Mark Long, Author at Daily Hampshire Gazette

Chris Buescher (17), Daniel Suarez (99), Denny Hamlin (11), Justin Haley (31), Ty Dillon (42), Aric Almirola (10) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47) are involved in a multi-car accident between turns 1 and 2 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Dow Graham)

Dillon, Blaney nab last playoff spots at rain-soaked Daytona

by Mark Long Associated PressAugust 28, 2022

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Austin Dillon avoided a massive wreck in the rain to win at Daytona International Speedway and snag a playoff spot in the Cup Series’ regular-season finale Sunday.Dillon passed Austin Cindric for the lead with three laps to go…

Brad Keselowski talks with a crew member prior to practice and qualifying at Richmond Raceway for a NASCAR Cup Series race Aug. 13 in Richmond, Va.

Brad Keselowski, 14 others vying for last 2 NASCAR playoff spots

by Mark Long Associated PressAugust 26, 2022

FILE - Former Jacksonville Jaguars player Tony Boselli is honored on the field during halftime of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. Boselli will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Boselli carries memories of late father into Hall of Fame

by Mark Long Associated PressJuly 31, 2022

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. Urban Meyer's tumultuous NFL tenure ended after just 13 games — and two victories — when the Jacksonville Jaguars fired him early Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 because of an accumulation of missteps. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong , File)

Jaguars fire Urban Meyer after 13 games, countless missteps

by Mark Long Associated PressDecember 16, 2021

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tim Tebow makes a reception during a drill at NFL football practice, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Tim Tebow’s comeback story ends with Jaguars cutting him

by Mark Long Associated PressAugust 17, 2021

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2008, file photo, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, left, and coach Urban Meyer celebrate in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla. Tebow and Meyer are together again, this time in the NFL and with Tebow playing a new position. The former Florida star and 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, May 20, 2021, and will attempt to revive his...

Reunited: Tim Tebow signs with Jaguars, rejoins Urban Meyer as tight end

by Mark Long Associated PressMay 20, 2021

FILE - Former Florida football player Tim Tebow speaks to fans after he was inducted in the Ring of Honor at Florida Field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Gainesville, Fla., in this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, file photo. Tebow and Urban Meyer are apparently getting back together, this time in the NFL. The former Florida star and 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is expected to team up with his college coach by signing a one-year contract to...

Report: Tim Tebow-Urban Meyer reunion on verge of becoming official

by Mark Long Associated PressMay 10, 2021

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 1997, file photo, the checkered flag in Victory Lane reflects in the sunglasses of Dale Earnhardt,, after he won his eighth consecutive 125-mile qualifying auto race for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. On the cusp of a national popularity explosion, NASCAR never stopped after the deaths of Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Tony Roper. But losing Earnhardt forced the stock car series to confront safety issues it had...

Lasting legacy: Dale Earnhardt’s death saved lives, forced change

by Jenna Fryer Associated Press, Dan Gelston Associated Press, and Mark Long Associated PressFebruary 11, 2021

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Super Host? Bucs can become 1st to play Super Bowl at home

by Mark Long Associated PressJanuary 20, 2021

Ohio State NCAA college football head coach Urban Meyer announces his retirement at a news conference in Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 4, 2018.

Meyer near coaching deal with Jaguars

by Mark Long Associated PressJanuary 14, 2021