Visalia Times-Delta from Visalia, California • 15

Visalia Times-Delta Tuesday, November 20, 2007 3B France plans to keep NASCAR on same path II' Los Angeles Times HOMESTEAD, Fla. Jimmie Johnson's second consecutive Nextel Cup title coincided with a second year of declines in NASCAR's television ratings and attendance at some races. But NASCAR Chairman Brian France said stock car racing remains among the nation's most popular sports and that the sanctioning body plans no major changes. The pullback in NASCAR ratings and attendance occurred despite the debut of Toyota and NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow, the arrival of open- wheel racing star Juan Pablo Mon-toya and changes to the Chase for the Cup title playoff that increased the Chase field to 12 drivers from 10. But this fall's Chase quickly became a shootout between Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, with Johnson comfortably winning the championship Sunday with a seventh-place finish at the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

NASCAR's TV ratings are down partly because "there are lots of new. ways to get your NASCAR fix than there were five years ago," such as via the Internet or satellite radio, France said before the Miami race. "We're not immune to theeconomy, either," especially rising gasoline prices and a weakening housing market that have cut into ticket, merchandise and concession sales, he said. But France said NASCAR will not make any major changes to its structure or schedule. That includes the Chase.

Although some described this year's playoff as disappointing because it came down to only two drivers who are teammates, France said "that's sports." "Our preferable outcome is all 12 guys are 20 points within each other" heading into the final race, he said. But Johnson is "having a run in the Hendrick released Kyle Busch to make room for Earnhardt, so Busch is going to Joe Gibbs Racing, home of Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlia And Casey Mears, while staying with Hendrick, will move from his No. 25 car to take over Busch's No. 5 Chevy. Meanwhile, the trickle of open-wheel racers moving to NASCAR turned into a flood.

Indianapolis 500 winners Sam Hornish Dario Fran-chitti and Jacques Villeneuve are all joining the Cup series in 2008. Indeed, there could be more Indy 500 winners at next year's season opener, the Daytona 500, than former Day-tona 500 winners. The driver who started the trend, Montoya, had a successful, if not stu-pendous, first full year in stock car racingThe Colombian finished 20th in points and was selected rookie of the year. He won a Cup race in Sonoma and a Busch Series race in Mexico -City. But both of those victories were on road courses.

His goal for 2008 is to conquer an oval track. Speaking of debuts, Toyota struggled mightily in the first half of the season, then made strides that indicate it will be a growing force in the Cup series. Its biggest coup: Recruiting Joe Gibbs Racing to switch from Chevrolet to Toyota starting next year. That means Stewart, a two-time champion, along with Hamlin and Busch will be driving the Toyota Camry. Meanwhile, the Car of Tomorrow, the boxier, safer car with a rear wing, was phased in at 16 races this season and will be used in all 36 races in 2008.

Drivers frequently complained that the new car is so equal that they inhibit passing, but watch for NASCAR and the teams to make tweaks that improve the competition. The season opener, the 50th running of the Daytona 500, is 90 days away. The Associated Press Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits on the steps of his hauler after finishing the Ford 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. iconic No.

8 Chevrolet, but instead pilot a No. 88 Hendrick Chevy. If Earnhardt who hasn't won in 18 months doesn't find Victory Lane quickly in Hendrick's first-rate cars, watch for pressure to build as Junior's army of fans grow impatient. "His fan base expecting him to do well," owner Rick Hendrick said Sunday night "If he does well it's because of his talent If he doesn't it's going to be my fault." Earnhardt is one of several drivers changing teams or cars or sponsors. modern era that's maybe unmatched," France said.

