WeATheR hAlTS nAScAR cup RAce in TexAS AT 52 lApS Arizona accused of 5 Level I violations by NCAA. Hamilton wins Portuguese GP for record 92nd F1 victory. Creed gets in Truck series final 4.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS » NASCAR’s Cup playoff race in Texas was postponed Sunday night after 52 laps on a misty day that slowly deteriorated to drizzle while it never actually rained before the event was called off.
The delay was just over four hours, and the restart planned for Monday morning. But the forecast isn’t promising with a 90% chance of rain overnight.
The crowd watched Clint Bowyer emerge as the leader with Jimmie Johnson second in the last Texas race as full- time drivers for both veterans.
It was fitting that Bowyer and the seven- time series champion Johnson were leading when the race was stopped. Both were honored before the race, with victory lane being named after Johnson. His seven Texas wins are the most on the 1 ½ - mile, high- banked tri oval.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott named Johnson an honorary Texan. The
45- year- old is planning to run part time in IndyCar next year.
Bowyer, 41, plans to move into the broadcast booth next season.
Arizona was accused of nine counts of misconduct, including five Level I violations, in a Notice of Allegations sent by the NCAA last week, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the violations have not been publicly released.
The Athletic first reported the violations Sunday, citing a letter sent to the NCAA by Arizona’s outside counsel, Paul Kelly.
The violations include a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university, and lack of head coach control by basketball coach Sean Miller.
PORTIMAO, PORTUGAL » British driver Lewis Hamilton made Formula One history on Sunday, winning the Portuguese Grand Prix for a 92nd career victory to move one ahead of German great Michael Schumacher.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS » Sheldon Creed qualified for the championship round of the NASCAR Truck series by winning the two- lap shootout to end a wild finish at Texas on Sunday. Creed’s series- leading fourth win put him in the championship finale.
The green- white- checkered finish was set up when playoff contender Ben Rhodes clipped non- contender Christian Eckes with both in the top five with two laps to go. The contact sent Eckes spinning into the wall and left Rhodes with enough damage that he dropped to 20th.
McDonald celebrates 28th birthday with first LPGA Tour win.
GREENSBORO, GA. » Ally McDonald celebrated her birthday with her first LPGA Tour victory.
The 28- year- old from Mississippi held off Danielle Kang by a stroke Sunday in the LPGA Drive On ChampionshipLake Reynolds Oconee. McDonald closed with a 3- under 69 for a 16- under 272 total on the Great Waters Course.
McGowan ends long drought on European Tour.
BRESCIA, ITALY » English golfer Ross McGowan holed a bunker shot at No. 16 and rolled in a birdie at the last hole to earn a onestroke victory at the Italian Open on Sunday, securing his first title on the European Tour in 11 years.
He shot 1- under 71 to finish on 20 under overall.
Giro d’Italia title won by 39 seconds.
MILAN » In one of the most exciting final stages of a Grand Tour, British rider Tao Geoghegan Hart won the Giro d’Italia on Sunday, edging out Australian Jai Hindley by just 39 seconds. That was all that separated them after nearly 2,175 miles of racing. For the first time in Grand Tour history, the first- and secondplace riders had the same overall time on the eve of the last stage.