Briefs | Auto racing: Judge lifts drug suspension of driver Jeremy Mayfield

Auto racing

Judge lifts suspension, says Mayfield can race: A judge in Charlotte, N.C., issued a temporary injunction Wednesday to lift Jeremy Mayfield's drug suspension, leaving the NASCAR driver free to race at Daytona this weekend.

U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen concluded the "likelihood of a false positive in this case is quite substantial." The decision came after NASCAR's lawyers portrayed Mayfield as a danger to the sport after he tested positive for methamphetamines May 1. He was suspended indefinitely eight days later.

Mayfield's lawyers argued he never used recreational drugs and that NASCAR's testing system was flawed.

"This is huge for us. This means more to me probably than any race I've ever won or anything," a smiling Mayfield said outside the courtroom. "To come out here and do what we did today. ... All the attorneys worked tirelessly and endlessly. It all paid off for us."

Still, Mayfield said he was unsure if he would be able to secure the money needed to bring his car to Daytona.

Boxing

Ex-champ Arguello dead: Alexis Arguello, who fought in one of boxing's most classic brawls and reigned supreme at 130 pounds, was found dead at home Wednesday in Managua, Nicaragua.

Coroners were conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Sandanista Party's Radio Ya and other local media were reporting it appeared to be a suicide.

The La Prensa newspaper reported that Arguello, elected mayor of Nicaragua's capital last year, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest.

The 57-year-old Arguello retired in 1995 with a record of 82-8 with 65 knockouts and was a champion in three weight divisions. He was perhaps best known for two thrilling battles with Aaron Pryor and fights with Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and Ruben Olivares.

Horse racing

Jockey Borel off Mine That Bird again: Calvin Borel is out as the rider of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.

The move comes after trainer Chip Woolley, Borel and the jockey's agent could not agree on a long-term commitment.

Borel possibly could have been aboard the gelding for his next scheduled start at the $750,000 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 1. But Woolley said he wants someone committed to ride Mine That Bird through the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., in November.

Olympics

Dream Team earns spot in Hall of Fame: The star-studded team that featured Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Charles Barkley and won the gold medal in Barcelona headlines this year's inductees for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. The class, which also includes Michael Johnson, Picabo Street and Peter Ueberroth, will be inducted Aug. 12 in Chicago.

The other inductees are: Teresa Edwards (basketball); Mary T. Meagher (swimming); and Willye White (athletics); skier Sarah Will (Paralympian); Abie Grossfeld (coach, gymnastics); and Andrea Mead-Lawrence (veteran).

The 1992 Games were the first in which NBA players were allowed, and the Dream Team didn't disappoint. Jordan, Johnson, Bird, Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton bulldozed their way through Barcelona, winning their eight games by an average of 44 points.

Soccer

U.S. can add seven players to Gold Cup roster: The United States can expand its roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup by seven players to 30.

The U.S. men, seeking their third straight Gold Cup title, included just two regulars on their 23-man roster: forward Brian Ching and right back Steve Cherundolo. They missed the Confederations Cup because of injuries.

The U.S. opens Saturday against Grenada at Qwest Field in Seattle.

Galaxy acquires Eskandarian from Chivas: The Los Angeles Galaxy acquired forward Alecko Eskandarian from Chivas USA for allocation money and a conditional 2010 draft pick.

Swimming

Spain's Faber sets record in 100 backstroke: Spain's Aschwin Wildeboer Faber has set a world record in the 100-meter backstroke with a 52.38-second leg in the 4x100 medley relay final at the Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy.

Faber's time beat American Aaron Peirsol's 52.54 mark set in the Beijing Olympics.

Golf

Finchem: PGA Tour clean on one-year anniversary: PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem was the first to be tested for drugs under its anti-doping policy that began last year at the AT&T National. Tim Clark was the first player to be tested.

One year and more than a thousand random samples later, Finchem said the tour remains clean. Finchem declined to say, however, if anyone has tested positive for a recreational drug, such as marijuana.

WNBA

Kroger Co. to sponsor Indiana Fever: The Kroger Co. grocery giant has announced a five-year deal to be an official sponsor for the financially struggling Indiana Fever.

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