CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Five-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson said Wednesday he has spoken to many IndyCar drivers about his belief that the series should not be racing on ovals, and all understood what he meant.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon was killed in a 15-car accident Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. When asked the next day about the accident, Johnson said ovals were not safe for IndyCars and the series should abandon them.
His comment led to an angry backlash from fans who believed Johnson had no business weighing in on another series. Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt also rebuked Johnson’s comments, with Foyt telling USA Today that Johnson was “pretty stupid to make a statement like that. You could say the same about stock cars. I’ve driven both, and I’ve been hurt real bad in both.”
Andretti called Johnson on Wednesday to discuss it, and Johnson clarified he should have been specific about high-banked ovals. Las Vegas has progressive banking, and many IndyCar drivers expressed concern about racing on that kind of track.
Meanwhile, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard said the best way to honor Wheldon is finding a way to prevent another fatal accident.
“This was a tragic accident, and IndyCar needs to understand everything possible about it,” he said.
D.C. United’s Davies sues nightclub, Red Bull
WASHINGTON — D.C. United’s Charlie Davies is suing the owners of a Washington nightclub and the drink company Red Bull for $20 million, claiming they are responsible for a fatal car crash that ended the MLS player’s hopes of joining the 2010 U.S. World Cup team.
Davies, 25, was a passenger in the car driven by a woman who has since pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving in the 2009 one-car crash that killed a second passenger. The lawsuit claims the Shadow Room and Red Bull served excessive alcohol to driver Maria Espinoza. Davies suffered a number of broken bones and lacerated bladder, making him unable to play in the World Cup.
• Kenny Cooper scored early and the Portland Timbers preserved their slim MLS playoff chances with a 1-1 draw at D.C. United in Washington.
Footnotes.
Keegan Bradley shot an even-par 71 to hold off a final-round charge from Charl Schwartzel (65—139) and win the PGA Grand Slam by one stroke in Southampton, Bermuda.
• New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur will miss seven to 10 days because of an injury to his right shoulder.
• Former New York Rangers forward Sean Avery reported to the AHL’s Connecticut Whale and practiced with the team.
• The United States won eight gold medals, including three in swimming, to increase its medals lead at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. The U.S. has 32 gold medals and 82 overall; Brazil remains in second place with 12 gold and 36 overall.
• Minnesota hockey coach Don Lucia agreed to terms on a contract extension through the 2014-15 season. The Associated Press
