Newsmakers
Requested NASCAR on Wednesday asked an appeals court to ban Jeremy Mayfield from racing, alleging the participation of “a proven methamphetamine user” could lead to fatal consequences for other competitors and fans. NASCAR wants the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen’s decision last week to lift Mayfield’s indefinite suspension following a positive drug test. Mayfield attorney John Buric scoffed at the idea Mayfield is a potential danger and revealed the driver was tested twice Monday – once at an independent laboratory and once by NASCAR.
Signed The Chicago Blackhawks agreed to terms with left wing Kris Versteeg on a three-year contract, effectively ending a free-agent signing headache that prompted a grievance from the NHL Players’ Association. The NHLPA filed the grievance this week, saying the Blackhawks had missed the deadline for delivering qualifying offers to restricted free agents, including Versteeg. All seven of those restricted free agents are now signed or have agreed to sign. Versteeg led all rookies last season with 31 assists while ranking second with 53 points.
•Saku Koivu has left the Montreal Canadiens after 13 seasons to join the Anaheim Ducks. The two-time All-Star center, who turns 35 in November, signed a one-year deal.
Retires Forward Claude Lemieux, 44, announced his retirement again, wrapping up a 21-year NHL career with four Stanley Cups. Lemieux came back from a five-year retirement in December to sign with the San Jose Sharks, where he had one assist in 18 games last season.
Withdraws Former Masters champion Trevor Immelman has withdrawn from the British Open next week at Turnberry because of a wrist injury that has been slow to heal. Immelman also had to withdraw from the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black because of the injury, which he sustained at the Memorial.
Punished The NCAA put the women’s basketball program at Missouri Western on probation for two years and threw out some 50 victories as punishment for allowing an ineligible athlete to play for two seasons that included a conference championship for the Division II program in St. Joseph.