THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015 SPORTS Early to tell if NASCAR set for improved racing

CHARLOTTE: Two races is just too early to form month when he crashed into an unprotected a definitive opinion about NASCAR’s new rules wall at Daytona. package, which was tweaked as part of a con- Gordon hit an unprotected wall the next certed effort to improve the racing. Has the 2015 week at Atlanta, and Erik Jones hit a portion of rules package made things any better? No, not wall just past the SAFER barrier in the Xfinity really. Especially if it’s being compared with the Series race at Las Vegas on Saturday. Gordon high-stakes racing that punctuated the end of and Jones both walked away, but Gordon gave last season, when the 10-race Chase displayed vivid detail in how much harder the impact is some of the strongest competition in years. when a driver hits a concrete wall vs. a SAFER NASCAR wants bumper-to-bumper racing barrier. every week, with aggressive passing all through NASCAR and its tracks are doing the right the field. So the rules are an evolving process, thing in reviewing the safety standards at all and the 2015 package was a compromise facilities, but they must act with urgency in get- between what the drivers wanted vs. how many ting soft walls on every inch of a race track that changes tire provider Goodyear could immedi- can safely accommodate the barriers. ately accommodate. Even though Daytona International The result was a reduction in downforce - not Speedway president Joie Chitwood said after nearly enough to satisfy the majority of the driv- Busch’s accident he would cover “every inch” of ers - and less horsepower. the track, it’s not always the smartest route: It’s yet to be seen if the changes will lead to There are some areas on some tracks where a significant improvements because races at car could hit a SAFER barrier and ricochet back Atlanta and Las Vegas the last two weeks didn’t into traffic, creating another dangerous scenario. look much different from past events on 1.5- Whatever the safest routes are, it must be done mile speedways. Three drivers combined to lead as soon as possible. Every additional hit into an 292 of the 325 laps at Atlanta, where the 28 lead unprotected wall is a very bad look for NASCAR. changes weren’t all that dramatic. Jimmie KURT BUSCH UPDATE: Kurt Busch is cur- Johnson went on to the win, beating Kevin rently participating in a process that is expected Harvick by 1.802 seconds. to lead to his eventual reinstatement to Harvick, Johnson and Joey Logano again NASCAR. He was suspended indefinitely Feb. 20 dominated Sunday in Las Vegas, where the trio for an alleged domestic assault against an ex- led 234 of the 267 laps. Harvick sort of made it girlfriend and has missed three races. There’s look easy in the end, with a vibration in his car been no timetable given for his return, but after the only thing that kept him from trouncing the Delaware authorities last week declined to field as he took the victory. charge Busch, it would seem that his reinstate- The new package was supposed to excite ment could come as soon as this week. NASCAR fans and please the drivers, but three-time has not detailed the steps Busch must take to DALLAS: Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith (5) collides with forward Al-Farouq Aminum (immediately behind) while chasing NASCAR champion Tony Stewart was fuming on return to competition. One interesting aspect a pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game. — AP his in-car radio about his car. He seemed to sug- about the situation was raised on Sunday by gest the cars were more fit to compete on Gene Haas, the Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Saturday, when NASCAR’s second-tier series who hand-picked Busch to drive for the organi- Cavaliers thrash Mavericks races. zation and pays for Busch’s car out of pocket. One vocal driver does not make or break a Haas seemed to indicate he wants Busch back in case against the new rules package, but two the No. 41, but also said he’s curious about the races into the season and NASCAR has got to be drivers’ eligibility in the Chase for the Sprint Cup DALLAS: Even without his trademark headband, PELICANS 111, NETS 91 (back) for the second consecutive game. hoping the on-track action picks up