NASCAR officials suspended driver Kurt Busch from all competition through June 13 for verbal abuse toward a media member after Saturday's Nationwide Series race in Delaware.
Auto racing
Busch’s verbal abuse toward
reporter results in suspension
Kurt Busch’s temper has cost him again.
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NASCAR suspended the driver from all competition through June 13 for verbal abuse toward a media member after Saturday’s Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway in Delaware.
Thus Busch, the 2004 Sprint Cup Series champion, will not be allowed to compete in Sunday’s race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa.
Busch used profane and threatening language while answering a question from Sporting News reporter Bob Pockrass on pit road after the race. Busch and driver Justin Allgaier made contact during the race and had a verbal exchange afterward.
Pockrass asked Busch if being on NASCAR-imposed probation caused him to race Allgaier differently. Busch, 33, replied the probation kept him from attacking Pockrass “because you ask me stupid questions” and added, “But since I’m on probation, I suppose that’s improper to say, as well.”
NASCAR placed Busch on probation May 15 for his actions during the Cup race in Darlington, S.C., when he did a burnout through Ryan Newman’s pit, nearly hitting crew members and a NASCAR official.
That probation was to end July 25 but Monday was extended through the end of this year.
“I accept NASCAR’s decision,” Busch said in a statement that included an apology for comments made to Pockrass.
Busch has had multiple run-ins with media members during his career.
Golf
Woods provides ratings boost
Tiger Woods’ victory in the Memorial Tournament on Sunday generated a 3.8 Nielsen overnight rating for CBS, an increase of 138 percent from last year’s PGA Tour event that didn’t include Woods.
College football
Court rejects Sandusky bid
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected a request by Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State assistant coach, to delay his trial on charges of child sex abuse, clearing the way for jury selection to begin Tuesday in Bellefonte, Pa.
Sandusky, 68, faces 52 counts of abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period.
Big Ten likes plus-one format
Big Ten Conference administrators would prefer a plus-one system over a four-team playoff to determine a national champion if the Bowl Championship Series can’t be maintained.
Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman said conference presidents would choose to keep the BCS system as is if there were a vote today. But he added change appears to be inevitable. In the plus-one format, bowl games would be played and later the top two teams would meet for the title.
USC’s Scroggins to transfer
USC reserve quarterback Jesse Scroggins, who hasn’t thrown a pass in two seasons with the Trojans, plans to transfer.
Boxing
Mosley, Wright plan to retire
Two 40-year-old fighters, “Sugar” Shane Mosley (46-8-1 not including a no decision) and Winky Wright (51-6-1), announced retirement plans.
Soccer
Barton is attacked near club
Joey Barton, captain of Queens Park Rangers of the English Premier League, was punched in the head outside a nightclub in Liverpool.
Barton, 29, was with his girlfriend when attacked by two 21-year-old men who had been singing offensive chants at him. Those men were arrested for a public-order offense.
Barton wrote on Twitter: “Not injured as reported just a small bruise on rear of head/ear. I’ve had worse.”
Barton served 77 days in jail in 2008 after a street fight in Liverpool.
Olympics
McCartney has London gig
Paul McCartney has confirmed reports he will be the closing act at the July 27 opening ceremony for the London Olympics.
Earlier this year, the former Beatle said he was in talks to play a role in the celebration.
On Monday, the music icon confirmed: “I’ve been booked.”
College softball
Sooners take 1-0 series lead
Keilani Ricketts struck out 12 in a five-hitter and Oklahoma beat Alabama 4-1 in Game 1 of the best-of-three Women’s College World Series final in Oklahoma City. The Big 12 Conference Sooners (54-8) have a chance to clinch the NCAA title Tuesday.
Elsewhere
• Four Pac-12 teams reached the round of 16 in the 64-team NCAA baseball tournament — and three will host best-of-three super regionals.
On Friday, Arizona will host St. John’s; UCLA will welcome Texas Christian; and Stanford will visit Florida State of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Oregon will host Kent State of the Mid-American Conference on Saturday.
Seattle Times news services