NASCAR-QUALIFYING CHANGES
NASCAR tinkers with new qualifying format
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Associated Press has learned that NASCAR is making changes to qualifying after drivers expressed safety concerns.
During a conference call with crew chiefs, NASCAR banned drivers from making cool-down laps following their qualifying attempt. Teams will instead be allowed to hook up cooling units to their engines through hood flaps.
NASCAR this season moved to a new knockout qualifying format widely praised as more entertaining. Drivers say the new rules prohibit cooling the engines on pit road, forcing them to circle the track at slow speeds at the same time other drivers are speeding past during their qualifying attempt.
Brian Vickers called it “the most dangerous thing” he’s ever done in racing.
NFL-MOVES
Cowboys cut Ware loose
UNDATED (AP) β The Dallas Cowboys are releasing franchise sacks leader DeMarcus Ware to save salary cap room after the worst season of his career. Ware broke Harvey Martin’s 30-year-old franchise record for sacks in 2013, but got to the quarterback a career-low six times and missed games for the first time in his nine-year career.
Ware was set to count $16 million against the salary cup. His release saves about $7.4 million and gives Dallas about $9 million to spend at the moment.
The 31-year-old Ware had 117 sacks in Dallas and went to seven Pro Bowls.
Elsewhere
β The Indianapolis Colts have re-signed kicker Adam Vinatieri (vihn-uh-TEHR’-ee), hours before he was to become an unrestricted free agent. Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 41-year old finished with the second-highest point total of his career with 139 last season, made 35 of 40 field goals and became the seventh player in league history to top 2,000 career points.
β The Washington Redskins have re-signed inside linebacker Perry Riley, keeping him off the open market hours before the start of free agency. The 2010 fourth-round pick from LSU was the Redskins’ leading tackler last season. and has started 40 consecutive games. They also re-signed receiver Santana Moss to a one-year deal and agreed to terms with free agent guard Shawn Lauvao. The Redskins also re-signed inside linebacker Perry Riley on a busy first day of NFL free agency.
β The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a new three-year contract with defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, keeping him from testing the free agent market. The nine-year veteran had 49 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a sack and a forced fumble last season. The Falcons also Falcons have released former Pro Bowl safety Thomas DeCoud.
β A person familiar with the negotiations says the Detroit Lions and running back Joique (JOYK) Bell have agreed to a $9.3 million, three-year contract. The person, who says $4.3 million of the contract is guaranteed, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. Bell had a team-high eight touchdowns rushing last season. He was second on the team with 166 carries for 650 yards rushing.
__ A person familiar with the negotiations says the Detroit Lions and wide receiver Kevin Ogletree have agreed to a one-year contract. He had 13 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown in 12 games last season for the Lions, who signed him after Tampa Bay cut him.Ogletree adds depth where Detroit needs it because Nate Burleson was released and Ryan Broyles has struggled to stay healthy.
__ The Oakland Raiders have agreed to a five-year contract with offensive lineman Rodger Saffold and have re-signed running back Darren McFadden to a one-year contract.
β The Pittsburgh Steelers released linebacker LaMarr Woodley, with a post-June 1 designation to save money under the salary cap. By postponing the move until after June 1, the Steelers free up about $8 million in salary cap space.
β Two people familiar with the negotiations say Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert is finalizing the details on a contract with the Miami Dolphins. It’s the first step in the revamping of the team’s troubled offensive line. Albert would move into the position played at the start of last season by Jonathan Martin, who left the team in October and alleged he was harassed persistently by teammates.
β The Indianapolis Colts agreed to contract terms with free agent defensive end Arthur Jones. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Jones started a career-best 13 games with Baltimore and finished with a career-high 53 tackles.
__ The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with Chiefs running back, receiver and kick returner Dexter McCluster. He caught a career-high 53 passes for 611 yards. He also had two punt returns for TDs, and made the Pro Bowl.
β The San Francisco 49ers have released cornerback Carlos Rogers after three seasons, an expected cost-cutting move as the NFL’s free agency period begins. The 32-year-old Rogers, who missed time late in the season with a strained right hamstring, had 47 tackles and two interceptions last season.
β The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to acquire quarterback Blaine Gabbert from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick, apparently finding a capable backup for Colin Kaepernick (KAP’-ur-nihk). The 24-year-old Gabbert was the 10th overall draft pick in 2011 out of Missouri. He has thrown for 22 touchdowns in three NFL seasons, completing 414 of 777 passes for 4,357 yards in 28 games and 27 starts.
__A person with knowledge of the situation says the Arizona Cardinals and free agent left tackle Jared Veldheer have agreed on a five-year contract. The deal is worth $35 million, with $17 million guaranteed.
__ The Denver Broncos have revamped their defensive secondary by agreeing to a deal with Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward. He’s coming off a season in which he had 129 tackles and two interceptions for the Cleveland Browns.
β The Buffalo Bills have re-signed kicker Dan Carpenter to a four-year contract. Carpenter’s 33 field goals last year were a career high and tied Buffalo’s single-season record. The Bills also have re-signed restricted free agent tight end Mike Caussin.
__ The New York Jets have re-signed kicker Nick Folk to a multiyear contract, less than two weeks after placing the franchise tag on him. Folk made his first 23 kicks last season and was 33 of 36 overall, including three game-winning kicks.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Spurs run with the Bulls
UNDATED (AP) β San Antonio has put together a six-game winning streak that has helped vault them to the best record in the NBA. The Spurs put that run on the line in Chicago tonight against the surging Bulls. Chicago has won 11 of 13 to move solidly into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Part of the reason the Spurs are now tops in the league is that Indiana is in a losing rut. The Eastern Conference-leading Pacers have dropped a season-high four in a row heading into their home game against Boston. After dropping three straight on the road, the Pacers are back home where they are a league-best 29-4 this season.
