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In brief

Former CART driver Fittipaldi posts fastest lap in testing

DAYTONA BEACH -- Christian Fittipaldi returned to Daytona International Speedway for the second of NASCAR's testing sessions and posted the fastest lap of the day.

Fittipaldi, making the switch this season from CART to NASCAR, plans to drive a car owned by Andy Petree Racing in the season-opening Daytona 500. The Brazilian tested the No. 33 Chevrolet and ran the fastest lap at 183.561 mph in the afternoon session.

"Although people say it is pretty easy to run around this place, especially when you are on the track by yourself, you have to remember I have zero experience running at this place," said Fittipaldi, scheduled to run a mix of Winston Cup, Busch Series and ARCA events for Petty Enterprises. "The more I run, the more I'm learning."

Tickets on sale Saturday

Individual game tickets for the 2003 Devil Rays spring training season go on sale Saturday. They can be purchased at Tropicana Field, the Devil Rays Dugout store at WestShore Plaza or through Ticketmaster.

Rays players will greet fans at Tropicana Field and sign autographs starting at 10 a.m., and there will be food, drinks and prize giveaways.

Fans can call (727) 898-7297 or (813) 282-7297. Ticketmaster can be reached at (727) 898-2100 or (813) 287-8844, or online at ticketmaster.com.

Prices range from $4 for general-admission tickets, which can only be purchased the day of the game, to $15 for field box seats.

Advance tickets will be sold at Al Lang Field starting Feb. 24.

ANGELS: Second baseman Adam Kennedy signed a one-year deal to remain with the team.

BREWERS: Right-hander Todd Ritchie agreed to a one-year deal.

EXPOS: Right-hander Tony Armas agreed to a $2.1-million, one-year contract.

INDIANS: Former Yankees outfielder Shane Spencer agreed to a one-year contract.

RED SOX: Former Marlins outfielder Kevin Millar rejected a waiver claim by Boston and will play in Japan this season.

TWINS: Catcher Joe Mauer was among 10 non-roster players invited to spring training.

Maier almost qualifies

Hermann Maier's first World Cup race after 18 months of struggle ended in smiles and disappointment. He just missed qualifying for the second leg of a giant slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland.

Maier, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who broke his leg in a motorcycle accident, had hoped to qualify, but ended up 31st, one spot and .05 seconds from advancing.

"It's a bit disappointing. I have to admit I was expecting to do a bit better," Maier said. "But in reality, it's a victory for me just to be back racing."

ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm signed defensive specialist Jonathan Ordway and waived offensive/defensive lineman Donald Broomfield.

OLYMPICS: U.S. Committee member Brian Derwin resigned because of the decision to take no action against CEO Lloyd Ward.

AMERICA'S CUP: Swiss entry Alinghi beat Oracle of San Francisco by 63 seconds in the challenger series final to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-nine series off Auckland, New Zealand.

HORSES: Keeneland postponed its July Selected Yearling Sale for one year, citing the effects of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome. The sale is regarded as the industry's most prestigious auction.

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