CHARLOTTE, N. Calvin Ridley Jersey .C. - Chase Elliott will replace Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 Chevrolet when the four-time NASCAR champion gives up his seat at the end of this season.The announcement Thursday was expected because Elliott is the reigning Xfinity Series champion and one of NASCARs most promising young talents. Hendrick Motorsports had to find a seat for him at NASCARs top level or risk losing the 19-year-old to another organization in 2016.Gordon, who announced his plan last week to retire from full-time driving, told The Associated Press he believes Elliott is the perfect choice to replace him.Chase is extraordinary, Gordon told AP of Elliott, who is the youngest champion in the history of NASCARs second-tier series.Elliott will defend his Xfinity title his season with JR Motorsports. But Rick Hendrick will also prep him for his move into Gordons car by entering him in five Cup races, beginning at Martinsville in March. Hell also run at Richmond, in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Labor Day weekend event at Darlington.Elliott will drive the No. 25 Chevrolet with sponsorship from NAPA in this years limited Cup schedule.No sponsor was announced Thursday for his eventual Cup ride, but Elliott will be paired with Gordons current crew chief, Alan Gustafson, in 2016.Chase brings the kind of intangibles that make him the total package as a driver, Rick Hendrick said. Not only is he a special talent inside the race car, but theres a natural combination of competitiveness, work ethic and smarts that you rarely see.Confirmation that Elliott will replace one of NASCARs greatest drivers came the day before Elliotts father, Bill, is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, the Georgia native won the 1988 championship. He had 44 career Cup wins, including the 1985 Daytona 500.Now, the father and son duo will celebrate their accomplishments together in one week. Elliott will be feted by the industry Friday night during his induction, and his son cemented his future on Thursday.My parents especially have believed in me every step of the way, and I know this wouldnt be possible without all the sacrifices theyve made to focus on my racing career. This is such a big week for our family, Elliott said. I know how rare this opportunity is and will work as hard as I can to make everyone proud.Chase Elliott will take over one of the most coveted rides in NASCAR, a seat that has been occupied by the driver with the third-most Cup wins in history since 1992. He will also join one of the most vaunted lineups in the sport: Along with Gordon, six-time champion Jimmie Johnson, Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne put all four of Hendricks cars in the 16-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup championship last season.Gordon made the strongest run at the title, falling just one point short of advancing to the championship round. He was eliminated roughly 24 hours after Elliott wrapped up the then-Nationwide Series championship.Gordon told AP there had been pressure on him from Hendrick to set a timeline on his future, not because Hendrick wanted him out of the car, but because the organization had to make long-term plans for Elliott. Between his aching back, and a desire to spend more time with his two young children, Gordon said Elliotts rapid progression was also part of his decision.That definitely has played a factor in the timing being right, because theres no doubt Rick has put pressure on me and had discussions with me, Gordon told AP. Rick noted, We dont have a driver that can fill the shoes and sponsors. He and I would go back and forth in these conversations, and we all kind of saw the timeline of Chase. As last season progressed and he was doing so well, it was obvious he was going to be ready for 2016.It didnt make my decision, but it helped me make my decision.Elliott had three wins last season in the Xfinity Series, and 26 top-10 finishes in 33 starts. He juggled the final semester of his senior year of high school with the first part of the season. He grabbed his first career victory at Texas in April — becoming the youngest winner in series history — then was back in school two days later.He followed it with a win at tricky Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, and both victories were celebrated back in Georgia with the ringing of the police siren atop the Dawsonville Pool Room. The siren is only used in cases of celebration and had not been sounded since 2003, when Bill Elliott won his final race at Rockingham Speedway. Logan Paulsen Falcons Jersey . Canadas 5-1 loss to Finland in the semifinal ranks as the tournaments most-watched game with a record 2.7 million viewers, the largest ever for a World Juniors game played outside of North America, and winning Saturday as the most-watched program on Canadian television. Isaiah Oliver Jersey . -- Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford made it through a third straight practice without any setbacks and expects to play in Oaklands regular-season finale against San Diego. http://www.falconsauthenticofficialonline.com/ . FIFA said the suspension was requested by ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia, making Beckenbauer the first person to be punished as a result of the case. Beckenbauer refused "repeated requests for his assistance, including requests that he provide information during an in-person interview or in response to written questions provided in both English and German," FIFA said in a statement. GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena to a $25 million, five-year contract Saturday. "We think he adds to our major league club at some point this year," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. The Dodgers had been negotiating with Arruebarrena for several days. The 23-year-old infielder defected from Cuba last fall, establishing residency in Haiti. He has been working out in the Dominican Republic, according to the Colletti. Colletti said Arruebarrena still has to acquire a work visa. "Well get him as soon as we can get him here," Colletti said. "We need to see him on an everyday basis." Arruebarrena was a teammate of Yasiel Puigs in the Cuban League from 2010-11. He is touted for his defence but Colletti said his offence still needs work. Still, Arruebarrena was starting shortstop for Cuba in the 2013 World Baseball Classic and batted .375 with four runs and two RBIs in six games. "Offensively, hes a work in progress," Colletti said. "Hes got power. Thats the part of his game that probably needs to get better. But his defencee is good enough that it was worth signing him. Deadrin Senat Jersey. . We signed him for the defensive part, knowing that he can play the middle of the diamond at a very high level. And, theres some offensive ability there that well try to fine tune." Arruebarrena joins Puig and Alex Guererro as three Cubans signed by the Dodgers in the past two years. Los Angeles also drafted pitcher Onelki Garcia in 2012. He defected to the United States in 2010. Puig said he has known Arruebarrena since he was 9-years-old and their families are acquainted. Through an interpreter, Puig said through a translator that their families know each other. He called Arruebarrena good player. Hanley Ramirez goes into 2014 as the Dodgers starting shortstop. Colletti, however, said that Ramirez would be willing to move to third base at some point. Arruebarrena has played third and second base. "But we see him as a shortstop," Colletti said of Arruebarrena. The contract includes a $7.5 million signing bonus. His salaries will be $1.5 million this year, $3 million in 2015, $4 million in 2016 and 2017, and $5 million in 2018. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '