The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 26

6C Tftjrsday, July 20, 2000 THE TENNESSEAN wwwlennessean.com 3 SPORTS JHRA likely to brin i 2002 rag racing nere Klmbro Oil Events scheduled for 2001 IRL, July 21 NASCAR Busch Series, dateTBA NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, dateTBA Slim Jim All-Pro Series, dateTBA Ticket information Call 726-1818. fens who purchase tickets to the Aug. 12 Craftsman Truck Series race at Nashville Speedway by July 28 receive first priority seating at Nashville Superspeedway events, including the four listed above. Saturday night races The weekly racing program will continue at Nashville Speedway at the Fairgrounds next year until consloirtion is complete on a fwe-eighttis-mile short track at the Nashville Superspeedway complex in Wilson County. The races will eventually move to that track.

Compton said from NHRA headquarters in Glendora, Calif. "It's going to be a tremendous facility. It's the kind of place we want to be." FOCUS (3 Williamson Medical Center mm pi, Deutsche Bank Armstrong passes drug test, cruises toward win Associated Press LAUSANNE, Switzerland After what he called his "hardest day" ever on a bike, Lance Armstrong had a comfortable ride yesterday and moved closer to retaining his title in the Tour de France. After passing a surprise drug test and dealing with the abrupt withdrawal of his most vocal challenger, Armstrong finished 35th in the day's stage, clocking the same time in a furious sprint as winner Erik Dekker of the Netherlands. Jan Ullrich, the only rider with a remote chance of catching Armstrong, had the same time and finished 29th.

"Nothing's changed. My goal's still exactly the same to win the Tour again," said Armstrong, the Texas native who overcame testicular cancer to win cycling's premier event in 1999. Ullrich of Germany's Deutsche Telekom remained in second place, still 5 minutes, 37 seconds behind the American with just McGlynn said the NHRA's eagerness to race here "verifies the huge potential of the Nashville mo torsports market." The NHRA last year held 22 events and drew 2.2 million fans, counting qualifying and other preliminary events. The NHRA schedule this season consists of 24 events in 15 states and includes events in Bristol and Memphis. There had been some question whether the association would place a third event in Tennessee.

"It's premature to even go there," Compton said. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there." Along with the superspeedway and drag strip, Nashville Superspeedway plans also call for a dirt track, a paved short track similar to the Nashville Speedway track at the State Fairgrounds, a smaller Legends track and an infield road course. McGlynn said the first phase the superspeedway is on schedule. The track is almost ready for paving, and the grandstands began going up last week. The drag strip, when completed, will have separate seating.

Larry Woody writes daily about NASCAR at www.tennessean.com. He can be reached at 259-8019 or lvoocJyennessean.cofTi Yesterday: Erik Dekker won stage 17 a 96-mile route from Evlan-Ies-Bains, Ranee, to Lausanne, Switzerland, via foothills of the French and Swiss Alps, in 3 hours, 24 minutes, 53 seconds. Today: Stage 18 Is a mostly downhill 153-mile course from Lausanne, Switzerland, to Freiburg, Germany. TV. 6:30 p.m.

(tape delay), ESPN2. three stages to go before Sunday's final stage in Paris. Marco I'antani, the diminutive, bald Italian who won the Tour in 1998 but withdrew from this year's race overnight while in 14th place. Pantani blamed mysterious intestinal pains for his decision. Other riders suggested it might have more to do with his fading performance Tuesday, his last real rebounds and four blocked shots for Orlando, which shot 56.9 from the field (37-for-65), Claudia Maria das Neves had 19 points for the Shock.

Sol 69, Fire 62 MIAMI Katrina Colleton tied a career high with 19 points and Kristen Rasmussen set one with 17 as Miami (8-14) beat Portland in a meeting of expansion teams. DeMya Walker led the Fire (7-14) with 12 points, while former Tennessee star Michelle Marcini-ak added 11. Liberty 78, Storm 55 SEATTLE Vickie Johnson scored 18 points to lead the New York Liberty (13-9) to a victory over the Seattle Storm (3-19). It was the first and only meeting between the teams. 1 Sol 69, Fire 62 PORTLAND (62) Thomas 2-4 14 5, Nygoord 0 1 0-0 0, Crawley 3-9 O0 6, Whherspoon 3-13 2-2 9, Beviloqua 1-3 2-2 5, Burras 3-5 4-4 10, Morcirnak 4-8 2- 2 11, Walker 6-8 01 12, VanGorpO0O2 0, Pride 1- 3 00 2, Williams 1-3 00 2.

