Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Pit scuffle leads to fine, probation for Kahne's crew chief

INDIANAPOLIS - NASCAR fined Kasey Kahne's crew chief $10,000 and put him on probation Tuesday for fighting in Tony Stewart's pit at Chicagoland Speedway.

Tommy Baldwin was fined $5,000 for violating a rule prohibiting altercations in another team's pit area and $5,000 for not controlling crew members. He was placed on probation until Dec. 31. "For not doing anything, it's a big, big hit for the team," Baldwin said.

The fight in Stewart's pit happened after the driver spun out race leader Kahne on a restart Sunday in the Tropicana 400. Kahne crashed into the wall and Stewart went on to win.

Baldwin and his crew went to Stewart's pit, where a heated discussion turned into a shoving match, with crew members falling over tires until NASCAR officials intervened. Ray Evernham, Kahne's car owner, said if Stewart wasn't suspended he would give the driver a good beating.

"NASCAR has made its decision; now it's time to move on," Evernham said in a statement. "I understand why Tommy and the team reacted the way they did in the heat of competition. NASCAR has rules. I agree with rules. Evernham Motorsports also has rules. NASCAR has made its decision and imposed its penalties. Now, I will impose the appropriate penalties for Evernham Motorsports."

Meanwhile, Ford Motor Co. filed a lawsuit against Kahne, accusing the rookie of breaking a contract requiring him to race in its cars. Kahne drives Dodges. According to the suit, Kahne signed a contract that obligated him to drive Fords for Robert Yates Racing and appear in promotional activities. Kahne bolted Ford in October to drive for Evernham. Ford seeks at least $25,000 in damages.

Miami cornerback Antrel Rolle was suspended indefinitely by coach Larry Coker after being charged last weekend with battery on a police officer. According to a police complaint, Rolle was involved in a fight in a street near campus early Sunday morning and resisted arrest, cursing and swinging his arms in an attempt to free himself and forcing officers to call for backup help. Along with the felony charge, Rolle was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence, both misdemeanors.

TRACK AND FIELD: Florida's Tiandra Ponteen and Mike Morrison were named SEC female freshman runner of the year and male freshman field athlete of the year for the outdoor season. Ponteen, who set the school record in the 400 meters at a meet in Bogota, Colombia, in 51 seconds, earned three All-America honors. Morrison earned five All-America honors and was part of the NCAA champion 4x100m relay team at the Outdoor Championships. ... Pat Henry was hired as coach at Texas A&M, leaving LSU after a 17-year career that included 27 national titles. The 52-year-old succeeds Ted Nelson, who retired in June.

MLS is expanding to Salt Lake City next season. The Associated Press reported the city will become the 12th team as part of its 2005 expansion. MLS also granted an expansion team to Jorge Vergara, who owns the Mexican club Chivas.