UNC Other Sports News

Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Other Sports News.

'North Wilkesboro is back': What return of NASCAR points race means to family of track's founder

For the first time in 30 years, a points race is back at North Wilkesboro Speedway — this weekend's Window World 450. Fans are ecstatic about the return of a NASCAR Cup Series race at the track, including Mike Staley, whose father, Enoch Staley, started the North Wilkesboro Speedway. The countdown is on for the rumbling of seats and the roaring of engines. (Spectrum News)

ACC looks to corporate sponsorships as a way to boost the bottom line of league revenue

Jim Phillips has spent his five-plus-year tenure as Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner trying to generate more revenue for a league facing financial pressures even with yearly record hauls. For his league — and across the national landscape in the revenue-sharing era, for that matter — that has included more emphasis on corporate sponsorships. (Associated Press)

James Franklin set for 2026 after Virginia Tech 'won the offseason'

Virginia Tech made the first significant hire of the coaching cycle with James Franklin, overhauled its financial model and made roster and recruiting upgrades ahead of the 2026 season. The time has come to return to the field. "I think we've won the offseason," Franklin said Thursday at the ACC Kickoff. "We've done the right things. There's a lot of excitement." (ESPN)

Dale Earnhardt Jr., federal money spur North Wilkesboro’s NASCAR revival

This weekend, for the first time in 30 years, the short track in Wilkes County is going to have a points race for NASCAR’s top-level Cup Series. The green flag on the Window World 450 will drop at 7 p.m. on Sunday — the culmination of a lot of hard work and money spent by NASCAR, Speedway Motorsports, the State of North Carolina and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (USA Today)

NC State's Dave Doeren says quarterback CJ Bailey could be best in country

Few quarterbacks in college football are better positioned for a breakthrough season than NC State's CJ Bailey. The junior enters his third season as a starter with an increasing amount of buzz, as he stood out among college QBs at the Manning Passing Academy. "I think he could be the best in the country," NC State coach Dave Doeren told ESPN. (ESPN)

Video: Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez on his transfer from UNC and love for Bill Belichick

Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez talks about his season at UNC, what went wrong, and how he is eager to run more while playing for the Demon Deacons. Lopez explains why he decided to transfer and says he has no ill will toward Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick. (View Video)

ACC Draws Line Against SEC and Big Ten Push for Conference-Specific Rules

At ACC media days, commissioner Jim Phillips appeared to firmly rebuke going down the same track as the SEC and Big Ten. If the league will be doing anything on its own, it seems limited to implementing a somewhat convoluted new tiebreaking procedure for its annual football championship game. “Self-governance, to me, means no governance,” said Phillips. (Sports Illustrated)

Dabo Swinney says Clemson focused on fixing mistakes, not on outside expectations

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney struck a familiar tone Wednesday at the ACC Football Kickoff, expressing confidence in his program's direction despite a disappointing 2025 season and mounting outside skepticism. Swinney said the Tigers are focused on correcting the football mistakes that led to last year's seven-win campaign. (TigerNet)

'Business is business.' QB Darian Mensah describes his move from Duke to Miami

After an ACC championship at Duke, after being one of the nation’s passing leaders, quarterback Darien Mensah transferred to Miami in January and reportedly will be playing for even more money this season. And, from all appearances, with no regrets about his decision. “Business is business,” he said Wednesday at the 2026 ACC Football Kickoff. (MSN.com)

ACC implements new tiebreaker policy for football title game

After a five-way tie for second place put Duke in the ACC championship game over higher-ranked Miami last season, a new tiebreaker policy was announced Wednesday that commissioner Jim Phillips described as getting the league to the "right place" to feature its two best football teams and because the league is shifting to a nine-game conference schedule. (ESPN)

Next >