CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Clint Bowyer’s slim shot at winning the Sprint Cup championship in Michael Waltrip Racing’s final season took a huge hit yesterday when NASCAR penalized the team for an infraction in the opening playoff race. NASCAR said the No. 15 team had parts not properly installed on its Toyota in the opening inspection Friday at Chicagoland Speedway.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Kurt Busch crew chief Tony Gibson underwent an emergency appendectomy and will delay traveling to New Hampshire for this weekend’s playoff race until he’s feeling well enough to travel. Gibson posted on Facebook he was resting at home yesterday, a day after the surgery.
METAIRIE, La. (AP) β Saints quarterback Drew Brees says he’s confident he’ll be able to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers despite a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. Brees says the key is balancing rest and rehab through the week so he’s as strong as possible by kickoff.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Former Carolina Panthers assistant coach Richard Williamson, who played and coached under Bear Bryant at Alabama, died late Monday night. He was 74. Panthers spokesman Charlie Dayton says Richardson’s wife, Norma, informed the team. No cause of death was released.
