NASCAR’s latest attempt to reel in the rule-breakers aimed at an unfamiliar target: the normally squeaky-clean Joe Gibbs Racing.
NASCAR’s decision Wednesday to suspend seven JGR crew members indefinitely for attempting to manipulate a horsepower test after a Nationwide Series race last weekend put a serious dent in owner Joe Gibbs’ reputation
While NASCAR decided against banning the cars from future races, the penalties were among the harshest NASCAR has levied.
• Crew chiefs Jason Ratcliff and Dave Rogers were suspended and fined $50,000 each.
• No. 18 car chief Dorian Thorsen, engine tuner Michael Johnson and crew member Toby Bigelow and No. 20 car chief Richard Bray and engine tuner Dan Bajek were all suspended indefinitely.
• Drivers Tony Stewart and Joey Logano were each docked 150 driver points. JGR was stripped of 150 owner points for each car, and the teams were placed on probation for the rest of the season.
Rams’ Steven Jackson concludes holdout
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson ended his holdout on Wednesday while his agent continues negotiations for a new contract.
The 235-pound Jackson, a bruising runner and the centerpiece of the team’s offense, is entering the final year of a five-year, $7 million deal he signed as a first-round pick in 2004. His prolonged stand perhaps reflected a realization of his value to an attack that averaged only 16 points last season while going 3-13.
The Rams cut off negotiations in late July on the first day of training camp after Jackson’s agent, Eugene Parker, turned down a deal the team said would have put Jackson in the top echelon at his position.
Beckett eyes Tuesday return from elbow ‘crick’
BALTIMORE (AP) — Josh Beckett remains on course to start for the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, although manager Terry Francona won’t be overly disappointed if the right-hander gets pushed back again.
Beckett’s next start was moved from Saturday to Tuesday after he developed a sore right elbow that created numbness in his hand.
Francona described the soreness as a “crick” in the pitcher’s elbow that developed when he slept on it overnight.
“You wake up and have some inflammation. That’s basically what it is,” Francona said Wednesday. “Not an aneurysm or a clot.”
Beckett was originally scheduled to pitch Saturday against Toronto. Instead, he’s tentatively set to start Tuesday night when the Red Sox play New York at Yankee Stadium. But Francona said if that day comes and Beckett’s elbow is still sore, he could be moved back again.
University official: AU coach gets extension
WASHINGTON (AP) — American University basketball coach Jeff Jones, who last season led the Eagles to the first NCAA Division I men’s tournament berth in school history, has been rewarded with a contract extension, The Associated Press has learned.
The extension will be announced at a news conference Thursday, according to a university official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the school had yet to make the formal announcement. Details of the extension were not immediately available.
Oral Roberts adds point guard from Tulsa
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Oral Roberts has added a local Tulsa player to its men’s basketball team.
Ken Holdman joined the Golden Eagles this week after being released from his letter of intent at Missouri State following a coaching change.
Holdman is a 6-foot-1 point guard who played for Tulsa East Central High School, averaging 16.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 steals last season as a senior.
Eagles’ Curtis to have surgery, out indefinitely
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Kevin Curtis will have surgery Thursday to repair a sports hernia and will likely miss the start of the regular season.
Eagles coach Andy Reid believes Curtis, the team’s top receiver last season, will be back during the regular season, but no timetable has been set for his return.
“He’ll be back this season for sure,” Reid said. “I’d like to tell you a time on it, but I can’t. I don’t know what that time is on it.”
Even if Curtis is able to return to the field during the season, there is a good chance his performance will be adversely affected. Quarterback Donovan McNabb and tight end L.J. Smith each had seasons derailed by a sports hernia in recent years.
