■ INDY 500
Buddy Rice to race
Former Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice will drive one of six cars entered by Rahal Letterman Racing on Thursday for the May 28 race. Last year, he was unable to defend his 2004 title after a crash during the first week of practice. He received a concussion and neck injury when he spun and hit the wall. Doctors found he partially tore a spinal ligament, and he was not allowed to drive in qualifications or the race. Former winner Kenny Brack took his place and finished 26th. Rice will drive the team's No. 15 Panoz-Honda and have an identical backup car available. Rahal Letterman also entered two cars each for Danica Patrick, last year's rookie of the year, and rookie Paul Dana. Patrick qualified fourth and finished fourth last year, becoming the first woman to lead the Indy 500. Dana also passed the Indy rookie test last year but sustained a spinal fracture in a crash during practice and was unable to compete.
■ FA CUP
Match ends in draw
Charlton and Middlesbrough played to a 0-0 draw on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, failing to decide the last club to to advance to the final four of England's premier knockout competition. West Ham, Liverpool and Chelsea won their quarterfinals earlier in the week. The draw for the semifinals is Friday with Charlton and 'Boro facing a replay to determine which team advances. The semifinals will be played at neutral venues that have yet to be announced by the Football Association. The game at Charlton offered both teams few chances. The best opportunity in the first half -- and probably in the game -- came in the 36th when Charlton's Hermann Hreidarsson struck a left-footed, close-range shot that 'Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer blocked with his left hand in a diving save.
■ Formula One
Fuji gets nod for 2007
Fuji Speedway will replace Suzuka International Racing Circuit as host of the 2007 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix. "Fuji Speedway will be the new home of the Japanese F1 Grand Prix," Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said in a statement released Friday in conjunction with Fuji International Speedway Co Ltd.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping