LOCAL NOTES

MOTORSPORTS

Boxer Ken Norton, who nearly died in an automobile accident in 1986, announced Wednesday the formation of Ken Norton MotorSports, a team that will field a car in the Indy Racing League.

The announcement was made in Newport Beach, where the team’s corporate headquarters are located. According to a spokesman, Norton is among five partners, which include majority partner Jerry Lowrie. Lowrie is chairman of the board of Yosemite Motor Speedway, a one-mile oval facility to be built in Madera in Central California.

“My goal is for Ken Norton MotorSports to become another world champion and win the Indy 500,’ ” Norton said.

The team’s expected budget is between $4-5 million. It is without a primary sponsor, but will employ Troy Regier of Dinuba as its driver.

VOLLEYBALL

The UC Irvine men’s match against UC Santa Cruz, scheduled for Sunday, has been canceled because of a scheduling conflict.

The Anteaters host USC on Friday and Princeton on Tuesday. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. in Crawford Hall.

SOFTBALL

UCLA is ranked No. 1 and Cal State Fullerton No. 14 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Assn. preseason Top 25 released Wednesday.

The Bruins, who lost in last year’s NCAA final to Oklahoma, play a nonconference double-header at Fullerton Feb. 7.

Oklahoma is ranked No. 2, followed by No. 3 Arizona, No. 4 Washington and No. 5 Alabama.

Long Beach State is No. 22.