WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 SPORTS Logano holds on for Sprint Cup win

FORT WORTH: With a significant lead and the laps winding down, Joey Logano kept thinking about getting to the white flag. Less than a half-lap from finally seeing that wave at Texas on Monday, a caution changed every- thing - though only for a few extra laps. “My heart dropped. I got really angry instantly,” said Logano, who was in the third turn on the 333rd of 334 scheduled laps when the caution hap- AUGUSTA: Masters champion Craig Stadler (left) and his son, Kevin Stadler, who is playing in his first Masters, pened. “You’ve got to go out there and share a laugh while holding a joint father-son press conference. — AP win at that point, figure out how to do it.” Logano still got the victory, just in a more exciting fashion. He passed Jeff Father and son gearing Gordon on the last of 340 laps after a green-white-checkered finish in the Sprint Cup series version of overtime. up for historic Masters When Kurt Busch slammed into the wall, spewing debris on the track, AUGUSTA: Kevin Stadler might be playing in the Masters for the Kevin won four times on the second-tier Nationwide Tour Logano’s 2.2-second lead over team- first time, but he’s already showing his old man a thing or two. and appears poised for a breakout at the highest level. He has mate Brad Keselowski was gone and Such as the best way to get to the Augusta National media center. made the cut in 10 of 11 events this year, is 14th in the FedEx he didn’t get to take the white flag Craig Stadler went through the main door for a joint news con- Cup, and has already eclipsed his career high for earnings in a that would have guaranteed no extra ference with his son Monday, which is actually the long way to go. season with nearly $1.7 million. laps. On the ensuing pit stop, Gordon Kevin, meanwhile, slipped in through a back entrance, like most “He’s become just a wonderfully consistent player and has took only two tires and exited first. players who turn up for interviews at the building alongside the his own identity and everything else, which he should,” Craig Both Team Penske drivers took four first fairway. said. “He’s worked hard for it and he’s earned it. Good for him, tires, and Logano got a splash of fuel. “How’d you come in?” Craig asked his son, looking a bit sur- and I’m just going to kind of stand on the sidelines and watch, But Keselowski missed a chance to prised when he turned to see Kevin standing behind him. which is all I want to do, and just be supportive and root him become this season’s first two-time “Through the door,” Kevin replied dryly, very much the child pok- on and hope more Phoenixes happen in the future. A lot winner when he was penalized for ing fun at his dad. All kidding aside, the Stadlers are gearing up for more.” speeding on pit road and finished a historic week at Augusta National. For the first time, a father and In fact, the proud father wouldn’t be at all surprised if Kevin 15th. son will play in the same Masters - Craig, who says he’ll probably made a serious run at the green jacket on his very first try. The “I was just trying to get a little too be teeing it up for the 38th and final time, and Kevin, making his younger Stadler is quite accurate with his irons, which should much on pit road,” Keselowski said. debut in the opening major of the season. come in handy with all the dips and bumps on those tricky “If and when I do ... bow out, I can’t think of a better way to do Augusta greens. “We’re in it for wins. We’re not in it for it than playing with your son in the same tournament,” the elder “That’s why I actually love his game for this golf course,” second. Second or 15th is the same for Stadler said. “It’s awesome.” Sixty-year-old Craig won the Masters Craig said. “You do have to hit the ball high with the irons a lit- us.” The 23-year-old Logano got his in 1982, beating Dan Pohl in a playoff, and has been back every tle bit. And as far as I’m concerned, and he might disagree, but fourth career victory, and Jeff Gordon FORT WORTH: Joey Logano shoots off pistols celebrating winning the NASCAR year since. Kevin, now 34, used to come each year as a child to I think he’s just a wonderful iron player. I think that’s definitely took over the series point lead from Sprint Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway. — AP cheer on his dad Now, he’s got a spot of his own after winning at the strength of his game, and having your iron game down Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had an early Phoenix two months ago for his first PGA Tour victory. here makes this course so much easier.” crash. shot across the track and slammed sure the 11/2-mile high-banked track “It’s going to be really, really fun to be on the inside of the Even after getting just a taste of their practice round, father “He crossed over and got into the into the wall in a fiery crash. Debris was ready for racing after being post- ropes,” Kevin said. “I feel like I know this place pretty well but I’ve and son managed to trade some good-natured jabs. “I back of me pretty good,” Gordon said and mud from that damaged poned Sunday by rain. There were jet never, ever played it. So it’s going to be a blast.” bogeyed 1 and birdied 2 and he parred them both,” Craig said. of the last lap with Logano. “At that Johnson’s windshield and front left dryers on the track during those laps, Kevin, whose parents are divorced, has conceded the relation- “I was tied after two, so I was happy.” “That birdie I made on 2 point, I was just thinking, ‘I just want to side. “It was kind of surreal what hap- and the high-pressure air from those ship with his father isn’t as close as it once was, and there were doesn’t count, huh?” Kevin countered. finish.’ Looked out my mirror, those pened,” said Johnson, who later had a affected the hood and roof flaps on times Monday when he seemed hesitant to turn this into a totally “You didn’t make that putt,” Craig said. “Did you?” “Of course guys were racing hard behind me. A right rear tire issue and finished 25th. several cars. Keselowski made four feel-good story. But the pair went out for a practice round - which I did,” Kevin said, drawing laughter from the room. Craig, who great, great second-place finish for Earnhardt tweeted: “That wasn’t fun. trips down pit road after his hood was cut short after only two holes when heavy rain brought a halt hasn’t made the cut at Augusta since 2007 or been a serious me.” Sorry 2 the fans of the 88 team. Feel popped up and his crew made to play - and they’re planning to play together again Tuesday, contender in more than two decades, is certainly appreciative Here are five other things that hap- bad for my guys and the 48 team repairs. “It was one of those freak when the forecast called for much-improved conditions. And if of the chance to end his Masters career with his son at his side. pened in the rain-delayed race at also. Made a mistake there that was deals,” Keselowski said. Gordon said they’re paired together in the first two rounds, that would be just “Thanks to Kev here, I got back to the press room for the first Texas: costly for every1.” The last time one of the jet dryers “about blew all fine with Kevin. “I wouldn’t have any issues with that,” he said, smil- time in about 20 years,” the elder Stadler quipped. “I’m so Earnhardt finished 43rd was the 2007 of us over.” NASCAR put all the cars in ing. Besides, the younger Stadler is making a name for himself, proud of the way he’s played the last three, four years. He’s 7 WINNERS FOR 7 RACES: Logano fall race at Phoenix - a span of 222 their original starting spots. “I’m not after a lifetime of being compared with his father (right down to been close a zillion times and finally got it done, so it’s a very became the seventh different winner races. sure what’s more odd, if that hap- their matching physiques, with both listed as 5-foot-10, 250 special week.” Already, it seems, the Masters is smoothing out pened or NASCAR allowed those guys pounds by the PGA Tour). some of the bumps in their relationship. — AP in as many Sprint Cup races this sea- son, when new rules for the champi- HARVICK’S BLOWN ENGINE: to repair that thing,” Gordon said. onship Chase put an increased Kevin Harvick has finished 36th or “Had a piece of concrete fly through emphasis on winning. Team Penske worse in four of the five races since my car once at Martinsville. I don’t Flames top NHL results/standings joined Stewart-Haas Racing as the winning at Phoenix the second week ever remember them letting me only teams with multiple winners this of the season. He started third at repair the car.” Calgary 1, New Jersey 0; Minnesota 1, Winnipeg 0; season. Texas, but completed only 28 laps Anaheim 3, Vancouver 0. because of a blown engine right after STEWART LEADING: Tony Stewart Devils JUNIOR’S MISTAKE: Earnhardt fin- a restart and wound up 42nd. “It’s was the polesitter and led laps for the Western Conference ished last for the first time in seven frustrating. I don’t know what else I first time season, and not only the NEWARK: Karri Ramo made 31 saves to record his second Pacific Division seasons with an early mistake that can say,” Harvick said. “I didn’t get any first 10 laps during that competition NHL shutout as the Calgary Flames topped the New Jersey W L OTL GF GA PTS also made a long day for Hendrick indication that anything was going caution to start the race. He 74 of the Devils 1-0 on Monday, dealing a huge blow to the Devils’ Anaheim 51 20 8 254 202 110 teammate Jimmie Johnson. Only 13 wrong.” first 76 laps, and went on to a 10th- playoff hopes. Mark Giordano scored for Calgary, which San Jose 49 21 9 239 192 107 laps into the race, Earnhardt drove his place finish. Those also made him the has already been eliminated from the playoff race. Cory Los Angeles 45 28 6 197 166 96 No. 88 Chevrolet halfway into the FLAPPIN’ IN THE WIND: The race career leader for laps led at Texas Schneider stopped 21 of 22 shots for the Devils, who are Phoenix 36 28 14 209 221 86 rain-saturated infield grass before it started with 10 caution laps to make Motor Speedway with 801. — AP three points behind Columbus for the last playoff spot in Vancouver 35 33 11 187 213 81 the East. New Jersey’s loss allowed the New York Rangers Calgary 34 38 7 201 228 75 to clinch a playoff berth. Neither the Flames nor Devils Edmonton 28 42 9 197 261 65 scored until Giordano’s power-play goal 23 seconds into Central Division the third as both teams were unable to take advantage of St. Louis 52 19 7 245 177 111 opportunities. Colorado 50 21 7 239 209 107 Chicago 45 19 15 259 207 105 DUCKS 3, CANUCKS 0 Minnesota 41 26 12 196 194 94 John Gibson made 18 saves to record a shutout in his Dallas 38 29 11 227 221 87 NHL debut as Anaheim eliminated Vancouver from playoff Nashville 35 32 11 198 231 81 contention. Daniel Winnik, Kyle Palmieri and Matt Beleskey Winnipeg 35 35 10 220 233 80 scored for Anaheim, which is three points ahead of San Eastern Conference Jose for first place in the Pacific Division. Atlantic Division The 20-year-old Gibson wasn’t tested much but made a Boston 53 18 7 251 167 113 huge save on Niklas Jensen to preserve the shutout with Montreal 45 27 7 212 199 97 Tampa Bay 42 27 9 229 211 93 