Newsmakers

Replaced The deep slump of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s season reached the breaking point Thursday as team owner Rick Hendrick replaced Tony Eury Jr., chew chief and cousin of NASCAR’s most popular driver. Hendrick named Lance McGrew as Earnhardt’s interim crew chief starting with the Cup race at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway on June 7.

Released Running back J.J. Arrington’s career with the Denver Broncos was halted before he even took his first handoff when the team released the tailback following a failed physical from a balky right knee.

Countersued The University of Kentucky countersued fired men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie, claiming it doesn’t owe him pay because he never signed a contract. Gillispie, who was fired March 27, was working under a seven-year memorandum of understanding but hadn’t signed a formal contract.

Recovering ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso is recovering from a minor stroke but plans to be back for the start of the season this fall. ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said that the stroke was from a blockage to a small artery, but the 73-year-old suffered no permanent damage and is expected to make a full recovery.

Died Former Lions defensive back and receiver Terry Barr, a rookie on Detroit’s last championship team in 1957, has died. He was 73. Barr died at his Bloomfield Hills, Mich., home after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, said team spokesman Tim Pendell.