HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Joe Gibbs Racing has selected 18-year-old Joe Logano to replace Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Sprint Cup Toyota next season.
With Stewart, a two-time Sprint Cup points champion, set to leave JGR after 10 years to become driver-owner of what is now called Haas-CNC racing, Logano next season will inherit Stewart’s sponsor, Home Depot, and his crew chief, Greg Zipadelli.
He will also have plenty of pressure strapped to his 140-pound frame. While Logano has made a successful debut in the second-tier Nationwide Series, with three top-five finishes in nine races, he’s yet to drive in a Sprint Cup race.
“I’m cool with pressure,” Logano said. “Moving up to this car now, it’s more pressure, but I can handle it.”
A&M’s Lane questionable for opener
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M running back Jorvorskie Lane is questionable for Saturday’s opener against Arkansas State because of lingering effects from a neck injury.
The 280-pound senior, who rushed for 780 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, suffered a stinger in practice Aug. 13 and hasn’t participated in contact drills since.
• Arizona standout tight end Rob Gronkowski will miss the season opener against Idaho on Saturday, and possibly more, because of strep throat and possibly mononucleosis.
• Tennessee defensive back Brett Vinson and defensive tackle Donald Langley were suspended for Monday’s opener at UCLA because of academic issues.
• Florida might be without receiver Percy Harvin (heel) and middle linebacker Brandon Spikes (foot) for its Saturday opener against Hawaii.
• Quarterback Ben Mauk lost another round in his attempt to get one more season of eligibility from the NCAA, leaving him down to his last appeal. The NCAA’s reinstatement committee scheduled a phone conference with Mauk on Thursday.
• Suspended Nebraska offensive lineman Andy Christensen pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and criminal mischief in connection with a sexual-assault case pending against him. Jury selection continues in the sex-assault case against the 22-year-old. He has already pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Footnotes.
Kentucky horse racing regulators approved a sweeping steroid ban for the state’s thoroughbred and standardbred races that could take effect as early as this fall’s meet at Turfway Park and would be well underway in time for next year’s Kentucky Derby.
• The Phoenix Suns traded guard D.J. Strawberry to the Houston Rockets for rookie guard Sean Singletary.
• The Dallas Mavericks re-signed forward Devean George nearly six months after the veteran player blocked a trade to the New Jersey Nets.
• Sun Yue, a second-round pick in the 2007 NBA draft, signed a multiyear contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
• Tiger Woods said he is not sure whether he will be ready to defend his title at the Dubai Desert Classic that begins Jan. 27, but he plans to “be hitting golf balls at the beginning of the year.” The Associated Press
