Auto Racing
Stewart drives 200 mph; Kenseth wins the pole
FORT WORTH, Texas – Tony Stewart had NASCAR’s first 200-mph qualifying lap on an intermediate track, and Matt Kenseth took the pole for the Sprint Cup race Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.
Stewart turned a lap at 200.111 mph in the second of three qualifying rounds Friday before dropping off to sixth in the final found on the high-banked 1½-mile oval.
Kenseth topped the eight drivers eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship with a final-round lap of 199.299.
Jeff Gordon will be outside on the front as one of five Chase qualifiers starting in the top 10. The others are Kevin Harvick (fifth), Ryan Newman (seventh) and Joey Logano (10th).
Brad Keselowski is the lowest of the Chase qualifiers at 26th. His only worse start was 33rd at the season-opening Daytona 500.
College Athletics
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon resigns
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon resigned Friday, setting the stage for new leadership at the top of one of the nation’s most prominent athletic departments.
Brandon’s departure comes amid another disappointing football season and concerns over the school’s handling of everything from its concussions protocol to student attendance at games.
Brandon’s resignation will become official Saturday, and the university has agreed to pay him a total of $3 million through 2018.
The timing of Brandon’s departure gives Michigan a chance to find a replacement by the end of the football season. Jim Hackett, who graduated from the university in 1977 and, like Brandon, played football for Michigan, was appointed interim AD on Friday.
College Basketball
Kentucky earns No. 1 nod in AP preseason poll
Kentucky was the runaway No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 released Friday, becoming the fourth program to earn the honor in consecutive seasons.
Kentucky earned 52 first-place votes from the 65-member panel in landing its fourth preseason No. 1.
Arizona is ranked No. 2 and received five first-place votes.
Wisconsin has its highest preseason ranking ever at No. 3.
No. 4 Duke is ranked for the 137th consecutive week.
Reloaded Kansas is No. 5.
MLB
Cubs fire Renteria and hire Maddon as manager
CHICAGO – Flush with prospects and ready to make a splash in free agency, the Cubs already had a manager in Rick Renteria. But they just couldn’t resist the lure of Joe Maddon’s sudden availability.
Looking for a turnaround after five consecutive losing seasons, the Cubs announced Friday they hired Maddon to replace Renteria after just one year on the job.
Renteria was fired after leading Chicago to a 73-89 record in his only season as a major league manager.
Maddon had a 754-705 record in nine seasons in Tampa Bay.
Rockies exercise $2.25M option on 41-year-old
DENVER – Closer LaTroy Hawkins’ $2.25-million option for 2015 was exercised by the Colorado Rockies.
The 41-year-old right-hander, who will be entering his 21st major league season, was 4-3 with a 3.31 earned-run average and 23 saves in 26 chances for the Rockies this season.
Colorado had until Friday to make a decision on the option, which carried a $250,000 buyout. Hawkins also made $2.25 million this year.
The Rockies also said infielder-outfielder Matt McBride had been sent outright off the 40-man roster to the minors.
Associated Press
