Auto Racing
The only Sprint Cup driver in the field wins Nationwide
NEWTON, Iowa – Brad Keselowski took control with 35 laps left to win the NASCAR Nationwide race at Iowa Speedway on Saturday night.
The Sprint Cup driver has won his last three Nationwide starts, also topping the field at Richmond in April and Kentucky in June.
Points leader Austin Dillon led a race-high 116 laps but gave up a huge lead after a late caution. Keselowski, the only Sprint Cup driver in the field, took control a few laps later for his second Nationwide win at Iowa.
Sam Hornish Jr. was second, followed by Brian Vickers, Dillon and Kyle Larson.
Hunter-Reay needs points, so he won Mid-Ohio pole
LEXINGTON, Ohio – Defending IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay captured the pole for Sunday’s Indy 200, turning the second-fastest lap in track history to edge Will Power for the top spot. It will be the third time this season and the fourth time in his career that Hunter-Reay will start from the front.
Scott Dixon, who has won three consecutive races to move into second in the points race, will start third. Marco Andretti qualified fourth, followed by Charlie Kimball and Dario Franchitti.
Points leader Helio Castroneves will start 15th. The Brazilian leads Dixon by 24 points and Hunter-Reay by 69 as he searches for his first series title.
Cycling
Tour de France champion up for the USA Pro Challenge
ASPEN – The team of 2013 Tour de France winner Christopher Froome said the cyclist will take part in the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado.
Team Sky said on its website Friday that the Briton would compete in the 2013 USA Pro Challenge. Organizers of the Colorado stage race said in June that Team Sky would participate, but it wasn’t known whether Froome would come along.
The seven-stage race will start Aug. 19 in Aspen and Snowmass Village and will finish Aug. 25 in downtown Denver.
NBA
Heat roll the dice on 7-foot former No. 1 Greg Oden
MIAMI – Greg Oden still needs some time to get ready for the rigors of playing in the NBA. He no longer, however, needs a new team.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick chose to sign with the two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat, ending months of suspense over where the center whose career has been decimated by a series of knee problems would be attempting his comeback. The Heat long were perceived as the frontrunners to land Oden, and now they have a 7-footer to help them try for a third consecutive title.
Mike Conley Sr., one of Oden’s agents, said Friday night the former Portland center accepted an offer worth about $1 million for this coming season and would have a player option for 2014-15.
Soccer
From Tottenham to Seattle, Dempsey is coming home
SEATTLE – Clint Dempsey is returning to Major League Soccer, ending his six-year spell in English soccer and joining the Seattle Sounders.
The 30-year-old Dempsey played for the New England Revolution from 2004 to 2006 before joining Fulham in 2007. He moved to Tottenham last summer and scored 12 goals in 43 games but wasn’t a regular.
Seattle announced the surprise move before its home game Saturday night against FC Dallas.
Tennis
After a late start, Granollers rolls Monaco to win 4th title
KITZBUEHEL, Austria – Marcel Granollers won his fourth ATP title after overcoming a slow start Saturday, defeating second-seeded Juan Monaco 0-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the bet-at-home Cup final.
The 53rd-ranked Granollers won his first title since beating Monaco two years ago.
Associated Press
