MOTOR SPORTS
Humpy Wheeler, promoter, dies
Humpy Wheeler, a pioneering motorsports promoter and former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, has died, NASCAR said. He was 86. Charlotte Motor Speedway said Wheeler died of natural causes Wednesday in Charlotte, surrounded by his family. “Humpy Wheeler was a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport,” said NASCAR chairman Jim France. “During his decades leading Charlotte Motor Speedway, Humpy transformed the fan experience through his creativity, bold ideas and tireless passion. His efforts helped expand NASCAR’s national footprint, cement Charlotte as a must-visit racing and entertainment complex.” Howard Augustine Wheeler Jr. was born in 1938 in Belmont, N.C., and gained his first major publicity job with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. He held several other positions after Firestone shut down its racing program in 1970 and was hired at Charlotte Motor Speedway by owner Bruton Smith as president in 1975. He became a transformative figure in promoting racing and was known as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports” for flashy pre-race stunts, elaborate productions and sparing no expense in ensuring fans had the most enjoyable experience possible at his events.
Zilisch cleared to race
JR Motorsports driver Connor Zilisch will attempt to race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, less than two weeks after breaking his collarbone during a nasty, slip-and-fall accident in victory lane. The Xfinity Series points leader said Thursday he has been cleared to return and will be in the car for qualifying and will attempt to race all 100 laps at Daytona. He will have Parker Kligerman on standby at Daytona, just in case. Zilisch, a 19-year-old driver who expected to compete in the Cup Series next year for Trackhouse Racing, had surgery last week to insert a plate to stabilize the broken bone. His foot caught on his window net at Watkins Glen on Aug. 9, causing him to fall head-first onto the concrete. With three races left in the regular season, Zilisch has a seven-point lead on Justin Allgaier. He would earn points just by starting the race and would earn points even if Kligerman replaces him in the car.
GOLF
Iwai continues hot play
Akie Iwai was right back on top of the leaderboard in the CPKC Women’s Open in Mississauga, Ontario, on Thursday, four days after her breakthrough victory in the Portland Classic. Iwai closed her afternoon round at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club with birdies on the par-4 eighth and ninth holes for a 7-under 64 and a two-stroke lead. Fifteen-year-old Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng was tied for second with top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, Leona Maguire, Gaby Lopez (Arkansas Razorbacks) and 2023 winner Megan Khang. On Sunday in Oregon, Iwai joined twin sister Chisato as a rookie LPGA Tour winner. The 23-year-old Japanese player had second-place finishes in Thailand in February and Los Angeles in April, then watched her sister win at Mayakoba in May in Mexico. Former Razorbacks Maria Fassi and Stacy Lewis each posted a 72.
Sorenstam leads Senior Open
Annika Sorenstam shot a 3-under 70 on Thursday to take the first-round lead in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at San Diego Country Club. Sorenstam won the tournament in 2021 after winning U.S. Women’s Open titles in 1995, ’96 and 2006. The 54-year-old Swede won 72 times on the LPGA Tour. Moira Dunn-Bohls was a stroke back with amateur Lara Tennant and 72-year-old Barb Moxness, who bettered her age. Trish Johnson, the 2023 champion, was another stroke back at 72 with Corina Kelepouris. Juli Inkster had a 75. She made a 50-foot eagle putt on her first hole, the par-5 10th.
Hojgaard in line for Cup bid
Rasmus Hojgaard shot a 3-under 69 in the first round of the British Masters on Thursday as the Danish golfer started his bid to clinch an automatic place on Europe’s team for the Ryder Cup. Hojgaard needs to finish in a two-way tie for 29th or better in the tournament being held at The Belfry to earn enough points to overtake Shane Lowry, who is clinging onto sixth place in the list of automatic qualifiers. Hojgaard is currently in a tie with five other players — including his twin brother, Nicolai — for 12th place, three shots off the lead shared by Marcel Siem, Li Haotong, Matthias Schwab and Thomas Aiken. The top six get into the European team automatically. Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton are already guaranteed to be at next month’s matches at Bethpage Black.
BASKETBALL
WNBA sets attendance record
With 2 1/2 weeks left in the WNBA’s regular season, the league has already broken its single-season attendance record. League officials announced Thursday that the league’s 13 teams have drawn a total of 2,501,609 fans over 226 games this season, surpassing the previous mark that was set in 2002 when the league had 16 teams. It also took the WNBA 256 games to reach the milestone in 2002. The popularity explosion in women’s college basketball, spurred initially by the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry, carried over to the WNBA last season when Clark and Reese were rookies. Sold out arenas became the norm for Clark and the Indiana Fever. While Clark and Reese have both been hurt this season, ticket sales haven’t slowed thanks to the arrival of rookie guard Paige Bueckers in Dallas, the curiosity over the expansion Golden State Valkyries and expanded television coverage.
BASEBALL
Braves’ Riley out for season
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley will miss the remainder of the season after having core injury surgery on Thursday. The Braves announced the surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Riley, who was placed on the 10-day injured list for the second time in two months on Aug. 4 with a strained lower abdominal muscle, is expected to return in time for spring training next year. Riley first landed on the IL on July 12 with a strained abdomen. He returned on July 25 and finished the season hitting .260 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI.
Yankees sign Blackburn
A week after his final appearance with the New York Mets, Paul Blackburn signed with the Yankees on Thursday to provide bullpen depth for the AL wild-card leaders. Blackburn was originally supposed to be with the Yankees for Wednesday’s game against the Rays at Steinbrenner Field, but encountered extensive flight delays in Texas after flying in from Idaho and did not arrive in New York until early Thursday afternoon after rebooking flights. Blackburn was 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA with the Mets this season. The right-hander last pitched the final five innings of an 11-6 loss to Atlanta on Aug. 13 when he allowed two runs. Blackburn is 22-31 with a 4.96 ERA in 93 games (86 starts) since debuting with the A’s in 2017. He went 7-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 21 games for the A’s in 2022 and made his lone All-Star team.
HOCKEY
Nazar signs extension
The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with forward Frank Nazar on a seven-year extension worth $46.13 million. The team announced the contract Thursday. Nazar will count $6.59 million against the salary cap from when it starts in the 2026-27 NHL season through 2033. Nazar had 26 points in 53 games last season at ages 20 and 21. He helped the U.S. win the world hockey championship for the first time since 1933 and was invited to the Olympic orientation camp later this month as a candidate to play in Milan.
