Press Box: Kenseth rips NASCAR over penalty
Driver Matt Kenseth blasted the severe punishment he received Wednesday by NASCAR, explaining that the engine violations were a mistake and didn't help his car's performance in his win at Kansas Speedway.
"I think the penalties are grossly unfair," Kenseth told reporters Thursday at Richmond International Raceway. "It's borderline shameful."
NASCAR inspectors at the sanctioning body's research and development center found an unapproved connecting rod in the engine of the winning No. 20 Toyota car sponsored by Joe Gibbs Racing.
In sanctions issued Wednesday, Kenseth was docked of 50 points in the season-long points race for the Sprint Cup, lost his pole-position award at Kansas and bonus points for winning the STP 400 if he qualifies for the 10-race championship playoff at the end of the season. Also, crew chief Jason Ratcliff was suspended for six races and fined $200,000 for the infraction. Gibbs was hit with a 50-point penalty in the owner standings; his license was also suspended for six weeks, leaving him ineligible to accrue owner points during that span. Gibbs plans to appeal.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
University of Miami linebacker Gabe Terry has been kicked off the Hurricanes following last week's arrest on felony and misdemeanor charges.
Coach Al Golden announced Thursday that Terry "is no longer with our football team," Terry was arrested April 19 when police found him unconscious on the steps of a university dorm, and he was charged with felony possession of marijuana and resisting an officer without violence.
WNBA
Jay-Z's budding Roc Nation Sports has added another client.
Former Notre Dame guard Skylar Diggins, selected No. 3 overall in the WNBA draft earlier this month by the Tulsa Shock, has signed with Roc Nation Sports to represent her. Jay-Z's agency recently landed New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz as the rap star and entertainment entrepreneur builds a client base of athletes.
