The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 18

The Des Moines Register ST Page 2C Thursday. August 3. 2006 PAGE 2 TWO YAO DOES HIS PART FOR WILDLIFE NBA star Yao Ming pledged to give up eating shark's fin soup, a Chinese delicacy, as part ol a campaign to protect wildlife. "Endangered species are our friends," Yao said. BILL FACES OPPOSITION AT FENWAY PARK A bill on Massachusetts Gov.

Mitt Romney's desk would make basketball the official state sport, despite strong opposition by Boston Red Sox fans. Basketball was Invented by James A. Naismith In 1891 at Springfield. INDY RAGING LEAGUE COLLEGE FOOTBALL OKLAHOMA DISMISSES TWO PLAYERS TV reports QB Bomar, another kicked off team i fee. I if rf FROM REGISTER NEWS SERVICE Oklahoma City, Okla.

Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar will not play for the Sooners this season following an investigation by the team, according to a television report. Oklahoma confirmed two players had been permanently dismissed by the team but did not identify them. The school said the players violated NCAA rules by working at a private business and taking "payment over an extended period of time in excess of time actually worked." Oklahoma City station KWTV reported that Bomar, who set an Oklahoma freshman record with 2,018 passing yards after becoming the starter in the second game last season, was one of the two players. Oklahoma City TV'station KOCO reported that Bomar's roommate, offensive lineman J.D. Quinn, was the second player.

A phone message left DAVID PETERSONREGISTER PHOTOS preparing for a test run at Iowa Speedway, said, "Having a track under a mile in length and the progressive corners to enable us to race side-by-side is going to bring a huge race," oft WmM AROUND THE NATION oo gnfi Mgwta DRUG TEST CITED: Southern California defensive back Brandon Ting, whose father reportedly testified in the Barry Bonds case, tested positive for steroids before his surprise decision to leave the team last week, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday. Tim Tessalone, USC's sports information director, declined to comment on the report. Ting's father, Arthur Ting, is an orthopedic surgeon in the San Francisco area who has operated on several professional athletes, includina Bonds. Hubalek will be back to face Northern Iowa Bomar Stoops with Bomar's father, Jerry Bomar, wasn't immediately returned. "We spend a considerable amount of time addressing our players regarding their personal conduct and the NCAA rules," coach Bob Stoops said in a statement.

"When they do not (follow the rules), the consequences are serious, and we will not tolerate this behavior." Bomar redshirted his first season while 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White completed his career. Bomar lost a quarterback competition with Paul Thompson last fall, but was made the starter after a loss to Texas Christian. Quinn started four times at right guard last season. DISCIPLINE: A Tennessee freshman charged with drunken driving on campus was dismissed from the football team Wednesday, and another player arrested Sunday was suspended, coach Phillip Fulmer said. Lee Smith, a tight end, was arrested early Wednesday after driving on a sidewalk.

Redshirt freshman Marsalous Johnson was arrested after a deputy reported that Johnson waved what appeared to be a gun at him while driving along Interstate 40. A tov dun was found in the car. In an interview last April Schade told The Des Moined Register that he is "a staunch Iowa football fan. "If we're trying to hide some thing with Jin, don you for second think that we put 6-11 basketball player in a cat with Hawkeye license plates Schade said then of the 1992 Chrysler that had an Iowa insignia on its plates. The violations occurred be fore Greg McDermott became the coach.

Hubalek has twq seasons of eligibility remain ing. "We're certainly disappointed for Jin, McDermott said in statement. "But we move on with the knowledge that he' be rejoining our club midwavi through the nonconferencd season. Hubalek will be eligible td play Nov. 29.

The opponents Northern Iowa, McDermott former team. CONTACT US Mark Emmert, deputy sports editor 515284-8062, memmertdmreg.com Gary Lake, assistant sports editor 515284-8573, glakedmreg.com James Kramer, assistant sports editor 515284-8199, jkramerdmreg.com General e-mail: sportsdmreg.com Photo reprints'. 515284-8270 TO CHANGE Radio MLB 12:45 Arizona at Chicago Cubs. KRNT-AM (1350), KWBG-AM (1590) 7:00 Philadelphia at St. Louis.

KPSZ-AM (940) 7.00 Minnesota at Kansas City, KWKY-AM (1150) PCL BASEBALL 6:40 Tacoma at Iowa, KXNO-AM 114601 HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL 12:15 Gnnnell vs. AlDia, KGRN-AM1410) Indy Racing League testing was conducted Wednesday at the new Iowa Speedway. The league also said its IndyCar and Indy Pro series would race at the track next year. IndyCar driver Scott Dixon, still providing the banking and fo) The league's premier IndyCar Series will debut at the track next June 24. By ROB GRAY REGISTER STAFF WRITER Newton, la.

Iowans, start your Indy racing engines. Iowa Speedway and Indy Racing League officials announced Wednesday that IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series events will run June 22-24, 2007, on the 7-mile asphalt oval. The IndyCar Series race planned for noon June 24 will be broadcast live on ABC. The Indy Pro Series, a feeder division, races the previous day. Iowa Speedway will expand from 25,000 seats to 40,000 next season in anticipation of the event.

"We're really happy to show our racetrack off on a nice Sunday afternoon in Iowa," said Rusty Wallace, Iowa Speedway's designer and part-owner. "Let me tell you what, you'd better tune your eyeballs up because they are mighty fast around here," Wallace said. In 2005, IRL stopped at Kansas Speedway, the Milwaukee Mile, Chicagoland Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Midwest. IRL President Brian Barnhart noted 45 percent of IndyCar racing's fan base lives within the Midwest's top 19 media markets, and the region provides higher IndyCar Series Field swells By ROB GRAY REGISTER STAFF WRITER The record has been broken again. For the second consecutive year, the Knoxvilie 360 Nationals, which runs today through Saturday, will feature an unparalleled number of cars.

