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LAS VEGAS -- NASCAR got a boost Thursday when it announced it had signed a deal with Monster Energy to replace Sprint as the sponsor of its top series.How much of a boost? NASCAR wouldnt say. But something likely is better than nothing as NASCAR faced the prospect of having its top series not sponsored, with Sprint departing after this season.NASCAR Chairman Brian France said Thursday it was a multiyear deal with options but would not comment on how much the deal was worth nor say what the name of what is currently the Sprint Cup Series would be starting in 2017. Monster also will sponsor the annual all-star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.Theyre fun, France said. They know how to make a lot of plans, and when you see this unfold, theyre going to interact with our fan base differently, at the speedways in particular but all over the place. In market, theyve got some robust plans, depending on that.ESPNs Darren Rovell tweeted that the Monster deal is 40 percent ($20 million) of the current Sprint deal, which was estimated at $50 million. A powerful force in the energy drink category and 16.8 percent owned by Coca-Cola, Monster Energy turned a $546 million profit in 2015 and has been heavily involved in various forms of motorsports.Its a different kind of agreement for sure in that its got activation in different ways and media in different ways, France said at a news conference at the Wynn Las Vegas. But were quite pleased with the agreement, and no, there will be no changes at all [with how we operate].As a matter of fact, I think youre going to see some additional activation, additional things that will occur, so this is a more, not less, in that regard.Sprint announced in December 2014 it would not return after the 2016 season, and NASCAR has spent nearly the past two years searching for a replacement.Coming down to the wire to get a sponsor for 2017, NASCAR needed a sponsor if it didnt want to foot the bill for what the sponsor contributes to NASCAR as well as marketing the sport.Past sponsors R.J. Reynolds, Nextel and Sprint spent tens of millions of dollars promoting the sport. When Nextel signed its deal in 2003, it was reported its total spending was approximately $70-75 million a year.Sprint (which assumed the sponsorship through its Nextel merger) renegotiated its deal when it signed an extension for 2014 to 2016 that reports have pegged at closer to a $50 million minimum annual commitment. It also sponsored two exhibition races -- the preseason race at Daytona and the all-star race at Charlotte.[The priority is] just to see them promote the sport and maybe [bring] some fresh ideas, maybe just how we can come in with new ways of introducing it to the fans, NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick said.Monster has been involved in NASCAR for several years, currently sponsoring Kurt Busch and previously his brother Kyle. Kyle is sponsored by Nos, which is owned by Monster Beverage Company, in the Xfinity Series. Monster also has been involved in motorsports by sponsoring the Supercross motocross series. It plans to continue all those efforts. The energy, the vibe -- to work with them since 2012, its fun, its a lifestyle, its a brand that can translate to the youth, Kurt Busch said. There is so much that they connect with the youth and yet its a brand that is respected in all of motorsports.Their DNA ... is to give 200 bucks to a snowboarder at the X Games just to put their logo on a kids helmet that they thought had a chance at medaling. And now look at the potential and whats in front.However, Monster, which is the subject of class-action lawsuits and other legal challenges over the health impact of energy drinks, doesnt market directly to youth -- a key component of NASCARs marketing efforts.Our company has standard guidelines about the bottom age at which we market, and thats not inconsistent with what were hoping to do with our involvement here, Monster Chief Marketing Officer Mark Hall said. Its just really about being responsible.Monster will carry official energy drink status and any energy drink not currently sponsoring a driver in Sprint Cup will not be able to sponsor a Cup car, NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said.Higdon would not talk about the details of the grandfather clause and whether 5-Hour Energy, sponsor of Erik Jones at Furniture Row Racing, would be included -- as an energy shot, it is slightly different from an energy drink. 