Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • Page F1

SPORTS pressconnects.com REGIONAL SPORTS EDITOR MATT TRAUB 798-1191 OR 1-800-365-0077 BGMSPORTSGANNETT.COM SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2012 1F NASCAR DREAM COME TRUE Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads the Sprint Cup points standings going into today's Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway. US PRESSWIRE Earnhardt relishing Sprint Cup points lead oil 'Br By Nate Ryan Gannett LONG POND, Pa. Texas Motor Speedway launched a promotion this week tied to the car number of the new points leader in the Sprint Cup Series. The two for $88 special in the Turn 4 grandstands even caught the curiosity of Dale Earnhardt Jr.

"Did the (cost of) tickets go up or go down?" Earnhardt said as the Pocono Raceway media center erupted in laughter. The price went down about 15 percent. The sales went up 142 percent for a section in Turn 4. Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage proved what many already know: This is a good season to hitch your wagon to NASCAR's most popular driver. "Eddie always has a lot of different strings he pulls, and I think that's a classy one," Earnhardt said.

"Anything to make the process easier or cheaper for the fans is a great See NASCAR, Page 7F MOLLY HUDDLE Age: 27. Hometown: Elmira. Residence: Providence, R.I. Olympic event: Women's run (two prelim heats starting at 5:55 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday; top six from each heat, along with next three fastest times, advance to finals at 3:05 p.m.

Friday). How she qualified: Finished second at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, on June 28. Career highlights: Holds American record in women's 5,000 with time of 14 minutes, 44.76 seconds. Captured U.S.

outdoor title in 5,000 last year, helped Americans win bronze medals at World Cross Country Championships in 2010 and 2011 and has three U.S. titles in 10K road race. Holds University of Notre Dame record with 10 All-American performances in outdoor track, indoor track and cross country. Won 10 overall and class state titles in cross country and track at Elmira Notre Dame and also won national championship in 2-mile race as a senior in 2002. Family: Husband, Kurt Benninger; father, Bob Huddle mother, Kathleen Huddle; sisters Christine Fairfax of San Diego, Katherine Rose Rothstein of Rochester and fraternal twin Megan.

Molly Huddle holds the American record in the 5,000 and won the event last year at the USA Track and Field Championships. US PRESSWIRE Elmira's Molly Huddle realizes the moment of a lifetime JETS AT CORTLAND Sanchez solid, Tebow quiet in scrimmage By Mike Mangan Staff writer CORTLAND For now, any lingering questions about the pecking order in regards to the New York Jets' starting quarterback job should be laid to rest. Mark Sanchez enjoyed a solid performance Saturday in the Jets' Green White Scrimmage, outplaying Tim Tebow in front of an announced crowd of 9,200 at SUNY Cortland. In the controlled intrasquad scrimmage, which consisted of about 60 snaps, Sanchez completed 11 of 16 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, an 8-yarder to running back Bilal Powell in the first series of the scrimmage's second half. It was the lone touchdown scored by either the Jets' first or second-team offense on an evening in which the Jets' defense dominated, which has been a recurring theme throughout training camp.

"There were some ups and downs," said Sanchez, who completed 7 of 9 passes on the scoring drive for 51 yards. See JETS, Page 3F BfH 27-year-old Huddle fl competes in the wom- en i mi preliminary heats at the London Olympics. She will be joined at Olympic Stadium by In Monday's Press Sun Bulletin: A closer look at Huddle's race Inside: Saturday's Olympic coverage, Page 4-5F Connelly, who coached Huddle at the University of Notre Dame. "She's a kid from early on who kind of displayed that kind of potential. I think back to when she was in high school and she showed the tools to be really, really good.

Going from college runner to world class Olympian is a pretty long step. "It's kind of cool that she's been able to get that opportunity and kind of over-See HUDDLE, Page 5F By Andrew Legare alegaregannett.com This moment has been a lifetime in the making for Molly Huddle, a worldwide journey that has landed her in London. She has gone from a 5-year-old who taught herself to roller skate to an extraordinary teenager; to a decorated collegian to a history-making pro who persevered through setbacks. Now the quiet, yet fiercely competitive kid from Elmira is on the verge of securing her status as an Olympian. The goal she has worked years to achieve arrives at 5:55 a.m.

EST Tuesday when the her father, Bob Huddle her mother, Kathleen; and her grandfather, Bob Huddle Sr. But her cheering section will stretch to Elmira as well, where former teammates at Elmira Notre Dame and the University of Notre Dame will join family, friends and people she has never met in applauding her achievement. "I'm really excited for her," said Tim DOUBLEHEADER JfljfliEL. 2 GAMES 1 TICKET bWimdilffl TUESDAY; Wsttwwm 2-F0R-1 msmwm GATES OPEN: 5:00 pm i FIRST PITCH: 5:35 pm FOUNTAIN COKES LABATTBUD BUD LIGHT DRAFTS KGB lNY-00006 13355 mn jMimmiviri i.