As of Wednesday, 141 drivers were entered in the 16th annual event, which ignites a 10-day sprint car racing showcase termed Southern Iowa SprintWeek. "The best in the country are here, from the East Coast to the West Coast," said Knoxvilie Raceway race director Ralph Capitani, who took the unprecedented measure of limit- raw TV viewership numbers than others. "I see this as being a long-term relationship," Barnhart said. "If we race anything like we do at Milwaukee, or anything like we do at Richmond, I think the fans are going to see a fantastic show put on by some of the best drivers in the world." The IndyCar Series features well-known names such as He-lio Castroneves, Sam Hornish Jr. and Danica Patrick.

Wednesday, IRL showed off its IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series cars at Newton. IndyCar Series title contender Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing said cars could reach speeds up to 185 mph in qualifying at the HUBALEK, from Page 1C tion that has participated in promoting an intercollegiate athletic program, given money to the department or booster organization, assisted in recruiting or is "assisting or have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families." In addition, NCAA rules state that once an individual or company is identified as a representative of athletic interests, that identification remains indefinitely. As a means of heading off potential reprimands by the NCAA's Enforcement staff, the Cyclones recommended to the NCAA that it forfeit one scholarship for the 2006-07 season. The NCAA Enforcement staff still may rule in the Hubalek case; it could recommend harsher penalties for the university or take no action. ON YOUR CELL Find scores and more There's a service for sports fans to get information on their favorite teams or players.

For live scores and standings, send text message with TEAM NAME (e.g. cubs or white sox) or PLAYER NAME (eg. albert pujols) to 44636 (4INF0). The service is free, but your mobile carrier may charge for text messaging. Around the track Iowa Speedway officials announced Chevrolet as the official vehicle of the track.

"The Chevrolet brand Is synonymous with racing and we couldn't have chosen a better partner," track President Stan Clement said. NASCAR TESTING: Rusty Wallace indicated several NASCAR teams had Inquired about testing at Iowa Speedway. When that happens, he said, the public will likely be able to watch. "I think everybody coming out to test, they want to show off the new track, they want to be on the track with everybody, they want the fans to see it," Wallace said. "They don't want to set a bad example by saying, 'Hey, we're here but you can't see Rob Gray racing.

Wallace's retort? "There you go folks, they're using the whole track!" he said to laughter. The IndyCar race is scheduled to be 250 laps, but Wallace said the length might be adjusted after data from Wednesday's tests are interpreted and discussed. Flexibility has been a key component since talks gained momentum last summer to bring the IRL to Iowa. "Whatever we needed to come was what they wanted to build," Barnhart said of the track's construction. "We had a lot of input." Reporter Rob Gray can be reached at (515) 284-8194 orrobgraydmreg.com mile dirt oval, intermingle to create high-speed tension for fans and drivers.

"It's awesome," said Des Moines driver Josh Higday, who has won two consecutive weekly 360 features at the track. "The purse is awesome, too." Preliminary feature winners tonight and Friday earn $2,500. A Saturday night win ensures a $10,000 paycheck. "If we could win that, it would sure help our race team out," said Higday, one of many racers on a tight budget. "We're kind of down on sponsorships; we've crashed a lot of stuff and we're down to our last stuff." KNQXVILLE 360 NATIONALS WHEN: Today-Saturday TIME: 6:45 2005 CHAMP: Billy Alley track, and possibly 175-180 in next year's race.

"Having a track under a mile in length and still providing the banking and the progressive corners to enable us to race side-by-side is going to bring a huge race," Dixon said. "Extremely close, with a lot of passing." The only shorter track on the IRL circuit is Richmond International Raceway, at 3A-mile. Wade Cunningham of Brian Stewart Racing drove his Indy Pro Series car around the track, and provided levity at the news conference. "I think we're a bit shy on downforce, so we're using all of the track today," Cunningham said, referring to hopes there will be multi-groove two 360 Nationals titles, which gives Knoxville's weekly 360 and 410 competitors three of the last five crowns. "Our locals, they're tough every week," said Jeff Mitri-sin of Oskaloosa, who stands second in 360 points this season at Knoxvilie.

"Our locals four or five of us have a good shot at winning it." The 410 drivers entered include Alley, Brian Brown and Skip Jackson. Others in the field include two-time champ Garry Lee Maier and 1998 winner Gary Wright. Elements of luck, such as a good pill draw, and skill, such as experience on the fast half- for 360 sprint car national event CALENDARTVRADIO Sprint Week SUNDAY: Brodix Tournament of Champions, 6:45 p.m., Knoxvilie Raceway MONDAY: Front Row Challenge, 6:45 p.m., Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa TUESDAY: Ultimate Challenge (non-winged sprints), 6:45 p.m., Oskaloosa AUG. 9-11: The 46th annual Knoxvilie Nationals, 6:45 p.m. each niaht.

Knoxvilie Racewav TV TIMES SUBJECT Calendar 1 :00 Arizona at Cubs(WGN) AUTO RACING 6 45 360 Nationals at Knoxvilie PCI BASEBALL 7:05 Tacoma at Iowa Chicago 6:00 Cleveland at Boston (ESPN2I 7:00 Philadelphia at St Louis (Fox Sports Midwest) PCL BASEBALL 7:00 Tacoma at Iowa (Mediacom) GOLF 9 a.m. Weetabix Women's British Open (TNT) 3:00 PGA Buck Open (USA) ing Saturday's championship program to 106 cars because of the number of entries. "It ought to be one heck of a show." Billy Alley has won the past Television MLB 11:30 a.m. Atlanta at PittsDurgh (TBS Noon Toronto at New York Yankees lESPNl.