. We’ll examine the pole sitter, starting lineup, championship battle, team preparations and the unique challenges of a 147-lap, 250-mile street race. Can Alex Palou continue his march toward another championship? Can Kyle Kirkwood, Will Power, Josef Newgarden or Pato O’Ward claim an unforgettable victory? History, horsepower and American pride collide on the streets of Washington, D.C.!

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The countdown to kickoff is on! Ed Kracz, Philadelphia Eagles beat writer for Sports Illustrated, joins Tom Marquis on The Balance with the latest news straight from Eagles camp. We examine Philadelphia’s roster battles, check in on the Indianapolis Colts and their quarterback situation, and discuss what preseason performances actually matter. We’ll also salute four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, who announced his retirement after eight NFL seasons. Chubb finishes his career with 7,349 rushing yards, 54 rushing touchdowns and an impressive 5.0 yards per carry. Reuters Then it’s our NFL preseason lightning round: all 32 teams, as time permits! Which contenders look ready? Which rookies are making noise? Which position battles could reshape the season—and which teams should already be concerned? The regular season is almost here, and nobody covers the road to kickoff quite like The Balance!

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Breaking news is reshaping NASCAR’s future: Connor Zilisch has signed a multiyear deal to join Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2028, succeeding Alex Bowman after his retirement from full-time competition. Ally will remain aboard as sponsor—but what does the blockbuster move mean for rising talents such as Hendrick prospect Corey Day?Steve Wilson, Editor-in-Chief of Speedway Digest and our official NASCAR contributor, joins me to break down the Hendrick bombshell, Joey Logano’s big Richmond victory and the tightening postseason battle. With no automatic “win and you’re in” ticket available, every point matters as NASCAR races toward the Chase.

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Can you hear the marching bands yet? College football Saturdays are just weeks away, so naturally, it’s time to start talking ball. Adam Jividen—Super Browns, Super Cavs, Super Buckeyes, Super Guardians and all-around Ohio superfan—joins us as our official college football partner in crime. We’re firing up the early-season conversation, setting the table for kickoff and asking the question every fan is thinking: Is it football season yet?

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IndyCar is taking over the streets! Derek Vance from the Push to Pass Podcast joins us to break down today’s action at the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy in Markham. Then we look ahead to something that still sounds almost unbelievable: IndyCar racing through the streets of Washington, D.C., next weekend. Two cities, two major events, and plenty of speed, strategy and championship drama to unpack.

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Training camps are humming, preseason football is underway, and the NFL storylines are piling up fast. Philadelphia Eagles beat writer Ed Kracz of SI.com joins us for a high-speed, 30-minute trip around the league. We’ll dive into the Eagles, check the temperature on the Colts, and tackle as many of the NFL’s 32 teams as the clock will allow. Buckle up—football is officially back!

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IndyCar’s championship stretch reaches Portland—and the action away from the racetrack may be just as compelling as the battle on it.Tom Marquess, host of The Balance, is joined by Push to Pass host and official IndyCar contributor Derek Vance. They dive into IndyCar’s wild funny season, including the biggest questions surrounding AJ Foyt Racing, Andretti Global and the other teams facing important driver decisions.The conversation also looks to IndyCar’s technical future following the first Indianapolis Motor Speedway tests of Dallara’s new IR-28 with Alexander Rossi and Alex Palou. Then it’s on to Portland International Raceway, where Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard, Alex Palou, David Malukas, Will Power and Josef Newgarden will try to tame one of the calendar’s most demanding road courses.

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