The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 26

2C ThuradaV Aupirt 12 1999 THE TENHESSEAN SPORTS: PAGE 2 Construction erway ontrad ose Bv LARRY WOODY Sports Writer After a year and a half of delays, construction will begin Aug. 26 on the $125 million superspeedway in Wilson County. An invitation-only ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled at 10 a.m. that day. Some related activities will be planned for the public at a later date, officials said.

"We have to restrict attendance at the ground-breaking because the access roads aren't completed and can't handle a big crowd," Tom Robinson, a spokesman for the pro- Chairman Carl Wallace yesterday said "nothing in the world" will stop the project now. Wallace said "we've been ready for a long time," for the start of construction, but said the exact date "is their call," referring to Dover Downs Entertainment Dover Downs President Denis McGlynn, who has spearheaded the project, is on vacation and unavailable for comment The giant motorsports complex will be built on a site located off highway 840 between Lebanon and Murfreesboro. The complex will feature a 1 superspeedway designed to accommodate both NASCAR and Indy Car racing. Five other tracks will be built in stages: a road course track, a short track similar to five-eighths-mile Nashville Speedway -a dirt track, Legends track and drag strip. Although initial seating will be 50,000 extremely small by today's NASCAR standards plans call for doubling the number of seats if the track lands a future Winston Cup race.

McGlynn's Dover track hosts two annual Winston Cup races, each of which draws crowds of over 120,000. He hopes to use his NASCAR connections to help lure a Cup race to the new track. McGlynn launched the superspeedway project two years ago with the purchase of Nashville Speedway. He plans to eventually move all the weekly races from the State Fairgrounds track to the new facility. After failing to find a suitable site for the new track in Davidson County, McGlynn selected the site in rural Wilson County.

Already behind schedule, the project had to combat anti-track forces to get the land re-zoned. Last month's departure of Gaylord Entertainment as a minority partner had stirred concern that the project might be in trouble. McGlynn said earlier he was disappointed that his original opening target date in the spring of 2000 could not be met "but when you undertake a project of this magnitude there are often some obstacles." Despite the delays, McGlynn said "never, ever" did he doubt that the track would be built ject, explained yesterday. The track is scheduled to be ready for racing by the 2001 season. The long delay in construction start, combined with the recent withdrawal of Gaylord Entertainment as a partner in the Dover (Del.) Downs Entertainment venture, had created some concern that the project could be jeopardy.

Although anti-track forces continue to oppose the superspeedway, Wilson County Sports Authority finally set tend MEDIA WATCH SPORTS AM. Iteus from TV, radio, print pumalistn and the Internet HBO documentary explains track protest Compiled from staff and wire nports hy NickSullimn Pippen wants to be Laker ramrri shbtt jf- jf- i A i if ii.im i0mmmmm Rolston gets hefty raise New Jersey Devils forward Brian Rolston was awarded a new two-year, $2.77 million contract after an arbitration hearing yesterday. Rolston, who made $750,000 last season, was seeking a one-year pact worth $1.7 million while the Devils offered $2.08 over two seasons. Last season, Rolston set career highs with 24 goals and 33 assists. He also set a team record with five short-handed goals.

(t, THRASHERS SIGN YEGOROV The ah lanta Thrashers signed right wing Alexei Yegorov to i a contract. Yegorov, 24, was selected from the San Jose Sharks in the expansion draft. He played last season in his native Russia. OILERS RESIGN MURRAY Rem Murray resigned with the Edmonton Oilers, avoiding an arbitration hearing that was scheduled in Toronto. Terms were not announced.

Murray, 27, scored 21 goals and' had 18 assists last season. f. l'A Scottie Pippen has asked to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, KRIV-TV in Houston reported last night Pippen recently asked Coach Rudy Tomjanovich to be traded to the Lakers, the TV station said. Jimmy Sexton, Pippen's agent, declined comment. The Lakers also had nothing to say about any proposed deal that would reunite Pippen with Phil Jackson, the new Los Angeles coach who previously coached Pippen and the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships.

