Auto Racing
NASCAR one turn away from change on superspeedways
CONCORD, N.C. – NASCAR took the final step toward setting its 2014 rules package with a critical test session Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The test featured four simulated races with four configurations on the Gen-6 Sprint Cup Series car. NASCAR had 30 cars participating in the test and planned to choose the configuration most favorable among drivers to test with a tapered spacer designed to reduce engine horsepower.
The goal of the test is to improve the racing at 1.5-mile superspeedways, which has been a stated goal of NASCAR Chairman Brian France.
Austin Dillon will bring No. 3 back to the Cup series
CONCORD, N.C. – The late Dale Earnhardt’s famed No. 3 will be back on track in the elite Sprint Cup Series next season with Austin Dillon using the number.
The move long has been anticipated because car owner Richard Childress has allowed his grandson to use the No. 3 as he’s moved through NASCAR’s ranks.
The number has not been used since Earnhardt’s death in the 2001 season-opening Daytona 500. The car was rebranded to No. 29 for Kevin Harvick after Earnhardt’s fatal accident.
College Football
Harsin returns to Boise State to replace Chris Petersen
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State hired former player and offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin to be the Broncos’ next head coach.
The 37-year-old Harsin grew up in Boise and became a backup quarterback after walking on to the program in the late 1990s. He then worked as an assistant coach starting in 2001 and was elevated to offensive coordinator in 2006 by Chris Petersen, the man he now will replace.
Petersen left last week to take over at Washington.
In his only season at Arkansas State, Harsin led the Red Wolves to a 7-5 record and a share of the Sun Belt Conference title. The team will play Ball State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl later this month.
Donald adds the Lombardi to his Nagurski award
HOUSTON – Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald picked up another award Wednesday night, winning the Rotary Lombardi Award, given annually to the nation’s top college lineman.
It’s already been a big week for Donald, a senior defensive tackle who won the Bronko Nagurski award given to the nation’s top college defensive player Monday.
The 6-foot, 285-pound Donald leads the nation with 26½ tackles for losses, and his 28½ career sacks are tops among active players in the Football Bowl Subdivision and fourth in school history.
Donald has 10 sacks, 54 tackles and has forced four fumbles this season.
MLB
MLB rules collisions out at home by no later than ’15
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Talk about change in baseball.
Seattle is spending, adding two-time All-Star Corey Hart and Logan Morrison to go along with Robinson Cano.
The New York Mets also are flashing big bucks, striking a deal with pitcher Bartolo Colon after signing Curtis Granderson.
And, in the biggest news at the winter meetings, Major League Baseball said it plans to ban home plate collisions by 2015 at the latest.
Mets’ general manager Sandy Alderson, chairman of the rules committee, said the change would go into effect for next season if the players’ association approved and in 2015 if it didn’t.
World Cup Ski Racing
Vonn will skip St. Moritz and return for Val d’Isère
Mapping out her Olympics preparation after a three-race test, Lindsey Vonn will skip this weekend’s World Cup stop at St. Moritz, Switzerland, and is planning to return to the circuit in a downhill at Val d’Isère, France, on Dec. 21.
Vonn’s schedule was announced Wednesday by the U.S. Ski Team.
Associated Press
