Associated Press
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ó NASCAR has docked Kyle Busch 25 Nationwide points and fined crew chief Jason Ratcliff $5,000 after Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed inspection before last week’s race at Texas.
NASCAR also placed Ratcliff on probation through the end of the year for actions detrimental to stock car racing, using improper equipment and use of an improperly attached weight.
The penalty means Busch now leads Carl Edwards by 247 points with two races remaining. The infraction was discovered last Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. Busch won the Nationwide race at the 1.5-mile track.
NASCAR also fined crew chief Brad Parrott $5,000 and placed him on probation until the end of the year for rules violations on the No. 09 Ford driven by John Wes Townley.
BASEBALL
SEATTLE ó Ken Griffey Jr. and the Mariners have agreed to another one-year contract that will keep the popular player in Seattle next year,
He is likely to again be a part-time designated hitter in his 22nd season in the major leagues. Griffey is No. 5 on the career home run list with 630.
– NEW YORK ó Shortstop Jimmy Rollins has won his third consecutive NL Gold Glove and Philadelphia Phillies teammate Shane Victorino has won for the second straight time in the outfield.
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright succeeded Greg Maddux, who won his record 18th last year.
NFL
CHARLOTTE ó Landon Johnson came to Carolina armed with a big contract and a gaudy resume.
Twenty months and 22 games later, Johnson likely will finally get his first start with the Panthers on Sunday against Atlanta following the season-ending knee injury to weakside linebacker Thomas Davis.
For Johnson, who led Cincinnati in tackles in three of his first four pro seasons, it’s a chance to jump-start a once-promising career.
– ASHBURN, Va. ó Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn says running back Clinton Portis is “very, very doubtful” to play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday because of a concussion.
Portis was knocked out of last weekend’s 31-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
SWIMMING
STOCKHOLM ó Michael Phelps finished second in the 200-meter medley final at the short-course World Cup on Wednesday, struggling in the old-style swimsuit that will become standard next year.