Auto Racing
Kenseth takes the pole’ Gibbs drivers sweep top 3
BROOKLYN, Mich. – Matt Kenseth won the pole for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway, and Joe Gibbs Racing swept the top three spots in qualifying Friday.
Kenseth won with a lap of 197.488 mph in his No. 20 Toyota, with teammates Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards finishing second and third. Kyle Busch, another JGR driver, was sixth.
The last time one team swept the top three spots in qualifying was when Hendrick Motorsports pulled it off at this year’s Daytona 500. It’s the first time Joe Gibbs Racing has accomplished the feat.
No change coming to the rules for NASCAR’s Chase
BROOKLYN, Mich. – NASCAR will stick with its original 2015 rules package throughout the Chase for the Sprint Cup after switching to track-specific packages for a handful of races recently.
A high-drag aerodynamic package was used at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last month and will be in place again this weekend at Michigan, and it received some criticism from drivers. But a low-downforce package put in place at Kentucky was more popular, and it will be used again at Darlington next month.
But when the 10-race Chase begins Sept. 20 at Chicagoland, the original rules will be used.
Football
First openly-gay football player stepping away
MONTREAL – Michael Sam is stepping away from pro football.
Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL, told the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes he is leaving the team. He tweeted Friday “The last 12 months have been very difficult for me, to the point where I became concerned with my mental health. Because of this I am going to step away from the game at this time.”
Sam was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Rams, did not make the team, and spent some time on the Cowboys’ practice squad before being released.
NFL issues reminder to players to avoid fights
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The NFL is warning teams about fighting during games.
After several fights have broken out during training camps, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent sent a memo to all 32 teams Friday reminding players that prohibiting fights during games will be a point of emphasis for officials.
The penalty for fighting is 15 yards with a potential ejection if the foul is judged by the referee to be flagrant.
MLB
Reyes clears waivers; Rockies option Butler again
DENVER – The Colorado Rockies optioned struggling right-hander Eddie Butler to Triple-A Albuquerque and placed reliever Boone Logan on the disabled list with inflammation in his left elbow.
To fill their spots, the Rockies recalled righty Gonzalez Germen and lefty Kenny Roberts from Albuquerque on Friday.
Newly acquired shortstop Jose Reyes also cleared waivers Friday, opening the possibility of a trade with another team. Reyes was included in the Rockies’ trade of Troy Tulowitzki to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Red Sox manager Farrell says he has cancer
BOSTON – Boston Red Sox manager Farrell said he has a “very treatable” form of cancer.
Farrell said Friday he would take a medical leave to deal with lymphoma.
The Red Sox are in last place in the AL East with a 50-64 record.
Farrell guided Boston to the World Series championship in his first season in 2013.
Associated Press
