PRESS BOX: NASCAR investigates Logano, Gilliland
NASCAR already has kicked Martin Truex Jr. out of the Chase for the Cup, and now it is investigating whether Joey Logano received help in order to make the Chase.
According to USA Today, Logano's Penske Racing team might have cut a deal with Front Row Motorsports and David Gilliland at Richmond on Saturday night to help Logano better his position. Penske and Front Row are both Ford teams and considered partners.
USA Today released radio communication between the two teams, which indicates Gilliland's spotter passing along a request to let Logano pass him on the closing laps and hopefully being rewarded.
After Logano passed Gilliland on the final restart to finish 22nd and land a spot in the Chase, the spotter is heard saying, "Good job, good job, man. Hopefully we'll get something out of that."
NASCAR released a statement on Wednesday saying that it is aware of the reports "but has yet to see anything in full context that requires any action."
Earlier this week, NASCAR concluded Michael Waltrip Racing manipulated the outcome of Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400 to get Truex in the Chase. Penalties were assessed, Truex was kicked out of the Chase and Ryan Newman was awarded the berth.
NBA
Michael Beasley is heading back to Miami where he started his NBA career after being drafted by the Heat in 2008.
The Heat and Beasley, who was released by the Phoenix Suns this offseason, agreed to a one-year nonguaranteed contract, the Miami Herald reported.
With the Suns last season, Beasley averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game -- both career lows. He has averaged 14.1 points per game during his career.
NHL
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman was rewarded with a two-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season.
"Stan has been an integral part of our organizational success and we are proud to reward him with a well-deserved extension," said Blackhawks President and CEO John McDonough in a news release. "From the amateur levels to our team in Chicago, Stan has a great system in place as we all strive for consistent excellence throughout the organization."
Bowman was promoted to general manager in 2009 and led the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 2010 and 2013. The Blackhawks added the title of vice president in 2010
--The Carolina Hurricanes learned that defenseman Joni Pitkanen will miss the 2013-14 season because of a lingering injury.
Pitkanen sustained a broken bone in a heel on April 2 in a game against Washington when he slid into the boards and it has not healed sufficiently.
Losing the 29-year-old veteran is considered a major blow for the Hurricanes. He is in the final year of a contract that will count $4.5 million against the team's salary cap.
BOXING
As boxing fans and professionals are preparing for what may be the richest fight in history Saturday, they are also extending best wishes to one of the sports' biggest names as former champion and current mega promoter Oscar De La Hoya surprised many when he returned to rehab to battle his own demons.
This is the second time since 2011 that De La Hoya, who is an admitted alcoholic and has a history with cocaine, has sought treatment for substance abuse.
The timing of this makes a dramatic statement itself considering he will miss Saturday night's huge fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which is promoted by De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.
De La Hoya went public with his decision in this statement:
"Canelo Alvarez and I have big fights coming up this weekend. His is in the ring and mine in treatment. I will not be at the fight this Saturday to cheer Canelo to victory since I have voluntarily admitted myself into a treatment facility. I explained this to Canelo and he understood that my health and long-term recovery from my disease must come first. Thank you for your understanding. I ask for your support and privacy during this difficult time for me and my family."
