Newsmakers

Banned NASCAR has banned a driver’s girlfriend from all events for slapping a rival racer after the Truck Series race Sunday in Bowmanville, Ontario. Kelly Heaphy, driver Mike Skeen’s girlfriend, also was fined $2,500 for slapping Max Papis in the face.

Ordered A Texas judge is pushing Lance Armstrong closer to his first sworn testimony on details of his performance-enhancing drug use, ordering the cyclist to answer questions about his doping. Nebraska-based Acceptance Insurance Holdings is trying to prove a yearslong conspiracy by Armstrong to commit fraud in order to recover $3 million in bonuses it paid to Armstrong.

Leaving Veteran driver Jeff Burton won’t return to Richard Childress Racing after this year to keep driving the No. 31 Chevrolet in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series. Burton, 46, said he previously told RCR that he planned to stop driving a full schedule after next year.

Injured Tennessee Volunteers WR Devrin Young is expected to miss four to six weeks after breaking his hand during practice Tuesday.

Denied The NCAA denied Tulsa’s appeal in the eligibility case involving safety Demarco Nelson. Nelson was ruled academically ineligible to compete on Aug. 27. Officials said Nelson can redshirt this season and return to the field in 2014 as a fifth-year senior if he meets the appropriate academic requirements.

Arrested Oklahoma City Thunder guard DeAndre Liggins was arrested after his girlfriend told police he attacked her in front of their 2-year-old son. No charges had been filed by Wednesday. Liggins’ attorney, Billy Bock, said the NBA player denies the allegations.

Granted The NCAA granted guard Michael Dixon’s waiver to play this season at Memphis after transferring from Missouri. The senior enrolled at Memphis in June. Dixon announced last November he would transfer after two sexual assault claims became public, though he was not charged.

Promoted The St. Louis Blues promoted general manager Doug Armstrong to president of hockey operations and Bruce Affleck to president of business operations.

Hired The Milwaukee Bucks rounded out new coach Larry Drew’s staff with three assistants, including Jim Cleamons, who spent two decades assisting Phil Jackson with the Bulls and Lakers. Former NBA center Scott Williams and Josh Oppenheimer were also hired as assisant coaches.

Agreed The Chicago Blackhawks agreed to a five-year contract extension with defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson.