Loudon won't host IRL race in '09

July 30, 2008

Jerry Gappens, executive vice president of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, last night lashed out at the Indy Racing League for omitting his track from the 2009 IndyCar Series schedule, calling the league's decision "a slap in the face to our chairman, Bruton Smith [of Speedway Motorsports Inc.], and to our company who have been very supportive of the Indy Racing League since its inception, and to Bob Bahre, who was the first [track owner] to agree to go with them when they split off." Last month, Gappens indicated there was strong interest among IRL officials to bring an open-wheel race back to New England. "I sat at a meeting and watched Bruton ask them for a race here [at NHMS], which they seemed extremely interested in doing," Gappens said in a statement. "They asked him to host the series finale in Las Vegas, which he agreed to and even offered the speedway and financial support to do it this year. Having attended that meeting in early June, it's hard to believe that neither is on the new schedule."
MICHAEL VEGA

A NASCAR official apologized for the tire problems that ruined its prestigious race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and vowed to avoid a repeat. A durability issue with the tires Goodyear brought to Indy forced NASCAR to call cautions every 10-12 laps Sunday to slow the action and force teams to change tires before they failed. The longest run under the green flag was 13 laps, and Jimmie Johnson claimed the victory at the end of a seven-lap sprint to the finish. "I can't say enough how sorry we are and it's our responsibility being NASCAR that we don't go through this situation again," said Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition.

The Houston Rockets are close to an agreement to acquire Ron Artest from Sacramento, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson and another player - likely rookie forward Donte Greene - according to two NBA people who confirmed the deal, but spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made . . . The Bobcats ended a year of uncertainty with top rebounder and shot blocker Emeka Okafor by coming to terms on a six-year, $72 million deal with the restricted free agent. Okafor turned down Charlotte's offer of $12 million annually last year, but settled on the same figure a year later . . . The Hawks completed a deal with Maurice Evans, locking up a replacement for departed sixth man Josh Childress . . . The Knicks waived Taurean Green and Bobby Jones, one day after acquiring the pair of seldom-used players in a trade with the Nuggets . . . The 76ers signed free agent guard Kareem Rush.

The Minnesota Twins will place second baseman Alexi Casilla on the disabled list and activate Adam Everett to replace him. An MRI revealed a torn right thumb ligament on Casilla, who has helped spark the Twins by hitting .313. Casilla will see a doctor today to determine the extent of the tear. Everett was initially asked to accept a demotion to Triple A Rochester . . . Mets righthander John Maine was diagnosed with a mild strain in his right rotator cuff, and it's uncertain whether he will make his next scheduled start . . . The Pirates put first baseman Adam LaRoche on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained ribcage muscle . . . Third baseman Hank Blalock was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Rangers with right shoulder inflammation . . . Three Cardinals minor leaguers, pitchers Braulin Beltre and Yedilson Pena and outfielder Andres Beras, were suspended for 50 games each after testing positive for steroids . . . The Diamondbacks optioned righthander Micah Owings to Triple A Tucson.

Roger Federer shook off last week's early-round loss in Toronto and beat Robby Ginepri, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-5), 6-0, in his first match at the Cincinnati Masters. A week ago, Federer was ousted from the Toronto Masters in the second round, and his No. 1 ranking would have been in danger if that had happened again this week. Also, sixth-seeded Andy Roddick withdrew just before his match with Philipp Kohlschreiber was to begin, citing neck and shoulder pain.

Michelle Wie skipped a major to play on the PGA Tour this week and her LPGA peers, including Annika Sorenstam, wonder why. Wie has yet to win on the women's tour and has never made the cut on the PGA Tour. She was listed in qualifying for the Women's British Open at Sunningdale. But she pulled out and instead has a sponsor's exemption for the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open at Reno, Nev. "Well, we all have different agendas in life," Sorenstam said. "I really don't know why Michelle continues to do this . . . if you can't qualify for a major, I don't see any reason why you should play with the men." . . . Bradley Kushner shot a 3-over-par 75 to extend his lead to three shots in the Massachusetts Junior Golf Championship at Brae Burn Country Club. After two days, Kushner is at 2-over 146 . . . No. 1 overall pick Steven Stamkos signed a three-year, $2.625 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning that could be worth up to $11.175 million with incentives . . . In a salary-cap move, the Wild waived veteran forward Mark Parrish, who would have cost the team a salary-cap hit of $2.65 million this season, with three years left on his contract . . . The Boston Blazers of the National Lacrosse League acquired former University of Massachusetts defenseman Jack Reid from the Rochester Knighthawks for defenseman Kyle Laverty.