Auto Racing
Johnson plays spoiler in winning pole at Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Jimmie Johnson won the pole at Phoenix International Raceway to continue to play spoiler to the championship contenders.
Johnson was eliminated from the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in the first round. But he won last week at Texas to deny Brad Keselowski a spot next week in the title-deciding finale, and his pole-winning run Friday stopped Kurt Busch from earning the top starting spot for the final elimination race.
Johnson turned a lap at 143.158 mph to earn the pole for Sunday’s race.
Busch was second and the highest-qualifying driver still eligible for the championship.
F1 can’t look to Austin for U.S. Grand Prix bailout
AUSTIN, Texas – The mayor of Austin says Formula One officials can’t look to the Texas capital for a bailout of the financially struggling United States Grand Prix.
Mayor Steve Adler said Friday the state of Texas should stand by its previous agreement with the Circuit of the Americas. Track officials say that deal includes a promise of at least $25 million per year from the Major Events Trust Fund.
But Gov. Greg Abbott’s office this week said it is trimming about $6 million in annual funding. Circuit officials and Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone say that could threaten the future of the Austin race after just four years.
MLB
Boston gets closer Kimbrel from Padres for 4 prospects
BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres for four prospects.
The Red Sox assume $25 million remaining on Kimbrel’s contract in their first big acquisition since Dave Dombrowski took over as president of baseball operations on Aug. 18. Kimbrel was obtained by the Padres in a blockbuster deal the day before the 2015 started.
Kimbrel had 39 saves in 43 chances for the Padres, who underachieved despite a roster makeover by general manager A.J. Preller.
The Padres receive outfielder Manuel Margot, infielders Javier Guerra and Carlos Asuaje, and left-hander Logan Allen.
Skiing
Aspen to host 2 slaloms after World Cup race moved
OBERHOFEN, Switzerland – Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin will race in back-to-back slaloms in front of an American crowd after a World Cup ski event was rescheduled.
The International Ski Federation said Aspen will host the women’s slalom race canceled this weekend in Levi, Finland, because of warm weather.
Aspen is now a three-race stop on the World Cup circuit, from Nov. 27-29. Slalom races are now scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, and a giant slalom has been brought forward one day to Friday.
Soccer
Altidore scores twice, U.S. routs St Vincent 6-1
ST. LOUIS – Jozy Altidore scored twice as the U.S. bounced back from an early deficit and routed tiny St. Vincent and the Grenadines 6-1 Friday night in the Americans’ opening qualifier for the 2018 World Cup.
Oalex Anderson took advantage of defensive confusion by Gyasi Zardes and DeAndre Yedlin to put 129th-ranked St. Vincent ahead in the fifth minute.
But Bobby Wood tied the score in the 11th, Fabian Johnson put the Americans ahead in the 29th and Altidore scored two minutes later, becoming the fifth U.S. player to reach 30 international goals.
Geoff Cameron and Zardes boosted the lead to 5-1 early in the second half, and Altidore added his second goal in the 74th.
The Americans are unbeaten in 10 consecutive World Cup qualifying openers.
Associated Press
