Fast Break
Auto racing
NASCAR adds $1 million sprint
NASCAR’s annual All-Star race will end with a 10-lap final segment this year and the winner will earn a $1 million payout.
The new twist is aimed at restoring excitement to the event. The race pits the top drivers in NASCAR against each other for one night in an anything-goes format. Some of the race’s most memorable moments came during the final 10 laps, including the late Dale Earnhardt’s “pass in the grass” in 1987.
This year’s race will be four segments – a 50-lap opening segment with a mandatory pit stop; two 20-lap segments; and the final 10-lap shootout.
The race will be held May 16 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. It will be the 25th running of the event.
NFL
Goodell wants 17-game season
Roger Goodell wants the NFL regular season to expand to 17 or 18 games.
The commissioner hopes to have a proposal to present to league owners in May.
Goodell said the league has not seriously discussed the subject with its broadcast partners or the players’ union, and nothing could be done without a new labor agreement.
The league now plays a 16-game season. A longer schedule, perhaps by 2011, would mean fewer preseason games.
Goodell said the league doesn’t need four exhibition games anymore.
College basketball
Romar selected for USA Basketball post
Washington men’s coach Lorenzo Romar has been selected to a USA Basketball committee that will determine teams for upcoming junior national team competitions.
USA Basketball announced that the 2009 Pac-10 coach of the year will join Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Illinois coach Bruce Weber, North Carolina coach Roy Williams and former Duke All-America player Jay Williams on the national governing body’s men’s junior national committee for 2009-2012.
Romar’s committee will select coaches and players for college-age competitions. Those include the 2009 and 2011 FIBA Under-19 World Championships, the 2009 and 2011 World University Games and the 2011 Pan American Games.
Arena football
Shock remain No. 1 in poll
The Spokane Shock, last year’s ArenaCup runner-up, remain the No. 1 team in the coaches’ poll.
Spokane secured 328 of a possible 384 points and 12 of 25 first-place votes to earn the No. 1 spot.
The Shock begin their fourth season of play at home on April 3 against West Division rival Stockton.
The defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers are ranked second.
•The Shock added defensive lineman Jonal Saint-Dic to their roster and released receiver Jason Rivers.
Saint-Dic, 6-foot-2, 255 pounds, was an All Big-10 selection at Michigan State in 2007 and a second-team All-American.