Times wires
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
autos
johnson: I was speeding; sorry, nascar
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson admitted Tuesday he was speeding on pit road at Martinsville and apologized for criticizing NASCAR for his late-race penalty Sunday.
But the five-time defending Sprint Cup champion remained adamant NASCAR should post pit road speeds in real time and said if the information had been readily available, he wouldn't have argued the penalty.
Johnson said he learned of his speeds Monday. "It's probably not good for me to climb out of the car and call NASCAR's credibility into judgment, and I apologize for that. When you're only dealing with part of the information and heat of the moment, it's easy to react," he said.
Johnson was flagged on the race's final stop for going over the 30 mph limit. He was second at the time but fell back to 11th and finished in that position.
NASCAR vice of president of competition Robin Pemberton said Johnson had access to the information. He said Sprint Cup series director John Darby radios down the pit road speeds after a penalty and the information was passed to Johnson crew chief Chad Knaus.
Pemberton also defended NASCAR's policy of not posting the speeds in real time, saying it could risk creating a competition on pit road.
soccer
Man U's Rooney will appeal cursing ban
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney acknowledged using offensive language during an English Premier League game but said he will appeal his automatic two-match ban, calling it "clearly excessive."
The governing body hears the appeal today. If the appeal fails, Rooney risks further discipline in addition to suspension for Saturday's league match vs. Fulham and next week's Football Association Cup semifinal vs. Manchester City. During a win Saturday, Rooney cursed at a TV camera after scoring his third goal.
european Champions league: Schalke and Real Madrid won first-leg games over defending champion Inter Milan and Tottenham, respectively, putting them on the brink of reaching the semis. The second legs are April 13.
ET CETERA
tennis: Kim Clijsters is sidelined for a month with shoulder and wrist injuries and will miss Belgium's Fed Cup semifinal next week against the Czech Republic. She aims to play in the French Open, which begins May 17.
Times wires