The two major public companies host NASCAR races have seen ticket revenues drop about 10 percent for 14 events since the Daytona 500.Speedway Motorsports, in releasing Wednesday its 2016 financials through June, showed its admissions revenue down 11 percent this year. That includes its seven major NASCAR weekends, but it also includes some impact from the suspended IndyCar race at Texas in June that will be completed in August.Earlier this month, International Speedway Corp. reported its ticket sales were down 8.3 percent for March through May.[Improving attendance] is a combination of the improved racing that fans are being [able] to see and enjoy and also more certainty in the economy -- particularly, the middle class needs to feel more certain and confident in their economic position to travel more, SMI CEO Marcus Smith told financial analysts in a conference call Wednesday morning.SMI showed a $25.6 million profit through June and said its March estimate of earnings of $0.90-$1.10 per share for 2016 is still an accurate estimate for the year.Its profits from general operations have dropped 15 percent in 2016. SMI chief financial officer Bill Brooks said bad weather at four of its major race weekends (Las Vegas, Texas and both Charlotte weekends) impacted profits. Without that bad weather, he estimated overall profits would have dropped 3-4 percent.In addition to a decrease in general ticket sales, SMI saw decreased demand for suites and corporate entertainment as well as fewer track rentals, Brooks said. The June race at Sonoma also saw a decrease in revenues in part, Brooks said, because last year was Jeff Gordons final race at the track that is just 15 miles from Gordons hometown.With Tony Stewart retiring after this season, Smith said the sport can absorb the loss of its stars.NASCAR has an amazing group of young and upcoming drivers that are really going to be great for the sport. ... [They are] drivers with a lot of charisma and fantastic talent, Smith said.Following the SMI and ISC trends, Dover Motorsports released its financials Thursday, and it had a 12.6 percent drop in admissions revenue for its May weekend at Dover International Speedway. Dover CEO Denis McGlynn said bad weather, which followed a weather-impacted fall 2015 race, and kids in the area still being in school hurt attendance. Next years spring race will be in early June.Weve upgraded our concessions and hospitality offerings ... [and] expanded access opportunities for fans along with outdoor movie nights, fireworks and concerts are also part of the effort, McGlynn said.Were getting very positive feedback from our fans. Of course, getting our blue collar audience back to work would be very helpful, too.While attendance has dropped, tracks have seen an increase in television revenues. SMI reported a 3.1 percent increase. Combined with ISC, the tracks reported television net income of $199.6 million from the NASCAR television contract. Their ticket sales, which include other racing events (NHRA, IndyCar, sports-car races, etc.) totaled $107.4 million for the first half of their fiscal years.Our initiatives include promotions and at-track amenities and access that target families, younger generation, first-time fans and our longtime fans all at the same time, Smith said.The first 19 Sprint Cup races of the NASCAR season, according to Smith, attracted an average of 5.3 million viewers on television. That would be a drop of 7 percent from the average of 5.7 million viewers that Smith, when speaking on the conference call a year ago, said had watched the first 19 races in 2015. Detroit Red Wings Pro Shop . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. 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Detroit Red Wings Store . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. CHICAGO -- Even though Jared Weaver still isnt pitching the way he wants to, he thinks hes now progressing instead of regressing.Thats something he couldnt say back in spring training when he was diagnosed with degenerative changes in the vertebrae of his neck.Its getting better, Weaver said following the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Every time I go out it feels different, but definitely my body is feeling a lot less restrictions.One day its all gonna click, he added.This wasnt the day, though.Kris Bryant hit his 28th home run, John Lackey outpitched his friend and former teammate, and Chicago won its eighth consecutive game.Willson Contreras also homered and Ben Zobrist added an RBI double for the major league-leading Cubs, who improved to 70-41.Los Angeles (49-63) dropped its fifth straight and fell into last place in the AL West.Kole Calhoun homered in the first inning, but that was all the offense the Angels produced. Lackey (9-7) allowed three hits over eight innings, and all six of his strikeouts were looking.He was really good, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Thats how he pitches. Hes aggressive. He went after them.Weaver (8-9) gave up four earned runs and another one that was unearned when he dropped a throw to first base for an error. He permitted eight hits in five innings.I dont think he pitched as poorly as his linescore indicates, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. We let some things get away from us a little bit. But a couple of mistakes he made and those guys hit it out.The matchup of veteran right-handers was as one-sided as their teams seasons in the opener of Chicagos 10-game homestand.The 37-year-old Lackey and 33-year-old Weaver were teammates a decade ago with the Angels. They had split their previous two meetings when Lackey pitched for Boston.Its still a little weird because I root for him when hes not facingg us, Lackey said.dddddddddddd Hes a good friend. I really respect the way hes still competing and still getting after it with stuff thats a little less than he used to have. But hes still grinding, still trying to help his club win.Calhoun struck first, sending Lackeys third pitch into the left-field bleachers for his first homer since June 25. Contreras tied it with a shot to left-center in the third.Weaver had the Cubs off balance early with his 83 mph fastball and 70 mph curve. But Chicago started to pounce the second time through the order, with Anthony Rizzo doubling in a two-run fourth and again in a two-run fifth.The second hit came after Bryant sent Weavers slider onto Waveland Avenue.Its one of those lineups where you cant really breathe while youre out there. Theres no leeway, Weaver said.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: New closer Cam Bedrosian was placed on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right middle finger. RHP A.J. Achter was called up from Triple-A. . 1B C.J. Cron (hand) plans to take live batting practice in Arizona this week. . RHP Nick Tropeano will undergo Tommy John surgery next Tuesday in Los Angeles.SOTO ACTIVATEDAngels C Geovany Soto was activated from the 15-day DL following the game and C Carlos Perez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. Scioscia said Soto will be in the lineup Wednesday night.CALL REVERSEDThe Cubs Dexter Fowler was ruled out after 3B Yunel Escobar had a foul pop knocked out of his glove by a fan in the fifth. Umpires initially ruled it no play before huddling and changing the call without a replay review.UP NEXTThe series concludes Wednesday night with Chicago RHP Jason Hammel (11-5, 3.07 ERA) returning from the bereavement list to face right-hander and former Cubs draft pick Ricky Nolasco (4-8, 5.23). ' ' '