Monday, December 01, 2008

By BEE NEWS SERVICES

last updated: May 29, 2008 08:41:54 AM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Three members of Brad Keselowski's team, including crew chief Tony Eury Sr., were penalized Wednesday for participating in a post-race altercation with Denny Hamlin's crew on pit road at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Crew members from both teams scuffled after late race contact between the two drivers in Saturday night's Nationwide Series event. Keselowski ran into the back of Hamlin under caution, and Hamlin retaliated by hitting him back.

The drivers finished second and third in the race, and their crews had to be separated in the impound area. Penalties included probation and fines ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. ...

NASCAR handed down its most severe penalties yet on its new car, when the crew chiefs and car chiefs for Scott Riggs and Johnny Sauter were suspended six races apiece for tampering with the rear wings on their Chevrolets last weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Additionally, crew chiefs Bootie Barker and Dave Skog were fined $100,000. Riggs and Sauter were docked 150 driver points. Both cars are fielded by Haas-CNC Motorsports. ... Marcus Smith, son of billionaire track owner Bruton Smith, was selected as Humpy Wheeler's successor at Lowe's Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports Inc. He takes over as president and CEO of SMI, which owns seven tracks currently on NASCAR's Cup schedule, and president and GM of Lowe's Motor Speedway. ... The Indy Racing League has set July 26 for the Rexall Edmonton Indy street course event.

Golf

Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, had high hopes of landing the top 10 players in the world for the first time until Tiger Woods decided his left knee was not fully recovered from surgery. Since then, stars have been falling like rain, never a good sign at Muirfield Village.

Adam Scott opted not to play, citing fatigue. Vijay Singh was still smarting from a rib injury and had to pull out. Steve Stricker withdrew with an elbow injury. Who does that leave?

Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, both fresh off important victories at Colonial and the Players Championship, respectively. ...

Lorena Ochoa withdrew from the Ginn Tribute in Mount Pleasant, S.C., putting the top-ranked player's duel with tourney host Annika Sorenstam on hold. Ochoa left for Mexico, saying in a statement that her uncle was ill. Sorenstam supported her decision.

Track and Field

Sprinter Justin Gatlin, seeking a further reduction in a four-year doping ban so he can defend his 100-meter title at the Beijing Olympics, declined comment before the start of his hearing with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The hearing continues through today. ... The San Francisco jury deliberating the fate of track coach Trevor Graham has reached a verdict on one of three counts, but told the judge it is "hopelessly deadlocked" on the other two. Graham is charged with lying to investigators probing steroid use in sports. Jurors had their first full day of deliberations Wednesday and are to resume deliberations today.

Tennis

Former tennis star Roscoe Tanner has been arraigned on felony theft charges in Knoxville, Tenn. According to information from the Knox County General Sessions Court, Tanner is accused of writing a $72,263.43 check to a Knoxville Toyota dealership for two Toyota Highlanders and refusing to return the vehicles when the check bounced.

NFL

Jay Cutler's blood sugars are down, his spirits are up and his fastball is back. The Denver Broncos' third-year quarterback said Wednesday at the team's passing camp that he feels like his old, strong self now that he's got his Type 1 diabetes under control thanks to an insulin pump and a change in his diet. Cutler lost 35 pounds and some zip on his frozen rope throws last season but didn't heed the warning signs, including constant fatigue, unexplained weight loss, extreme thirst and frequent urination, until team medical personnel noticed a high blood sugar reading in routine tests in March and sent him to a diabetes specialist. ... Eight months after Jake Delhomme grabbed his right elbow in agony, the Carolina Panthers quarterback took part in an optional workout. He threw about 40 passes in his latest rehab milestone following ligament-replacement surgery. ... Ex-NFL lineman (Bucs, Eagles, Dolphins) Thomas McHale, found dead at a friend's Tampa-area home Sunday, was using anti-depression medicine and cocaine the night before he died, authorities said. He was 45.

Gymnastics

Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm's recovery from hand surgery is being accelerated so he'll be able to contend for a medal at the Beijing Games. "I'm not getting him ready just to go," Dr. Lawrence Lubbers said in Columbus, Ohio. "I want to see a medal. And I want it around his neck."

Boxing

Anthony Mundine beat fellow Aussie Sam Soliman by unanimous decision in Melbourne to successfully defend his World Boxing Association super middleweight title.

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