about eight minutes gone in the third. Eddie Lack stopped Detroit 37 27 14 211 222 88 20 shots in his 19th straight start for Vancouver since the Toronto 38 33 8 229 248 84 Olympic break Ottawa 33 31 14 226 261 80 Florida 28 43 8 188 258 64 WILD 1, JETS 0 Buffalo 21 48 9 150 234 51 Charlie Coyle scored in the second period and Ilya Metropolitan Division Bryzgalov made 24 saves for his fourth shutout of the sea- Pittsburgh 50 24 5 240 197 105 son as Minnesota defeated Winnipeg. Coyle’s one-timer off NY Rangers 43 31 5 212 190 91 a pass from Zach Parise at 1:05 of the second came just Philadelphia 40 29 9 220 220 89 after a penalty to Winnipeg defenseman Mark Stuart had Columbus 40 31 7 219 207 87 expired. The Wild closed in on a playoff berth in the New Jersey 34 29 16 191 201 84 Western Conference with the win. Minnesota would need Washington 35 30 13 222 236 83 to lose its final three games and Phoenix would need to Carolina 34 33 11 196 215 79 win four straight for the Wild to miss the playoffs. The Jets’ NY Islanders 31 36 11 215 258 73 Michael Hutchinson made 16 saves in his first career NHL Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the FRANCE: French swimmer Yannick Agnel (second right) poses with his gold medal as he celebrates winning the men’s 400m start with regular backup Al Montoya still dealing with a standings and are not included in the loss column (L). freestyle final, flanked by second-placed Tunisia’s Ahmed Mathlouthi (second left) third-placed France’s Anthony Pannier lower-body injury. — AP (left) and fourth-placed France’s Damien Joly (right) during the French swimming championships in Chartres. — AFP Olympic call might fire Genia for Rio Olympics

MELBOURNE: A tap on the shoulder might be all the Papua New Guinea-born number nine is wary about talk- Wallabies lineup for a successful season-ending tour of Europe, championship with some breathtaking displays of skill and needs to fire himself up for a bid to represent Australia in rug- ing too far down the track, knowing the twists, turns and but says he has not been in touch with McKenzie since. “I creativity. The Reds forwards have also battled to match their by sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Wallabies scrumhalf temptations that seasoned players confront when pondering haven’t thought about it at all. Ewen will pick who he feels is Australian rivals in the southern hemisphere tournament said. Rugby makes its Olympic debut at Rio in the sevens for- their long-term career options. playing well at the time and is going to do the job for him,” said which also features South Africa and New Zealand teams, cut- mat and places on the Games squad are likely to be fiercely In the engine room of a once-mighty side that Genia, who surrendered the number nine shirt to the ACT ting Genia and Cooper’s time and space to weave their magic. contested among regular team members and hopefuls in the has stuttered to three wins and four losses early in the season, ’ last year before wresting it back. A crunch match against last year’s finalists, the Brumbies, 15-man game. Genia is more focused on helping the get “To be honest, I haven’t thought about it. At the moment looms at home in on Friday and a loss to the confer- The 26-year-old Genia, one of the world’s top scrumhalves their campaign back on track rather than representing with the Reds, we’ve got a lot of work to do to catch up on the ence leaders would put the Reds’ hopes of making the playoffs in a 55-cap career with the Wallabies, would need to sacrifice Australia in any format. The Wallabies’ first season under his competition but also start firing on all cylinders to give us a on a knife edge. However, the more competitive Australian regular rugby straight after the 2015 World Cup in England to former Reds coach Ewen McKenzie also gave Genia a new, if chance of pushing further in the competition. “If I get picked, I conference, with three local teams in the top six as the season train hard and make himself available for sevens selection. “If I not very welcome, perspective of his place in the game, when get picked. If I don’t, I don’t.” approaches the halfway mark, bode well for the Wallabies’ got given the opportunity, I’d love to go to the Rio Olympics,” he was dropped to the bench for tests against New Zealand international season, Genia said. Genia told Reuters in an interview. “That’d be special. That’s and South Africa last year. CONFERENCE BOOST “It’s obviously good for Australian rugby. Australia’s unbelievable that the sevens will be at the Olympics. If I was Though out of form and battling niggles from a knee injury Australia play France in a three-test series in June, meaning always been seen as the weak conference but if you look at ever lucky enough to have that opportunity, that would be sustained during the British and Irish Lions series, the demo- the time for hopefuls to impress McKenzie with provincial level the top six as it stands now... I think we’re doing well,” he pretty special. “If someone said to me something about it, tion was controversial for a player regarded a successor to form is now. Genia has been solid without hitting the brilliant said. After the France series, Australia will renew hostilities yeah, I would (try). You’d become an Olympian. That’s pretty Australia’s great scrumhalf . heights of his 2011 campaign, when he and mercurial halves with New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina in the Rugby big.” Despite permitting himself a brief moment to fantasise, Genia inevitably bounced back to be reinstated in the partner drove the Queensland team to the Championship.—Reuters