Associated Press
BRISTOL, Tenn. ó This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of the late Dale Earnhardt’s first NASCAR victory, and his son wishes he had a video of the monumental race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he’s only ever seen clips of his father’s 1979 win at Bristol Motor Speedway and would love to see the entire race.
Speaking Friday at the track where the elder Earnhardt won nine races, Junior says his dad’s 1985 victory at the Tennessee track is his favorite. Earnhardt lost his power steering 50 laps into the race and went on to win in an unbelievable feat of strength.
The elder Earnhardt was killed in an accident on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
BASEBALL
WASHINGTON ó A federal prosecutor recommended that All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada get probation and no prison time for misleading Congress about the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
U.S. attorney Jeffrey Taylor said in a memo to Federal Magistrate Judge Alan Kay that Tejada deserves that reduced sentence because he has admitted wrongdoing, accepted responsibility and has no criminal record.
– SURPRISE, Ariz. ó Andruw Jones will remain with the Texas Rangers at least through the weekend.
Jones and the team agreed Friday to extend by three days a deadline in his minor league contract that would allow the 10-time Gold Glove center fielder and five-time All-Star to become a free agent if the Rangers don’t put him on the big league roster. The new deadline is Monday.
– JUPITER, Fla. ó Chase Utley played into the sixth inning Friday on his surgically repaired hip and had two hits and scored a run.
– KISSIMMEE, Fla. ó Ivan Rodriguez’s $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros was finalized Friday after the catcher passed his physical.NFL
MIAMI ó Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth was driving drunk when he struck and killed a pedestrian, according to published and broadcast reports.
WSVN-TV reported that unnamed sources with knowledge of the investigation said Stallworth’s blood-alcohol level was between .08 and .16. The legal limit is .08.
– MEDIA, Pa. ó An alleged drug dealer in suburban Philadelphia testified that he did not sell marijuana to Denver Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter.
That contradicts the word of a state trooper, who testified Thursday that he was listening on wiretaps when Buckhalter called the suspect, 36-year-old Styles Beckles of Clifton Heights.
Trooper Scott John Miscannon also says a notation on a ledger in Beckles’ house indicates Buckhalter bought marijuana from him.
TENNIS
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. ó Andy Roddick beat defending champion Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-2 Friday to reach the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
– KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. ó Maria Sharapova withdrew Friday from the upcoming Sony Ericsson Open, saying she’s not ready to play a full tournament of singles as she recovers from a shoulder injury.
GOLF
PALM HARBOR, Fla. ó Nick Watney is playing so well that he doesn’t even realize it.
Coming off a wrenching one-shot loss to Phil Mickelson at Doral, Watney kept right on rolling Friday with a 4-under 67 at the Transitions Championship to share the 36-hole lead with Steve Stricker.
– HUXQUILUCAN, Mexico ó Lorena Ochoa is back home in Mexico and leading the Mastercard Classic.The LPGA’s No. 1 player shot a 7-under 65 on Friday on the hilly Bosque Real course outside Mexico City that has often gotten the best of her.