Friday, June 11, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Driver Neal Parker Killed In New Jersey NHRA Event

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Englishtown, NJ, United States (AHN) – Old Bridge Township Raceway Park and the NHRA saw its second fatatility in two years at this track when driver Neal Parker was killed in a crash Friday afternoon.

The 58-year-old Millville, N.J., native crashed his Top Alcohol Funny Car in the shutdown area during qualifying for the National Hot Rod Association SuperNationals.

It was the second death at an NHRA event this season — a spectator was killed by a stray tire at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix — and came at a place where two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Scott Kalitta was killed in June of 2008.

That incident led to the NHRA shortening race tracks from a quarter-mile to 1,000-feet.

“On behalf of everyone at NHRA and Raceway Park, we are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Parker family,” said the NHRA in a statement.

NHRA officials and the New Jersey State Police are investigating the accident.

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Kurt Busch On Pole At Michigan

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Brooklyn, MI, United States (AHN) – Kyle Busch was the man to beat a couple of weeks ago when he swept the Charlotte events and on Friday he set the mark again when he won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

Wheeling the No. 2 Dodge of Penske Racing, Busch turned a lap of 189.984 mph around the 2-mile oval to top Jamie McMurray for the top starting spot.

“We’re fast. I think that we have a top-five car,” said Busch. “At Michigan you can pass, go high, go low. We spent a lot of time in race trim trying to dial this car in.

“I was a little bit loose on exit in race trim. We’ll see what happens with the weather. Rain may come in and change the track.”

McMurray will roll off alongside Busch on the front row and four-time defending Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson qualified third for the event. Kasey Kahne and Jeff Burton will roll off behind Johnson to round out the top-five starters.

Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, David Reutimann and Juan Montoya round out the top-10 qualifiers as only one Ford and one Dodge qualified in the top 10.

“This is one of those places that it seems like the later in the session, the better it was going to get,” McMurray said. “But with the rain and having some overcast when I ran my lap, that was probably a little bit of an advantage.

“I was impressed that Kurt was able to beat it when we ran as fast as we did. I mean, when the sun came out, I didn’t think anybody would be able to match the lap that we did, but Kurt did a really good job.”

Busch managed his second pole of the year and 12th of his career at a place he has enjoyed much success — he won here in 2003 and 2007.

The polesitting run allowed Busch to maintain the momentum in what has been his strongest since a championship season a few years ago. He has wins at Atlanta and Charlotte this year and sits fifth in points with 12 races left until The Chase.

“I give all the credit to the crew and (crew chief) Steve Addington for making the sharp decision that it takes to set a car on the pole and stay on top of changing track conditions,” Busch said.

Michael Waltrip, Johnny Sauter and Kevin Conway were the only three drivers who failed to qualify for the 43-car field.

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Westwood, Willis Two Leaders A World Apart At St. Judge Classic

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Memphis, Tennessee, United States (AHN) – They are on total different ends of the golf spectrum.

Lee Westwood is the third-ranked player in the world, contender at the Masters, winner of 20 European events, a player with a world-class resume.

Garrett Willis had the golf world in his hands back in 2001 when he won his first tournament of the season, the Tucson Open. He took his success for granted and found out the hard way what happens to a tour player without commitment to the game.

These two players are worlds apart but they are joined atop the leaderboard at the St. Judge Classic. Willis shot a clean, no-bogey round of 65 Friday and found himself tied Westwood, both players in at 131, nine-under par after two trips around the TPC Southwind.

Westwood, the first round leader, birdied the final three holes Friday to pull into a tie with Willis.

The amazing thing about the accomplished Westwood and Willis, the tour journeyman, is that both players have only one PGA Tour win — Willis’ Tucson victory and Westwood’s 1998 win in New Orleans.

Westwood with his world ranking, is clearly the most accomplished player in the field. Willis is simply struggling to find his way back to big-time golf.

Westwood will be one of the favorites at next week’s U.S. Open, Willis earned his tour card with a good showing on the 2009 Nationwide Tour. Two players, worlds apart.

The twosome found themselves a shot ahead of Charley Hoffman, who is struggling to regain his form after a wrist injury. Hoffman shot 65 and is a shot back at 132.

Robert Karlsson was among the players who got out early and scored well. The former No. 1 player on the European Tour, shot a 66 and was tied with Robert Garrigus, a non-exempt player on the PGA Tour. Both were in at seven-under par, 133.

Another shot back at 134 were four players, including former major champions Lee Janzen (68-66) and Shaun Micheel (68-66).

Young Rory McIlroy moved within four of the leaders with a second round 66. He was tied with Boo Weekley, who is finally feeling better after battling back problems.

For the second straight day, the morning players had an advantage. “Obviously it’s a little softer,” said Hoffman. “The greens are softer in the morning and you can hopefully get some birdies before it starts heating up.”

Hoffman found a half-dozen birdies and a single bogey and is in position for his best finish this year. He’s had only one top 20 finish this season.

Some big names missing the cut included Ian Poulter, who struggled with a pair of 72s and missed the projected one-over cutline. Two-time champion of the event, Justin Leonard, fared even worse with rounds of 74-72.

John Daly finished the day at even par 70 and was on the cutline at one-over. He survived despite hitting the wrong ball out of a hazard at the ninth hole. That led to a double-bogey.

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Conference Changeups: Boise Joins Mountain West; Nebraska Pursues Big 10

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

United States (AHN) – Big changes have already unraveled in college football Friday. The Mountain West Conference (MWC) absorbed and welcomed Boise State into the league, while the Big Ten also collectively approved the University of Nebraska’s application.

Boise State will be the 10th member of the conference, following Texas Christian University’s admission in 2005, and Nebraska will become the Big Ten’s 12th member after the “Nebraska Board of Regents approved a resolution pursuing membership,” according to a USA Today report.

MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said that the league is still in its infancy compared to other leagues, and the addition will propel its rise.

“Since our inception just 11 short years ago, the Mountain West has experienced tremendous success and the addition of Boise State will further enhance that strength,” Thompson told the media outlet.

The MWC continues to strategize regarding potential membership scenarios and bringing Boise State into the conference is an important part of that evolution.”

Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman said in a statement that the move from the Big 12 will give his school the needed “stability that the Big 12 cannot.”

“We realize that some of the schools that were asking us to stay were talking to not just one conference, but two or three,” Athletic Director Tom Osborne said.

It was speculated that the Big 12’s South, such as Texas, are entertaining offers from the Big Ten and the Pac-10.

The Cornhuskers opportunity to reap double television revenues versus no assurance on the future of the Big 12 or stable future television rights, led Nebraska to jump ship to the Big 10.

With the move, Nebraska will leap from a reported $9.1 million in television rights in the 2007-08 season to an estimated $20 million, according to published reports.

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Kile Scores First Career ARCA Win At Michigan

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Brooklyn, MI, United States (AHN) – Turnabout was fair play as Mikey Kile bounced back from a runner-up finish a week ago at Pocono and won Friday’s ARCA Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

Kile had the fastest car a week ago at Pocono, but settled for a career-best second-place finish, while Craig Goess came away with the win. On Friday, Goess had the fastest car but was a lap down on pit road when the caution came out, allowing Kile the victory.

“We just kept our cool, raced the race track and luckily this time the caution came out when we needed it,” said Kile. “Those last five laps couldn’t come quick enough. Those last five laps were the longest five laps of my life.”

Kile, of Westlake, LA., scored his first career ARCA win after leading 26 of 100 laps in his Venturini Motorsports Toyota.

Joey Coulter settled for runner-up honors and was followed by Patrick Sheltra, Justin Marks and Frank Kimmel.

“They stole it from us last week and we came away with it this week.,” said Kevin Reed, Kile’s crew chief. “Mikey’s just doing an awesome job.”

Goess ended up finishing sixth on a day when he had the car to beat.

“We had a dominant car all day. We had the car to beat and we just pulled away after every pit stop,” Goess said. “The sheet does not reflect how good of a car we had, obviously.”

Sheltra leads the points race by 35 over Marks, while Kile is third and Goess is fourth.

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Reports: Perjury Case Vs. Bonds Crumbling; Some Evidence Ruled Inadmissible

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – Barry Bonds had a legal victory after a federal appeals court ruled that evidence the government was planning to use to prove perjury was inadmissible in court, according to a report Friday.

The former San Francisco Giants hitter was examined by the San Francisco’s 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and in a split opinion, said that the government could not use urine samples or other gathered evidence in its perjury case.

Bonds, indicted in federal court on December 2008 with 10 counts of making false statements to a grand jury, criminal case is delayed, it is still unknown whether the Justice Department will appeal to the Supreme Court to use the evidence in court.

The Appeals Court ruling upholds a February 2009 decision that “…there was no proof that positive steroid tests from 2000 and 2001 were Bonds’ and that out-of-court statements from his former trainer, Greg Anderson, are hearsay,” according to published documents.

The court also considered Anderson’s accusations against Bonds “inadmissible, since he would be unable to vouch for its authenticity.”

Bonds, 45, hit a record-setting 73 homers during the 2001 baseball season, and has said he is not ready to retire.

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Lack of African Fans Concerns World Cup Organizers

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Johannesburg, South Africa (AHN) – FIFA World Cup organizers are experiencing a major headache with around 160,000 tickets still unsold for this year’s biggest sports spectacle.

Organizers indicated that the significant number of tickets of a total 2.2 million were still available for sale, including 800 tickets for the final match in Johannesburg.

The figures come as a surprise to current FIFA officials after the last World Cup, held in Germany, which experienced sold out sales of 3.2 million available tickets.

Critics believe the football body’s online sales system is contributing to the slow purchase rate of the tickets in the continent.

Mismanagement of ticket deployment, increasing transportation costs and safety concerns are also cited as factors for the unexpected ticket slump.

African fans outside South Africa currently account for 11,300 — around 25 percent — of 40,000 tickets expected to be sold.

However, World Cup organizers still are providing additional opportunities for ticket hunters, beginning with the release of more than 50,000 additional seats.

FIFA officials reported that 38,000 top-end tickets ̶̶̶̶ around $200 to $300 ̶̶̶̶ were on sale Monday. Another 15,000 partially restricted sets are still available through several ticket outlets.

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Pitcher Strasburg Gets Higher Rating Than Burnett In `MLB 2K10` Game

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – MLB 2K10 released its latest and official roster update Friday, placing Washington Nationals rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg at no. 15 among the best hurlers in MLB.

Strasburg received an 87 rating on the latest roster update of the MLB 2K10, a simulated baseball game developed by 2K sports.

In spite of Strasburg’s smashing debut with 14 strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday, some baseball followers believe 2K sports had overrated the rookie pitcher.

Strasburg, the 2009 first overall pick, even outranked several star pitchers such as Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros), Cole Hamels (Philadelphia Phillies), and A.J. Burnett (New York Yankees).

Strasburg also became the Nationals’ top pitcher, surpassing veteran Livan Hernandez with a 75 rating.

2K sports developers make roster updates every two weeks for the game’s MLB Today mode, which allows gamers to play baseball matches as scheduled.

Strasburg’s impressive debut apparently caught the eye of 2K sports.

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NBA Finals May Pivot On Lakers Center Bynum`s Knee

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 09:36 PM PDT

kate rowland – AHN Sports Reporter

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Andrew Bynum’s ability to play with an injured knee may prove to be a pivotal factor in determining the winner of what is now a best-of-three series in the NBA Finals.

The Los Angeles Lakers starting center played just 12 minutes in the Celtics 96-89 series-tying victory Thursday.

With a season average of 15 points and over 8 rebounds a game, Bynum was held to just two points and three rebounds in the crucial Game 4 that evened the series at two games apiece.

Whether Bynum will be ready to go for Sunday’s Game 5 — and be effective for the Lakers — is up in the air.

Bynum has twice reinjured a torn right meniscus since he suffered a slight tear on April 30 in Game 6 of the Lakers’ first-round series with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Friday that Bynum’s status for Game 5 is unknown. Bynum planned to visit a doctor Friday.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers told the media that Bynum often sits out the fourth quarter even when he’s healthy.

There’s no doubt the Lakers miss Bynum when he’s not on the floor, Rivers said, but Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol are available to fill in for the 7-foot, 185-pound center.

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Hawks Former Assistant Drew Gets Nod For Head Coaching Post

Posted: 11 Jun 2010 04:06 PM PDT

kate rowland – AHN Sports Reporter

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – The Atlanta Hawks hired assistant coach Larry Drew as head coach of the NBA franchise, according to reports.

Drew served as head assistant coach under Mike Woodson, who was released from the head coach position last month.

Drew was chosen from finalists that included Avery Johnson, Dwane Casey and Mark Jackson. Johnson agreed to coach the Nets earlier this week.

Drew has been an NBA assistant coach for 14 seasons, but this will be his first stint as head coach.

He worked for the Lakers, Wizards, Pistons and Nets before joining Woodson’s staff for the 2004-05 season.

Drew, 52, is a retired NBA player who was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 1st round of the 1980 NBA Draft.

He played point guard for the University of Missouri, then 10 NBA seasons for the Pistons, Kansas City/Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Atlanta General Manager Rick Sund said the team needed “another voice” when he released Woodson, after the team lost in the second round of the playoffs the last two years.

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