Fast Break

AUTO RACING

NASCAR event will go today

A steady rain on Sunday forced NASCAR to postpone the 3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup race at Brooklyn, Mich., until today.

With more rain in the forecast, though, there was the possibility that the drivers would not get on track again until Tuesday morning – or even later.

“It’s a situation that we sometimes have to deal with,” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. “It’s not fun for anybody but, first, we’ll do everything we can to get the race in tomorrow. If we can’t get it in Monday, we’ll do everything we can to get it in Tuesday.”

The National Weather Service was calling for an 80 percent chance of rain today, but dropping to 40 percent on Tuesday and to 30 percent on Wednesday, with scattered thunderstorms possible each day.

The Michigan race is one of four remaining events scheduled prior to the start of the 10-race Chase for the championship.

“The Chase field is set based upon completion of the first 26 events,” said Ramsey Poston, managing director of corporate communications for NASCAR. “The Chase is comprised of the final 10 races of the season. So, if this race were not to be held this week, it would move to that week of Thanksgiving and would then become the final race of the season.

“We’re going to do everything we can to get it in (Monday) and if not then Tuesday.”

“ Also, rain forced the postponement of the final eliminations in the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals until today.

BASEBALL

Smoltz No. 1 on Braves’ list

John Smoltz passed Phil Niekro to become the Braves’ strikeout leader, fanning Arizona’s Mark Reynolds in the third inning for his 2,913th career strikeout.

Smoltz began the day four behind the mark Niekro set with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves. He struck out Reynolds in the first inning, Justin Upton and pitcher Yusmeiro Petit in the second and Conor Jackson in the third to tie the mark.

Smoltz struck out Reynolds again to end the third inning.

He received an ovation as the record was announced, and he tipped his cap to the fans as he entered the dugout.

Niekro began his major league career in 1964 with Milwaukee. His last full season with Atlanta was 1983. He returned for one farewell start in 1987.

Niekro holds the team record with 266 career wins. Tom Glavine is second with 242. Smoltz entered Sunday’s start third with 203.

FOOTBALL

Ingold named af2 coach of year

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers coach Rich Ingold has been named the Sportexe af2 Coach of the Year, as selected by a vote of his fellow arenafootball2 head coaches and media members.

Ingold, in his second season with the Pioneers, guided them to a 14-2 regular season record and an East Division title. He has also led the team to two playoff victories and an appearance in the American Conference championship game.

Ingold has 58 career wins in af2, passing previous all-time leader Chris Siegfried who led the Spokane shock to the league championship last season.