HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- NASCAR chairman Brian France refused Sunday to discuss his political support of President-elect Donald Trump and quickly pivoted the conversation toward his own efforts at improving diversity in his sport.France addressed the media hours before Sundays title-deciding season finale, and a day after Mexican Daniel Suarez became the first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR national title. Earlier in the 17-minute news conference, France declared that Suarez would never have been in position to win the Xfinity Series championship if not for Frances diversity efforts.Without the Drive for Diversity program, with certainty, Daniel Suarez is not in NASCAR, France said.When the topic turned to Trump, France quickly shut down the questioning.France was an early supporter of Trump and took several drivers to a rally in Georgia earlier this year. France also appeared as a Trump supporter at a town hall meeting during the campaign.Its been Trumps stance on immigration, specifically with Mexico, that has appeared to be in conflict with Frances efforts. France has pushed for increased diversity, and was outspoken on his desire to remove the Confederate flag from NASCAR events.Asked Sunday about Suarezs championship in comparison to his support of Trump, France cut off the question from NBCSports.com.Ill stop you right there, he said. First of all, nobody wants to hear my political views. Not one person on this stage wants to hear from me politically. So I wont be talking about that.But on my diversity, nobody, nobody in this company, has worked harder, done more and resourced it better than me. I founded the Diversity Council. I fought for every single thing that makes sense, because thats my core belief about diversity. Its very, very important. I talk about it frequently, and my efforts there should never be challenged, no matter what my political views might be. Thats a ridiculous thing to do.France was prickly about several other topics and sweating profusely under the lights of the Homestead-Miami Speedway dais.He argued that the sport is healthy, even though Sprint is ending its 13-year association as title sponsor after Sundays race. NASCAR has had nearly two years to replace Sprint, but no sponsor has been named. In recent days, Monster Energy has emerged as a possible front-runner for the title rights.Its taken a little longer than I thought, but its also a big agreement and an important agreement, France said. Its not just dollars and cents, but its a fit for us. We dont want to announce anything certainly around this weekend. Were in a good spot with that, I believe, but well have to see how it finally plays out.France also downplayed the decline in television ratings -- eight Chase races have been down double-digits this season -- but France doesnt think the elimination-style playoff format is to blame. He noted ratings declines in all major sports and that consumption has shifted. For example, France said, he watched a Duke basketball game in a highlight package on his laptop rather than watch the game live on television.While some fans have pointed to the Chase for the championship system as a reason they no longer watch races, France believes the format now used in all three national series is best for the sport.Were very pleased with the formats. Wouldnt change a thing, he said. Go back a year ago for the Xfinity Series ... you had the winner and the champion and a couple others talk about all they needed to do was finish the race. `If I ran 30th, Ill be OK. 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Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Cheap Nationals Jerseys . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Chicago Bears rookie linebacker Leonard Floyd was taken off the field on a backboard and a cart after a frightening neck injury Sunday in his teams 22-16 loss to the New York Giants.Floyd was taken to a hospital for medical observation, as is standard NFL protocol, and released. He was expected to accompany the team back to Chicago.While Floyd and teammate Akiem Hicks?were converging on Giants running back Rashad Jennings, the crown of Floyds helmet led into Hicks leg and compressed. The injury happened with 5 minutes, 53 seconds remaining in Sundays game.The entire Bears team and several Giants players gathered around in a show of support. Floyd pumped his fist and showed some movement while being carted off.It hurt us mentally and physically to see Leonard go down like that, Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee said. Thats one of our young bucks. Thats one of our playmakers. Thats one of the guys we depend on. Hes a great guy. Hopefully its nothing serious, and our prayers go out to him. Hopefully hes back soon.Bears coach John Fox said following thhe game that Floyds movement looked good and was encouraging.ddddddddddddIts difficult to see a young guy like that [who has] made the strides that hes made get hurt, Bears linebacker Willie Young said. Its definitely tough. But Ive been around long enough to know thats just the game that we play.The first-round pick joined tight end Zach Miller, left guard Josh Sitton and cornerback CreVon LeBlanc as Bears knocked out of Sundays game.Floyd was taken with the No. 9 pick of the 2016 NFL draft. The Bears traded the No. 11 pick and a fourth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to move up to get him.He started the season slowly and was sidelined for three games after hurting a calf in Week 4. Since returning to the field in Week 7, Floyd has had 10 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown.His five sacks this season lead all rookies.ESPNs Jeff Dickerson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Wholesale Jerseys 2019 Stitched Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China ' ' '