TRUEX MOVES INTO FIRST PLACE AFTER PENALTY TO LARSON

CHARLOTTE, N.C.» Kyle Larson has lost his Cup series lead and his crew chief has been suspended after failing a postrace inspection at Kentucky.

Larson’s team was penalized 35 points Wednesday, erasing what had been a one-point advantage over FRR’s Martin Truex Jr. in the driver standings. Larson is still 66 points ahead of third-place Kyle Busch.

Larson’s No. 42 Chevrolet was penalized for a rear brake cooling assembly that did not meet standards. Crew chief Chad Johnston was suspended three races and fined $75,000. He will miss Cup races starting this weekend at New Hampshire.

Chip Ganassi Racing said it will not appeal NASCAR’s penalty.

NASCAR also fined Busch’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, $10,000 after an unsecured lug nut was found in postrace inspection.

• The ESPY for best driver went to Lewis Hamilton of Formula One. Truex, NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson, Simon Pagenaud (IndyCar) and Ron Capps (NHRA funny car) were the other nominees.

• NASCAR promoted Brent Dewar from chief operating officer to president.

Fantasy sports betting merger called off. BOSTON»

The two top companies in daily fantasy sports are backing out of a proposed merger one month after federal regulators sued to block it.

The CEOs for DraftKings and FanDuel said they were moving forward separately in the best interests of their customers, employees and investors. The Federal Trade Commission opposed the merger last month, saying it would create a company controlling more than 90 percent of the U.S. market for paid daily fantasy sports.

The longtime rivals announced their merger last November. An FTC spokeswoman didn’t immediately comment.

Chandler, Mudiay among players to join NBA Africa Game.

NEW YORK» Denver’s Wilson Chandler, DeMarcus Cousins of the New Orleans Pelicans and Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks will play for Team World in the NBA Africa Game.

Dirk Nowitzki and Kemba Walker had already been chosen as captains for Team World. The squad includes Portland’s CJ McCollum, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, Detroit’s Andre Drummond, Boston’s Jaylen Brown, New York’s Courtney Lee and Leandro Barbosa, who most recently played with Phoenix.

The rosters were announced for the second game featuring players born in Africa and second-generation African players against a team from the rest of the world. It will be played Aug. 5 in Johannesburg.

Team Africa, captained by Luol Deng and Thabo Sefolosha, will be rounded out by Denver’s Emmanuel Mudiay, Indiana’s Victor Oladipo, Atlanta’s Dennis Schroder, Orlando’s Bismack Biyombo, Houston’s Clint Capela, Minnesota’s Gorgui Dieng, Toronto’s Serge Ibaka, Luc Mbah a Moute, most recently with the Clippers and Dallas’ Salah Mejri. Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, from Cameroon, is on the roster but won’t play because he is recovering from injury.

Wyoming’s Wingard on watch list.

LARAMIE» Wyoming junior safety Andrew Wingard has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.

The Nagurski Trophy recognizes the defensive player of the year in college football. The winner will be announced Dec. 4.

Footnotes.

Colorado State women’s golf coach Annie Young announced the addition of Tommy Baker to the staff as an assistant . ... Leon Hayward, an assistant coach with the Bloomington Thunder of the United States Hockey League, has been named to the same position with the Colorado College hockey program, Tigers head coach Mike Haviland announced. — Denver Post staff and wire services