Auto Racing
Busch’s car fails inspection, won’t be on the pole
HAMPTON, Ga. – Kyle Busch’s car failed a post-race inspection, and he was disqualified as the pole winner for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
The ruling left brother Kurt Busch as the pole winner.
Kurt Busch ran strong through all three elimination rounds Friday and had the top speed at 191.582 mph before he was topped by Kyle’s fast lap of 191.668 mph in his No. 18 Toyota.
NASCAR did not immediately announce why Kyle Busch’s car failed the inspection at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He must start at the back of the field.
Jamie McMurray, who had the top speed in the second round, will start beside Kurt Busch on the front row.
Cycling
Contador and Porte star attractions of Paris-Nice
PARIS – Alberto Contador of Spain will return to the Paris-Nice race for the first time since 2010 and will take on defending champion Richie Porte of Australia when it gets underway next weekend.
The Paris-Nice will run from March 6-13 and both have won it twice, with Contador’s titles in 2007 and 2010 and Porte’s other success in 2013.
Porte is the No. 1 rider for BMC Racing after several years as a key support rider for Chris Froome at Sky, helping him win two Tour de France titles.
Contador has also won the Tour twice – in 2007 and 2009 – and is aiming to challenge Froome more strongly in this year’s race.
Golf
American shares lead at Perth International
PERTH, Australia – Overnight leader Peter Uihlein of the United States shot a 4-under 68 and was tied for the second-round lead with Brett Rumford at the Perth International, with former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen a stroke behind on Friday.
Uihlein, who birdied his final two holes after starting on the back nine, and Rumford, who carded 65, had 36-hole totals of 11-under 133 at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.
Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion playing for the first time in Australia, had a 64 for the low round of the day after an opening 70.
Defending champ Yang leads in Thailand by 1
CHONBURI, Thailand – Defending champion Amy Yang carded a 3-under 69 to lead by one halfway through the LPGA Thailand on Friday.
Yang trailed first-round leader Lexi Thompson by two before teeing off at Siam Country Club, then had consecutive bogeys on Nos. 5 and 6, but rallied with four birdies, including on the par-3 12th.
At 9 under overall, the South Korean was one shot ahead of countrywoman Q Baek (71) and Americans Jessica Korda (66) and Thompson (72).
Horse Racing
Another positive test for virus at Sunland Park
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. – It will be at least another two weeks before a quarantine can be lifted at Sunland Park racetrack now that another horse has tested positive for a fast-spreading equine herpes virus.
The outbreak at the track along the Texas-New Mexico border began in January. More than 70 horses in New Mexico have been infected and two cases have been documented in El Paso County, Texas.
There was excitement earlier this week since livestock officials hadn’t reported a positive test in several days, clearing the way for live racing to resume Friday afternoon.
The new positive test was reported late Thursday, but track officials say the races are continuing.
The infected horse was not entered to race, but there were others in neighboring stables that were and will now have to be quarantined as a precaution.
Associated Press
