JOHNSON OUT
Driver tests positive for COVID-19
INDIANAPOLIS» Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss this weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The 44-year-old Johnson is the first driver in any NASCAR series to test positive and the news Friday evening cast a shadow over the historic NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader races coming up Saturday and Sunday.
Johnson, who is asymptomatic, was tested after his wife, Chani, tested positive after experiencing allergy-like symptoms.
Johnson will also miss an upcoming test of an Indy car on the road course at the fabled venue, as well as what was supposed to be his final Brickyard 400. Justin Allgaier will replace him in the No. 48 Chevrolet.
Johnson had made 663 conscutive Cup Series starts — the longest streak among active drivers. NASCAR said it has granted Johnson a playoff waiver.
Power’s play puts Penske back in front for Indy GP.
INDIANAPOLIS»
Will Power brought back normalcy to Indianapolis. After a two-month race delay and a one-month hiatus between IndyCar’s first two races, Power reclaimed his status as the favorite for Saturday’s Indianapolis Grand Prix by overtaking Jack Harvey in the final seconds of qualifying with a pole-winning run of 1 minute, 10.1779 seconds on the road course.
Cleveland looks into changing name amid pressure.
CLEVELAND» They’ve been known as the Cleveland Indians since 1915. Those days could be over. Amid new pressure sparked by a national movement to correct racial wrongdoings, the Indians said Friday night they will review their long-debated nickname which has been in place for 105 years.
MLB cancels All-Star Game for first time since 1945.
LOS ANGELES» Dodger Stadium’s 40-year wait to host the All-Star Game is going to last even longer.The game scheduled for July 14 was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, and Dodger Stadium was awarded the 2022 Midsummer Classic. The 2021 game is set for Atlanta’s Truist Park, home to the Braves since 2017. This year will be the first time since 1945 that no game is held.
Top prospect Maker picks Howard.
WASHINGTON» Makur Maker, ranked No. 16 by ESPN, verbally committed to Howard University, picking the Bison over college basketball powerhouses UCLA, Kentucky and Memphis. The five-star recruit is the highest-ranked player to commit to a Historically Black College or University since ESPN began tracking rankings in 2007. Maker is a 6-foot-11, 235-pound center who declared for the NBA draft in April before opting to consider college basketball.
Oklahoma State’s Gundy takes pay cut over T-shirt flap.
STILLWATER, OKLA.» Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy took a $1 million pay cut and had his contract shortened by a year as part of an internal review prompted by sharp criticism from his star running back for wearing a T-shirt promoting the far-right One America News Network that has been critical of the Black Lives Matter movement. Athletic director Mike Holder said Friday the adjustments to Gundy’s contract were the coach’s idea. The review found “no sign or indication of racism” in the football program.
Zalatoris claims 54-hole lead at TPC Colorado Championship.
BERTHOUD» Will Zalatoris scored a third-round 70 at the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes and is 12-under through 54 holes, one shot ahead of Taylor Pendrith and Erik Barnes. Zalatoris has had at least a share of the lead after all three rounds this week, and he has been among the top 12 at the end of all 15 rounds since the season restarted. Saturday will mark his second time starting the final round atop the leaderboard.