a tick or two championship. The current rules say a driver LeBron James had 27 points and took over sole Alexis Ajinca and Quincy Pondexter each Reserve Rodney Hood scored 17 points for very soon. must at minimum attempt to qualify, or race, in possession of the Cavaliers’ career assists record scored 17 points as New Orleans moved within the Jazz, while Rudy Gobert added 10 points, 14 Some other things learned over the first every event. A waiver can be granted by as Cleveland beat the Dallas Mavericks 127-94 percentage points of eighth place in the Western rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Hood month of the season: NASCAR in certain situations: Tony Stewart on Tuesday night. James was one of four players Conference by beating Brooklyn. Omer Asik had and Favors carried the offensive load in the SOFT WALLS NEED TO BE A PRIORITY: Jeff received one after missing three races last year with more than 20 points for the Central 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Pelicans in fourth after the Knicks took a two-point lead. Gordon has a Tuesday meeting scheduled with following the fatal accident of a sprint car driver, Division-leading Cavaliers, who have won 12 of their third straight victory. Anthony Davis scored Alexey Shved scored 21 points and had a NASCAR executive vice president Steve and Brian Vickers received one after missing the their last 13 games against Western Conference 15 points, a night after tying his career high with career-high 10 rebounds for the Knicks. Andrea O’Donnell, and the four-time series champion first two races of this year after offseason heart opponents and broke a 14-game losing streak in 43 in a win at Milwaukee. Bargnani finished with 20 points. has said he wants a timeline on when energy- surgery. Texas. Kyrie Irving scored 22 points, while Kevin had 15 points and nine absorbing SAFER barriers will be fully installed at It’s not clear where NASCAR stands on the Love had 21 points and 14 rebounds. J.R. Smith rebounds for the Nets, who broke to an early LAKERS 93, PISTONS 85 all tracks. Almost all facilities that host national waiver for Busch. At a time when NASCAR is try- also scored 21 points and Timofey Mozgov, the double-digit lead before losing their fourth Jordan Hill led seven Lakers in double figures NASCAR events have the Steel and Foam Energy ing hard to be transparent, and trying hard to other starter, had 17. straight. Ajinca had 11 points during a four- with 16 point as Los Angeles beat Detroit to Reduction Barrier in certain walls, but there’s make rules very black and white, the issue of Chandler Parsons led Dallas with 18 points, minute stretch of the second quarter as the snap a five-game losing streak. been an outcry for total coverage since Kyle waivers pertaining to Chase eligibility should by while Monta Ellis had 17 and Amare Stoudemire Pelicans took a 55-46 lead into halftime. They are The injury-riddled Lakers (17-46) beat the Busch broke his right leg and left foot last crystal clear. — AP 15. Dirk Nowitzki scored 13 points on only 3-of- 2 percentage points behind Oklahoma City for Pistons for the 11th time in the last 12 meetings 10 shooting. the West’s final playoff spot. behind 46 points in the paint and a 46-41 rebounding edge, but were officially eliminated SPURS 117, RAPTORS 107 JAZZ 87, KNICKS 82 from playoff contention before their game end- Kawhi Leonard had 24 points, 11 rebounds Derrick Favors had 29 points and 12 ed when New Orleans beat Brooklyn. and matched a career high with five steals, as rebounds, as Utah beat New York to equal a sea- Greg Monroe had 24 points and nine San Antonio withstood a second-half letdown to son high with its third straight victory. rebounds for the Pistons, but missed a pair of beat Toronto for its sixth straight victory. Both teams struggled to score as the Jazz critical free throws with 1:09 remaining and added 23 points and nine assists, were without leading scorer Gordon Hayward Detroit trailing by three. Andre Drummond had and Danny Green was 5 for 6 on 3-pointers in (back) and the Knicks have been injury-plagued 21 rebounds along with 14 points, but couldn’t scoring 19 points for San Antonio. Toronto lost all season. New York missed Tim Hardaway Jr. prevent Detroit’s seventh straight loss. — AP its fourth straight despite 32 points