k Ingram will practice Wednesday, according to New Orleans

LAS VEGAS --?Dale Earnhardt Jr. extended his record of Sprint Most Popular Driver Awards to a 14th consecutive year, and he knows the best way to thank the fans for voting for him -- by returning to race.I feel 100 percent, Earnhardt said Friday after accepting the award during the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards at the Wynn Las Vegas. I dont feel were going to have any issues.Earnhardt, 42, missed the final 18 races of the 2016 Sprint Cup season because of a concussion in June that impacted his vision and balance. He plans to return for the 2017 Daytona 500 as long as NASCAR-approved on-track tests dont trigger any symptoms.Earnhardt, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports, will do a private half-day test this month in which he wont be able to have data-acquisition sensors on the car to limit any advantage the organization gets from the test. The test had not been allowed until NASCAR made a rule earlier this year that permits a private test following injury.I had balance and vision issues and some nausea when I was going through the illness, so well just make sure that I dont have any vision issues and no nausea, Earnhardt said.I dont expect anything, because Ive been through the simulator several times. I was getting sick in the simulator before I was injured. I have been able to do the simulator without any nausea or any vision issues at all.If things go well, Earnhardt will do the NASCAR open test Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 at Phoenix International Raceway.Earnhardt said he probably will have a doctor at the first test but that he shouldnt need a follow-up examination if he feels fine during the test.I dont necessarily have to check that box [for testing] to compete next year [under the rules], Earnhardt said. Its really for my own peace of mind. To get through the process, the two best things you can do is just bring down the anxiety level and the stress, and thats really going to help me check a box I want to get checked personally.Earnhardt has other things to be anxious about: He has a New Years Eve wedding planned to Amy Reimann, and he wanted to have that initial test done before getting married.Im really excited and have enjoyed going through the process, Earnhardt said about the wedding plans. Ive never been married before and excited to be marrying Amy. ... I wanted to be involved in all the planning.The Most Popular Driver Award, administered by the National Motorsports Press Association and done through online and mobile voting, was no surprise to anyone who follows the sport. No driver has owned it for more consecutive seasons, and only 16-time winner Bill Elliott has received the award more throughout a career.I try not to think about winning or losing the Most Popular Driver Award, Earnhardt said. Its a bit of a gift.Whether we win the award or not, we get a lot of great support from our fans all season long, and I certainly got some extra support this year through the injury and all that stuff. ... The fans were great, and that was an incredible motivator for me during my recovery to get healthy.Voting spanned the final 10 weeks of the season, and Earnhardt was eligible as a driver who competed in the Daytona 500. After eight weeks, the top 10 drivers were Kyle Busch, Earnhardt, Carl Edwards, Chase Elliott (Bills son), Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Danica Patrick, Tony Stewart and Martin Truex Jr.The award was presented early in the night as NASCAR celebrated Jimmie Johnsons seventh title.The night also included a tribute to Tony Stewart, who has retired from Sprint Cup racing. Surprising Stewart on stage was his friend, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder.Johnson owner Rick Hendrick announced a $1.8 million contribution to Vedders EB Research Partnership, the largest global non-profit dedicating to curing epidermolysis bullosa, a devastating skin disorder. The industry had initially attempted to raise $1.4 million -- Stewart drove the No. 14 late in his career in honor of A.J. Foyt -- and surpassed that goal.Im totally blown away and caught off-guard, Stewart said. I really dont know what to say, to be honest.But Stewart wasnt the most famous recent retiree who made it to the stage -- swimmer Michael Phelps, the 23-time Olympic gold medalist, lauded Johnson. They are friends through their Gatorade endorsements, and Johnson spoke at USA Swimmings Golden Goggle Awards last week, a day after winning his record-tying seventh title to put his name alongside Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr.This isnt just another night for our seven-time champion, Phelps said. He set records and now stands alongside two legends. But for him, its more than that. Its a personal glory and the reward for a lifetime of hard work. And for the rest of us, its the knowledge that we just watched the greatest driver that ever lived.Johnson closed his speech with a tribute to Petty and Earnhardt Sr., quoting Earnhardt Sr., who said after winning his seventh that Petty was still The King.I completely agree and must say I might have won as many championships as Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, but I will never be The King or The Intimidator, Johnson said. Im just a guy from California who always wanted to race.Javier Aquino Jersey . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Javier Hernandez Jersey . 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The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far.METAIRIE, La. -- Mark Ingram will practice Wednesday, according to New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who said signs have been encouraging with the running back since he left the game Thursday to be evaluated for a concussion.Its unclear if Ingram was ever officially diagnosed with a concussion or placed into the NFLs concussion protocol. Payton also said Friday morning that he thought Ingram would be fine.I cant officially tell you if he was in the protocol or not, Payton said Wednesday morning. I know hes gonna practice today. I think its encouraging with him, and Ive said that all along.The Saints (4-6) will host the Los Angeles Rams (4-6) on Sunday.If Ingram plays, he will likely serve as the leading half of a timeshare with veteran running back Tim Hightower.ddddddddddddAlthough Ingram has had some inconsistent production this season, he remains on pace for 920 rushing yards, 363 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.Ingram suffered the apparent head injury during the third quarter of the 23-20 loss at the Carolina Panthers. Players immediately waved to the sideline for trainers as Ingram was down on the field for a few moments. He soon walked off the field under his own power and later walked back to the locker room for evaluation. ' ' '