NASCAR reinstates suspended Allmendinger
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger has been reinstated after completing a substance abuse program, the auto racing body announced Tuesday.
Allmendinger had been suspended since July 7 after flunking a NASCAR administered drug test at Kentucky Speedway 10 days earlier.
The driver's representatives said he had tested positive for amphetamines and had chosen to participate in NASCAR's Road to Recovery program.
Allmendinger forfeited his spot as driver for the No. 22 Penske Racing Dodge after the suspension. Roger Penske told NASCAR.com last weekend he would consider rehiring Allmendinger for one of his IndyCar seats.
"I want to thank everyone for their support through this entire process," Allmendinger said in a statement. "I appreciate that NASCAR created the Road to Recovery program, and am grateful for the opportunity to return to competition."
Giants players blast NFL on stand-in refs
NEW YORK, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka and defensive end Justin Tuck Tuesday blasted the NFL for use of replacement referees during games.
The pair told the New York Daily News the officials -- tapped by the league to stand in for regular referees locked out during a labor dispute -- are endangering players' safety and altered the flow of the game.
"There's no doubt the integrity of the game has been compromised not having the regular officials out there," Kiwanuka told the newspaper. "We've got to get that taken care of."
He added, "When you look around at some of the calls being missed, player safety is the big issue."
"I am not necessarily mad at the replacement officials," Tuck said. "I am more upset with the NFL for not handling this and taking care of this in due time."
The stand-in refs have come under scrutiny following blown and missed calls during the NFL season's first two weeks. The Giants players said it seemed to them the refs were losing control of Monday night's game between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.
Pats sign Winslow after Hernandez injury
FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The agent for tight end Kellen Winslow confirmed Tuesday he has been signed by the New England Patriots following an injury to Aaron Hernandez.
Winslow, who hauled down 75 passes for 763 yards and two touchdowns over 16 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, is an eight-year NFL veteran.
His agent, Denise White, wrote on her Twitter account, "Congrats to our client @KellenWinslowJr for signing with the Patriots!!!"
Hernandez could be out for as long as six weeks after sustaining a low ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to Arizona.
He has made six grabs for 59 yards and a score so far this the season following a 2011 campaign that saw him haul down 79 passes for 910 yards and seven touchdowns.
Stricker wins golf's Payne Stewart Award
ATLANTA, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Steve Stricker earned the 2012 Payne Stewart Award for his charitable contributions and commitment to the sport's traditions, the PGA Tour said Tuesday.
Stewart died in a 1999 plane crash at age 42. The award goes each year to a player who exhibits his respect for the traditions of the game, his commitment to uphold the game's heritage of charitable support and his professional and meticulous presentation of himself and the sport through his dress and conduct.
This award means a great deal to the players on the PGA Tour, and I am truly grateful to be the recipient of the Payne Stewart Award," said Stricker. "I take great pride in being recognized for the values that the Payne Stewart Award stands for.
"I was fortunate enough to spend time with and compete against Payne and I watched how he handled himself on the course, with his fellow competitors, with the fans and volunteers. I hope that by leading by example, just as Payne did, that our younger players will follow in the traditions of sportsmanship, integrity and charitable efforts that he helped bring to our sport."
Stricker, 45, is heavily involved in several charities.
He also is the only player in tour history to win the Comeback Player of the Year award in consecutive years. Stricker has 12 PGA Tour titles, including nine since turning 40.
