All Times Eastern
Jack Link’s 500
Site: Talladega, Alabama.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (FOX).
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 188 laps, 500.8 miles.
Last year: In a race that ended with multiple cars crashing, Tyler Reddick narrowly weaved through the chaos and secured his first win of the season.
Last race: After winning in Xfinty, Kyle Larson sends it again in Bristol leading 411 of 500 laps and blocking a No. 2 Hamlin from taking his third-straight win.
Next race: May 4, Fort Worth, Texas.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
Ag-Pro 300
Site: Talladega, Alabama.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, race, 4 p.m. (CW).
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 113 laps, 300.58 miles.
Last year: Jessie Love narrowly edged out Riley Herbst by a mere 0.141-seconds to capture his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory.
Last race: Sammy Smith assumed the win in Rockingham after a post-race inspection lead to a disqualification of Jesse Love.
Next race: May 3, Fort Worth, Texas.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
Last race: Tyler Ankrum broke his 130-race winless streak in a fuel-saving push to the finish line.
Next race: May 2, Fort Worth, Texas.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
Last race: Oscar Piastri takes his second win in a row and first ever lead in the standings after capitalizing on Verstappen's five-second penalty in the first corner.
Next race: May 4, Miami.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
Last race: Kyle Kirkwood led a race-high 46 laps, ending Alex Palou's hot streak in a dominant performance at Long Beach.
Next race: May 4, Birmingham, Alabama.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals
Site: Concord, North Carolina.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 5:15 p.m., qualifying, 7:45; Saturday, qualifying, 12:30 p.m., qualifying, 3 p.m.; Sunday, race, Noon.
Track: zMax Dragway.
Race distance: 1/4 mile.
Next race: May 18, Elwood, Illinois.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
Alabama Gang 100
Site: Eastaboga, Alabama.
Track: Talladega Short Track.
Hy-Vee Perks 40
Site: Jacksonville, Illinois.
Track: Jacksonville Speedway.
Haubs Town Showdown
Site: Haubstadt, Indiana.
Track: Tri-State Speedway.
Next events: May 1-3, Fountain City, Wisconsin, Rossburg, Ohio.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, right, sprays champagne on the podium after winning the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia celebrates after winning the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
LONDON (AP) — Actor-comedian Russell Brand was granted conditional bail by a London court on Friday after appearing to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women.
Brand, 49, did not enter a plea. He previously denied the allegations made against him.
He was swarmed by photographers as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for his first hearing since he was charged last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Brand to present himself at the Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, in central London on May 30 and granted him bail on condition he keeps the court informed of where he is staying, either in the U.K. or in the U.S. He currently lives in Florida but is obliged to attend all future court appearances. If he doesn't abide by the conditions, he faces being remanded in custody.
The comedian, author and “Get Him To The Greek” actor, who wore an open shirt and jeans, listened intently to the details of the charges as he sat in the dock. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood his bail conditions.
The alleged offenses took place between 1999 and 2005 — one in the English seaside town of Bournemouth and the other three in the Westminster area of central London. The accusers have not been identified.
Brand has been interviewed by police about the allegations, which he denies. Brand has denied engaging in “non-consensual activity.” In a video posted on X after he was charged, Brand said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence.
Brand is alleged to have raped a woman in 1999 at a hotel room in Bournemouth when she attended a Labour Party conference in the town. It is alleged that while the woman went to the bathroom, Brand removed some of his clothing and later pushed her on the bed, removed her underwear and raped her.
A second woman accuses Brand of grabbing her by the forearm and attempting to drag her into a male toilet at a television station in London in 2001.
A third accuser was a television worker Brand met in Soho, central London, in 2004. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her.
The final complainant is a radio station worker who met Brand while he was working for Channel 4 on a spin-off of the “Big Brother” reality television program between 2004 and 2005. Brand is alleged to have grabbed her by the face with both hands, pushed her against a wall and kissed her before grabbing her breasts and buttocks.
The charges follow a September 2023 joint investigation by British media outlets Channel 4 and the Sunday Times.
Known for his unbridled and risqué standup routines, Brand hosted shows on radio and television and wrote memoirs charting his battles with drugs and alcohol. He has appeared in several Hollywood movies and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry between 2010 and 2012.
In recent years, Brand has largely disappeared from mainstream media but has built up a large following online with videos mixing wellness and conspiracy theories. He recently said he had moved to the United States.
Actor--comedian Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A person takes a smart phone picture as Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Russell Brand surrounded by media as he arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Russell Brand escorted by police and surrounded by the media arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, where he faces, rape and sexual assault charges involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Actor--comedian Russell Brand arrives at Westminster Magistrates' court in London, Friday, May 2, 2025, to face charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
