UPI NewsTrack Sports

Favre angered by report

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Oct. 22 (UPI) -- New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre has denied a claim that he relayed information to the Detroit Lions about the Green Bay Packers before he was traded.

Last Sunday, Fox Sports reported that Favre had a conversation with then-Lions president Matt Millen in early September during the week Detroit played Green Bay.

The Fox story said Favre spent over an hour on the phone with Lions coaches, giving them a rundown about the nuances of Green Bay's offense.

"That week, Matt Millen called me," Favre said following Wednesday's practice. "Matt and I are friends. I guess I'm a little bit angry because I think my reputation has been well-respected throughout the years.

"Anytime that's questioned, the type of teammate I am, it does anger me. I'm not going to lie to you. It's unfortunate the way things went down in the off-season, but no hard feelings."

Favre, 44, played in Green Bay for 16 seasons.

Sharks continue hot start with wild win

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Joe Pavelski and Jeremy Roenick scored the only goals of the shootout Wednesday, giving San Jose a wild 7-6 victory over Philadelphia.

The Sharks won for the sixth time in their seven games this season while the Flyers remained winless in six outings. Three of the Philadelphia losses have come in overtime or in a shootout.

San Jose also defeated the Flyers last Saturday in overtime 5-4. The Sharks became the first team in the Western Conference to reach the 12-point mark.

The teams combined for seven goals in the first period, at the end of which San Jose owned a 4-3 lead.

Patrick Marleau's fourth goal of the season put the Sharks in front 6-4 early in the third period, but Joffrey Lupul scored for the second time in the game to draw the Flyers within one.

Daniel Briere produced a power-play goal with 65 seconds remaining in regulation to tie it.

San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov allowed six goals on 29 shots during regulation and overtime, but stopped the only two attempts he saw in the shootout to ensure the victory.

Marleau scored twice and had two assists.

NASCAR fines Vickers, suspends crew chief

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 22 (UPI) -- NASCAR announced Wednesday 150 driver points would be taken away from driver Brian Vickers and his crew chief would be suspended indefinitely.

Crew chief Kevin Hamlin also was fined $100,000 after NASCAR inspectors determined that sheet metal on Vickers' car had been dipped in acid, making it lighter than required.

In addition, Dietrick Mateschitz, owner of the Red Bull Racing team for which Vickers drives, was docked 150 owner points and car chief Craig Smokstad was suspended.

Vickers' Toyota was randomly selected for a post-race inspection after finishing 11th Sunday in a race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. The inspection took place Tuesday at NASCAR's research and development facility in Concord, N.C.

The suspensions could last into the 2009 season since there are only four weeks left in the current campaign. The loss of points drops Vickers from 12th to 15th in the driver standings.

"As a team, we accept full responsibility for the infractions and will not appeal NASCAR's ruling," said Jay Frye, Red Bull Racing's general manager and vice president, who said the group was "taking this penalty seriously."

"This approach to racing is against the values of the Red Bull Racing Team, and the necessary steps will be taken to rectify the situation ensuring it does not happen again."

Huard out for the year with thumb injury

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Damon Huard was placed on the injured reserve list Wednesday, becoming the second quarterback Kansas City has lost this season.

Huard injured his right thumb during a 34-10 setback to unbeaten Tennessee last Sunday. Being placed on the injured reserve list means he cannot play for the remainder of the year.

The Kansas City Star reported Tyler Thigpen, in his second season out of Coastal Carolina, will start this Sunday against the New York Jets. Ingle Martin will serve as the Chiefs' backup quarterback.

Brodie Croyle opened the season as the starter at that position, but he has also been lost for the year with an injury. Huard appeared in five games and led the Chiefs to their only win -- a 33-19 decision over Denver.