U.S./World Sports category, Page 264
Things go south for Hendrick at Daytona Duels; Ligonier’s Smithley fails to qualify
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — What should have been a tune-up for the Daytona 500 might have cost Hendrick Motorsports the front row for NASCAR’s version of the Super Bowl. Alex Bowman and William Byron were slated to lead the Daytona 500 field to green but that’s in danger following Thursday...
No crowds, but Australian Open will continue during lockdown
MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian Open will be allowed to continue but without crowds for at least five days after the Victoria state government imposed a lockdown starting Saturday in response to a covid-19 outbreak at a quarantine hotel. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday announced a five-day, state-wide lockdown...
Cantlay ties course record with 62 and leads at Pebble BeachVideo
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Patrick Cantlay looked just as good Thursday at Pebble Beach as the last round he played 18 days ago. Jordan Spieth looked as good as his last tournament, too. Coming off a 61 in the California desert followed by at two-week break, Cantlay opened with seven...
Basketball conference tournaments still on schedule despite concernsVideo
Gonzaga’s Mark Few isn’t being asked the usual question of where his team should be seeded for next month’s NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs remain unbeaten and have been the top-ranked team all season, making them a virtual shoo-in for a top seed. Instead, he is being asked if it makes...
Lasting legacy: Dale Earnhardt’s death saved lives, forced change
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Ryan Newman was lying in bed one morning, his two daughters still tucked in down the hall, when a YouTube video of his death-defying crash popped up as a recommended watch. He hit play, absorbing every angle of the terrifying wreck that nearly killed him on...
Raptors to keep calling Tampa home for rest of NBA season
The Toronto Raptors aren’t going back to Toronto this season. Ongoing challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic and how that affects the process of crossing the border between the U.S. and Canada will keep the Raptors in their adopted Tampa, Florida, home for the remainder of the regular season, the...
This date in sports history: Feb. 11Video
1878 — The Boston Bicycle Club, the first bicycle club in the United States, is formed. 1949 — Willie Pep becomes the first boxer in the history of the 126-pound class to regain a lost championship with a 15-round unanimous decision over Sandy Saddler at Madison Square Garden. 1950 —...
Alex Bowman, William Byron take Daytona 500 front row
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — New number, new day, new time, same result for Hendrick Motorsports. Alex Bowman and William Byron swept the front row Wednesday night in qualifying for the Daytona 500, giving Hendrick its 14th pole and sixth in the last seven years. Hendrick’s engine-building wing has seven straight...
Daytona 500 highlights chasm between NASCAR’s haves, have-nots
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Josh Bilicki has a plan for his first Daytona 500. He wants to ride around with his Rick Ware Racing teammates near the back of the field in an attempt to avoid the inevitable multi-car melee that almost always happens in “The Great American Race.” Maybe...
Tennessee governor: Transgender athletes will ‘destroy women’s sports’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday advocated for banning transgender girls from playing on middle and high school sports teams, saying transgender athletes will “destroy women’s sports.” “I do believe that transgenders participating in women’s sports will destroy women’s sports,” Lee, who is up for reelection...
Mark Cuban stops playing anthem at Mavericks’ home games; NBA responds
DALLAS — The NBA said Wednesday the national anthem will be played in arenas “in keeping with longstanding league policy” after Dallas Mavericks owner and Mt. Lebanon native Mark Cuban revealed he decided not to play it before his team’s home games this season. The league’s initial reaction to Cuban’s...
Kyle Busch streaks past Elliott, Blaney to win Busch Clash
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kyle Busch snagged the first win of the new season, streaking past NASCAR champion Chase Elliott after Elliott spun leader Ryan Blaney in the final stretch of the exhibition Busch Clash. Blaney had chased down Elliott on the road course at Daytona International Speedway to take...
