Associated Press
WELCOME ó Slumping Richard Childress Racing has reorganized its competition department, and the biggest change means a new crew chief for Jeff Burton in 2010.
Scott Miller is the new director of competition, and will simultaneously finish the season atop Burton’s pit box. Miller will assume some of the responsibilities currently handled by vice president of competition Mike Dillon and director of competition Will Lind.
RCR is on the verge of not qualifying for the 12-driver Chase for the championship after placing three drivers in the field the past two years. Clint Bowyer is 15th in the standings, Burton is 18th, Casey Mears is 20th and Kevin Harvick is 24th.
NBA
BARCELONA, Spain ó Ricky Rubio wants to keep playing basketball in Spain, saying a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves would be too risky and complicate his life.
The 19-year-old point guard was sent from DKV Joventut to Barcelona on Tuesday after the Catalan club paid Rubio’s $5 million buyout clause.
NHL
VANCOUVER, British Columbia ó Goaltender Roberto Luongo chose to finish his career in Vancouver because he believes the Canucks can win a Stanley Cup. The 12-year, $64-million contract extension he signed may help.
NFL
CHARLOTTE ó Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson moved quickly to replace his son as team president Wednesday, hiring Texas Christian University athletic director Danny Morrison.
A day after the surprising resignations of Mark Richardson and his brother, Jon, who ran Bank of America Stadium, their 73-year-old father gave a major front office job to someone outside the family for the first time in a decade.
– SAN DIEGO ó San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner has confirmed what most people already guessed: LaDainian Tomlinson will not play in Friday night’s exhibition finale against San Francisco.