Auto Racing
Busch wins Charlotte pole; Chase drivers struggle
CONCORD, N.C. – Kyle Busch won the pole for Saturday night’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Joe Gibbs Racing could surge into the championship race.
Busch qualified first for JGR with a lap at 197.390 mph in Thursday qualifying to put his Toyota in the top starting spot. Jeff Gordon failed to bump Busch for the pole, turning a lap at 197.217 for Hendrick Motorsports. Gibbs driver Denny Hamlin qualified third.
Five drivers racing for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship failed to advance to the final round of qualifying. Neither Brad Keselowski or Joey Logano advanced, and Keselowski needs a strong run to avoid elimination. Also off in qualifying was six-time and defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, who is ranked last in the 12-driver Chase field.
Cycling
Andy Schleck abandons cycling at 29 years old
BRUSSELS – Former Tour de France winner Andy Schleck, 29, retired from cycling Thursday, three months after crashing and pulling out of cycling’s premier event with a knee injury.
With his older brother Frank, Andy put Luxembourg on the cycling map.
College Football
Heisman Trophy candidate suspended indefinitely
ATHENS, Ga. – Georgia star tailback Todd Gurley was suspended indefinitely while the school investigates an alleged violation of NCAA rules.
The school made the announcement Thursday, two days before the No. 13 Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) will face No. 23 Missouri (4-1, 1-0) in a crucial Eastern Division game.
Gurley is considered one of the leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy. He leads Georgia with 773 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. In addition, he has 11 receptions and a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
NFL
Prosecutors say Peterson ‘smoked a little weed’
HOUSTON – Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson should be arrested anew after admitting during his court appearance on a child-abuse charge that he had “smoked a little weed” while out on bond, Texas prosecutors said Thursday.
Peterson is on paid leave from the Vikings under a special exemption from the NFL commissioner until the legal case is resolved.
Soccer
Green, 19, dropped from U.S. roster with injury
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – American midfielder Julian Green, 19, will miss the United States’ exhibition games against Ecuador and Honduras because of a rib injury.
The U.S. will play Ecuador on Friday night at East Hartford, Connecticut. The Americans will face Honduras on Tuesday in Boca Raton, Florida.
The revised roster:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Salt Lake).
Defenders: John Brooks (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Greg Garza (Tijuana, Mexico), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles), Michael Orozco (Puebla, Mexico), Tim Ream (Bolton, England), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle).
Midfielders: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Tijuana, Mexico), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg, Norway), Luis Gil (Salt Lake), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt, Germany).
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Joe Gyau (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich, Germany).
Associated Press
