NEW YORK - Ryan Newman was honored as driver of the year after winning eight races and 11 poles in NASCAR's Winston Cup series.
It was only the second time in the award's 37 years the honor did not go to a series champion. Bill Elliott received the award in 1985 despite finishing second to Darrell Waltrip in points.
Matt Kenseth won this year's Cup title. Newman finished sixth in points, but drew eight of 18 votes from a national panel of writers and broadcasters. He also was the favorite of 44 percent of fans who voted online. That total counted as one vote in the final tally.
"It's awesome," said Newman, who drove for Penske Racing South in only his second full year in Winston Cup. "Not only the award, but the honor of all the drivers that have gotten it."
Kenseth drew one vote. Others receiving votes were series champions Paul Tracy (CART), Steve Kinser (World of Outlaws), Greg Anderson (NHRA Pro Stock), Kenny Bernstein (NHRA Top Fuel), Scott Dixon (IRL), J.J. Yeley (USAC) and IRL star Sam Hornish Jr., who made a late run at the title.
FORMULA ONE: Zsolt Baumgartner is set to become Hungary's first F1 driver after the government pledged $4-million to help fund his place on the Minardi team next season.
TENNIS: Billie Jean King replaced
Zina Garrison will replace Billie Jean King as captain of the United States Fed Cup team next season, AP reported. The appointment was made by U.S. Tennis Association president Alan Schwartz for one year. It was to be announced officially today. Garrison becomes the country's first black captain in the Fed Cup's 40 years. King led the United States to three titles since 1995, but her tenure also was marked by conflicts with players. She will stay on as an assistant coach, the position Garrison held since 1999.
HONORS: No. 1-ranked players Andy Roddick and Justine Henin-Hardenne were honored as ITF World Champions for 2003.
COLLEGES: Coach ousted in drug probe
Coach Teresa Wilson, who built Washington softball into a national power, was reassigned by the school in the most significant fallout yet from a drug scandal. State health investigators in October suspended the license of Dr. William Scheyer, who was determined to have improperly prescribed and dispensed large quantities of narcotics, tranquilizers and other prescription drugs to the school's softball players in recent years. Athletic director Barbara Hedges said Wilson will not be retained when her contract ends in June.
ET CETERA
ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Commissioner David Baker agreed to a contract extension through 2007. Since he took charge, the league has seen its teams' values increase from $400,000 to $16-million.
SPEED SKATING: Elli Ochowicz and Casey FitzRandolph won 1,000-meter races to capture sprint titles at the U.S. Long Track Championship in West Allis, Wis. They swept all four races in the sprint competition - two at 500 meters and two at 1,000.
OLYMPICS: The United States paid $800,000 in dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency, avoiding penalties that might have included a ban on New York City's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
SOCCER: Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved of the Czech Republic won the Golden Ball award as Europe's best player.
