National Sports Briefs

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 30, 2009

Associated Press
TALLADEGA, Ala ó NASCAR has pulled Michael Waltrip off the track for aggressive driving at Talladega Superspeedway.
Waltrip was warned to give Jimmie Johnson some space during Friday’s final practice session as he bump-drafted behind Johnson’s car. When Waltrip didn’t let up, he was black-flagged for the final 30 minutes of practice.
NASCAR is keeping a close eye on bump-drafting this weekend, in large part because of the fallout over the harrowing accident on the final lap of April’s race at Talladega. Carl Edwards’ car was hit by winner Brad Keselowski, and the contact sent Edwards’ car airborne into the fence.
Several fans were hurt by flying debris.
– TALLADEGA, Ala. ó NASCAR Sprint Cup driver A.J. Allmendinger has been fined $10,000 and placed on probation through the 2010 season by Richard Petty Motorsports following his arrest on a charge of drunken driving.
Mooresville police said Allmendinger failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over early Thursday morning. Allmendinger said in a statement he had drinks with dinner and made a mistake by getting behind the wheel.
GOLF
CASARES, Spainó Anthony Kim advanced to the Volvo World Match Play Championship semifinals Friday despite losing to Scott Strange by three holes in his final round-round match at Finca Cortesin.
– MADISON, Miss. ó PGA Tour officials postponed the Viking Classic until at least Sunday and will evaluate the course Saturday before making a decision on when or if the Fall Series tournament will be held.
– SONOMA, Calif. ó John Cook shot a tournament-record 10-under 62 to take a three-stroke lead over Tom Watson and Phil Blackmar after the second round of the Champions Tour’s season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
NFL
NEW YORK ó Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams was fined $5,000 for an illegal chop block in last Sunday’s loss to Buffalo when he was late picking up a blitz.
NHL
COLUMBUS, Ohio ó Pittsburgh scored twice in the final 3 minutes of regulation to tie it and Sidney Crosby had the only goal in the shootout to lead the Penguins to a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.
Brent Johnson stopped 29 shots before the shootout.
Islanders 4, Capitals 3, OT
WASHINGTON ó Mark Streit scored 53 seconds into overtime to give New York its second straight victory and third of the season.
Sabres 3, Maple Leafs 2, OT
BUFFALO, N.Y. ó Tim Connolly scored a power-play goal 1:04 into overtime, and Ryan Miller made 33 saves for Buffalo.
Miller improved to 8-0-1, and the Sabres (8-1-1) won their fourth straight game to match their second-best start after 10 games since entering the NHL in 1970.
Wild 3, Rangers 2
ST. PAUL, Minn. ó Petr Sykora had a goal and an assist, and Eric Belanger and Antti Miettinen also scored in Minnesota’s first regulation win of the season.