DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — It's goin' down! Pitbull has ended his partnership with NASCAR team Trackhouse Racing.
Pitbull is still scheduled to play the concert ahead of Sunday's Daytona 500 as part of the race festivities that include “Captain America” actor Anthony Mackie set to serve as the grand marshal and give the command for drivers to start their engines.
“Mr. Worldwide” joined Trackhouse as an ownership partner ahead of the race team's debut in the Cup Series in the 2021 Daytona 500.
Trackhouse is fielding cars for four drivers from four countries in Sunday's Daytona 500.
Ross Chastain, a watermelon farmer out of Florida, is an American. Shane van Gisbergen is a native of New Zealand. Daniel Suarez is Mexican but became an American citizen last year. Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, is Brazilian and rounds out the team headed into his NASCAR debut.
The race will go on without Pitbull in the Trackhouse fold.
Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Christian Perez, had said he loved both NASCAR and music and the two were part of his vision to unite people and show the opportunities that exist for all cultures.
“Over the past five years, we’ve made history by introducing NASCAR to a whole new audience and falling in love with NASCAR fans at the same time,” Pitbull wrote on social media. “We have made the decision to terminate the partnership with Trackhouse Racing, effective immediately. We’re looking forward to performing on the sport’s biggest stage this Sunday, the Daytona 500.”
Trackhouse was launched by former driver Justin Marks, who thanked the rapper for his contributions to the team.
“This is a great business story. Armando came in when we had no certainty of any material success and took a chance to help build a brand,” Marks wrote on social media. “Now that we’ve scaled up and have new partners, he’s been able to be rewarded for the impact he’s made. A great investment on both ends.”
Neither side gave a reason for the split.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
FILE - Singer, songwriter Pitbull stands during the singing of the national anthem before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 27 points, 11 assists and six rebounds to lead the top-seeded Detroit Pistons to a 98-83 win over the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, evening their first-round series and ending the longest home losing streak in NBA playoff history.
The Pistons had lost 11 straight home postseason games, a drought that started in 2008.
Game 3 is Saturday in Orlando.
Detroit dominated the third quarter, turning a tie game into a rout by outscoring the Magic 38-16 in the period with six players scoring at least five points.
After Cunningham scored a career playoff-high 39 points in Game 1 and didn’t get much help, the All-Star guard had plenty of support, with five teammates scoring in double figures.
Jalen Suggs scored 19 points and Paolo Banchero had 18 for the Magic. They combined to miss 14 of 25 shots as the team shot 33% and was held to a season low in points.
Detroit’s Tobias Harris scored 16 points, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson had 11 each, and Duncan Robertson and Isaiah Stewart each scored 10. Robinson made three much-needed 3-pointers for a team that struggles with outside shooting.
Orlando’s Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane had 12 points apiece and Wendell Carter Jr. was limited to three points on 1-of-6 shooting after he scored 17 in the opener.
The Magic did not trail in the opener as their starters scored at least 16 points apiece and the Pistons had just two players in double figures.
Detroit took its first lead of the series on the opening possession of Game 2 and jumped to a 14-7 lead with a desperately needed strong start after coming out sluggish in Game 1.
The Pistons led by four points after the opening quarter and the game was tied at 46 entering the third period, when Detroit looked like the defensive-minded team that had the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Both teams will have two days to make adjustments for Game 3.
Detroit hasn't advanced beyond the first playoff round in 18 years and Orlando hasn’t reached the second round in 16 years.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) has his shot blocked by Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons guard Daniss Jenkins (24) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) and center Goga Bitadze (35) during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) goes to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Jamal Cain (8) during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) celebrates after forcing a turnover by the Orlando Magic during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) takes a shot against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) as Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) helps defend during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
