NASCAR-DAYTONA
Earnhardt still embarrassed over Talladega finish
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) β It had been 31 years since a driver won both Daytona races in the same season when Jimmie Johnson pulled off the Sprint Cup Series sweep.
A year later, his teammate wants to complete the feat.
But for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win the Coke Zero 400, he can’t race the way he did at Talladega Superspeedway in May.
The Daytona 500 winner went to Talladega thinking he’d win another restrictor plate race, but instead finished 26th in a performance that still haunted him Thursday when he showed up at Daytona International Speedway.
He called his performance at Talladega “embarrassing.”
HURRICANES-GLEASON
Canes bringing back D Tim Gleason
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) β The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing back Tim Gleason.
General manager Ron Francis said Thursday that the team and Gleason have agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
Carolina traded the 31-year-old defenseman to Toronto on Jan. 1 for John-Michael Liles and a prospect. The Maple Leafs placed Gleason on unconditional waivers this week for the purpose of buying out his contract.
Gleason β who was originally acquired by Carolina in a trade with Los Angeles in September 2006 β had signed a four-year extension with the Hurricanes in July 2012.
Francis says the Hurricanes “obviously know well what Tim brings to our team on and off the ice.”
He had one goal, five assists and 65 penalty minutes in 56 games last season with Carolina and Toronto.
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON-VERBAL
Report: Coach likely verbally abused players
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) β An investigation by the College of Charleston found men’s basketball coach Doug Wojcik likely verbally abused players, using threatening, degrading and profane language in dealing with the team β including using a homophobic slur against one player.
A report of the school investigation was obtained by The Post and Courier of Charleston. College of Charleston President Glenn McConnell said in a statement Thursday he was consulting with appropriate staff about the findings.
The 50-page report contains summaries of interviews with Wojcik and 26 others, including current and former players and assistant coaches, college staffers and athletic director Joe Hull.
Wojcik says in the report he was shocked by the allegations and has not had players complain about his treatment. Wojcik did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press.
DUKE-BROWN
Brown, Duke putting 2013 football run in the past
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) β Kelby Brown and Duke don’t want to live in the past.
Even when that past includes the best football season in school history.
Brown and the Blue Devils are tired of being asked about Johnny Manziel and the Chick-fil-A Bowl, those 10 wins and their unexpected run to the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.
For Brown, it’s easy to move beyond 2013 when this year carries so much promise.
The Blue Devils don’t figure to be last-place picks anymore, as they perennially were. They enter 2014 as legitimate contenders in the Coastal Division.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Brown said “as the offseason moves on, you kind of get sick of hearing about last season.”
The linebacker says “there’s something exciting about moving on to what’s ahead.”
GREENBRIER CLASSIC
Defending champ Blixt leads Greenbrier Classic
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) β Defending champion Jonas Blixt shot a 6-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Greenbrier Classic.
Six of Blixt’s eight birdies came on putts of 10 feet or less on the Old White TPC. The Swede also chipped in from the rough for birdie on No. 16.
Patrick Rodgers, the former Stanford star playing in his third tournament as a pro, was a stroke back along with Chris Kirk, D.A. Points, James Hahn, Jason Bohn, Joe Durant, Jim Renner and Danny Lee.
Steve Stricker topped the group at 66
Masters champion Bubba Watson, the top-ranked player in the field at No. 3 in the world, had a 68.
INDYCAR-POCONO FUTURE
Future of IndyCar at Pocono in serious jeopardy
UNDATED (AP) β The future of IndyCar at Pocono Raceway is in jeopardy because of a dramatic attendance drop expected for Sunday’s race.
IndyCar returned to Pocono last year after a 24-year absence in the first race of a three-year contract. Track CEO and President Brandon Igdalsky said this week he planned to speak with IndyCar CEO Mark Miles and other series executives in anticipation of Sunday’s race about possibly dumping the final year of the contract.
Igdalsky refused to divulge numbers, but said ticket sales “were kind of scary” compared to last year. While the track does not disclose attendance figures, about 30,000 to 35,000 fans were estimated at last year’s race.
He wouldn’t guarantee IndyCar will race at Pocono in 2015.
