In brief: Consistent Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes over Sprint Cup points lead

NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson won his fourth Brickyard 400 and solidified his status as a title favorite in NASCAR.

Impressive? You bet.

Surprising? Not really.

But how about this: Dale Earnhardt Jr. left the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the Sprint Cup Series points lead.

Earnhardt finished fourth on Sunday, his best career finish at a track where he often struggles. Earnhardt took a 14-point lead over previous points leader Matt Kenseth, who got caught in a crash. It was another sign of Earnhardt’s new consistency, the kind of development that could turn the streaky driver with a famous last name into a real championship contender.

“That is symbolic of how well we’ve done,” Earnhardt said. “I’m proud of that. I have felt that way about our position in points all season long. We need to win more races. If we want to win the championship, we have to. I imagine we can win a couple races in Chase. I don’t know if finishing fourth or fifth is going to do it. We’ll just have to see. We’d like to step it up just a little bit more.”

And if it comes down to Hendrick Motorsports teammates Johnson and Earnhardt duking it out for the title at the end of the season, both drivers say bring it on.

“We would actually rather us two to fight for the championship at the end knowing one of us is going to get it for the company,” Earnhardt said. “If I could line that up right now, I would. That is how I’d have it.”

• New designs approved: NASCAR approved all four automakers’ new Sprint Cup car designs for next season.

Series officials announced Monday that the new Chevrolet SS, Dodge Charger, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry designs have met the necessary targets for approval based on final aerodynamic tests July 18. Manufacturers can begin making parts and pieces for the new models, which will make their racing debut at Daytona International Speedway next February.

Penn State QB looks headed to LSU

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The first domino has fallen. Now the most important piece appears close to tipping as well.

Former starting quarterback Rob Bolden was reportedly released from his scholarship on Monday, making him the first Penn State football player to leave after the announcement of the NCAA sanctions against the school.

Meanwhile, the team’s best offensive player, running back Silas Redd, spent another day at the University of Southern California. A decision on where he’ll play football in 2012 is expected within the next two days.

Bolden appears set to transfer to Southeastern Conference powerhouse Louisiana State, which lost to Alabama in the national championship game last season. Bolden reportedly made an official visit to LSU during the weekend.

Report says Bulls, Robinson have deal

NBA: A person familiar with situation says the Chicago Bulls and point guard Nate Robinson have agreed to a contract.

The three-time slam dunk champion from the University of Washington regained his form with Golden State last season after playing in just four games with Oklahoma City the previous year following a midseason trade from Boston. The 5-foot-9 Robinson averaged 11.2 points and 4.5 assists for the Warriors.

• Hawks, Clippers make swap: The Atlanta Hawks have traded shooting guard Willie Green to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the rights to forward Sofoklis Schortsanitis, a 2003 draft pick from Cameroon who has not played in the league. Green, 31, averaged 7.6 points while making 44.2 percent of his 3-point attempts last season.

NCAA will continue Montana probe

Miscellany: The NCAA has informed the University of Montana that its investigation of the school’s football program will continue.

When the organization notified UM in January that it was investigating the school’s football program, it said such investigations usually take about six months.

The NCAA emailed UM President Royce Engstrom on Monday to say its inquiry into the athletics policies and practices at UM is not complete.

• Utah suspends player: Utah officials said defensive playmaker Brian Blechen has been suspended three games for violating undisclosed team rules.

Coach Kyle Whittingham announced the suspension but said Blechen will be allowed to practice.

• Prosecutor blames it on Rijo: A prosecutor in the Dominican Republic says 1990 World Series MVP Jose Rijo has been charged with laundering money for a suspected drug trafficker.

Prosecutor Soraime Vargas said about 80 percent of the assets of fugitive drug suspect Avelino Castro were in Rijo’s name. Those assets allegedly include two hotels and a sports complex. Vargas announced money laundering charges against the former pitcher at a news conference Monday.

The 47-year-old Rijo led the Cincinnati Reds to the 1990 world championship.

• Manchester United takes stock: Manchester United launched its New York Stock Exchange listing on Monday, hoping to raise about $330 million by selling 10 percent of the Premier League club.

The record 19-time English champions said in a filing to the Security and Exchange Commission about 16.7 million shares will be offered at a cost of between $16 and $20.

United is looking to raise funds to help reduce debt from the Glazer family’s 2005 takeover, rated at $663 million as of March 31.

• Aussie joins Red Bulls: After eight years of being the most popular player on Everton FC in the English Premier League, Tim Cahill figured it was time for a change.

So Cahill, perhaps the best soccer player to ever come out of Australia, has decided to try MLS.

And he’ll do so with the New York Red Bulls.

“I knew in my heart that I could never play for another Premier club,” Cahill said. “I’ve always been loyal. It’s a big move for me. A lot of people may think otherwise, but I’m 32, fit, and ready for a new challenge.”