France also dismissed rumors that he and other members of the France family, which controls NASCAR, might be willing to sell the organiza-tioa "The family has absolutely no interest in selling NASCAR. We're just not for sale. I'm committed to my job for the foreseeable future, and that's years, not months," he said. Here are some other key moments of NASCAR's year, and a look at what 2008 might bring: The Nextel Cup Series will be renamed the Sprint Cup Series next year, owing to Sprint's acquisition of NexteL And the second-tier Busch Series will become the Nationwide Series, after Nationwide Insurance became the title sponsor to succeed the Busch brand ofbrewer Anheuser-Busch. After months of public feuding with his stepmother-team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

opted to leave his late father's namesake team and join Johnson and Gordon at Hendrick next year. He'll no longer drive the 1 sc' Ducks to meet healthy Bruins bunch i raj 5S 7 1 I i.l yr mm ii im The Associated Press The Associated Press LOS ANGELES The UCLA Bruins are coming off a bye and finally getting healthy, maybe in time to help coach Karl Dorrell hang onto his job. Although they again will start a quarterback who wasn't even on the depth chart at the position starting the season, and open with a walk-on at tailback when they face the No. 9 Oregon Ducks this weekend, they'll have several familiar faces back. Ben Olson, their oft-injured No.

1 quarterback, is practicing again and may be available for "emergency" duty. Tailback Chris Markey, who led the Bruins in rushing and receiving last year but has been plagued by turf toe and other ailments this season, also could be ready to go. Asked if the players might feel they need to win for him to keep his job, Dorrell said on and everything can happen at this point They're riot naive, they hear all the stuff that's out there. "But to their credit they've been pretty focused on doing what's important which is playing a game and practicing and doing what we can do on the football field. And that's what we can do as coaches as well." Asked if two wins would ensure his return, Dorrell said, "No comment." Osaar Rasshan, who had been converted to receiver then switched back to quarterback when backup Pat Cowan was hurt two games ago, is scheduled to get his second start for UCLA on Saturday at the Rose BowL Redshirt sophomore Craig Sheppard, a non-scholarship The Associated Press Lloyd Carr retired Monday after 13 seasons as Michigan's football coach, opening up the job leading the nation's winningest program.

Carr 's long ride at Michigan over Oregon's Dennis Dixon, right lays on the field after hurting his knee during the first quarter against Arizona on Nov. 15. Arizona won 34-24. Dixon is out for the season with a knee injury. player, will open at tailback against Oregon (8-2, 5-2 Pac-10).

Both had good moments in the Bruins' last game, when they played Arizona State close and lost 24-20. The Sun Devils now are. ranked No. 7. Cowan, who sustained a concussion and slight collapse of his right lung in UCLA's 34-27 loss at Arizona on Nov.

3, has been cleared to do conditioning, although he won't be available against Oregon. The Ducks won't have their top quarterback, either. Dennis Dixon fore a ligament in his left knee in last Thursday's 34-24 loss at Arizona, ending his sea- soa Senior Brady Leaf, brother of Ryan Lea is expected to start against the Bruins. "I know how that feels when you lose your top player, particularly on the offensive side," Dorrell said. On a three-game losing streak with two regular-season games left, the Bruins (5-5, 4-3 Pac-10) could be almost at full strength when they face rival Southern California on Dec The Bruins upset USC 13-9 last year to knock the Trojans out of the national championship game, and another win over them would be a plus for DorrelL Talking about the players who are coming back from injuries, Dorrell said, "Those are all positive signs for what our team looks for these last two games.

And this week is the best week to get started." Dorrell, who has a 34-26 record with the Bruins, is in his fifth season at the school, his first head coaching job after being a college and NFL assistant. He signed a new five-year deal last July that includes an $850,000 salary and incentives up to another $505,000 annually-Asked if he felt his job was on'the line, he said he's felt that way every day since he began his coaching career. "I'm always on the line. That's how I approach this game. Every season's that way.

If you go back to year one in this profession, I felt that way in terms of how I have to get better as a coach and do what's necessary to be successful," he said. "That's the feeling I've had for 20-plus years." Galaxy trade for Mathis, will host MLS Cup for this to be his last season and later made sure the school gave his assistants unprecedented two-year deals. The only unknown was when the 62-year-old Carr would choose to step away from the sideline: Monday, as he did, or after the bowl game. "My timing is based on one thing, what is best for Michigan football," he said. There are no other motives.

"To do it after a bowl game would have been absolutely The departure opens a job at the nation's winningest football program and the timing of it might make things uncomfortable for top-ranked LSU and coach Les Miles. Miles seems to be at the top of the list in Ann Arbor. He played for Bo Schembechler at Michigan, where he met his wife and later became an assistant under Schembechler. On Monday in Baton Rouge, though, Miles insisted he's not looking (or a job and said Michigan has not called him. "I love LSU," he said.