from Kyle Lowry and 21 for DeMar DeRozan. Amir Johnson had 16 points and 14 rebounds. NBA results/standings Tim Duncan made the game’s first basket on a follow of his own blocked shot 19 seconds in, after failing to make a for the first time Indiana 118, Orlando 86; New Orleans 111, Brooklyn 91; Cleveland 127, Dallas 94; San Antonio in his career in San Antonio’s previous game. He 117, Toronto 107; Utah 87, NY Knicks 82; LA Lakers 93, Detroit 85. finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 36 Eastern Conference Western Conference minutes before leaving with about a minute Atlantic Division Northwest Division remaining, clutching his elbow after teammate W L PCT GB Portland 41 20 .672 - LAS VEGAS: Jimmie Johnson (front right) leads during a restart at a NASCAR Sprint Tiago Splitter fell into him under the basket. Toronto 38 26 .594 - Oklahoma City 35 28 .556 7 Cup series auto race in this file photo. — AP Boston 26 36 .419 11 PACERS 118, MAGIC 86 Utah 27 36 .429 15 Brooklyn 25 37 .403 12 Denver 23 41 .359 19.5 Reserve Rodney Stuckey had 34 points, six Philadelphia 14 49 .222 23.5 rebounds and seven assists, as Indiana beat Minnesota 14 48 .226 27.5 Hamilton, Rosberg NY Knicks 12 51 .190 25.5 Pacific Division Orlando for its sixth straight victory. Central Division Damjan Rudez scored 17 points, and Luis Golden State 50 12 .806 - Cleveland 41 25 .621 - LA Clippers 41 23 .641 10 look for flying start Scola added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Chicago 39 26 .600 1.5 Phoenix 33 32 .508 18.5 surging Pacers (29-34), who moved into sole Milwaukee 33 30 .524 6.5 Sacramento 21 41 .339 29 MELBOURNE: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg come by and McLaren will start without new possession of seventh place in the Eastern Indiana 29 34 .460 10.5 will look to extend their title rivalry and driver Fernando Alonso, who is out after suffer- Conference. Tobias Harris had 22 points and six Detroit 23 40 .365 16.5 LA Lakers 17 46 .270 33.5 Mercedes’ dominance into a second Formula ing concussion in a crash in testing. rebounds, and Elfrid Payton finished with 14 Southeast Division Southwest Division One season as their rivals grapple with new driv- Motorsports world body FIA (Federation points for the Magic, who have lost five of seven Atlanta 50 13 .794 - Memphis 45 18 .714 - ing line-ups at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix. Internationale de l’Automobile) launched an games. Stuckey made two of his career-best six Washington 36 28 .563 14.5 Houston 43 20 .683 2 The reigning world champion and his investigation into the accident, whose cause has 3-pointers in an 18-0 run in the first half. Indiana Charlotte 28 34 .452 21.5 San Antonio 40 23 .635 5 German team-mate are expected to make a fly- been the subject of rampant speculation. Spain’s used a 9-3 run in the fourth quarter to pull away, Miami 28 35 .444 22 Dallas 41 25 .621 5.5 ing start to the year after Mercedes improved Alonso, a two-time world champion, will be with Solomon Hill’s two-handed dunk to give Orlando 21 44 .323 30 New Orleans 36 29 .554 10 both their chassis and engine in pre-season test- replaced by Kevin Magnussen but has vowed to the Pacers a 93-73 lead with 9:52 remaining. ing. Britain’s Hamilton fought off Rosberg to return for the second race in Malaysia. claim his second world title at the 2014 finale in Meanwhile Sauber were locked in a court Abu Dhabi, after a season in which a rejuvenated case on Wednesday after former reserve Giedo Silver Arrows team reigned supreme. van der Garde claimed the team reneged on a Matthews wins Paris-Nice stage Hamilton failed to finish last year’s Melbourne deal for him to drive for them this season. race and retired after just four laps, but the Briton The Dutchman won his case at a Swiss tribu- FRANCE: Australia’s Michael Matthews took the er - makes it even more special,” said Malori. Although missing Britain’s former Tour de went on to win 11 races among 16 wins for the nal and a court in Melbourne backed the ruling, overall leader’s yellow jersey in the Paris-Nice Malori will wear the race leader’s blue jersey into France champion Chris Froome, the “Race of the all-conquering Mercedes team. but the Swiss team immediately appealed. cycle race yesterday with his Orica teammates Thursday’s first stage, a 153 