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Professional Sports

Postponed Indy 500 puts short-track drivers in spotlight GAS CITY, Ind. — The roaring engines and flying dirt pellets briefly brought Gas City I-69 Speedway back to life Sunday. It wasn't the same. by Associated Press Published May. 26 2020 @ 2:44am

NHL plans move to small-group training soon TORONTO — The NHL hopes to have players back in team facilities soon — with plenty of precautions. by Associated Press Published May. 25 2020 @ 10:30pm

Keselowski gets win, Hendrick Motorsports takes pair of losses CONCORD, N.C. — Brad Keselowski has won the Southern 500, the Bristol night race, the Brickyard 400 and has now crossed the Coca-Cola 600 off his checklist of crown jewel victories. by Associated Press Published May. 25 2020 @ 10:30pm

Hamlin crew members suspended four races over tungsten drop CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR suspended three critical crew members for Denny Hamlin's team Monday because a piece of tungsten fell off his car on the pace lap before the Coca-Cola 600. by Associated Press Published May. 25 2020 @ 10:30pm

Busch passes Cindric in OT to win Xfinity race at Charlotte CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch passed Austin Cindric on the final lap in overtime to win his 97th career Xfinity Series race in dramatic fashion Monday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. by Associated Press Published May. 25 2020 @ 10:15pm

Keselowski wins 600 to extend Johnson's winless streak CONCORD, N.C. — Brad Keselowski extended Jimmie Johnson's losing streak to 102 races, holding off the seven-time NASCAR champion in overtime early Monday in the Coca-Cola 600. by Associated Press Published May. 24 2020 @ 11:35pm

No fans, no problem: Some Coca-Cola 600 fans turn out anyway CONCORD, N.C. — Chris "Pops" Bowyer sat in a lawn chair wearing a plain white T-shirt and drinking a beer alongside wife Jana and their friends outside of their motorhome a few hundred yards from Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bowyer knew he wasn't getting into the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday to see his Cup driver son Clint race, but decided to make the trek from Kansas to be close to the action. "Well, we're here," said Bowyer, while dog Hank laid on the grass near his feet. "The kid is racing, so we're here." by Associated Press Published May. 24 2020 @ 10:10pm

Fired NASCAR star wins World of Outlaws race at Pevley Fired NASCAR star Kyle Larson won the World of Outlaws race Saturday night in Pevley, Mo., a day after finishing second behind brother-in-law Brad Sweet in the first Sprint Cup event with live fans in the dirt series' return from a coronavirus pandemic suspension. by Associated Press Published May. 24 2020 @ 10:00pm

Woods, Manning win a TV charity match as good as real thing Tom Brady delivered the shot of the match that made it easy to forget the rest of his swings. Tiger Woods didn't miss a fairway and earned a small measure of revenge against Phil Mickelson. The PGA Tour is set to return in just more than two weeks, and it has a tough act to follow. by Associated Press Published May. 24 2020 @ 9:50pm

Nats delay ring ceremony WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have changed their plans for their virtual World Series ring ceremony after players decided they would rather wait until they could reunite in person to receive their new jewelry. by Associated Press Published May. 24 2020 @ 12:17am

NBA says it is talking with Disney about resuming season The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July, the clearest sign yet the league believes the season can continue amid the coronavirus pandemic. by Associated Press Published May. 23 2020 @ 10:00pm

Press Box: Smaller doses of sports are pleasant On Mother's Day, my grandma asked if I wanted to change the TV channel. by Jason Strickland Published May. 23 2020 @ 10:00pm

NASCAR all alone on biggest day of racing CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Monaco Grand Prix has been canceled. The Indianapolis 500 is postponed until August. Only the Coca-Cola 600 is still scheduled as planned. by Associated Press Published May. 23 2020 @ 10:00pm

Tiger emerges for TV match with Lefty, QBs The purpose is to raise $10 million or more for COVID-19 relief efforts, and provide entertainment with four of the biggest stars from the PGA Tour and NFL. by Associated Press Published May. 23 2020 @ 10:00pm

Former NFL QB Leaf arrested in California for domestic battery PALM DESERT, Calif. — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was arrested Friday in Southern California. by Associated Press Published May. 23 2020 @ 9:15pm

Canada's NHL teams offer options to season-ticket holders Canada's NHL teams have offered season-ticket holders rebate or refund options in acknowledgment no more 2019-20 regular-season games will be played in front of fans in their respective buildings. by Associated Press Published May. 23 2020 @ 8:10pm

IndyCar drivers cope with strange weekend INDIANAPOLIS — Simon Pagenaud knows what he should be doing right now. Friday's plan was to climb into the No. 22 Chevrolet for one final test session, mingle with fans and plot race strategy. On Sunday, he'd chase a second straight Indianapolis 500 victory. by Associated Press Published May. 23 2020 @ 12:30am

NHLPA approves going forward with 24-team playoff talks The NHL Players' Association's executive committee authorized moving forward in talks with the league on returning to play from the coronavirus suspension, approving 24 teams making the playoffs with other aspects still to be negotiated. by Associated Press Published May. 22 2020 @ 10:10pm

Race viewing from comfort of condo at Charlotte CONCORD, N.C. — Robin Trivette is a popular person this week with the Coca-Cola 600 approaching and it has nothing to do with her bubbly personality. It's all about her connections. by Associated Press Published May. 22 2020 @ 10:00pm

NASCAR grabs much-needed momentum in return to live racing CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR had been planning sweeping changes for 2021 in hopes of finding new fans and adding some energy to a staid, stale schedule. The coronavirus pandemic put those plans on hold and NASCAR is frantically trying to recover from a 10-week layoff. by Associated Press Published May. 22 2020 @ 10:00pm

Jerry Sloan, coaching great of Jazz glory days, dies at 78 Jerry Sloan walked up the steps to the stage at the Basketball Hall of Fame to give his enshrinement speech in 2009, almost as if he were dreading what the next few minutes would bring. by Associated Press Published May. 22 2020 @ 10:00pm

Gone fishing? Thrower's Olympic dreams capsized by silly fib It makes no difference whether Mark Dry was at the fishing hole or at his parents' house on the day that all but pulverized what's left of his Olympic dreams. by Associated Press Published May. 21 2020 @ 9:35pm

Lace them up: Boxing set for June 9 return in Las Vegas Promoter Bob Arum said Thursday he plans to stage a card of five fights June 9 at the MGM Grand, the first of a series of fights during the next two months at the Las Vegas hotel. A second fight card will be held two nights later, with ESPN televising both cards, kicking off twice weekly shows at the hotel in June and July. by Associated Press Published May. 21 2020 @ 9:20pm