MAGIC TRADES AUSTIN The Orlando Magic, undergoing a massive overhaul, traded center Ike Austin to the Washington Wizards for Terry Davis, Ben Wallace, Tim Legler and Jeff Mclnnis. Austin, who signed a three-year, $15 million deal as a free agent in January, is the fourth Magic starter from last season to be dealt since the club initiated plan to assemble a younger, more athletic team. KNICKS NAME LAYDEN GM The New York Knicks named Scott Layden executive vice president and general manager, entrusting personnel decisions to the man who helped build the Utah Jazz into a power. The Knicks also gave Coach Jeff Van Gundy a multiyear contract extension after he guided them to an unexpected run to the NBA Finals. SONICS SIGN PATTERSON The Seattle SuperSonics signed free-agent forward Ruben Patterson to a three-year contract.

Patterson, 24, spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 24 games. AP In the current sports era in which rushers, .275 hitters and pitchers who manage an ERA of less than 4.00 are routinely called great the definition of courageous often extends to an athlete who comes back from substance abuse or returns from an injury. Then there is HBO and its Peabody Award-winning series, Sports of the 20th Century, to remind fans of what true courage and greatness is. The latest edition is tonight's one-hour documentary, Fists of Freedom the Story of the '68 Summer Games, airing at 9 p.m. The special chronicles the events leading up to and surrounding the protest staged by U.S.

Olympic sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the medal stand at the 1968 Summer Olympics. The duo won gold and silver in the 200 meters at Mexico City Smith in world-record time and, upon receiving their medals, they lowered their heads and raised black-gloved fists while the U.S. national anthem played, as a show of Black Power. Producers George Roy and Steve Stern of Black Canyon Productions, the Emmy Award-winning company that turned out the When It Was A Game specials, weave archival footage throughout Fists of Freedom to make the sprinters seem less the threats they were portrayed and more human. The producers also address the fears of those athletes who stayed out of the protest, including George Foreman, who, after winning the heavyweight boxing gold medal, waved a miniature American flag.

Carlos, who has steadfastly declined over the years to discuss the protest, did not do an original interview. "They were not terrible people, but they were people who saw wrong and tried to right it, much as Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King or Malcolm X. Remember them as people who were brave," said Ralph Boston, a former Tennessee State star and Olympic teammate of Smith and Carlos. PGA coverage: The PGA Championship beginning today features the largest linkup in golf coverage, with CBS and TNT providing 28i2 hours of live coverage, 17 2 on TNT over four days. CBS announcers will alternate on TNT's coverage, which runs from noon-6 p.m.

today and tomorrow. TENNESSEAN NEWS SERVICES ON THE AIR Television and radio listings TODAY Brimer leads State Am Andy Brimer of Knoxville, a member of the Uni- versity of Tennessee golf team, shot a 3-under-part 69 to take a one streak lead at 5-under 211 going into to- day's final round of the Tennessee State Amateur tournament at the Ooltewah. Brimer leads Trey Lew- 1 is by one stroke and Michael Morrison is two back. VANDY'S SABO ADVANCES Vanderbiit Julie Sabo fired a 9-over par 151 to finish 40th at the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship in Asheville, Sabo advances to the match play portion of the championship, which begins Saturday.

Yates, Irwin to split Robert Yates said yesterday that Kenny Irwin, driver of the No. 28 Ford Taurus since the start of the 1998 season, will not return to his racing team next year. Irwin, the top 1997 rookie in the Craftsman Truck Series and a surprise pick to replace Ernie Irvan last year, won Winston Cup Rookie of the Year honors for 1998. In the first 20 races of 1999, the 30-year-old driver has added a second career pole, one top-five and two top-lOs and is 20th in the standings. Tidwell, Price win Daniel Tidwell and Pat Price, competing out of Rick Slaughter's FIRST program, each were champions at Junior National Wheelchair Championships in Albequerque, N.M.

Tidwell, a 17-year-old student Lighthouse Christian, won 100-meter (16.80) and 400 (57.90). Tidwell, Ill-pounds, also took first in powerlifting for his division 1 with a lift of 170-pounds. Chris Woodruff of Knoxville hits a volley during his match with Thomas Enqvist at the ATP Championships. The former University of Tennessee star upset Enqvist 6-1, 7-5. Agassi advances at ATP Third-seeded Andre Agassi advanced to the round of 16 in the ATP Championship at Mason, Ohio, by beating Arnaud Di Pasquale 6-4, 6-1 yesterday.