This date in sports history: Feb. 10Video
1908 — Tommy Burns knocks out Jack Palmer in the fourth round to defend his world heavyweight title in London. 1949 — Joe Fulks of Philadelphia scores 63 points in a 108-87 win over Indianapolis to set an NBA scoring record, which would last for nearly a decade. 1952 —...
No. 2 Baylor benefits from redshirt players’ extra yearsVideo
Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Adam Flagler got to watch Baylor win a lot of games from the bench last season, and now they are among six former redshirts playing every game for the undefeated, second-ranked Bears. Davion Mitchell and MaCio Teague, two of the league’s best shooters, were part of...
Doug Ferguson: A shot for Kamaiu Johnson, a boost for minority tour
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The words on the back of his wedges remind Kamaiu Johnson that while nothing in golf has ever come easily, he is determined not to let that get in the way of his dreams. “Enjoy the process” is stamped on one of them. “Never give up”...
From fight to Fox: NASCAR rivals play nice as TV teammates
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer have no idea exactly how or when they repaired their once-fractured relationship. It was years ago and surely involved dinner and drinks. Gordon, a four-time NASCAR champion, and Bowyer, the funniest guy in the garage, were ready to throw down following...
Can 62-year-old Derrike Cope win again at Daytona?
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Derrike Cope heard it all when he scored the most unthinkable of NASCAR upsets and zipped past Dale Earnhardt — who blew a tire with a mile to go — to win the 1990 Daytona 500. He was lucky. The win was fluky. The 62-year-old Cope...
Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam to return to LPGA Tour for tournamentVideo
More than a decade after Annika Sorenstam won her last LPGA Tour event, she’s ready to tee it up again. The LPGA Tour announced on Twitter the 50-year-old Sorenstam committed to play the Gainbridge LPGA in Orlando, Fla., scheduled for Feb. 25-28 on her home course of Lake Nona. It...
Safety officials: Kobe Bryant crash pilot got disoriented flying in clouds
LOS ANGELES — The pilot of the helicopter that crashed last year in South California, killing Kobe Bryant and seven other passengers, made a key error by flying through thick clouds that ended up disorienting him, U.S. safety officials said Tuesday during a hearing aimed at pinpointing probable causes of...
This date in sports history: Feb. 9Video
1912 — The U.S. Tennis Association amends the rules for the men’s singles championship play. The defending champion is required to play through the tournament instead of waiting for the tournament to produce a challenger. 1940 — Joe Louis beats Arturo Godoy with a split decision to defend his world...
NASCAR’S Kyle Larson grateful for 2nd chance after racial slurVideo
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kyle Larson loaded his motorhome and drove to Daytona International Speedway by himself, alone for some seven hours to prepare for his return to NASCAR competition. The excitement of a new season settled his nerves, and he felt optimistic about his future. After serving a six-month...
Bayern Munich cruises past Al Ahly to reach Club World Cup finalVideo
DOHA, Qatar — Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munich cruised into the Club World Cup final on Monday with a controlled 2-0 win over Egyptian club Al Ahly. Bayern was firmly in control of the semifinal against the African champion and took the lead in the 17th minute when...
Kansas’ record Top 25 run over; Michigan jumps to No. 3
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas dropped out of The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time in 12 years on Monday, ending the Jayhawks’ record streak of 231 consecutive weeks ranked in the Top 25. Gonzaga and Baylor held down the top two spots, just as they have...
This date in sports history: Feb. 8Video
1936 — Jay Berwanger, University of Chicago halfback and Heisman Trophy winner, is the first player ever selected in the NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles make the pick and eventually trade his rights to the Chicago Bears. 1950 — Man o’ War is selected the greatest horse of the half...
Serena Williams wins opening match in AustraliaVideo
Serena Williams is off to a fast start at the Australian Open. After losing the opening game, Williams won 10 games in a row and beat Laura Siegemund, 6-1, 6-1, on the first day of the tournament. The victory marked the start of Williams’ latest bid for a record-tying 24th...
