NASCAR Fans drawn to beach memorial [Times photo: Ken Helle] Some 2,000 gather near Gandy Bridge to share memories, grief. United by loss Where Dale Earnhardt worked and lived, fans share mementos and memories. NASCAR safety: work in progress Earnhardt's death won't bring quick changes. Speeds in excess of 170, slight nudge ... Sterling Marlin: "He came down, and we hit one time. He came back down again, and it turned him around." Grief, debate fill airwaves Dale Earnhardt's life, and death, were topics all over radio and television. For someone, price is right The interest -- and the cost -- is high for Earnhardt-related items.

Devil Rays
Shaken Guillen preps for battle
The Rays incumbent rightfielder apparently has lost his job to Ben Grieve. Here or elsewhere, he just wants a chance to play.

Struggles spur Caruso to new work ethic
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have a slick-fielding shortstop in Felix Martinez, a promising rookie second baseman in Brent Abernathy and a group of capable backup middle infielders that includes Russ Johnson, Bobby Smith and Ozzie Guillen.

College basketball
Reeves returns for USF
TAMPA -- Less than one week after arthroscopic surgery to remove cartilage from his right knee, South Florida senior forward Artha Reeves returned to limited practice Monday afternoon and was cleared to play in Wednesday's game at Alabama-Birmingham.

Around college basketball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Embattled coach Denny Crum says rumors that this will be his final season have made doing his job impossible.

Lightning
Kubina’s progression depends on him now
TAMPA -- There is no easy way to define defenseman Pavel Kubina, probably because the 23-year-old, like many young back-liners, is a work in progress.

Lightning eases his pain
The injuries that caused Brian Bradley to leave on bad terms still remain. But his bitterness toward the organization has healed.

Lightning Alumni Club
Eight former Lightning players will be introduced at tonight's game against the Blues as the Tampa Bay chapter of the NHL Alumni Association. They are scheduled to sign autographs from 6:30-7:20 on the main plaza and concourse of the Ice Palace.

Baseball
Around MLB
VERO BEACH -- Gary Sheffield is demanding a new contract or a new team, the latest crisis in a string of trouble for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Boxing
Jones Jr. could revive Tampa
A promoter hopes for more big bouts in the area.

Bucs/NFL
Around the NFL
TAMPA -- With starting safety Damien Robinson and cornerback Ronde Barber unrestricted free agents, the Bucs are expected to look for help at defensive back in the April draft.

Outdoors
Captain’s Corner
Depending on weather, late February can produce great fishing. Water temperature is everything. If the water stays cold, the fishing will be slower than normal. If water temperatures climb into the high 60s, spring fishing conditions will start.

Et cetera
Sports briefs
Andrews stays put at FSU

Preps
Youngsters only lack state titles
Temple Heights' David Craig, 13, and Rocky Cozart, 14, enter the state tournament with district and regional titles to their credit.

Terrapins look to cash in on second chance
TAMPA -- One of the great things about playing multiple sports is that you can get another chance. You can lose in a volleyball regional final and then come back in basketball and make another run at a state title.

Girls basketball regional semifinals
All games 7:30 p.m.; admission $5