Auto Racing
Busch has his sponsor and ride for Indy 500 race
INDIANAPOLIS – Kurt Busch will drive the No. 26 Suretone Honda for Andretti Autosport in his attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s 600-mile race on the same day.
Only John Andretti, Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon have attempted the “double,” and no driver has tried since 2004.
Busch’s No. 26 was unveiled Monday in Indianapolis. The 35-year old Busch will hit the track in the No. 26 on Tuesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He will attempt to make the May 25 Indianapolis 500 in a fifth entry for Andretti Autosport. He drives the No. 41 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Basketball
Famed coach turned ESPN announcer passes away
MIAMI – Hall of Fame basketball coach Jack Ramsay died Monday. He was 89.
Ramsay worked as a broadcaster at ESPN until last season. No cause of death immediately was given, though Ramsay had battled cancer for many years and was placed in hospice care late last week.
Ramsay, known as “Dr. Jack” throughout the league, coached in the NBA for parts of 21 seasons, including leading Portland to the 1977 NBA title. He then began a long career as one of the league’s most revered radio and television analysts.
Ramsay also was an accomplished college coach at Saint Joseph’s in Philadelphia, taking the Hawks to the 1961 Final Four.
Cycling
Giro director decries lack of star quality in race
ROME – When the Giro d’Italia starts next week with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland, there will be a notable lack of star quality in the 198-rider field.
Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali, 2008 winner Alberto Contador, reigning Tour de France winner Chris Froome and his Sky teammate Bradley Wiggins all are skipping the Italian classic to focus on the Tour this year.
“Absolutely,” Giro director Mauro Vegni said when asked if he was upset about all the big names missing. “I’m not going to pretend that that’s not the case.”
The two favorites who are entered for the May 9-June 1 race – Tour runner-up Nairo Quintana and Spanish rider Joaquin Rodriguez – never have won a Grand Tour.
Horse Racing
Trainer Sherman seeking his own Kentucky Derby win
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Art Sherman knows what it’s like to be at the Kentucky Derby with a brilliant colt that wins the race.
He just hasn’t done it in 59 years.
In 1955, Sherman was an 18-year-old exercise rider for Swaps, a California-bred chestnut colt who beat Nashua to wear the garland of roses on the first Saturday in May. Now, at age 77, Sherman is bringing his own California-bred chestnut to Churchill Downs, where California Chrome is the likely favorite.
The colt with the modest
pedigree and impressive résumé traveled outside his home state for the first time Monday. He flew to Churchill Downs, where he’ll start getting used to the surface with a jog Tuesday.
California Chrome has won his last four races.
Soccer
Brazil hopes fans cheer and not protest at World Cup
SAO PAULO – Brazil’s national soccer head coach said the street protests planned for the World Cup could hurt his team’s chances of winning the title.
Luiz Felipe Scolari said that although Brazilians have the right to complain about the government and demand improvements, the protests might not be coming at the “right time.”
He said the protests affect his players’ performance. He added he will not prohibit them from talking about the subject during the tournament.
Scolari also said Brazil should have done a better job in its World Cup preparations.
Associated Press
