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NASCAR changing stage break rules to limit laps run under caution

National Sports

NASCAR plans to implement a new stage-break procedure for its Cup Series races beginning this weekend at Iowa Speedway and continuing through the remainder of the season. Under the new rules, when a natural caution occurs with 10 or fewer laps remaining in Stage 1 or Stage 2, it will be deemed complete at the time of caution — with that same caution period serving as the scheduled stage break. NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said Thursday on social media the change stems from the July 26 race at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, where he said fans were unhappy about too many ...

Washington D.C. to host race on Aug. 22

National Sports

WASHINGTON — The speed limit along Pennsylvania Avenue is 25 mph. But the open-wheel race cars roaring through the longest straightaway of the upcoming Washington IndyCar race organized by President Donald Trump could be going nearly eight times that fast. “If we did that during the regular day, I think people would be put in jail, perhaps for the rest of their lives,” Trump joked recently while hosting an IndyCar pit crew at the White House to hype the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. The race, scheduled for Aug. 22 and 23, features vehicles that typically reach street-course speeds ...

Reds homer four times, complete sweep over A’s

Ohio Sports

CINCINNATI — Elly De La Cruz hit his fourth career leadoff home run — one of four homers by Cincinnati — and the Reds beat the Athletics 6-5 on Thursday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep. The Reds (56-58) improved to 13-6 since the All-Star break. The A’s (45-70) have lost eight straight games and 12 straight series. Brian Serven hit a two-run homer off Brock Burke to get the A’s within a run in the ninth. It was Serven’s second homer. Burke retired the next two batters for his second save. De La Cruz led off the game with his 19th home run of the season off ...

Griffin struggles in first start for Guardians, lose 13-6 to Mets

Local Sports

CLEVELAND — All-Star Foster Griffin struggled in his first start for the free-falling Cleveland Guardians, allowing five runs in four innings of a 13-6 loss to the Mets that gave last-place New York a three-game sweep. Cleveland (57-59) has lost 11 of 14 and fell one-half game behind Texas ...

Brown processing trade, ready to win with LeBron, 76ers

National Sports

PHILADELPHIA — Jaylen Brown got the call that Boston — the franchise that drafted him as a teenager and where he blossomed into an NBA Finals MVP and champion — had traded him and heaved his phone across the room. No, it wasn’t a prank call. Brown was indeed headed to the ...

Longtime Giants broadcaster to retire at end of season

National Sports

SAN FRANCISCO — Beloved longtime San Francisco Giants broadcaster and former major league pitcher Mike Krukow is stepping away from the booth after this season following a nearly four-decade run. The 74-year-old Krukow made the announcement Thursday that this year would be his last, expressing gratitude from him and wife, Jennifer. “I just want to let everyone know that I will be retiring at the end of the season. I want to take this time to thank you for your incredible support,” Krukow said through the Giants. “Jennifer and I have been so blessed to be able to stay in the ...