Auto Racing
Rain helps Kyle Busch onto the pole in Chase opener
JOLIET, Ill. – With rain in Friday’s forecast at Chicagoland Speedway, the only time on track became a strategy session for the championship contenders.
If qualifying was rained out, the field for Sunday’s opening round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship would be set by practice speeds and teams had to decide if they wanted to focus on simply posting a fast lap to grab a strong starting position.
It worked out perfectly for Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards, who all shot to the top of the speed chart in practice and were rewarded with the top three starting spots in Sunday’s race when rain indeed washed out qualifying.
Cycling
Aussie Adam Hansen takes Spanish Vuleta’s Stage 19
CANGAS DO MORRAZO, Spain – Australian cyclist Adam Hansen won the hilly 19th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Friday, and Alberto Contador maintained the red leader’s jersey with two days to go.
Hansen attacked on a short uphill stretch with three miles left on the 112-mile ride from Salvaterra do Mino to Cangas do Morrazo. The peloton didn’t react in time to reel him in.
The Lotto Belisol rider zipped up his maillot and pumped both fists in the air before he crossed the finish line.
According to provisional results, Contador maintained his lead of 1 minute, 19 seconds over Chris Froome heading into the final mountain stage Saturday.
Golf
Horschel breaks tie, takes lead in Tour Championship
ATLANTA – Billy Horschel had another 4-under 66 to build a two-shot lead at the Tour Championship, putting him halfway home to a $10 million bonus.
Horschel might be the hottest player in golf. His next battle is with the best player in golf – Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy finished with three big putts for a 65. He was two shots out of the lead and will play with Horschel in the final group on Saturday. Chris Kirk, the No. 1 seed in the FedEx Cup finale, had four bogeys in his round of 68. He also was two shots behind, along with Jason Day (67).
Larrazabal birdies first six holes in record-breaking show
ZANDVOORT, Netherlands – Pablo Larrazabal broke the course record at Kennemer Golf & Country Club on Friday, shooting an eight under 62 to take the lead at the halfway stage of the KLM Open at 10 under.
The Spaniard got off to a blistering start, birdying his first six holes, and did not drop a shot until a bogey on his 17th hole of the day, the par three eighth. He followed that with another birdie to break the Kennemer Golf & Country Club course record by a shot and go to 10 under after two rounds.
Lincicome takes 1-shot lead from Hyo-Joo Kim at Evian
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France – Brittany Lincicome had six birdies in a 6-under 65 to take a one-shot lead from Hyo-Joo Kim of South Korea at the halfway stage of the Evian Championship on Friday.
The 28-year-old American has won a major before, the Kraft Nabisco in 2009, but clinched the last of her five LPGA titles in 2011 at the Canadian Women’s Open.
She finished second behind South Korea’s Inbee Park at this year’s LPGA Championship, when she also led after 36 holes.
WNBA
Mercury and Taurasi finish sweep of Sky for third title
CHICAGO – Candice Dupree and Diana Taurasi scored 24 points each, and the Phoenix Mercury, playing without star center Brittney Griner, beat the Chicago Sky 87-82 Friday night to complete a three-game sweep of the WNBA Finals for their third championship.
DeWanna Bonner added 12 points for the Mercury, who also won titles in 2007 and 2009. Griner sat out following surgery to correct a retinal issue after she was hit in the right eye in Game 2.
Associated Press