Totals 24-57 1 1-19 62. MIAMI (691 Sam 1-8 1-2 3, Manning 3-4 00 6, AskampOo 0-00, Colleton 5-12 9-1219, Black 1-3 2-2 4, Owens 2 3 2-4 6, Flores 2-7 3-6 9, Rasmussen 3-5 11-12 1 7, Ford 1-2 34 5. Totals 18-49 31-44 69. Portland 26 36 61 Miami 3) 38 69 3-Point Gools Portland 3-10 (Beviloqua 1-2, Mar-ciniok 1-2, Witherspoon 1-3, Nygaard 01, T.Williams 02), Miami 212 (Flores 2-6, Block 01, Rasmussen 01, Colleton 01, Sam 03). Fouled out Marcintak, Owens.

Rebounds Portland 39 (Thomas 6), Miami 46 (Sam 5). Assists Portland 15 (Marciniak 4), Miami 9 (Flores 3). Total fouls Portland 35, Miami 22. Mercury 86, Starzz 76 UTAH (761 Johnson 6-11 00 13, N.Williams 815 4-5 26, Dydek 5-7 3-4 13, Ani 3-7 2-2 8, Hlede 3- 9 4-6 II, Starbird 05 4-4 4. Herno 3-5 1-2 7.

Ivanyi 02 O0 0 Totals 2861 1823 76 PHOENIX (86) Harrison 44 O0 8, Reed 1016 9-9 31, Gillom 5-14 44 16, Cleary 1-1 3-4 5, Edwards 4- 8 54 14, Pettis 3-8 2 2 10, Sarenac 1-2 02 2, Head 00 O0 0, A.Willrams OO O0 0. Totals 28-55 23-29 86 Utah 26 5076 Phoenix 40 4686 3-Point Goals Utoh 2-7 (Hlede 1-3, Johnson 1-3, Ivanyi 01), Phoenix 7-1 1 (Gillom 2-2, Pettis 2-3, Reed 2- 3, Edwards 1-3). Fouled out None. Rebounds-Utah 41 (N.Willioms 14), Phoenix 30 (Harrison, Reed 5). Assists Utah 1 9 (Aui 7), Phoenix 22 (Cleary 1 2).

Total foub Utoh 24, Phoenix 19. A 9,327. Ubertv 78, Storm 55 NEW YORK (78) Johnson 6-11 S-5 18, Whit-more 1-3 12 3, Phillips 713 34 17. Hommon 69 1-1 16, Weatherspoon 2-4 00 5, Wicks 2-3 3-3 7, Robinson 1-24-4 7, Ferrogut 1-2 O0 2, Bibby OO 00 0. lunsford-Mahoney O0 00 0, Firsova 1-3 1-1 3.

Totals 27-50 18-22 78. SEATTLE (55) M.Edwards 02 OO 0, Vodichkova 4-8 4-5 1 2, Gamer 02 00 0, Campbell 2-4 34 9, Dames 68 00 12, Smith 24 1-2 6, 5. Edwords 4-10 1-2 9. Sampson 04 1-1 1, Redd 2-7 00 4. Hibbert 03 00 0.

Totoh 2143 1014 55. New York 42 3678 Seattle 29 2655 3-Point Gools New York 6-1 2 (Hammon 3-5, John-son 1-2. Robinson 1-2, Weatherspoon 1-2, Phillips OIL Seattle 3-16 (Hemvina 24, Smith 1-3. Redd 01, Hibbert 02, Sampson 02, Campbell 04). Fouled out None.

Rebounds New York 45 (Phillips 9), Seattle 28 (M.Edwards 4). Assists New York 1 6 (Weatherspoon 5), Seattle 16 (CompbeH, Smith 3). Total fouls--New York 20, Seattle 2T, 'echnkols New York cooch Acltboto. A-9J95 FiisM raiiig it? By LARRY WOODY Spurts riter Another major racing organization is ready to roll to the starting line at the $125 million Nashville Superspecdway motorsports complex in Wilson County. The National Hot Rod Association "absolutely" wants to hold races there, said NHRA president Tom Comptoa The NHRA commitment comes on the heels of an agreement with the Indy Racing League to run events on the 1.3-mile superspeed-way which opens next spring.

