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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Biffle, Burton not giving up Chase of Jimmie Johnson

From staff and wire reports

Credit Greg Biffle and Jeff Burton for their confidence.

Although Jimmie Johnson is turning the Sprint Cup title chase into a rout, neither driver is conceding anything to the two-time defending champion.

“I promise you, it’s not over,” Biffle said.

But it sure seems that way as Johnson has steadily pulled away from the competition. He heads into today’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway up 149 points over Biffle, while Burton is 152 points out with just four races left in the season.

Edwards keeps Nationwide hopes alive: Carl Edwards held off David Reutimann to win the Kroger On Track for the Cure 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park in Millington, Tenn., keeping alive his hopes for a second straight NASCAR Nationwide Series title.

Edwards started 34th in his No. 60 Roush-Fenway Racing Ford, but gained ground quickly after making an early stop for fresh tires.

Newman grabs Trucks win from Hornaday: Ryan Newman passed Ron Hornaday in Turn 2 on the last lap at Atlanta Motor Speedway to win in his first Truck Series start. Hornaday, who started the day trailing Johnny Benson by 65 points in the standings, trimmed the lead to 31 with three races to go.

Briscoe wins IRL race: At Surfers Paradise, Australia, Ryan Briscoe has won the Indy 300, taking the lead when fellow Australian and pole sitter Will Power crashed out on the 17th lap.

Tennis

Federer in final

Top-seeded Roger Federer defeated Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, 6-2 to reach the final of the Swiss Indoors in Basel, Switzerland. In the final, Federer goes against No. 2 seed David Nalbandian of Argentina, who defeated Davis Cup teammate Juan Martin del Potro 6-4, 6-4.

Ivanovic back in a final: Top-seeded Ana Ivanovic reached her first final since winning the French Open in June, beating No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in the Generali Ladies in Linz, Austria. She next plays No. 2 seed Vera Zvonareva, who routed Marion Bartoli 6-0, 6-1 in the other semifinal.

Boxing

Kessler retains title

Mikkel Kessler of Denmark retained his WBA super middleweight title by knocking out Danilo Haeussler of Germany in the third round in Oldenburg, Germany.

Heavyweight fight canceled: Wladimir Klitschko’s upcoming heavyweight title defense against Alexander Povetkin has been canceled after Povetkin tore a ligament in his left foot during a training run. They were scheduled to fight in Germany on Dec. 13.

Skiing

Vonn ninth in opener

American Lindsey Vonn matched the best result of her career in the giant slalom by finishing ninth in a race in Soelden, Austria, won by Kathrin Zettel of Austria.

Vonn won the overall World Cup title last season, becoming the first American woman to do so since Tamara McKinney in 1983.

Hockey

Lucic has hat trick

Milan Lucic completed his first career hat trick with 1:41 to play in the third period, lifting the host Boston Bruins to a 5-4 comeback win over the Atlanta Thrashers in an NHL game.

Rangers pull out stirring win: Nikolai Zherdev scored with 8.1 seconds left to force overtime and Fredrik Sjostrom netted the only goal of the shootout in the host New York Rangers’ 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Golf

Sutherland on top

Kevin Sutherland shot a 7-under-par 63 to take a one-stroke lead over George McNeill after the third round of the Frys.com Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., the fifth of the PGA Tour’s seven Fall Series events.

The 44-year Sutherland had a 14-under 196 total on Grayhawk’s Raptor Course. McNeill followed his second-round 63 with a 66.

Stupples’ birdie gives her two-stroke lead: England’s Karen Stupples holed a 35-foot birdie chip on the final hole to take a two-stroke lead with her second straight 5-under 67 in the LPGA’s rain-soaked Grand China Air in Haikou, China.

Sluman on pace for third straight victory: Jeff Sluman moved into position for his third Champions Tour victory of the season, shooting a 7-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over defending champion John Cook and Mark James in the AT&T Championship in San Antonio.