BROOKLYN, Mich. -- When Kyle Larson was trying to hold off Chase Elliott at Michigan International Speedway last weekend, this much was certain: One of them was going to win a Sprint Cup race for the first time.The next generation of NASCAR standouts has quite an opportunity over these next couple months. With Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart fading from prominence and Dale Earnhardt Jr. sidelined with concussion problems, a handful of younger drivers have emerged in impressive fashion of late.The 24-year-old Larson ended up winning at Michigan, with the 20-year-old Elliott coming in second. Ryan Blaney was fourth, equaling the highest finish of the 22-year-olds career.When we took that last restart I saw three guys up there that hadnt won before, six-time series champion Jimmie Johnson said. In my mind I thought, `Man, I hope one of these guys gets it.Larson wrapped up a spot in the Chase with his victory at Michigan, and Elliott seems likely to get in, too. Chris Buescher has a berth waiting for him if the 23-year-old can remain in the top 30 in points. His victory at Pocono was the first of his career.Last years Chase did not include a single driver under 25.Gordon retired at the end of last season, although hes been back behind the wheel recently to replace the injured Earnhardt. Elliott has replaced Gordon in the No. 24 car and has 12 top-10 finishes this year, an encouraging sign amid a tough year for Hendrick Motorsports.Gordons retirement as a full-time driver and Earnhardts concussion problems have driven home the fact that NASCAR wont be able to rely on its biggest names forever. Stewart plans to retire after this season, and even Johnson is all the way down in ninth place in the standings.The first race at Michigan back in June had the youngest top three in Sprint Cup history, with Joey Logano (26) finishing ahead of Elliott and Larson. Last weekend, it was Larson and Elliott going 1-2. Both were driving Chevrolets.Chevy has had a fortunate lineup of drivers and team owners, some of the very best in the industry, said Jim Campbell, vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports for Chevrolet. As some of them retire, and we are working with our team owners to bring guys in like Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, it really bodes well for the future. Were proud of those guys. Theyre incredibly talented and surrounded by great teams.Larsons victory snapped a 99-race losing skid for Chip Ganassi Racing, and the owner expressed confidence that his young driver wouldnt be making a jump to another team any time soon.His contract came up one time. I said, `What do you think about these other teams that are talking to you? Ill never forget his answer. He said, `They all had a shot at me the first time around and they passed, Ganassi said. To say hes the foundation of the team, sure. Any time you have a young guy come along that can win, sure, you want to rally around that.Larson was the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Next programs to win a Sprint Cup race. It happened in his 99th start.I wouldnt have been surprised if he won in his first two or three starts, and wouldnt be surprised if it took him 10 years. Theres no guarantees at this level, said Brad Keselowski, who finished third Sunday. Theres too many pieces. Being a great driver alone is not enough to guarantee success. Everything has to come together. ... I look forward to racing him and Chase and Ryan Blaney and all those guys for years to come.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Puma Wholesale Australia . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Puma Shoes Australia Sale . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. http://www.wholesalepumaaustralia.com/ . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Cheap Puma Shoes Australia .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Puma Australia Sale . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. PITTSBURGH -- It might feel like a do-over Saturday when the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates play the second game of their three-game series at PNC Park.Thanks to Pittsburghs 11-inning, 6-5 win Friday, Washington is still trying to clinch the National League East title, and the Pirates are still clinging to long odds that they will get into the postseason.Actually, even if the Nationals had won Friday, they would not have clinched because their magic number was two and the New York Mets won. But a win would have left Washington in control and needing just a win Saturday -- or in any of its last nine regular-season games -- to capture its third division title in five years.Pittsburgh also has nine games left, but a 3 1/2-game mountain to get into a wild-card position might be insurmountable.Still, getting the win Friday to help keep their hopes alive and avoid a scenario where Washington gets to celebrate at their home park was something positive for the Pirates -- and especially for rookie Jacob Stallings, who hit a walk-off pinch-hit RBI single with two outs and a full count in the 11th.Obviously, its a big win for us trying to make the playoffs, Stallings said. It was pretty cool.Washingtons Joe Ross (7-5, 3.48 ERA) is slated to start Saturday, his second start since coming off the disabled list after recovering from a shoulder injury.After being out 2 1/2 mmonths, Ross allowed one run on six singles in three innings on Sunday, throwing 51 pitches, in the Nationals rain-shortened loss against Atlanta the Braves.dddddddddddd felt good, and that was what I was mainly concerned with, Ross told the Washington Post after that game. Just going out there feeling good and competing.The Nationals hope for a little more from Ross, and look for him to go longer Saturday. That is particularly true now after Washington used seven relievers Friday.Before he got hurt, Ross struck out a career-best 11 in 7 1/3 innings in a 4-1 Washington win over Pittsburgh that was Ross third major league start.Ross will be matched against one of the Pirates steadiest starters over the past seven weeks.Ivan Nova (12-7, 4.19 ERA) has been more than steady since the Pirates acquired him from the New York Yankees Aug. 1.In his first nine starts with Pittsburgh, he is 5-1 with a 2.93 ERA with 46 strikeouts and just three walks.He has made just one career start against Washington, a 4-1 win while pitching for the Yankees in 2012.Nova has been so good that reports abound that the Pirates will not be able to afford to re-sign him despite their interest in doing so.For now, Pittsburgh needs him to keep its playoff hopes alive Saturday. ' ' '