Even though Miles appears in a situation leading the Tigers in a talent-rich area, the school was concerned enough about him bolting for Michigan that it put a specific clause in his contract to make it an expensive move. In the "termination by coach" section of his deal, Michigan is the only other school mentioned. It states that Miles will not seek or accept employment as Michigan's coach. If Miles does leave LSU to coach the Wolverines, he must pay LSU $1.25 million. The Associated Press ANN ARBOR, Mich.

Lloyd Carr alternately choked up and chuckled for nearly 40 minutes Monday, as he announced his 13th season as Michigan football coach will be his last. "I wanted to-be able to walk out of here knowing that to the very last minute, I did my job to the best of my ability," Carr said with watery eyes. 'And I know I'll be able to do that." The best of Carr's ability brought Michigan a national title and five Big Ten championships. It also included an unsightly loss to Appalachian State to open this season and a fourth consecutive defeat and sixth in seven years to Jim Tressel and Ohio State to close it. Many of those memories were very close to the'surface at Monday's news conference during which the public that rarely got to see his true personality also learned what had happened behind closed doors the previous day when Carr broke the news to his players and staff.

"I cried more tears than I knew I had," said Carr, who spent 28 seasons on the Michigan coaching staff. 'And I've never laughed so hard in my life because there were so many memories." Carr will coach the Wolverines in their bowl game, likely to be either the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio or the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla. Following the bowl game he will become an associate athletic director. The retirement announcement surprised no one. Last winter, Carr had his contract reworked to pave the way dium that serves as the home of both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.

The announcement was made Monday by MLS commissioner Don Garber. "The pageantry and top-notch presentation of two previous MLS Cups and the inaugural SuperLiga final prove that The Home Depot Center is a superb stage for national and international showcase events like MLS Cup 2008," Garber said. The San Jose Earthquakes beat the Chicago Fire 4-2 in the 2003 championship in Carson, and D.C. United defeated the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 in the 2004 title game at the same site. This year's MLS Cup was played Sunday at RFK Stadium, where Houston defeated New England 2-1 to win its second consecutive league championship.

Galaxy GM Alexi Lalas said the team was honored to host the title game. "We feel that we have the best fans in MLS and I can think of no better way to reward them for their support than winning our third MLS Cup in front of them at home next season," he said. made only one start after Sept 9. He played only in the final four minutes of a first-leg playoff match against New England and then played the final 64 minutes of the second leg, a 1-0 loss, replacing an injured Claudio Reyna. Arena resigned two days after the second leg.

Mathis played with the team from 2000-2003, when it was known as the Met-roStars. He earned MLS Best honors in 2000 after finishing with 16 goals andl4 assists. He had a league single-game record five goals against Dallas that season. Mathis played tk seasons with the Galaxy to begin his career, and could be a replacement for Gobi Jones who retired after a 12-year career with the Galaxy. Carson will host 2008 MLS Cup match CARSON Next year's Major League Soccer championship game is set for Carson, the third time the MLS Cup showdown will be played at the Home Depot Center.

The league's 13th title game will be on Nov. 23 at 1230 pm at the sta The Associated Press SECAUCUS, N.J.. The New York Red Bulls traded all-time leading scorer Clint Mathis to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday, getting a third-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft The trade sends midfielder Mathis, who turns 31 next week, back to the team where he began his pro career in 1998 and unites him David Beckham. Mathis, who has 46 caps with the U.S. national team, including the 2002 World Cup, had six goals and two assists in 26 games with the Red Bulls this season.

"By acquiring this pick, we will now be able to have a selection in every round of the 2008 SuperDraft," Red Bulls technical director Jeff Agoos said. This allows us more flexibility moving forward." Mathis is the Red Bulls' all-time leading goal-scorer in all competitions with 45. He broke Giovanni Savarese's record in a 5-4 win over the Galaxy on Aug. 18. He played in 22 of the team's first 24 games, including 18 starts, but fell out of favor with manager Bruce Arena and.