Indy 500 changing its start time
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The Indianapolis 500 next year will begin at noon, local time, instead of an hour earlier as it historically has.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George said it was only the second time change in the 88-year-old race's history, the Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday.
Besides the new start time, other changes being prepared for next year include moving Carburetion Day to the Friday before the race from its traditional Thursday.
That event includes the race's final practice and the pit stop contest.
Carolina's Steve Smith out indefinitely
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith had surgery on his broken left leg Tuesday but won't miss the rest of the season, Coach John Fox said.
Smith, in his fourth year in the NFL, was injured in the fourth quarter of a 24-14 season-opening loss to Green Bay Monday night.
"He's not out for the season, but anything after that or short of that I don't know at this point," Fox said. "That would be purely speculation on my part without talking to the doctors."
Smith, 25, was Carolina's leading receiver last season, catching 88 passes for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also a punt-returner.
"Obviously, that's a blow to lose a guy like Steve Smith," Fox said. "He's a big-play guy for us both offensively and in the kicking game. But injuries are part of football."
Rookies Keary Colbert, at wide receiver, and Chris Gamble, returning punts, likely will take on Smith's duties while he's gone.
Son of famed jockey seeks own recognition
FLORENCE, Ky., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The son of one of U.S. horse racing's most successful and colorful jockeys is starting to look like his father's heir apparent.
Kyle Kaenel, the 16-year-old son of legend "Cowboy" Jack Kaenel, has ridden in eight races, finishing fourth in his debut at Ellis Park on Labor Day, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported Tuesday.
He is racing at the current Turfway Park meet in Florence, Ky.
Kyle "was born to ride," said Jill Trader, the father's sister and a former jockey. "He has been waiting for this, thought of nothing else but to ride. It's not only in his blood, but in his bones and everything else he's got."
For his part, the teenage Kaenel is deferential towards his father: "If I could do half as good as he did when he was younger, it would be great."
Argentine soccer great cleared for travel to Cuba
BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona was officially cleared Tuesday by a judge to travel to Cuba to pursue further treatment for cocaine addiction.
Maradona's lawyer said his client likely will leave for Havana after recovering from his current illness.
During the weekend Maradona suffered from fever and difficulties breathing, the latest in a series of illness over the years.
The player who took Argentina to the World Cup championship in 1986 suffered serious health problems earlier this year and was hospitalized. He then spent three months in an Argentine psychiatric clinic.
Last week, a judge cleared Maradona to return to Cuba for treatment if accompanied by a family member and his personal physician. Family members sought an injunction to keep Maradona in Argentina where they could monitor his health and progress.