The drag strip, which will probably be completed in time for the 2002 season, is one of six tracks that will comprise the huge racing complex. Denis McGlynn, the president of Dover Downs Entertainment, which is developing the facility, had hoped to land the top-flight NHRA. Dover Downs owns tracks in St. Louis and Memphis, which currently host NHRA races. McGlynn said details of the deal with the NHRA "still have to be hammered out." An NHRA representative has visited the Nashville Superspeedway site to check the drag strip layout.

"We already have a great relationship with Denis McGlynn," ToiiighFs game At Fresno, 9:15 pm, 560-AM. RHP Rob Mattson (5-6, 5.11 ERA) pitches tor Nashville against LHP Mike Riley (5-7 5.73) as the series concludes. Redman back with Nashvillle iennessean Staff. Hire Reports FRESNO, Calif. Outfielder Tike Redman was sent down to the Sounds from Pittsburgh yesterday to make room for pitcher Steve Sparks, who will join the Pirates from their Double-A affiliate in Altoona.

Redman hit 333 with a home run in nine games for Pittsburgh. Sparks not to be confused with the former Angels knuckle-bailer of the same name was Pittsburgh's 28th-round pick in the 1998 draft out of South Alabama. In 17 starts at Altoona, he was 6-5 with a 4.69 earned run average, three complete games and two shutouts. Tuesday night's game: Pedro Fe-liz's two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Fresno a 7-6 come-from-behind win. Nashville's larrod Patterson was l-for-3 with a two-run double and Alex Hernandez had two RBI.

American Conference Central Division I Pet. GB Albuquerque (Dodgers) 55 44 .556 Col.Springs (Rockies) 50 46 .521 3') Omaha (Royals) 43 53 .453 10'? Iowa (Cubs) 3 60 .394 16 Eastern Division Memphis (Cardinals) 58 40 Nashville (Pirates) 48 48 .500 9 Oklahoma (Rangers) '47 48 .495 9 New Orleans (Astros) 47 50 .485 0Vi Pacific Conference Southern Division Pet. GB Sacramento (Athletics) 5 7 41 .582 las Vegas Padresl 52 42 .553 3 Tucson (Diamondbacks) 48 49 .495 Fresno (Giants) 35 63 .357 22 Northern Division Salt Lake (Twins) 61 37 .622 Tocoma (Mariners) 52 46 .531 9 Edmonton (Angels) 46 48 .489 13 Colga7 (Marlins) 38 61 .384 23 Tuesday's games Fresno 7, Nashville 6 Sacramento 6, Las Vegas 4 Tacoma 6, Iowa 5. 1 st game Tocoma 4, Iowa 2, 2nd gome Memphis 1, Albuquerque 0 Omano 4, Tucson 2 Edmonton 4. Oklahoma 3 Colorado Springs 8, New Odeans 4, 1st gome Colorado Springs 8, New Orleans 4, 2nd game Soil Lake 10, Calg ary 6 Yesterday's games Nashville 6, Fresno 0 Oklahoma 2, Edmonton 1 Albuauerque 4, Memphis I New Orleans 7, Colorado Spring 2 Socramento at Las Vegas Sort Lake 1 2, Calaary 4 Tacoma 5, Iowa 0 Tucson 3, Omaha 0 Today's games Nashville at Fresno Edmonton at Oklahoma Memphis at Albuquerque New Orleans at Colorado Springs Sacramento at Las Vegas Sail Lake at Calgary Tocoma at Iowa Tucson at Omaho Tuesday's box score Grizzlies 7, Sounds 6 NASHVILLE Brown cf Woodss FRESNO ob bi 2 I 00 401 I 3 I 00 2200 3000 ab bi 5220 5344 1001 3 112 3000 0000 I 000 0000 If 4010 4010 4010 0000 1 000 1 000 2110 34 711 7 Byoscf Feliz 3b Minor lb Lowery rf Chiaramonte Weber teach ph Crabtree Glendenmng Castro ss Tyler 2b Melo2b linebnnk McMullen Guzman Totals Hermonsen If Wilson Wehner 2b Hernondez 1 Andufar Montgomery rf Patterson 3b Ah Yatp Brede ph Garciop Laker lb 4 112 0000 3 110 3012 2000 I 000 0000 1 000 Totoh 28 6 4 5 Nashville 000 501 000 6 Fresno 010 020 202 7 Wood 17), Wehner (7).

