Auto Racing
Sprint Cup musical chairs: Burton is out at RCR
Jeff Burton long has been considered a voice of reason in NASCAR’s garage, a respected driver destined for the TV booth or even politics.
Some of those future plans might get a look a bit earlier than expected.
Without committed sponsorship in place and a desire to scale back his schedule in two years, Burton and team owner Richard Childress made the decision to cut ties after this season. The 46-year-old Burton, winless since 2008, faces an uncertain future after ending a relationship with RCR that dates to the 2005 season. RCR said a driver for the No. 31 Chevrolet will be announced at a later date.
RCR also fields teams for Paul Menard and Kevin Harvick, who is leaving after this season to join SHR. Austin Dillon, Childress’ grandson, is lined up to replace Harvick.
Cycling
Cancellara wins time trial; Nibali overtakes Horner
TARAZONA, Spain – Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland won the 11th stage of the Spanish Vuelta in a time trial, while Vincenzo Nibali of Italy took the overall leader’s jersey Wednesday.
Cancellara, with Radioshack-Leopard, tore around the 24-mile route in the central city of Tarazona to beat Tony Martin of Germany by 37 seconds and third-placed Domenico Pozzovivo of Italy by 1 minute, 24 seconds.
Nibali took the leader’s jersey from Christopher Horner of the United States, who came in fourth and vowed to win back the jersey at the next mountain stage.
Judge close to strong-arming Armstrong into talking
AUSTIN, Texas – A Texas judge is pushing Lance Armstrong closer to his first sworn testimony on details of his performance-enhancing drug use, ordering the cyclist to answer questions about who knew what and when about his doping.
That could possibly even include information about his ex-wife and attorneys.
Nebraska-based Acceptance Insurance Holdings is seeking the information in its lawsuit to recover $3 million in bonuses it paid Armstrong from 1999 to 2001. A judge previously refused to dismiss the case.
The company is trying to prove a yearslong conspiracy and cover-up by Armstrong to commit fraud. It wants to know when several of Armstrong’s personal and business associates – including ex-wife Kristin Armstrong, team officials, the cyclist’s lawyers and International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid – first learned of his doping.
golf
Captains go young to fill out their Presidents Cup rosters
Jordan Spieth started the season without status on any tour. He will end it by going to the Presidents Cup.
Fred Couples used his captain’s picks Wednesday on the 20-year-old Spieth and Webb Simpson to fill out his 12-man team, making Spieth the youngest American to play in the Presidents Cup since it began in 1994.
Nick Price used his picks on a pair of rookies – Brendon de Jonge of Zimbabwe and Marc Leishman of Australia.
The matches are Oct. 3-6 at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.
Spieth was just starting his sophomore year at Texas a year ago when he decided to turn pro at the end of 2012. He played well enough to earn special temporary status on the PGA Tour, won the John Deere Classic in July and lost in a playoff last month at the Wyndham Championship.
Olympics
South rejects North Korea’s bid to host 2018 skiing
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea rejected Pyongyang’s suggestion that a North Korean ski resort could be used for events at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
The organizing committee for the games in Pyeongchang said North Korea’s offer is unrealistic.
South Korea won the bid to host the games in 2011 after two failed attempts in 2003 and 2007.
Associated Press
