Associated Press
AVONDALE, Ariz. ó NASCAR chairman Brian France said Sunday he’s not certain the Big Three automakers will be able to continue their involvement in NASCAR as they battle to stay viable during the current economic crisis.
Should funding of race teams suffer because of the nation’s credit crunch, France is confident NASCAR will remain a viable, healthy sport.
“We’re also not going to live or die if one manufacturer or another has a pullback or pullout,” France said before Sunday’s race at Phoenix International Raceway. “I hope it doesn’t happen. We’re working like mad to make sure it doesn’t happen, but the sport is on very solid ground that transcends one manufacturer or another.”
U.S. auto sales have plummeted this year, and Chrylser, Ford and General Motors are crumbling amid the crisis.
BASEBALL
NEW YORK ó Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte filed for free agency Sunday after repeatedly saying he hopes to return to the club next year.Pettitte went 14-14 last season with a 4.54 ERA ó his highest ERA since 1999. General manager Brian Cashman said last week he wants Pettitte to return next season but the 36-year-old veteran said Friday night he hadn’t heard from the team.
– MILWAUKEE ó The Milwaukee Brewers hired former New York Mets manager Willie Randolph as bench coach on Saturday.
The 54-year Randolph was fired as the Mets manager on June 17. His career record was 302-253 and he led New York to the playoffs in 2006. His .544 winning percentage ranks second to Davey Johnson (.588) in Mets history.
BOXING
NEW YORK ó If this was indeed his final fight, Joe Calzaghe left his fans on their feet begging for more.
The popular undefeated Welshman overcame a first-round knockdown to beat Roy Jones Jr. in a bloody unanimous decision Saturday night, delighting a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden in what Calzaghe (46-0) claims will be his final bout.
There is little left for him to prove after reigning as super middleweight champion for more than a decade, unifying the division, defeating Bernard Hopkins and now felling Jones ó possibly pounding him right into retirement as well.
NHL
CHICAGO ó Patrick Kane and Martin Havlat each had a goal and two assists and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the flu-stricken and weary Calgary Flames 6-1 on Sunday night for their fourth straight victory.
Coyotes 4, Sharks 2
GLENDALE, Ariz. ó Olli Jokinen had two goals and an assist and Phoenix won for the third time in four game to snap San Jose’s seven-game winning streak.
Panthers 3, Ducks 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. ó David Booth scored three straight goals for his first NHL hat trick, and Craig Anderson made 44 saves.
Oilers 2, Devils 1NEWARK, N.J. ó Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers made 37 saves in his second career start and Ales Hemsky scored a goal for the fourth straight game for Edmonton.
Thrashers 5, Hurricanes 2
RALEIGH ó Marty Reasoner scored two goals and Johan Hedberg made 35 saves for Atlanta in its fourth straight victory.