Fast Break
Auto racing
Johnson cut requires surgery
Three-time reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson underwent surgery to repair a tendon and nerve after cutting his left middle finger with a kitchen knife Sunday while preparing to compete in the final segment of the Rolex 24 sports car race.
A statement released by Johnson on Monday said the injury occurred above the knuckle and happened while the Hendrick Motorsports driver was attempting to cut a small hole in his fire suit in order to feed a tube from a cooling shirt through a pocket.
Johnson, whose GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley finished seventh in the race, flew to Charlotte, N.C., for further evaluation and outpatient treatment with a hand specialist at Carolinas Medical Center.
The injury will not keep Johnson from driving in the season’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup event, the Budweiser Shootout, Feb. 7 at Daytona International Speedway.
Super Bowl
Security tight for big game
The NFL says Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium will be one of the safest places in the United States when the Super Bowl is played Sunday.
The FBI, Customs and Border Protection and numerous other federal agencies will assist local police in protecting players and fans.
Milton Ahlerich, the NFL’s vice president for security, said at a news conference Monday the heavy security for this year’s game will be typical of every Super Bowl since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Officials declined to say how many total personnel will be involved. But at least 20 different federal agencies will be involved, handling duties ranging from protecting airspace to arresting people selling counterfeit merchandise.
College basketball
No NCAA or NIT invite? No worries
A new men’s postseason basketball tournament has been scheduled in March by CollegeInsider.com for 16 teams not chosen for the NCAA and NIT tournaments.
It announced Monday that the single-elimination tournament will be held at campus sites with teams chosen by a 14-member committee that includes nine former college head coaches.
To be eligible, teams must have a winning record against Division I opponents. Priority will be given to schools whose conferences have fewer than half their teams in the NCAA and NIT. CollegeInsider.com said the NCAA and National Association of Basketball Coaches have been consulted and are aware of the tournament guidelines.
Another 16-team tournament, the College Basketball Invitational, began last year with Tulsa beating Bradley in the best-of-3 championship series.