Associated Press
JOLIET, Ill. ó Jimmie Johnson will race for his sixth consecutive Sprint Cup Championship when the Chase begins Sunday, but on Saturday he had another number on his mind: 36.
The California native turned 36 and celebrated by qualifying 12th for Sunday’s race. How was he celebrating?
“5:30 is dinner. 6:15 is bath for (daughter) Genevieve and then at 7:00, she’s down,” Johnson said of his one-year old. “We can’t make noise in the motor home.”
The birthday festivities might be subdued in the Johnson home-away-from-home, but other drivers were quick to remind him that no one escapes the passage of time ó even five-time champions.
“This is a special day for Jimmie,” said Carl Edwards with a wry smile. “When I was a kid I heard stories about him racing from my grandparents.”
Added Ryan Newman: “I liked watching Jimmie back in the Roman chariot days. He’s really good with one horse.”
“He’s never going to catch me ó in age,” joked Matt Kenseth. “He’s never lost a championship in his 30s.”
The birthday roast continued a big week for Johnson off the track. During a pep rally at a Texas high school near Fort Worth, he was asked to prom by a student.
“I told her I’d have to check my schedule and check with my wife,” Johnson said.
GOLF
PRATTVILLE, Ala.ó Teenager Lexi Thompson shot a 5-under 67 in the Navistar LPGA Classic on Saturday and is in position to become the youngest player to win an LPGA tournament.
Thompson, who turned 16 in February, is at 15-under 201 and has a five-stroke lead. Paula Creamer set the age record when she won in 2005 when she was 18.
LEMONT, Ill. ó Justin Rose kept it simple even as Cog Hill got a little harder, making only one bogey in his 2-under 69 that gave him a four-shot lead going into the final round of the BMW Championship.
NBA
WASHINGTON ó Kevin Durant made his points on the court and off it Saturday, throwing down several thunderous alley-oops during a charity pickup game and saying afterward that the players will not give in to the owner’s demands in the ongoing NBA labor negotiations.
Durant, John Wall and other NBA players headlined the “Clash of the Superstars” at Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C.
“I think we’re going to stand up and stick to what we want,” Durant said. “I don’t think we’re just going to give in to a deal just because we want the season to start.
SINGAPORE ó Kobe Bryant said that he’s still considering playing overseas because an owners’ lockout of players threatens to sabotage the upcoming NBA season.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar told The Associated Press on the sidelines of a youth basketball clinic in Singapore that he didn’t know if there will be a 2011-12 season and hasn’t ruled out playing abroad.
“I could,” Bryant said Saturday. “I’m playing abroad right now.”
WNBA
MINNEAPOLIS ó The WNBA has selected Minnesota forward Maya Moore its rookie of the year and Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve its coach of the year.
COLLEGE HOOPS
NEW YORK ó Dave Gavitt had an impact on the world of basketball. From a career as a successful coach to changing the face of college sports to introducing the Olympics to a Dream Team, Gavitt’s touch was everywhere.
His death Friday night after a long illness was confirmed by his family Saturday. He died in a hospital near his hometown of Rumford, R.I. He was 73.
BOLT UPDATE
BRUSSELS ó Usain Bolt ran the season’s fastest time in the 100 meters at the Van Damme Memorial.
Bolt came from behind to finish in 9.76 seconds to improve on the mark of fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell by 0.02 seconds.
NFL
NEW YORK ó The NFL says it has ěenhancedî its pat-down procedure for fans entering stadiums to improve safety.
The league has asked all 32 teams to have stadium security search fans from the ankles to the knees. Previously, fans were patted down from the waist up for banned items such as alcohol and weapons.
HOUSTON ó Houston coach Gary Kubiak expects running back Arian Foster to play today against the Miami Dolphins.
BASEBALL
MINNEAPOLIS ó Twins catcher Joe Mauer is likely to miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia. Mauer received the diagnosis at the Mayo Clinic on Thursday and doctors recommended medication and two weeksí rest. The Twins have 14 games remaining before the season ends on Sept. 28.