CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Denny Hamlin‘s No. 11 team continued a dominating season by winning NASCAR’s Pit Crew Challenge on Wednesday night.
The seven-member team changed four tires, put in gas and pushed the car 40 yards in 23.132 seconds to edge defending champion Jeff Burton‘s crew and collect $70,650.
• NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer has been placed on probation until June 16 for aggressive driving.
“Spygate” case tossed
PHILADELPHIA — NFL fans miffed by the New England Patriots’ secret videotaping of their opponents’ signals can boycott games or team merchandise, but they can’t seek legal damages for “Spygate,” a U.S. appeals court ruled.
The appeals panel upheld a district judge’s ruling that dismissed the suit by lawyer Carl Mayer, a New York Jets season-ticket holder who contended fans spent large sums to see games that were essentially rigged. Mayer, who sought $185 million in damages for Jets fans alone, said he plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson said he plans to rejoin the team after missing the first three voluntary practices over a contract dispute.
• Restricted free-agent safety Danieal Manning signed his one- year tender offer from the Chicago Bears.
Tressel’s wife has heart surgery
CLEVELAND — The wife of Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel is recovering from surgery to repair a heart valve.
Ellen Tressel, 56, had the operation at the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday in hopes of improving blood flow through the heart. She is expected to leave the hospital this weekend.
• BYU declined former running back Harvey Unga‘s request to be readmitted for the fall semester. Unga, BYU’s all-time leading rusher, withdrew from classes in April, saying he had violated the school’s strict honor code.
• Iowa State dismissed starting right tackle Scott Haughton for violating undisclosed team rules.
Zabriskie maintains slim lead
MODESTO, Calif. — Italian rider Francesco Chicchi emerged from a mass sprint to win Stage 4 of the Tour of California, while David Zabriskie of Boulder-based Garmin-Transitions held onto a four-second advantage over Mi- chael Rogers for the overall lead.
• Evgeni Petrov fought through rain and windy conditions to win the 11th stage of the Giro d’Italia, and Richie Porte took the overall lead.
Footnotes.
Flamboyant golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez was robbed inside his Puerto Rico home by three assailants who stole cash and jewelry worth $500,000, police said.
• Defending champion Juan Martin del Potro said he expects to miss the U.S. Open because of recent surgery on his right wrist.
• American tennis player Wayne Odesnik was banned for two years, two months after pleading guilty to importing human growth hormone into Australia.
• Ivo Karlovic withdrew from the French Open with a right foot injury.
The Associated Press