The American contingent, which already included top-ranked Pete Sampras, also picked up three surprise winners when Michael Chang beat eighth-seeded Alex Corretja of Spain 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2; Justin Gi-melstob beat fellow American Todd Martin, the No. 9 seed, 6-4, 6-4; and Chris Woodruff of Knoxville beat 13th-seeded Thomas Enqvist of Sweden 6-1, 7-5. HINGIS WINS Martina Hingis held off qualifier Lisa Raymond 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in the Acura Classic at Manhattan Beach, Calif. No. 3 Mary Pierce defeated Ai Sugiyama 6-3, 7-5 and Serena Williams beat Patty Schnyder 6-3, 6-1.

STATE CLOSED Host pro Andy Veal is the top men's seed for the State Closed tournament which opens tomorrow afternoon at Maryland Farms Club in Brentwood. No. 2 seed in the 22-player draw is Matt Fones, who beat Veal in last year's final. Top women's seed is Niger Kaur. The tourney runs through Sunday.

CANNON EXHIBITION Former Tennessee All-American Shelby Cannon, newly named head tennis pro at Wildwood Swim and Tennis Club in Brentwood, will hold a Cannon Blast exhibition match Saturday at 10 a.m. Time Event Station GOLF TNT Noon PGA Championship ESPN 3 p.m. U.S. Women's Amateur Holdsclaw to join team Chamique Holdsclaw, who has followed her brilliant college career at Tennessee with an outstanding rookie season with the Washington Mystics of the WNBA, is expected to be chosen for the U.S. national women's basketball team to be announced Saturday.

Those players are slated to become the Olympic team that will compete in the 2000 Games in Sydney. SURGERY FOR MOCEANU Olympic gymnastics champion Dominique Moceanu underwent surgery to treat a malformation on her right knee. Moceanu will begin rehabilitation, but wont be at full strength for four months. UCLA case growing Two more UCLA players were suspended for the team's first two games of the season for allegedly obtaining and using disabled parking placards unlawfully, the school announced Wednesday. Senior running back Keith Brown and senior safety Eric Whitfield will sit out the Boise State game Sept 4 at Ohio State on Sept.

11. They will join nine of their teammates, seven of whom pleaded no contest to criminal charges in the matter last month. CORRECTION Alabama's athletic director's name was misspelled in yesterday's editions. It is Bob Bockrath. TENNIS Noon ATP Championships ESPN PRO BASEBALL 6 p.m.

Detroit at Texas Sports South 560-AM 7 p.m. New Orleans at Nashville "Z1 PRO SOCCER yWO pm- San Jose at New England ESPN i TOMORROW vTlme Event Station GOLF TNT Noon PGA Championship U.S. Women's Amateur 3 p.m. ESPN TENNIS ATP Championships Noon ESPN MOTORSPORTS p.m. Winston Cup qualifying ESPN2 PRO BASEBALL 7 p.m.

Fresno at Nashville 560-AM 1 p.m. Chicago Cubs at St. Louis WGN TBS 9:05 p.m. Atlanta at Los Angeles Also on 1450-AM PRO FOOTBALL 7:15 p.m. New Yorfc Giants at Minnesota (exhibition) ESPN PRO SOCCER 7:30 p.m.

Cincinnati at Nashville 950-AM WNBA 8 m. New York at Detroit LIFE 7' A' 1' BOXING 8 p.m. Johnson vs. Lacierva, bantamweights ESPN2 AROUND TOWN Community sports happenings McCray lifts Mystics WASHINGTON Nikki McCray reached the plateau with a fourth-quarter free throw and her 3-pointer with 2:11 left in overtime snapped a tie. as Washington defeated the New York Liberty 59-56 last night McCray, a former Tennessee star, finished with 20 points and former Lady Vol Chamique Holdsclaw had 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Mystics, who have beaten the Liberty in all three meetings this season.

Washington has won a franchise-best five straight games. The Mystics made 10 of 11 free throws over the final 3:15 of regulation, but didn't score a field goal after Andrea Nagy's 3-pointer with 435 left Crystal Robinson led the Liberty with 16 points. Lynx 63, Starzz 73 MINNEAPOLIS Katie Smith scored 27 points and Sonja Tate added 19, both career-highs, as the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Utah Starzz. 1 Tate started in place of leading-scorer Brandy Reed, who did not play because of disciplinary reasons. Tonya Edwards added 21 points for Minnesota, which ended a four-game losing streak to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.

Merctrv 6a Shock 57 Rhythm loses to Rampage Bv HAROLD HUGGINS Sports Writer FRANKLIN The three-month home field magic went up in smoke for the Tennessee Rhythm last night And their A-League soccer playoff hopes took a big hit as well as the Milwaukee Rampage came in to score a 1-0 victory over the host Rhythm at old BGA Stadium. The four-point victory jumped Milwaukee five points (44-39) ahead of them for the eighth and final playoff berth. Milwaukee (11-10) avenged two earlier losses to the hosts who hadn't lost at home since May 15, winning six in a row since then. Tennessee (9-12) tries to rebound tomorrow night against Cincinnati at BGA and move back into contention with Milwaukee which started a stretch of six seven games on the road. "This was really a tough loss, a game where we had plenty of chances," said Coach Rico Laise, whose team plays four of its last six games at home.

The best chance came when ex-Metros midfielder Jose Londono missed a wide-open net three minutes into the second half. Hustling forward Lincoln Ziyenge raced into the TODAY i PRO BASEBALL; Nashville Sounds have home games vs. New Orleans today (7 p.m.), and vs. Fresno tomorrow (7 p.m.l Saturday (6 p.m.), 6V -Sunday (4 p.m.) and Monday (7 p.m.) at Greer Stadium. Tickets are S8 for box seats ($7 for children) and $5 for general admission ($4 for children).

Ca 242-4371. Tennessee Rhythm goalie Adam Burke, right, stops a shot on goal i kee Rampage goes for the ball during their game in Franklin. TOMORROW SOCCER: Taiwan Rhythm has a home game vs. Cincinnati at 7:30 pm at Battle Ground Academy Stadium in Franklin. Tickets are $8 for adults.

$6 tor youth. Can 591-9545. AUTO RACMQ: Twin Fountains Raceway Park In Shelbyville has schedule at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $5 general admission ($15 for pit I i 1 pass), children under-12 are tree. Can (931) 437-2030.

JARED LAZARUSSTAFF i Dan Stebbins of the Mil-wau- er Craig "Rocket" Tomlinson, but the sliding Tomlinson just missed connections trying to edge the ball past goalie Dan Green. "My linemate, Lincoln, did a great job of getting the ball there, but it takes perfect timing into a moving space, and sometimes you're a little off," Tomlinson said. "It was a tough loss, but we can't hold our heads down, we need to come back and do the job." corner, dug the ball out and fired a crossing pass which found Londono alone, but he booted his kick high over the crossbar. It came back to haunt the Rhythm, because in the 57th minute, Milwaukee's Jon Szezenpanski was hauled down in the goalie zone and received a penalty kick. He booted it past Rhythm goalie Gary Germaine, which proved to be the game's lone score.

Moments later, Londono received a red card for a hard tackle of a Milwaukee player, forcing Tennessee to play short the rest of the game. Still, they almost scored the tying goal. "I thought that was a tough call on Jose, maybe drawing a (yellow) card, but certainly not a red," Laise said. "We have too many ups and downs, we need to become more consistent" Ziyenge centered a pass from the corner to leading scor- UPCOMING AUTO RACMQ: NashvWa Speedway has racing In five divisions on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, free tor children 11-under.

Can 726-1818. AUTO RACMQ: Highland Rim Speedway has racing in six divisions Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults. Tickets for children 11-under are free to all events. Can 643-8725.

Cofnpriod by ftftn Atonkt, CaVtV to indudt Mo PHOENIX Maria Stepanova had 16 points and 10 rebounds in leading the Phoenix Mercury past the Detroit Shock. I.