WEBCOM TOUR
Pampling shoots second straight 63 to open 4-stroke lead
GREER, S.C. (AP) β Australia’s Rod Pampling shot his second straight 9-under 63 on Friday to open a four-stroke lead in the Web.com Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am.
The 45-year-old Pampling played Green Valley Country Club after opening at The Reserve at Lake Keowee. He will play Saturday at the Thornblade Club, also the site of the final round.
Jason Allred was second. He had a 65 at Green Valley.
WELLS FARGO
McIlroy, Mickelson chasing Simpson, Streb at Wells Fargo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Webb Simpson chipped in twice for birdie and shot a 5-under 67 on Friday for a share of the second-round lead with Robert Streb in the Wells Fargo Championship.
Streb had a 69 to match Simpson at 10-under 134 at Quail Hollow.
Simpson knows it will take plenty more big shots over the weekend to win with some of golf’s top names lurking behind him.
Top-ranked Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson were three shots back. Mickelson had a 66, and McIlroy matched Simpson’s 67. Martin Flores and Patrick Rodgers were tied for third at 8 under.
Simpson, who lives in Charlotte, chipped in on the par-4 ninth hole from the right side of the green, then duplicated the feat on the difficult par-3 17th hole to move into a first-place tie.
NASCAR-SPRINT SHOWDOWN
Biffle, Bowyer win Showdown segments to make All-Star race
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) β Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer raced their way in to the $1 million All-Star event, and Danica Patrick won the fan vote to complete the field for Saturday night’s race.
Biffle won the first 20-lap segment in Friday night’s Sprint Showdown. The race was for all drivers not already qualified for the All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Biffle then took his car to the garage and watched the final 20-lap segment, which was won by Bowyer. Biffle led every lap of the first segment, but Bowyer needed a three-wide pass to get to the lead.
Once Bowyer was out in front, though, no one could catch him as the clean air for the leader proved too much for any challenger to overcome.
NASCAR-BUSCH RETURNS
Busch shows usual speed in recovery and on the race track
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) β Walking gingerly, his mood upbeat, Kyle Busch climbed back into his race car for the first time in almost three months.
He quickly settled into the No. 18 Toyota, got used to his new seat, and ripped the fastest lap in Friday’s practice session for the All-Star race.
Make no mistake, Rowdy has officially returned.
Busch broke his right leg and left foot in a Feb. 21 race at Daytona, and he missed 11 races before he was cleared this week to return for Saturday night’s $1 million exhibition.
He showed Friday he’s eager to prove he’s not missed a beat during his time away from the track.
NASCAR-FIRE SAFETY
NASCAR mandates fire safety gear after pit road blazes
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) β NASCAR is updating its fire safety requirements for race teams in the wake of an explosive accident on pit road at Richmond.
Three crew members were injured in a fire that erupted during a pit stop in last month’s Xfinity Series race. Fuel spilled as the crew was servicing Brendan Gaughan’s car and a spark ignited the blaze.
NASCAR senior vice president Robin Pemberton said Friday the Richmond fire was caused when a fastener bolt failed on the gas can.
NASCAR will now mandate all over-the-wall pit crew members wear fire-protective underwear, socks, head socks and gloves. All previously were recommended for over-the-wall pit crew members other than the gas man.
The mandate takes effect June 4, except for the socks, which must be SFI-certified by August.
CHARLOTTE
Shields wins 200 fly to overshadow Phelps-Lochte matchup
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Former NCAA champion Tom Shields won the Arena Pro Swim Series’ 100-meter butterfly final Friday, overshadowing the head-to-head matchup between Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.
Shields, who won five NCAA titles in three years at California, won the final in 52.12 seconds. Lochte was second at 52.52, with Phelps β the world-record holder in the event β third at 52.59.
A second head-to-head matchup was avoided when Phelps failed to make the final in the 200 freestyle. He was 14th after the preliminaries, while Lochte was sixth.
Lochte and Phelps have three other potential matchups remaining in the meet β the 100 backstroke Saturday, and the 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle Sunday.
Other winners were Conor Dwyer (200 freestyle), Cody Miller (100 breaststroke), Japan’s Junya Koga (50 backstroke), and Chase Kalisz (400 IM).
Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu won two women’s events β the 200 freestyle and 400 individual medley. Katie Meili took the 100 breaststroke and Kirsty Coventry the 50 backstroke.
