Jarrett’s Crew Chief Suspended for Four Races

Crew chief Richard Labbe was suspended for four races and fined $25,000 Tuesday for using an illegal part on Dale Jarrett’s car at Richmond International Raceway.

NASCAR officials discovered the sway bar on Jarrett’s car was illegally mounted when the No. 88 Ford passed through Saturday night’s pre-race inspection in Richmond.

The sway bar, also called an “anti-roll bar,” counteracts the rolling force of the car body through the turns. Any alterations made to it would probably be in an effort to help the car’s agility through the corners.

Car owner Robert Yates said the violation was not intentional.

“The wording of various rules in the NASCAR rulebook leaves them open for interpretation, as many teams have contested for years,” Yates said in a statement. “Obviously, in this case, we interpreted the rules differently from NASCAR but because of the lack of a clear-cut understanding, on our part, we believe we have grounds for appeal and have started that process.

“If the appeal’s committee believes otherwise then we will accept those terms.”

The penalties included a loss of 25 driver points for Jarrett and 25 car owner points for Yates. The points deduction drops Jarrett from 11th to 12th in the standings, 380 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson.

Practice began for the May 28 Indianapolis 500, with Penske Racing teammates Sam Hornish Jr. and Helio Castroneves the leaders at more than 224 mph in their backup cars.

BOXING

Mosley’s Father Will Be Back in Son’s Corner

Jack Mosley, Shane Mosley’s father and his trainer until two years ago, will be back in his son’s corner for Shane’s July 15 rematch against Fernando Vargas at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

John David Jackson, the man who trained Mosley in his last three fights, including a 10th-round technical knockout over Vargas in February, won’t be available until midway through Mosley’s training schedule because of a commitment to train Bernard Hopkins, who will be fighting Antonio Tarver on June 10.

The Mosleys, however, say Jack’s return could be permanent.

His departure, which came after Shane lost to Winky Wright in March 2004, was caused by Shane’s belief that his father was spending too much time on a second career in the music business.

-- Steve Springer

TENNIS

Nadal Winning Streak on Clay Reaches 48

Rafael Nadal won his 48th consecutive match on clay, defeating 2004 winner Carlos Moya, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2, in the first round of the Rome Masters.

The 19-year-old Spaniard can match Guillermo Vilas’ Open era record 53-match winning streak on the surface if he successfully defends his title.

“The first set was easier than I expected, but it got tougher. He knows me so well,” Nadal said.

Martina Navratilova played a match in her former homeland for the first time in 20 years, teaming with Barbora Strycova to defeat Olag Blahotova and Ahsha Rolle, 6-2, 6-3, at the Prague Open.

In singles, second-seeded Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic was upset in the first round, losing to wild-card Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 4-6.

Martina Hingis defeated Italy’s Flavia Pennetta, 7-5, 6-3, in the first round of the German Open at Berlin.

Steve Clark, men’s tennis coach at UC Irvine for 14 years, announced his resignation, effective in July. Clark, 44, coached the Anteaters to Big West titles in 1993 and 2005. He said he and his family would be moving to the Spokane, Wash., area.

PRO FOOTBALL

Williams Might Face Testing in Canada

Ricky Williams, suspended by the NFL last month for his fourth violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, may have to take a drug test if the running back wants to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

The CFL has no formal drug testing policy, but Toronto President Keith Pelley said the team could conduct its own tests if the Miami Dolphins allow Williams to play for the Argonauts.

Javon Walker is set to sign a five-year extension worth more than $40 million with the Denver Broncos, who acquired the receiver in a draft-day deal.

Walker, who is recovering from a knee injury, is expected to sign the contract today. The extension will take him through 2011.

MISCELLANY

Martin Is Named Golf Coach at Oregon

Casey Martin, who battled the PGA Tour for the right to use a golf cart in competition, was named head coach at Oregon.

The 33-year-old Martin takes over for Steve Nosler, who announced in March that this would be his final season. Martin had been serving as a volunteer assistant for the Ducks since the start of the season.

Former NFL and USC lineman Travis Claridge had an intoxicating level of a painkiller in his system and an enlarged heart when he died accidentally in February, according to Clark County coroner’s office.

Claridge was pronounced dead Feb. 28 at a hospital in Henderson, Nev., after his girlfriend found him unconscious at his home in Las Vegas, authorities said.

Brendan Shanahan scored a power-play goal in the third period to help Canada beat the United States, 2-1, and advance to the second round of the World Ice Hockey Championship at Riga, Latvia.

Former Olympic sprint champion Marion Jones will run her first race in almost a year when she competes Saturday against former world champion Torri Edwards in the 100 meters at Veracruz in Mexico.

Natasha Kai scored in the second half to lift the United States women to a 1-0 victory over Japan in an exhibition soccer game at Osaka, Japan.

American goalkeeper Tim Howard will join Everton of the Premier League next season on loan from Manchester United.

New York Ranger defenseman Darius Kasparaitis will have shoulder surgery and is expected to make a full recovery in time for next season.

Amanda Lassiter had 14 points to lead the Chicago Sky to a 78-73 victory over the Sparks in a WNBA exhibition game at Chicago. Lisa Leslie had 32 points for the Sparks.