Houston has won five in a row to keep the pressure on the Spurs for the Southwest Division lead. The Rockets enter tonight’s road game at Oklahoma City just two and a-half games out of the conference lead. The Thunder have dropped five of their last eight including a shocking loss to the Lakers on Sunday night.
Memphis has won six in a row at home, which is where they are tonight against Portland.
There are seven games on the NBA schedule.
NBA-PACERS-BYNUM
Bynum to play for Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) β Andrew Bynum is expected to make his debut for the Pacers tonight against Boston, more than a month after signing with the team. The 7-footer averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24 games with Cleveland before being suspended indefinitely in December. He was eventually traded to the Bulls and released. Indiana then signed the former All-Star on Feb. 1.
NHL-STARS-PEVERLEY
Peverley tested after collapse
DALLAS (AP) β Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley is undergoing testing to determine what triggered his collapse during Monday night’s game against Columbus.
General manager Jim Nill says Peverley is in stable condition and has been communicating with teammates and friends since he was hospitalized. The Stars’ game against Columbus was postponed in the first period after Peverley went down on the bench, stunning the crowd and players.
Nill says doctors are focused on finding a long-term solution to Peverley’s irregular heartbeat. The condition was diagnosed in training camp, and he underwent a procedure that sidelined him for the preseason and the season opener.
Teammate Alex Chiasson was being treated after becoming despondent about Peverley’s plight. He didn’t join the team for its trip to St. Louis.
NHL-AVALANCHE-PARENTEAU
Avs Parenteau is sidelined
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) β Colorado coach Patrick Roy (WAH) says P.A. Parenteau (payr-ehn-TOH’) will miss at least four weeks with a right knee injury. The right winger suffered a sprained MCL during Monday’s win over Winnipeg. Parenteau has 14 goals and 19 assists this season.
The Avalanche also are missing forward Paul Stastny because of a balky back. He’s expected to miss the game against Chicago on Wednesday, but Roy remains hopeful Stastny can play Friday.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Stars try to shake off Peverley scare
UNDATED (AP) β The Dallas Stars are back on the ice tonight in St. Louis after a harrowing experience cut short their home game against Columbus last night.
Stars forward Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench with a cardiac problem.
The Stars have to regroup against the top team in the NHL that has dominated its Central Division foes this season. St. Louis has an 18-0-1 record against division rivals.
Dallas holds a one-point lead over Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Coyotes are on the road at Florida.
Detroit is at Columbus in a showdown for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets have won four of five to pull into a tie with the Red Wings at 71 points. Detroit has lost three of four.
Washington is just a point back of the Red Wings and Blue Jackets. The Capitals look to avenge a 3-2 loss to the Penguins at home last night, when they skate into Pittsburgh. The Pens own a one-point lead over idle Boston for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
There are nine games scheduled in the NHL tonight.
MLB-BRAVES-MEDLEN
Medlen has elbow problems again
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) β Braves pitcher Kris Medlen has injured a ligament in his right elbow for the second time in less than four years. The team says it is too early to determine the extent of the damage.
Medlen felt the injury on Sunday while pitching against the New York Mets. He had an MRI on Monday that revealed the injury, according to general manager Frank Wren.
Wren says the 28-year-old right-hander and the team will seek a second medical opinion.
Medlen tore his right ulnar collateral ligament while pitching against the Mets on Aug. 4, 2010, and was operated on by Dr. James Andrews that Aug. 18. Medlen didn’t pitch for the Braves again until Sept. 25 the following year.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL-TOURNAMENTS
More NCAA berth on the line
UNDATED (AP) β Four more automatic NCAA men’s basketball tournament bids are up for grabs tonight.
West Coast Conference regular-season champ Gonzaga takes on BYU in the conference tournament title game. The two teams split their regular-season meetings. The Bulldogs are playing in the championship game for the 17th straight season. BYU has won nine of its last 10.
The Northeast Conference tournament title will go to either Mount St. Mary’s or top seed Robert Morris.
Milwaukee and Wright State battle it out for the Horizon League tournament title.
Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne takes on North Dakota State in the Summit League tournament championship game.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL-COACHES AXED
Orr out at Bowling Green…UNC Wilmington cans Peterson
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (AP) β Bowling Green has fired men’s basketball coach Louis Orr after seven seasons. Orr went 101-121 including a 12-20 mark this season. He had a 54-60 record in Mid-American Conference play.
WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) β UNC Wilmington has fired basketball coach Buzz Peterson. Assistant Eddie Biedenbach has been promoted to interim head coach.
Peterson went 42-82 in four seasons with the Seahawks, never finished above .500 and went 30-53 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
TENNIS-INDIAN WELLS
Jankovic beats Wozniacki
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) β Jelena Jankovic (yeh-LAY’-nuh YANK’-oh-vihch) routed Caroline Wozniacki (wohz-nee-AK’-ee) 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open, winning a matchup of former tournament champions and No. 1-ranked players.
Jankovic made the quarterfinals for the first time since winning the Indian Wells title in 2010, when she beat Wozniacki.
GOLF-US OPEN
Torrey Pines poised to get Open in 2021
SAN DIEGO (AP) β The U.S. Open could be headed back to Torrey Pines.
The San Diego City Council is to vote Monday on whether to host the tournament in 2021, according to USGA spokesman Joe Goode. That would be 13 years after Tiger Woods won his third U.S. Open and 14th major in a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate (MEE’-dee-ayt).