km ride from Two Seas”, as Tirreno-Adriatico is affectionately “We had a great season last year as a team “What we cannot do is jeopardise the safety helping him to victory in the third stage. Camaiore to Cascina, but will be expected to give known, will see Contador lock jaws with some of and, of course, we’d all love to repeat that,” of our team, or any other driver on the track, by The 24-year-old Matthews, who has stage wins up the race lead as the overall challengers come the rivals expected to stand in his way this sea- Hamilton said. “But the others won’t stop chasing having an unprepared driver in a car that has to his credit in both the Tour of Spain and the Tour to the fore. Spain’s Alberto Contador, the reigning son. Former two-time Tirreno-Adriatico winner us. I’m sure the competition will be close and we now been tailored to two other assigned drivers,” of Italy, edged home first ahead of Italians Davide race champion, is expected to ramp up his prepa- Vincenzo Nibali, the reigning Tour de France should get exciting racing with plenty of battling chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn said in a Cimolai and Giacomo Nizzolo with fourth place rations this week for a tilt at a rare Giro d’Italia- champion, is also racing as is Colombian climbing for position. “There are many good drivers out statement. Australian fans will be hoping Daniel going to Norwegian Alexander Kristoff. Tour de France double. Two-time Tour de France specialist Nairo Quintana, the 2014 Giro d’Italia there and all of them want to win. You just have Ricciardo, lucklessly stripped of a podium finish Polish world champion Michal Kwiatkowski champion Contador is aiming this year to become champion and former Giro runner-up Rigoberto to want it more than they do.” last year over a fuel-flow infringement, can had held the overall lead from his win in the pro- the first cyclist since deceased Italian Marco Uran. Yesterday the Spaniard finished in a time of Pre-season intrigue has not been hard to become the first home winner in 35 years. —AFP logue, but Matthews earned enough bonus Pantani to win the Italian and French three-week 6:23, eight seconds slower than Nibali with Uran points as the stage winner yesterday to take over. Grand Tours in the same calendar year. nine seconds faster. — AFP The early going in the 179-kilometre run down from Saint-Amand-Montron was marked by a breakaway by French pair Florian Vachon and Thomas Voeckler accompanied by Belgian cham- pion Philippe Gilbert. But they were reeled in by the peloton with about 10 kilometres to go after which Frenchman Romain Bardet, Belgian team- mate Jan Bakelants and Paolo Tiralongo of Italy went clear. In turn they were caught with two kilometres to go, setting up the sprint finish won by Matthews. Meanwhile, Italian Adriano Malori won the opening prologue of the Tirreno- Adriatico, a 5.4 km time trial around the Lido di Camaiore, to take the overall lead of the Italian stage race on Wednesday. A team time trial over 22.7 km was supposed to open the March 11-17 World Tour event, however organisers were forced into drastic changes after bad weather damaged parts of the course in certain areas. Malori’s BMC team would have been among the contenders for victory in the longer team event, however the 27-year-old Movistar rider from KUWAIT: Kuwait Tennis National Team returned home after meeting Pakistan in the Parma went on to taste victory himself. second group of Asia and Oceania in the Davis Cup tournament which was held in Sri Malori clocked a time of 6min 04sec for the Lanka. Kuwait were tied by Pakistan 2-2, Kuwait’s Dawood Sayyd Hashim lost the mainly flat course, finishing one second ahead of fifth and deciding match to Aqeel Khan and Pakistan won by 3-2. Kuwait will now Swiss classics specialist Fabian Cancellara and two meet Iran next July. Kuwait’s head of delegation lauded the players, particularly in front of Belgian Greg Van Avermaet. Mohammad Al-Ghareeb who played well under difficult circumstances and beat “I’m really happy because I really didn’t expect FRANCE: Australia’s Michael Matthews celebrates his best young’s white jersey on the podium Pakistan’s best players. to win, and to beat Cancellara - who is a great rid- at the end of the third stage of the 73rd edition of the Paris-Nice cycling race. — AFP