Patrick’s open to return to Indy 500

Auto racing: Danica Patrick said Friday she is still looking for an opportunity to race in the Indianapolis 500 next season – if she can get a competitive ride.

“I’d like to if it’s with the right team,” Patrick said at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. “If it’s not, then there is no point for me. I feel like I’d still be able to get in a seat and get comfortable with the amount of practice time there is in Indy and have a shot to win the race.”

Patrick made seven Indy 500 starts, with a best finish of third in 2009 – the highest finish for a woman in the field. She left IndyCar at the end of last year for NASCAR and is scheduled to run the full Sprint Cup season in 2013.

Associated Press

Sampson leads Hall ceremony

Basketball: Ralph Sampson is a Hall of Famer.

The 7-foot-4 former Virginia star was the first of a dozen inductees to speak at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony at Springfield (Mass.) Symphony Hall. Next to be inducted was the late Don Barksdale, who broke the color barrier on the U.S. Olympic team. He was represented by his son, Derek.

The All-American Redheads, who were known as the female Harlem Globetrotters, also were honored.

Then came Jamaal Wilkes, Reggie Miller, Don Nelson, two-time ABA MVP Mel Daniels, Chet Walker and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, among others.

Associated Press