NASCAR is making competition changes

NASCAR on Tuesday announced competition changes for 2013 that include the elimination of the top-35 qualifying rule and a reduced field size in the Nationwide Series.

Starting next season, the top 35 cars in owners points will no longer be guaranteed a spot in the Sprint Cup field. NASCAR will use a 36-6-1 format in which the fastest 36 cars make the race on speed. The next six highest-ranking cars in owners points not already qualified then earn a starting spot, followed by the most recent eligible past champion driver.

In the Nationwide Series, NASCAR will allow a maximum of 40 cars to race each week. The change cuts three cars from the field that probably would have started then parked shortly after with no intention of attempting to race.

Sprint Cup fields stay at 43 cars.

ETC.

Penn State will not renew the contract of Athletic Director Tim Curley, who has been on leave since being charged last year with perjury and failing to report a child sex abuse allegation against Jerry Sandusky.

The school notified Curley that his contract would not renewed when it expires in June, university spokesman Dave La Torre said.

Curley and retired vice president Gary Schultz are scheduled to stand trial in January in Harrisburg, Pa., on the perjury and failure to report charges.

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Angels outfielder Mike Trout was selected by Baseball America as the winner of its 2012 awards for player of the year and rookie of the year. He becomes the first player to win both awards in the same season, and the first Angel to win either award.

The 21-year-old finished the season ranked in the American League top five in several offensive categories, including average (.326, second), runs (129, first), stolen bases (49, first), slugging percentage (.564, third) and on-base percentage (.399, third).

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New York Yankees bench coach Tony Pena is the second person to be interviewed as the Boston Red Sox continue to search for a manager.

The former Red Sox catcher and Kansas City Royals manager was interviewed Monday, a day off in the AL Championship Series between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.

Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach met with the Red Sox on Friday.

Toronto Manager John Farrell is believed to be atop the Red Sox’s list, but they would have to work out compensation with the Blue Jays.

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The Dallas Mavericks reinstated guard Delonte West after a brief suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. President of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said the ban was lifted after the eight-year veteran met with Nelson and Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle on Tuesday.

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Venus Williams cruised through her first match since the U.S. Open, beating 15-year-old WTA rookie Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, 6-3, 6-1, in the first round of the Luxembourg Open.