5-Hour Energy, according to the agency that handles its NASCAR marketing, has not gotten details yet from NASCAR on whether it will be affected.While Monster competitor Red Bull once owned a team in the sport and then got out as it struggled on the competition and marketing sides, Monster believes it can help NASCAR trend to a younger demographic.We do have some ideas about how we can make NASCAR more attractive to what I would call a different audience than is currently there without detracting from what is already a great audience and a great fan base, Hall said. Like I said earlier, we have experience with that, and those fans do relate to our brand, and we think theres an opportunity to bring some new ones in. Chico Maki Jersey . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Glenn Hall Jersey . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/237b-bill-gadsby-jersey-blackhawks.html .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Tony Esposito Jersey . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Kenny Wharram Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Sindarius Thornwell doesnt feel like hes starting from zero, despite a South Carolina roster filled with newcomers.Thornwell, a senior, scored 20 points including four 3-pointers to lead the Gamecocks to an 81-49 victory over Holy Cross on Sunday night.Thornwell comes off a 25-win season with South Carolina that featured a starting lineup of upperclassmen. This time, the Gamecocks have seven first-time players to mix into games. So far, so good, Thornwell says.Its been good, he said. Everybody came in focused.South Carolina played a dozen people, 10 of them getting 10 minutes or more. Plan on it being the norm this season, according to South Carolina coach Frank Martin. This team has depth like I havent had since Ive been here, he said.That showed against Holy Cross (0-1), which was eventually worn down by South Carolinas height and athleticism.The Crusaders, who played in the NCAA Tournament last March, used its Princeton-style offense -- coach Bill Carmody used to coach at the Ivy League school -- of cuts and backdoor layups to get within 29-24 on Matt Huseks basket with 7:09 left in the half. Thats when the Gamecocks took off on a 15-5 run over the next six minutes to push its lead to 44-29. Thornwell opened the surge with a basket and closed it with a 3-pointer.We needed that momentum shift, Gamecocks guard PJ Dozier said.The Crusaders never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way.I dont like losing by 30, Carmody said. Its hard to sit here and call it part of process. Our guys hurt after losing this one.Dozier had 15 points for South Carolina, which opened 2-0 for a second straight season and the third time in Martins five years.Robert Champion led Holy Cross with 18 points.BIG PICTUREHoly Cross stunned college basketball last March, winning the Patriot League tournament and earning an automatic NCAA bid despite a 10-19 regular season. The Crusaders went on to a First Four matchup win over Southern for the schhools first Big Dance win since 1953.dddddddddddd Holy Cross will try and build on that success with five of their top six scorers returning from a year ago.South Carolina looked athletic and active in putting away Holy Cross over the final 30 minutes. The trick for coach Frank Martin will be maintaining that level while blending the young players into the mix. Theyll get that chance the next 10 days with three more games, all at home.FELDER DEBUTSouth Carolina guard Rakym Felder saw his first college action, less than a month after he was arrested for assault among other charges. Felder played 14 minutes and finished with eight points, swishing both of his three-point attempts. Martin said he had talked with athletic director Ray Tanner, vouching for Felders character. Ra Felder played because its my decision that he has accepted everything that came his way for his mistake, Martin said.Hes a beautiful kid, not a good kid, a beautiful kid, Martin continued.CHANGING STYLESMartin was concerned that his team would not make the necessary defensive adjustments in going from Louisiana Techs more up-tempo offense to Holy Cross deliberate attack. He neednt have worried. The Gamecocks held Holy Cross under 40-percent shooting for the game and to just 25 percent (5 of 20) from behind the arc.HOT SHOOTINGThe Gamecocks shot 58.7 percent, going 27 of 46 from the field. That touch continued from way outside and at the line: South Carolina made 12 of its 24 3-pointers and 15 of 16 foul shots.UP NEXTHoly Cross travels to play its only other regular-season Power 5 opponent at Syracuse on Tuesday night.South Carolina continues its five-game home stretch to start the season, facing Monmouth on Tuesday night.---Follow Pete Iacobelli at http://twitter.com/PIacobellil-AP---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '