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sports Tuesday 26 sepTember 2017

Trump ‘proud of NASCAR’ for protest-free New Hampshire race

By DAN GELSTON the country we live in. So dorsed Trump last year.
AP Sports Writer many people gave their France’s efforts to quell crit-
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Presi- lives for it. This is America.” icism over what he insisted
dent Donald Trump lauded Hall of Fame driver Richard was a “personal and pri-
NASCAR on Monday be- Petty’s sentiments took it a vate” decision were com-
cause no drivers, crew or step further, saying: “Any- plicated by Trump’s con-
team members protested body that don’t stand up tinued mentioning of how
during the national anthem for the anthem oughta he received “NASCAR’s
before a weekend race be out of the country. Pe- endorsement.”
at New Hampshire Motor- riod. What got ‘em where A few hours after Trump’s
speedway. they’re at? The United tweet, NASCAR issued a
“So proud of NASCAR and States.” statement noting that re-
its supporters and fans. When asked if a protester spect for the national an-
They won’t put up with dis- at Richard Petty Motors- them “has always been a
respecting our Country or ports would be fired, he hallmark of our pre-race
our Flag - they said it loud said, “You’re right.” events.” “Thanks to the
and clear!” Trump tweeted RPM team owner Andrew sacrifices of many, we live
Monday. Murstein later told ESPN he in a country of unparalleled
The comments came one “wouldn’t fire someone for freedoms and countless lib-
day after dozens of NFL expressing their feelings.” erties, including the right to
players took a knee or oth- “I would sit down with them peacefully express one’s
erwise protested during and say it’s the wrong thing opinion,” the statement Racing legend Richard Petty watches practice prior to car
anthems across the coun- to do that and many peo- said. qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at New
try in the wake of Trump ple including myself, view Dale Earnhardt Jr., NAS- Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., Friday, Sept. 22,
suggesting teams could it as an affront to our great CAR’s most popular driver 2017.
fire them for the gesture, country,” he said. “Yes, who will retire at the end of Associated Press
which began last year as there are problems here, the season, tweeted Mon- that players would remain ourselves, and I’m proud of
a way to raise the focus but they are nothing close day in support of peaceful in the locker room and that this sport, too,” Gibbs said
on social injustice. Several to the problems in North protest. “All Americans R “we’re not going to let divi- after JGR driver Kyle Busch
NASCAR team owners and Korea and other parts of granted rights 2 peaceful sive times or divisive individ- won at New Hampshire. “I
executives said Sunday the world. We must come protests. Those who make uals affect our agenda.” think this sport has a certain
they wouldn’t want any- together as Americans peaceful revolution impos- Team owner Joe Gibbs, way they look at things. I re-
one in their organizations to and respect everyone and sible will make violent revo- who won three Super Bowls ally appreciate that.”
protest. Richard Childress, everything, especially our lution inevitable-JFK,” he as coach of the Washing- NASCAR said 2016 champi-
who was Dale Earnhardt’s flag which is still the sym- wrote. ton Redskins, said of the on Jimmie Johnson had not
longtime team owner, said bol of the United States, Another team owner, Chip anthem that, “so much been invited to the White
of protesting: “It’ll get you a the greatest country in the Ganassi, said he supports has been sacrificed for our House for recognition as he
ride on a Greyhound bus.” world.” Pittsburgh Steelers coach country and our flag. It’s had in the past, but that it
Childress said he told his NASCAR chairman Brian Mike Tomlin’s comments. a big deal for us to honor necessarily wasn’t out of
team that “anybody that France created a firestorm Tomlin said before the America.” “I’m proud of the ordinary because of
works for me should respect in the sport when he en- Steelers played on Sunday the way we’ve represented the change in office.q

U.S. Open finalists KO’d in first round at Wuhan Open

WUHAN, China (AP) — U.S. Slam finalists lost their next her sixth match point. four years. Kvitova evened packing. Konta lost to Ash-
Open champion Sloane match was after 2005 “I wasn’t moving that the set score, and they leigh Barty of Australia 6-0,
Stephens and runner- Wimbledon, where Venus great, just was a tough day kept breaking each other’s 4-6, 7-6 (3) in the second
up Madison Keys were Williams beat Lindsay Dav- for me,” Stephens said. serve in the decider un- round, and Kerber lost her
knocked out of the Wuhan enport. Also, defending Keys, seeded 10th, broke til Peng held for 4-3. Peng opener to Caroline Garcia
Open in the first round on champion Petra Kvitova Lepchenko early in the sec- served for the match at of Spain 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Stosur
Monday. lost for the first time in Wu- ond set, but the qualifier re- 5-3 but Kvitova rallied and fell to Swiss wild card Jill Tei-
In their first matches since han on her third visit. Kvi- bounded. Lepchenko was saved a match point at 6-5 chmann 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
the final at Flushing Mead- tova won in 2014 and last broken while serving for the down. Peng finally won in Konta, who occupies
ows, the 17th-ranked Ste- year, when she dropped match at 6-5 but rushed to the tiebreaker on her fourth the last spot in the Race
phens lost to Wang Qiang just one set. It took Peng Sh- 5-1 in the tiebreaker. match point. They weren’t to Dubai, served for the
of China 6-2, 6-2, while uai 3 ½ hours to knock her Kvitova had won all seven the only upsets. Seeds No. 5 match, but Barty broke
the 12th-ranked Keys was out 7-6 (7) 6-7 (5) 7-6 (3). previous contests against Johanna Konta and No. 12 back to force the tiebreak-
beaten by fellow American Stephens’ serve was bro- Peng, but China’s best Angelique Kerber, and for- er and earned her career-
Varvara Lepchenko 6-2, ken early in both sets. Wang player began by taking mer U.S. Open champion best win. Konta has lost her
7-6 (4). The last time Grand closed out the victory on her first set off the Czech in Sam Stosur were also sent last four matches. q