Emotional Xfinity victory for Briscoe
DARLINGTON, S.C. — NASCAR driver Chase Briscoe was grateful to bring a moment of happiness to wife Marissa in the worst week of their lives. It was Tuesday, during a 12-week exam, that they learned their expected child — they only learned Monday that it was a girl — had no fetal heartbeat. Two days later, Briscoe won the Xfinity Series’ return to action amid the coronavirus pandemic when he held off Kyle Busch at Darlington Raceway. “This has been the hardest week I’ve ever had to deal with, and God is so good,” Briscoe said. “Even when I took the lead with 50 to go, I was crying inside the race car.” Briscoe had joined his wife’s appointment on a video call from the infield at Darlington, awaiting the rain-delayed race’s orginal start time. He and Marissa shared their news Wednesday via Instagram, hoping it might help others cope with similar tragedies. His story will reach so many more after the victory Thursday. “This is more than a race win,” he said. “This is the biggest day of my life after the toughest day in my life, and to be able to best the best there is is so satisfying.” Busch seemed to have the race in hand as he took the second stage in a dominant showing, but he was called for speeding in the pits and ordered to the back of the 39-car field. Yet the reigning Cup Series champion was there to challenge Briscoe at the end, their cars touching off the final turn before Briscoe crossed the finish line in front by 0.08 second. In Wednesday night’s Cup Series race at Darlington, Busch clipped Chase Elliott late to cause a spin and finished second to Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin.
COLLEGE
› The NCAA Division I Council has voted to lift a moratorium on voluntary workouts by football and basketball players effective June 1 as a growing number of college leaders expressed confidence fall sports will be possible in some form despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. This decision clears the way for individual workouts by athletes, mostly on their own, subject to safety and health protocols decided by their schools or local health officials. NCAA officials noted the workouts could go on as long as all local, state and federal regulations are followed. The status of voluntary workouts for other sports will be determined later. The Division I Council also passed a series of waivers that included suspending the minimum football attendance required of Football Bowl Subdivision members for two years. Most athletic departments need the revenue generated from football to fund their other sports, and hundreds of schools are reeling financially from the effects of the pandemic.