Nadeau Wins Waltrip’s Final NASCAR Race

In a changing of the guard, Jerry Nadeau won his first NASCAR Winston Cup race Monday in the NAPA 500 at Hampton, Ga., while Darrell Waltrip took the checkered flag for the final time.

Nadeau, whose Chevrolet Monte Carlo clearly was the strongest car on the track, pulled away from Dale Earnhardt’s Chevy after the final caution period ended with seven laps to go.

In his 103rd Winston Cup start, the 30-year-old Nadeau cruised to a 1.338-second victory, averaging 141.296 mph at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

He became the fourth first-time winner this season, tying the modern-era record set in 1988 and followed Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Park into victory lane.

Nadeau also was the 14th different winner in the 34-race season, equaling the record set three times, most recently in 1991.

“I can’t believe it,” Nadeau said. “We had a tough year, but what a way to end the season. The car was flawless and the guys did a great job in pit road.”

Nadeau’s best previous finish was fourth. With the victory, he made the biggest jump in the standings, moving up to 20th and earning the last invitation to the season-ending banquet in New York next month.

The race, postponed Sunday by rain, began with an emotional send-off to Waltrip, who retired after a 29-year career.

Waltrip’s daughters, Jessica and Sarah, commanded over the public-address system, “Daddy, start you engine.” Then, Waltrip was allowed to take a ceremonial lap at the front of the field in his Ford before sliding into line at the back of the pack.

The same honor was given Richard Petty when he drove into retirement at the same track in 1992.

Waltrip wasn’t a factor in the race. Starting last in the 43-car field, he finished 34th--seven laps behind Nadeau.

Tennis

Jonas Froberg, making his debut on the ATP Tour in his hometown, rallied from a set down to outlast Byron Black of Zimbabwe, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, on the opening day of the Stockholm Open at Sweden.

Next up for Froberg is Yevgeny Kafelnikov. The second-seeded Russian routed George Bastl of Switzerland, 6-2, 6-2.

Eighth-seeded Sjeng Schalken of the Netherlands won his opening match, a 7-5, 6-4 decision over Israel’s Harel Levy.

Second-seeded Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia made the most of his strong ground strokes, routing Vince Spadea, 6-1, 6-2, in the first round of the Samsung Open at Brighton, England.

Miscellany

Six years after a disputed drug test, 800-meter runner Diane Modahl went to court at London to seek $1.5 million in damages from the British track and field federation.

Modahl was suspended by the British Athletic Federation after a drug test in June 1994 allegedly showed a high level of testosterone.

The positive test, recorded in Lisbon, Portugal, was announced as Modahl was preparing to defend her Commonwealth title in Victoria, British Columbia. She was sent home.

The federation suspended Modahl for four years. But the ban was lifted in July 1995 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation after doubts were cast on the accuracy of the tests.

Juli Inkster and former PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman were among eight players and administrators inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame at St. Augustine, Fla.

Inkster and Beth Daniel were the only active players among this year’s induction class, the largest since eight were inducted in 1975.

Joining the inductees was Judy Rankin, a 26-time winner and longtime ABC Sports golf analyst, former Masters and PGA champion Jack Burke Jr., Beman, Sir Michael Bonallack, British teaching pro John Jacobs and Neil Coles.

Keith Kelly of Providence overtook defending champion David Kimani of Alabama in the final 400 meters and won the NCAA cross-country title at Ames, Iowa. Colorado’s Kara Grgas-Wheeler won the women’s race.

Arkansas won the men’s team title for the third consecutive year and the 11th time since 1984, beating top-ranked Colorado by 11 points. Colorado won the women’s title.

CBS said its plan to sell marketing rights for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and other college sports championships for about $1 billion fell through after sports marketing company ISL Worldwide’s board turned down the proposal.

CBS’ 11-year agreement, which was scheduled to begin in 2003, would have allowed the network to recoup part of the $6.2 billion it spent to retain rights to the tournament, the most-watched college sporting event.

Italian soccer player Francesco Bertolotti, who fought with an opponent after a recent game, underwent brain surgery and is in serious but stable condition.