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Auto Racing

Leffler loses job at Joe Gibbs Racing

In Huntersville, N.C., Jason Leffler was fired Monday as driver for the No. 11 Chevrolet at Joe Gibbs Racing. The team will use a combination of drivers to replace him for the final 15 races of the season.

Two-time NASCAR champion Terry Labonte will drive the car this weekend at Watkins Glen International. Busch Series drivers J.J. Yeley and Denny Hamlin will also drive in several events this season.

Leffler, a former sprint car champion, started his NASCAR career at JGR in the Busch Series. But he left in 2001 when Chip Ganassi Racing offered him a Nextel Cup ride. That lasted one season, and Leffler drove in both the Busch and Truck Series until JGR hired him back this year.

But in 19 races, he doesn't have a single top-10 finish and is 35th in the points.

- In Indianapolis, claim forms were made available to individual ticket holders seeking refunds from Michelin for the boycott of the U.S. Grand Prix by the seven Formula One teams that use its tires.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is administering the refund, offered the forms at its ticket office, on its Web site and by telephone. Almost all the estimated 100,000 fans at the June 19 race, however, already have Speedway accounts and will receive refunds automatically without having to submit claims.

Colleges

USC Aiken signs four more players

USC Aiken men's basketball coach Vince Alexander announced four more recruits who will join the program in 2005-06.

Freshmen Kingsley Oguchi, of Richmond, Texas; Mark Brown, of Charlotte, N.C.; Stephen McKoy, of New York, N.Y.; and sophomore Terrence Woodbury, of Melbourne, Fla., will bring the total of new players to nine.

- The men's golf and women's soccer teams at Francis Marion have gained Division I status.

The Florence, S.C., school said the NCAA approved the plan to elevate both programs from Division II to Division I. Both teams will compete as independents at the higher classification. Francis Marion's other 12 teams will continue as members of the Division II Peach Belt Conference.

After a two-year transition period, men's golf and women's soccer will be full Division I members in the 2007-08 season.

Horse Racing

Zito is inducted into Hall of Fame

In Saratoga Springs, N.Y., trainer Nick Zito was inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame on Monday, the latest milestone in a career that started with a two-horse stable and includes four wins in Triple Crown races.

Zito was elected in May in his eighth year of eligibility. Three steeplechase standouts, jockey Thomas Walsh, trainer Sidney Watters Jr. and five-time champion Lonesome Glory, also were inducted.

Golf

Conley pulls away to win Georgia Open

In Braselton, Ga., Tim Conley, of Braselton, finished off a three-stroke victory Monday in the rain-plagued Georgia Open.

Conley shot 15-under 273 to beat Ned Michaels, of Atlanta. Two-time tournament champion Dave Schreyer, of Peachtree City, was another stroke back at 277.

Conley started the morning with two consecutive birdies at The Legends at Chateau Elan, where he is a member. He stretched his lead to six strokes, giving him plenty of breathing room even when he bogeyed three of the final five holes.

Hockey

Lynx sign forward to season contract

Forward Jake Riddle has agreed to terms to play for the Augusta Lynx in 2005-06, the team announced Monday.

Riddle, 22, spent his rookie season with the Wheeling Nailers and Peoria Rivermen, both ECHL teams.

He finished the season with 26 points in 56 games.