CONCORD, N.C. — An appeals committee denied Richard Childress Racing’s request to have Clint Bowyer‘s championship-ending penalty reversed, and the team owner vowed Wednesday to fight the decision to NASCAR’s highest level.
Richard Childress emerged from NASCAR’s research and development center after a nearly five-hour hearing fighting the 150-point penalty levied against Bowyer after the car he drove to victory Sept. 19 at New Hampshire failed inspection.
“After so many hours of whatever you want to call this, the ruling stood,” the team owner said. “I gave them the check and an appeal notice to the commissioner. We’re very disappointed. Nothing unexpected, the way this thing works.”
Childress said he paid the fee and made a formal request to appeal Wednesday’s decision to NASCAR chief appellate officer John Middlebrook, a former General Motors executive.
Bowyer and his RCR team were penalized last Wednesday, three days after his win in the opening race for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. The victory snapped an 88-race winless streak and pushed Bowyer from 12th to second in the standings, 35 points behind Denny Hamlin.
Taurasi leads U.S. women
OSTRAVA, Czech Republic — Diana Taurasi scored 24 points and Sylvia Fowles added 15 to help the United States beat Australia 83-75, earning the top seed in the quarterfinals at the women’s world basketball championship.
Tina Charles had 14 points for the U.S. (6-0), which will face South Korea on Friday in Karlovy Vary. Australia (5-1) will take on the Czech Republic. The Americans remained undefeated against the Aussies in the worlds, improving to 9-0 all-time.
Liz Cambage, a 6-foot-8 phenom, scored 18 points to lead the defending world champions while Lauren Jackson added 13.
Smith makes appearance
WILMINGTON, N.C. — Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith has showed up at Charlotte Bobcats training camp in one of his first public appearances since details emerged that he’s experiencing some memory loss.
The 79-year-old former North Carolina coach wore a Tar Heels blue jacket and was accompanied by his son. Smith moved slowly but steady around the floor after the workout as players and coaches greeted him. Smith didn’t speak to reporters.
Smith’s family announced in July that Smith had a “progressive neurocognitive disorder that affects his memory” but remains active.
• Mississippi State point guard Dee Bost was suspended nine games by the NCAA after failing to withdraw properly before the NBA Draft’s deadline in May.
• Florida running back Jeff Demps is no longer wearing a protective boot, and coach Urban Meyer says he is “probable” to play against top-ranked Alabama on Saturday.
• Alabama coach Nick Saban says defensive end Marcell Dareus has “a pretty good chance” to play against No. 7 Florida.
• Oklahoma has suspended receiver Jaz Reynolds indefinitely after he posted what coach Bob Stoops called “insensitive remarks” on his Twitter page about a gunman who committed suicide on the University of Texas campus.
• Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez says quarterback Denard Robinson (left knee) is “good to go” against Indiana.
The Associated Press
