Auto Racing
Rain halts all NASCAR qualifying in Kentucky
SPARTA, Ky. – Rain returned to Kentucky Speedway on Friday and canceled qualifying for the Sprint Cup and Xfinity series races.
Starting grids have been set by the rule book, with Kyle Larson on the pole beside Brad Keselowski for Saturday night’s 400-mile Cup race at the 1.5-mile track. Larson posted the fastest practice speed of 182.537 mph.
College Football
FSU back suspended for allegedly punching woman
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State suspended running back Dalvin Cook indefinitely after a woman accused him of punching her outside a downtown bar.
The school announced the decision Friday after the state attorney issued a warrant for Cook’s arrest on a misdemeanor battery charge.
Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman said Cook punched the woman on June 23, causing swelling and a cut lip.
State Attorney Willie Meggs interviewed the woman and Cook before issuing charges.
It’s the second time in two weeks that an FSU player has been charged with punching a woman.
Golf
Thomas grabs lead, while Spieth tills John Deere hole
SILVIS, Ill. – Justin Thomas shot a 4-under 67 on Friday to take a 1-shot lead through two rounds at the John Deere Classic.
Jordan Spieth shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to go from at risk of missing the cut to moving within five shots of the lead.
GULLANE, Scotland – Some of the top names in golf were upstaged by a player ranked No. 528 in the world at the Scottish Open on Friday, with unheralded Englishman Daniel Brooks surging into a surprise three-shot lead after the second round.
LANCASTER, Pa. – Amy Yang rolled in four consecutive birdies in a round of 4-under 66 for a three-stroke lead after two rounds if the U.S. Women’s Open.
MLB
Missouri owns both AL and NL All-Star final fan vote
NEW YORK – Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas and St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Carlos Martinez are going to the All-Star Game as winners of the final fan vote.
Moustakas becomes the seventh Royals player set to participate in Tuesday’s Mid-Summer Classic in Cincinnati. He beat out Minnesota’s Brian Dozier, Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts for the last American League spot. Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner was in the final five, but he replaced Moustakas’ injured teammate Alex Gordon on the roster Wednesday.
Martinez surged ahead of Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto late in the voting to become the sixth Cardinals player to make the NL roster. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and Mets closer Jeurys Familia were also in contention.
Soccer
New York Salutes reigning World Cup champions
NEW YORK – Throngs of young girls and other fans of the U.S. women’s soccer team filled lower Manhattan on Friday morning for a ticker-tape parade celebrating its Women’s World Cup victory.
The parade-goers – many wearing red, white and blue – started gathering at 3:30 a.m. along the Canyon of Heroes, a stretch of Broadway where the nation’s largest city has honored its legends. When the parade got underway at 11 a.m., the crowd was five deep or more along the route. Some chanted, “USA! USA!”
Associated Press
