Cancellations mount because of COVID-19 pandemic
NASCAR and IndyCar reversed course Friday and pulled the plug on racing this weekend, with IndyCar also suspending its season through the end of April due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
NASCAR called off its races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and events next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Both events already were scheduled to be run without spectators.
IndyCar was scheduled to open its season Sunday on the streets of Downtown St. Petersburg, Fla., without fans. Formula One also canceled its season opening race in Australia, leaving the first full weekend of global motorsports without a major event.
NASCAR made the announcement on
Twitter, stating that they believe “this decision is in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our fans, competitors, officials and everyone associated with our sport.”
The news comes on the same day that Augusta National Golf Club announced the Masters would be postponed.
The Boston Marathon also announced that it would be rescheduled to Sept. 14.
College basketball
Grand Canyon fired men’s coach Dan Majerle after seven seasons. The school announced the former Phoenix Suns star’s firing after the Western Athletic Conference and NCAA tournament were canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus. • Minnesota coach Richard Pitino reportedly will return for his eighth season with the program. Pitino, 37, has a 127-108 record with the Gophers.
Pro football
The Los Angeles Chargers put the nonexclusive franchise tag on tight end Hunter Henry. The Chargers also released linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, who were team captains.
• The Tennessee Titans waived threetime Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker and kicker Ryan Succop.
• The Cincinnati Bengals released Cordy Glenn, severing ties with the left tackle who missed most of last season because of concussion and suspension.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars placed the franchise tag on disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, a move that guarantees him more than $19 million next season.
• The Detroit Lions released tackle Rick Wagner.
• The Vikings terminated the contracts of two long-time starters: nose tackle Linval Joseph and cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
Iditarod
Jessie Royer of Fairbanks was the first musher in the Trail Sled Dog Race across Alaska to reach the checkpoint in Ruby, a village less than halfway from the finish line with 14 dogs in harness at 6:37 a.m. Royer was followed into Ruby, the first checkpoint on the Yukon River, by tThomas Waerner of Norway, Aaron Burmeister of Nome and Brent Sass of Eureka.