In brief: Lawsuit catches car owner Ginn by surprise
Bobby Ginn said Tuesday he’s surprised by a lawsuit that claims he hasn’t honored the contracts for Sterling Marlin, Joe Nemechek and two crew chiefs.
All four lost their jobs when Ginn Racing merged with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in July. The four filed separate lawsuits against both teams last week, claiming they are owed their salaries.
The suits don’t specify what the parties are seeking, but claim they have demanded payment, and the teams have either failed or refused to comply.
“Sterling and Joe’s contracts ran through the end of the year, and I have paid them through August – all of their winnings and salary, per the contract,” Ginn said. “And I intend to pay through the end of the year. I always have.”
Ginn said that crew chiefs Richard “Slugger” Labbe and Peter Sospenzo were given severance packages when they were let go, and said he’s honored it and payments are up to date.
“This totally surprised me, and it looks to me like they are trying to ask for something over and above and they are just not entitled to,” Ginn said.
Basketball
Pacer arrested
Shawne Williams, the Indiana Pacers’ first-round draft pick last year from Memphis, was booked into the Marion County Jail in Indianapolis on initial charges of possession of marijuana, driving without a license, driving with an expired license plate and failure to signal a lane change, police said.
“Duquesne University coach Ron Everhart, 45, is expected to remain hospitalized in Pittsburgh until Friday after having a small portion of his colon removed.
Tennis
Davenport returns
Lindsay Davenport’s first singles match in nearly a year was a winning one, an overpowering 6-2, 6-2 victory over fifth-seeded Eleni Daniilidou at the Bali Open in Nusa Dua, Indonesia.
“Roger Federer will play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup playoffs.
Olympics
Rio makes bid
Fresh from hosting the Pan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has officially submitted its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
“USA Weightlifting announced that Georgia Tech will host the 2008 Olympic team trials. The competition will be held May 16-17 in Atlanta.
Miscellany
Gay pulls out
World champion Tyson Gay pulled out of the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels, Belgium, and will not face world record holder Asafa Powell in Friday’s 100-meter race.
“A colt by Unbridled’s Song sold for $3.7 million to top the second day of Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale in Lexington, Ky.
“Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is scheduled for a hearing this month in Phoenix in which he could change his plea in a drug case. Tyson previously pleaded not guilty to charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs.