Fernandez Wins Race as Owner and Driver

Adrian Fernandez got his first win as a team owner, and his first victory as a driver since 2000, pulling away from pole-sitter Paul Tracy to win the G.I. Joe’s 200 CART race Sunday at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway.

Fernandez, who last won in Australia, beat out Tracy by 2.273 seconds. Alex Tagliani was third, 4.457 seconds behind Fernandez.

Fernandez took the lead after a restart on Lap 86, as he moved to the inside on Turn 1 and passed a slowing Tracy.

“We had a fantastic car,” Fernandez said. “My last pit stop really put my car alive. Paul made a mistake in the corner, if I didn’t take it I will hate myself forever. It was late in the race and it was now or never.”

Tracy had been leading since overtaking Michel Jourdain Jr., who started with him on the front row, out of the pit after a green-flag pit stop on Lap 44.

Officials eventually determined Tracy exited the pit lane illegally, and levied a five-second penalty on Lap 61, which was served in the pits on Lap 73. The penalty was a key development for Fernandez, who was about five seconds behind at the time.

“I led the race, made a mistake ... I just blew it,” Tracy said. “We got the points lead, but I’m disappointed for my team.”

WNBA

Becky Hammon scored 21 points to lead the New York Liberty to a 69-57 victory over the Charlotte Sting in front 12,004 at New York. Crystal Robinson, Tamika Whitmore and Vickie Johnson each scored 11 points for the Liberty. Andrea Stinson had 14 points and Dawn Staley had 12 points for Charlotte.

Ruth Riley scored seven points in overtime and Swin Cash scored six of her 22 after regulation to lead the Detroit Shock to an 82-73 victory over the Connecticut Sun in front of 5,311 at Uncasville, Conn.... Lauren Jackson scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 22 minutes as the Seattle Storm set a team record for points in a game in beating the San Antonio Silver Stars, 93-53, in front of 6,395 at Seattle.

Hockey

King defenseman Joe Corvo’s assault trial in Boston, scheduled to start this morning, has been postponed.

Corvo, who allegedly attacked a woman last November when he was a member of the Kings’ top minor league team, is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, his foot, and indecent assault and battery, both felonies. He also is charged with simple assault and battery, a misdemeanor.

The Carolina Hurricanes added depth at center, acquiring Marty Murray from the Philadelphia Flyers for a sixth-round draft pick in 2004.

Miscellany

Sjeng Schalken won the Ordina Open in front of a home crowd at Rosmalen, Netherlands, defeating Arnaud Clement, 6-3, 6-4, in the final for the second year in a row.

Chicago Bull guard Jay Williams injured his knee and pelvis in addition to breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident, a source close to the player said.

The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday that Williams sustained extensive nerve damage to his left leg and has a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

A university investigation found a former football manager and former graduate assistant coach at Washington ran up about $40,000 in unauthorized long-distance phone-card charges.

The investigation focused on phone charges between September 1998 and February 2002, athletic department spokesman Jim Daves said. The phone calls did not involve any members of the football team, he added.

Five Southern California high school basketball players have been selected to play for the West team in this week’s USA Basketball Youth Development Festival in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Named to the team were Aaron Afflalo from Compton Centennial and Jordan Farmar from Woodland Hills Taft, both of whom have committed to UCLA; USC-bound Robert Swift, formerly from Bakersfield Garces, Bryce Taylor from North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, and Dorrell Wright from Lawndale Leuzinger. The festival takes place Wednesday through Sunday.

Hurdler Ryan Wilson of USC and middle-distance runner Lena Nilsson of UCLA were chosen the men’s and women’s track and field athletes of the year in the Pacific 10 Conference.