In brief: Kovalainen ready despite recent wreck

Heikki Kovalainen said from a hospital bed in Barcelona, Spain, Monday that he hopes to race in Turkey in two weeks despite his high-speed crash at the Spanish Grand Prix this past weekend.

The McLaren driver was traveling at 150 mph when his car went off the track and slammed into the protective wall at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday. The 26-year-old Finn, who was briefly unconscious, apparently escaped without serious injury.

Kovalainen was expected to be released from the hospital Monday. A hospital spokesman had said earlier Monday that the driver would remain in the hospital for a second night, but team officials said the release time was moved up after a series of tests and scans showed no problems.

Kovalainen said he had a slight headache and a stiff neck, but was optimistic he will be allowed to drive at the Turkish GP on May 11.

“My focus is on getting better as soon as possible so I can pass the FIA medical inspection required to allow me to race in Turkey,” he said in a statement, adding he didn’t remember anything from the accident or its aftermath.

College basketball

Dawkins introduced

Johnny Dawkins did the whole meet-and-greet thing on Stanford’s campus two days after becoming the Cardinal’s new men’s coach.

The 44-year-old Dawkins, a longtime assistant at Duke under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, was formally introduced by the school. He replaces reigning Pac-10 coach of the year Trent Johnson, who led Stanford to the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001 before leaving to coach LSU.

“We’re going to do something special here,” Dawkins said. “It takes ownership from everyone. The one thing I believe is it’s our program, it’s not Johnny Dawkins’ program. You only do things special when you do it together.”

Hockey

Russia adds Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin joined the Russian squad in advance of the world hockey championships and was awaiting insurance before he will be allowed to practice or play.

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation will be responsible for insuring Ovechkin and the $124-million, 13-year contract he signed with the Washington Capitals earlier this year.

Ovechkin said he is eager to get on the ice, and is optimistic everything will be taken care of before the tournament opens Friday.

Golf

Masters starter dies

Phil Harison, who introduced everyone from Ben Hogan to Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods during his 60 years as the starter on the first tee of the Masters, died Sunday in Augusta, Ga., of natural causes, Augusta National Golf Club said. He was 82.

Harison was one of two people to attend every Masters since it began in 1934, and he became a familiar voice to the many fans who grew accustomed to his Southern drawl and understated manner of announcing each player.