DP Nashville Fresno 3. LOB Nashville 3, Fresno 6. 2B Wood (10) Patterson Feliz (16). HR Feliz 2 (21), lowery (14). SF minor SB Brown (26), Byas 130).

ip er bb so Nashville AhYot 5 5 3 3 3 2 Garcia 2 3 2 1 0 1 AnduiorL, 3-5 1 3 2 2 0 0 Fresno Linebnnk 3 0 0 0 0 7 McMullen 2'j 4 6 6 3 1 Weber 1 0 0 0 I 3 Crabtree 3-4 2 0 0 0 0 1 HBP by McMullen (Wilson), by McMullen (Brown), by McMullen (Wilson), by McMullen (Montgomery 2 44 A 3,915. 1, WiWMmiMMjll41 Reed's 31 helps Mercury rise After you've finished with your copy of The Tennnessean, bring It to one of these locations to be recycled. A portion of all proceeds benefits non-profit organizations. For more information, call Southeast Paper at (615) 793-4580. A ssiiciated Press PHOENIX Brandy Reed scored 31 points to lead the Phoenix Mercury over the Utah Starzz 86-76 last night.

Reed, who went l-for-ll from the floor Monday night in the WNBA All-Star Game, scored 24 of her points in the second half. Reed had nine points during a six minute stretch late in the game as the Mercury (14-7) broke open a three-point game. Natalie Williams scored 20 points and Margo Dydek had 13 for Utah (12-11). Miracle 88, Shock 78 ORLANDO, Fla. Nykesha Sales had 20 points and seven assists as Orlando (14-8) tied a season-high scoring output in an victory over Detroit (10-11).

Taj Mc Williams had 19 points, 10 Friendship Christian 5400 Coles Ferry Pike Lebanon Gladeville Elementary 8640 Stewarts Ferry Gladeville Lakeview Elementary 6211 Saundersville Road Mt Juliet Lebanon Democrat PO. Box 430 Lebanon Mt Juliet Elementary 2025 North Mt. Juliet Rd Mt Juliet Mt Juliet High School 35G5 Mt Junet Road Mt Juliet Mt Juliet Middle School 935 Mt Juliet Road Mt Juliet Sam Houston Elementary 207 Oakdale Drive Lebanon Southside Elementary 1224 Murfreesboro Road Lebanon St. Frances Cabnni Catholic 300 South Tarver Avenue Lebanon The Tennessean Lebanon 1020A Castle Heights Lebanon The TennessearvMt Juliet Mt Juliet Road Mt Juliet Trinity Lutheran Church 720 Lock 4 Road Gallatin Walter Baird School 509 Coles Ferry Pike Lebanon West Elementary 9315 Lebanon Road Mt Juliet Wilson Co Conv Center Highway 231S Lebanon Wilson Co. Conv Center 3519 Stewarts Ferry Lebanon Wilson Co Conv.

