Auto Racing
Stewart’s accident spurs NASCAR into action
BROOKLYN, Mich. – NASCAR added a rule Friday ordering drivers to not approach moving cars or the track after accidents. The announcement comes less than a week after a driver was struck and killed during a dirt-track race in New York.
If a car is involved in an accident and no longer can keep going – and no extenuating circumstances exist such as smoke in the cockpit or fire – the driver should not loosen any personal safety equipment until directed to do so by safety personnel or a NASCAR or track official.
After being told to exit the car, the driver should proceed to an emergency vehicle or as otherwise directed.
The rule takes effect immediately and applies to all of NASCAR’s series. Violations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
NASCAR star Tony Stewart is skipping this weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. Last Saturday, Stewart’s car hit and killed Kevin Ward Jr. at a sprint car event in Canandaigua, New York. After Stewart appeared to clip Ward’s car, sending it spinning, Ward left the car during the caution period, walked down the track and was hit by Stewart.
Gordon sets new high mark at Michigan at 206 mph
BROOKLYN, Mich. – Jeff Gordon broke the Michigan International Speedway qualifying record Friday, taking the pole for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race Sunday with a speed of 206.558 mph.
Speeds at MIS have been climbing ever since the two-mile oval was repaved before the 2012 season. Kevin Harvick set the qualifying record in June at 204.557, but drivers breezed past that mark Friday, and Gordon emerged with his second consecutive pole. He qualified first last weekend at Watkins Glen but finished 34th, giving up the series points lead to Dale Earnhardt Jr.
It’s the 76th pole of Gordon’s career and the seventh fastest pole-winning speed in the history of NASCAR’s top series.
Joey Logano qualified second, followed by Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers and Brad Keselowski.
College Football
Fighting Irish four nicked for ‘academic dishonesty’
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame said it is investigating “suspected academic dishonesty” involving several students, including four members of the football team who are being held out of practice.
The school released a statement Friday saying it has notified the NCAA. Because of potential violations, the four players can’t compete until the conclusion of the investigation and the university honor code process.
The Fighting Irish will open the season against Rice on Aug. 30.
The four football players were not named by the school, but various media reports identified them as wide receiver DaVaris Daniels, reserve linebacker Kendall Moore, cornerback KeiVarae Russell and defensive end Ishaq Williams.
The school said in a news release that evidence students submitted homework and papers that had been written for them by others initially was detected at the end of the summer session. The case then was referred to the compliance office July 29; the investigation is continuing.
Notre Dame said it would vacate victories if it is determined that players have been ineligible during past competition. All four were members of the 2012 team that played for the BCS national championship.
Tennis
U.S. Open will go on without its 2009 men’s champion
NEW YORK – Past U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro pulled out of the year’s final Grand Slam tournament Friday because he’s still recovering from wrist surgery.
Del Potro, who beat Roger Federer in the 2009 final at Flushing Meadows, has not played a match on tour since February. His surgery was in March.
The 25-year-old Argentine is ranked 11th. The U.S. Tennis Association said his spot in the main draw was taken by 88th-ranked Simone Bolelli of Italy.
Associated Press
