'King' gives up throne: Petty team gets help

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CONCORD, N.C. — One of NASCAR's most storied race teams gave up majority control Wednesday when a private equity firm took over Petty Enterprises.

Although Richard Petty says he'll still have a large day-to-day role with the team his family has run since 1949, Boston Ventures now maintains control of the operation and the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Barry Baker, managing director of Boston Ventures, becomes Petty's new chairman. David Zucker takes over as CEO.

The Petty organization has been stuck in neutral for close to two decades, falling far behind the success it achieved when "The King" won seven championships and 200 races. Petty Enterprises' last victory came with John Andretti in 1999.

"Everything has changed so much from where we first started, and as time progressed, it really got away from us," Petty said. "The only way we could get in the game was to get new moneys coming in."

The new partnership allowed the organization to sign former series champion Bobby Labonte to a four-year contract extension to continue driving the famed No. 43 Dodge. ...

NASCAR chairman Brian France denied that a former official complained to her supervisors about racial and sexual discrimination, claims she alleged led to her firing. Mauricia Grant filed a $225 million suit against NASCAR on Tuesday, alleging racial discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliatory termination. Grant, who is black, worked as a technical inspector for NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series. France said the detailed filing was the first NASCAR learned of her claims.

College Basketball

Guard Jordan Crawford quit the Indiana team, leaving the Hoosiers facing possible NCAA sanctions with just two players returning from last season. Crawford started eight games as a freshman and averaged 9.7 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Hoosiers, whose roster has been depleted with transfers and dismissals since last spring's departure of former coach Kelvin Sampson.

Soccer

American teenage striker Jozy Altidore signed a six-year contract with Villarreal. The Spanish club agreed to pay a transfer fee reportedly close to $10 million for the former New York Red Bulls player, nearly twice as much as the previous record for an American. ... Arda Turan scored during injury time in Basel, Switzerland, giving Turkey a 2-1 win over Switzerland that eliminated the co-host from the European Championship. Turan sent a right-footed shot from outside the area that deflected in off a Switzerland defender. ... Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal for Portugal since October was the winner in a 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic. Combined with Switzerland's loss, it moved Portugal to the quarterfinals. Ronaldo's goal in the 63rd minute came off a brilliant pass by playmaker Deco. ... Germany's 2-0 win over Poland topped the first three days of ratings for the European Championship, drawing about 683,000 viewers on ESPN2.

Cycling

Spain's Alejandro Valverde took the overall lead in the Dauphine Libere from Thor Hushovd after winning the third stage — a 19.3-mile time trial — in 44 minutes, 59 seconds, edging Levi Leipheimer of the U.S. by 19 seconds. ... Former world cycling champ Tom Boonen was barred from this year's Tour de France after testing positive for cocaine. Tour organizers said the rest of Boonen's Quick Step team remains eligible to compete in the race.

Tennis

Roger Federer shook off his lopsided French Open final loss to Rafael Nadal, extending his grasscourt streak to 55 matches with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Michael Berrer at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany. James Blake beat Benjamin Becker 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, but defending champion Tomas Berdych went down 6-2, 7-5 to Robin Soderling.