Center 1530 Powell Grove Road Lebanon Wilson Co Conv Center 921 Badour Parkway Lebanon Wilson County Help Center 604 York Street Lebanon Wilson County Vocational Center 418 Harding Drive Lebanon Rutherford County Beesley Humane Society 1140 Haley Road Murfreesboro Bellwood Elementary 435 Sanbyrn Drive Murfreesboro Bradley Elementary 511 Mercury Blvd Murfreesboro Buchanan Road Convenience Center Epps Mill Road Plainview Cason Lane Elementary 1330 Cason Lane Murfreesboro Cranor Road Convenience Center Cranor Road Kittrell David Youree Elementary 250 Todd Lane Smryna Eagleville School Box 500 Highway 99 Eagleville Erma Siegel Elementary 135 West Thompson Lane Murfreesboro Franklin Road Christian School 3124 Franklin Road Murfreesboro Hobgood Elementary 307 S. Baird Lane Murfreesboro Homer Pittard Campus 923 East Lytle Murfreesboro Lascassas Elementary 6300 Lascassas Pike Lascassas Lavergne Primary 220 Stones River Road LaVergne Lignthouse Baptist 706 Richard Road Murfreesboro Lowe's-Murfreesboro 1825 Old Fort Pkwy Murfreesboro Mcfadden Elementary 221 Bridge Avenue Murfreesboro Middle Tennessee State University Keathley University Street Murfreesboro Mitchell Neilson Elementary 711 West Clark Blvd Murfreesboro Mitchell Neilson Primary 1303 Jones Blvd Murfreesboro Mt. View Missionary 3340 Rocky Fork Road Smyrna Northfild Elementary 550 West Northfield Blvd Murfreesboro Oakland H.S 2225 Patriot Drive Murfreesboro Reeves Rogers Elementary 1807 Greenland Drive Murfreesboro Rock Crustier Convenience Center 3895 Shelby ville Highway Murfreesboro Ror.k Springs Elementary 1000 Waldron Road LaVergne Rockspring Convenience Center Fosterville Road Midland Rockvate Conven.ence Center Rockvale Road Rockvaie Roy Wnldron 4 Floyd Mayfield Drive laVergne Salvation Army 1137 West Main Street Murfreesboro Smyrna West Kindergarten 12619 Old Nashville Highway Smyrna Stewartsboro Elementary 10479 Old Nashville Highway Smyrna St oner Creek Elementary 1035 North Mt Road Mt Juliet The Tennessean Murfreesboro 1504 Sarah Court Murfreesboro The Tennessean Smyrna 201 Monroe Street Smryna Thurman Francis Elementary 167 Todd Lane Smyrna Tumble Kids Booster Club 321 McKnight Drive Murfreesboro Walter Hill School 6309 Lebanon Highway Murfreesboro Wilson County Byars Dowdy School 904 Hickory Ridge Road Lebanon Carroll Oakland School 4664 Hunters Point Lebanon Coles Ferry Elementary 511 Coles Ferry Pike Lebanon First Presbyterian Church 304 West Main Street Lebanon Standings EASTERN CONFERENCE I Pet GB Orlando 8 .636 Cleveland 12 8 .600 1 New York 13 9 .591 1 Detroit 10 II .476 3') Washington 9 12 .429 4'! Miami 8 14 .364 6 Indiana 5 15 .250 8 Charlotte 4 17 .190 9'i WESTERN CONFERENCE I Pet GB Houston 19 3 .864 loi Angeles 18 3 .857 Phoenix 14 7 .667 4'j Sacramento 13 9 .591 6 Utah 12 7'; Minnesota 10 II .476 8Vi Portland 7 14 .333 11 ') Seattle 3 19 .136 16 last night's garnet Miami 69, Portland 62 Orlando 88, Detroit 78 Phoenix 86, Utah 76 New York 78 Seattle 55 Today's games Indiana at Washington, 10:30 a.m. Houston at Cleveland, 1 1 am. Minnesota at Sacramento, 9 p.m.

New York at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m. Tomorrow's garnet Orlando at Washington, 6 p.m. Utah at Miami, 6 p.m. Portland at Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. Houston at Detroit, Los Angeles at Phoenix, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Seattle, 9 p.m. Miracle 88, Shock 78 DETROIT I78 Tomikidou 0-3 2-2 2, Ndiaye-Diatta 5-12 1-2 11, Palmer 6-12 2-2 15. Canty 3-9 1-2 7. das Neves 7-13 O0 19, Zokoluihnoyo 0-1 2-2 2, DeForge 2-6 0-0 5, Farris 1 2 2-4 4, Brown 1-4 4-4 6, Holmes-Harris 2-5 3-4 7, Sloise 0-0 00 0. Totals 27-67 17 22 78 ORLANDO (88) Sales 917 O0 20.

McWiHioms 7-10 5-6 19, dos Santos 8-14 1-2 1 7, A Johnson 5-9 O0 12, Johnson 6-12 O0 15, Powell O0 0-0 0, McGhee 2 3 004 Hicks 00 1-2 1, Homiova 0002 0 Roland 00 02 0, Won O0 O0 0 Totals 37-65 7 14 88 Detroit 29 4978 Orlando 44 44 88 3-Point Gools Detroit 714 (das Neves 5-9, De-Forge 1-2, Palmer 13), Orlando 7-16 (S.Johnson 34, A Johnson 2-4, Soles 2-4, McGhee 01, McWHIicims 01). Fouled out None. Rebounds Detroit 47 (Naiaye-Diotta, Palmer 6), Orlando 33 (McWilliams 101- Assists Detroit 18 (Brown, das Neves 4), Orlando 18 (Sales 7). Total fouls Detroit 18, Q'londo CSSy The TENNESSEAN Every day matters, www.tennessean.com SP RECYCLING CORP. NASHVILLE DIVISION.