Auto Racing
Sprint car CEO defends the safety of his series
KNOXVILLE, Iowa – Three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart reignited the debate about the danger of open-wheel winged sprint cars when he broke his leg last week in rural Iowa.
It was the third crash in a month for Stewart. It came after former NASCAR driver Jason Leffler died racing sprint cars in June, and longtime driver Kramer Williamson died after a crash earlier this month.
Brian Carter, the chief executive officer of the World of Outlaws sprint car series, said the sport has made significant strides in recent years. He pointed to roll cages, the car’s weight requirement of 1,400 pounds – which is intended to keep them from becoming dangerously light – and chassis improvements designed with safety in mind. Carter also said sprint cars have adapted some of the head and neck restraint technology from NASCAR.
Ganassi will cut ties with Montoya after 2013 season
Juan Pablo Montoya, one of the most decorated drivers in the world with an Indianapolis 500 victory and wins in Formula One, NASCAR and the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, will not have a chance to find success in NASCAR with longtime team owner Chip Ganassi.
The team owner informed Montoya he will not bring the Colombian back for an eighth NASCAR season. Ganassi president Steve Lauletta announced the decision to the team Tuesday, multiple people present for the announcement told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Ganassi does not comment on driver contracts.
Montoya has been with Ganassi since 2006 when he abruptly left Formula One – where he had seven wins and 30 podiums – for NASCAR. It’s his second stint with the car owner – the two teamed together to win the 1999 CART championship and 2000 Indianapolis 500 before Montoya moved to F1. But results in NASCAR have been sporadic. Montoya has just two wins in 239 career starts and his best season finish was eighth in 2009.
NBA
Spurs’ championship well produces another coach
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia 76ers hired Spurs assistant Brett Brown to replace Doug Collins, who resigned in April.
The deal was completed earlier in the week, and Brown officially was introduced as the 24th head coach in franchise history Wednesday. Brown is the eighth coach to lead the Sixers since Larry Brown left in 2003.
Brett Brown was part of three NBA title teams with San Antonio. The 52-year-old Brown was an assistant under Gregg Popovich since 2002. He also coached the Australian men’s national team from 2009 to 2012.
NFL
Solder rolls up on Brady to give the Patriots a scare
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Tom Brady walked off the field under his own power. Several teammates didn’t think he was hurt badly when he grabbed his left knee after being knocked down.
Yet the possibility that the New England Patriots might lose their star quarterback caused a scare at the team’s joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday.
A person with knowledge of the injury said magnetic resonance imaging was negative, and Brady was day-to-day with a left knee sprain. The Patriots didn’t make an announcement on Brady’s injury.
The two-time league MVP had a season-ending injury to the same knee in the 2008 opener.
Brady was injured midway through practice Wednesday when left tackle Nate Solder – a Buena Vista and University of Colorado alumnus – was pushed into him by Tampa Bay defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Brady, entering his 14th NFL season, fell, rocked backward on the ground and held his left knee.
He went to the sideline, then returned for a few more plays before talking with coach Bill Belichick and leaving the field toward the team’s indoor practice facility next to it.
Associated Press
