Auto Racing
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR unveiled a revamped penalty system Thursday that could levy more punishments on race weekends.
Scrapping its six-level class, NASCAR moved to a two-level system where penalties assessed during qualifying or inspections at the track will be immediate and not handled later in the week. Potential penalties at the track include loss of practice time, loss of pit selection, an end of field penalty and even the loss of track access.
NASCAR said Level 1 infractions that include failing weight, heights and missing three lugnuts will result in penalties of up to 40 points, a potential three-race suspension for a crew chief and a $75,000 fine. Level 2 infractions that target traction control, tire manipulation and illegal testing warrant a 75-point deduction, a six-race suspension for the crew chief or other team members, and a fine ranging from $100,000 to $200,000.
Golf
LOS ANGELES – Sam Saunders played bogey-free at Riviera on Thursday for a 7-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead among the early finishers at the Genesis Open.
This is how Saunders prefers to be in a starring role — on a golf course making birdies, not as the composed grandson of Arnold Palmer giving a rock-solid eulogy for the King at his memorial service last October.
Saunders had what he felt was his best round at as a pro at a tournament that Palmer won three times.
PERTH, Australia — Brett Rumford and Mark Foster shot 6-under 66s Thursday to lead after the first round of the World Super 6 golf tournament at Lake Karrinyup, with 10 others a stroke off the lead of the European Tour event.
The tournament, also sanctioned by the Australian and Asian tours, will feature three days of stroke play before switching to a match-play format in the final round when the top 24 golfers will play a series of six-hole knockout duels.
The tournament features a regular cut after the second round, reducing the field to the top 65 pros and ties. There will be a further cut to 24 players after the third round, with the top eight receiving a bye into the first of a series of match play on Sunday.
NFL
PITTSBURGH – New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis faces five pending charges, including two counts of aggravated assault, after allegedly being involved in a fight with two men last weekend.
According to a Pittsburgh police statement and a court document, the 31-year-old Revis is also facing charges of robbery, terroristic threats, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault after the incident last Sunday at 2:43 a.m.
Revis’ attorney, Blaine Jones, says in a statement Thursday that Revis was “physically assaulted while at that location by a group of at least five people.” He adds that the Jets cornerback “feared for his safety” and sought medical attention. Police say the alleged fight started when a 22-year-old man, not identified in the statement, spotted Revis walking. After Revis confirmed he was the NFL player, the man started recording the interaction. Revis grabbed the phone and tried to delete the video. A 21-year-old man tried to help the other man, but Revis tossed the phone into the road, the report says.
An argument ensued, ending with another man helping Revis, according to a police statement. Police say two others claimed they were punched and knocked out. According to police, the two men regained consciousness and spoke to authorities.
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