Auto Racing

Johnson wins 2nd straight to charge into Chase

RICHMOND, Va. -- Not so fast, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. Jimmie Johnson has no intention of giving up his title without a fight.

Johnson stormed into the Chase for the championship by winning his second consecutive race Sunday, getting a big boost as he starts his pursuit of a third straight title.

The two-time defending Cup champion passed Tony Stewart and Martin Truex for the lead with 32 laps to go at Richmond International Raceway, then held off Stewart's late challenge over the final 10 laps.

It was the final event before NASCAR's 10-race title hunt begins next week in New Hampshire.

David Ragan and Kasey Kahne were the only two drivers mathematically eligible to race their way into the Chase field. Ragan put on a gutsy push before contact with other cars ended his run with a 32nd-place finish. Kahne finished 19th, giving the final Chase spot to Clint Bowyer.

• Edwards' late surge leads to fourth win: At Richmond, Va., passing Clint Bowyer for the lead with 28 laps to go then pulling away through three restarts the rest of the way, Carl Edwards won for the fourth time this season in the Nationwide Series and cut slightly into Bowyer's prohibitive points lead.

The last restart came with eight laps to go and teammates Scott Wimmer and Bowyer separating Edwards from the fast car of Denny Hamlin, but Edwards easily pulled away.

Wimmer finished second, Bowyer third and Hamlin was fourth, while Edwards, despite having driven 400 laps in sunshine and 250 more at night, did his traditional back flip to celebrate.

High School Golf

American Fork to hold information meeting for girls golf today

A kickoff/information meeting for the first season of girls golf at American Fork for girls grades 9 through 12 (and their parents) who are interested in playing next spring will be held today at 1:45 p.m. at Fox Hollow Golf Club (formerly Tri City Golf Course) at 1400 North 200 East, American Fork.

The first season of Lady Cavemen Girls Golf will tee off March 2, 2009. Come and learn about the new season, including tryout dates, clinics and other events. Tour the new Fox Hollow clubhouse and renovated golf course. Come and meet Ladies Professional Golf Association member and AF alumnus Gina Higbee and Fox Hollow Club Professional Rick Roberts. There will be giveaways, refreshments and demonstrations. For more information, call Coach Shirl LeBaron at 756-4771. Also click on: http://sites.google.com/site/o9ladycavemengolfteam/Home

College Football

So. Utah picks up first win in 20 games

CEDAR CITY -- Cody Stone passed for 178 yards and two touchdown passes to Tyson Poots for Southern Utah's first win in 20 games, a 38-10 victory over Adams State on Saturday.

Poots had seven receptions for 143 yards for the Thunderbirds (1-1), which had lost 19 straight dating back to September 2006. Southern Utah lost to Air Force 41-7 after going winless last season.

Adams State (0-2) outgained Southern Utah 310-229 but trailed 35-0 at the half.

• Hawaii 36, Weber State 17: At Honolulu, Tyler Graunke threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to rally Hawaii to a victory over Weber State late Saturday.

The Warriors avoided being upset by the Football Championship Subdivision Wildcats by scoring the final 29 points, including 22 points in the third quarter. With Hawaii trailing 17-7, Graunke replaced starter Inoke Funaki to open the second half and provided the Warriors the spark they desperately needed.

• Dixie State 35, West New Mexico 3: At St. George, Dixie State rebounded from a Week 1 loss to defeat Western New Mexico University on Saturday.

The Rebels defense led the way, recording a safety and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. The defense added six sacks, an interception and four forced fumbles.

• Snow 24, Mesa 19: At Mesa, Ariz., No. 4-ranked Snow College overcame several key injuries to beat No. 21 Mesa on the road Saturday.

The Badgers offense scored all 24 of their points in the first half, taking a 24-5 lead and relying heavily on the defense in the end to secure the preseason win over the Western States Football League rival.

NFL

Niners QB Smith's injury might be season-ending

SAN FRANCISCO -- Quarterback Alex Smith could find out today whether his latest shoulder injury will end his season and his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers.

The former No. 1 overall draft pick was added to the 49ers' injury report Friday after feeling pain in his surgically repaired right shoulder during practice. Smith, who lost his starting job to journeyman J.T. O'Sullivan in training camp, was in street clothes for Sunday's 23-13 loss to Arizona.

College Golf

UVU men finish 16th at invitational

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Utah Valley men's golf team finished its first tournament of the fall season in 16th place, one spot higher than where it began the day. The Wolverines shot a team score of 308 in Sunday's final 18 holes at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational at the Eisenhower Blue Course at the United States Air Force Academy.

Nick Nelson and Jeff Holmes both shot 3-over 75 while Skyler Distefano fired a 78 for the top three UVU scores on Sunday. Nelson was the top finisher overall with a 5-over-par score, tying for 34th.

WNBA

Liberty use late run to cruise past Sky

NEW YORK -- Trailing by five points early in the fourth quarter, New York coach Pat Coyle urged her players to tighten their defense. The Liberty followed through and ran past the Chicago Sky.

Janel McCarville scored 16 points before leaving with an injury and Essence Carson had 10 to lead New York to a 69-61 win over the Sky on Sunday. Cathrine Kraayeveld grabbed 14 rebounds and had some key baskets down the stretch for the Liberty (18-12), who used a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter to take control of the game.

• Silver Stars 85, Sun 73: At Uncasville, Conn., Becky Hammon scored 24 points and the San Antonio Silver Stars pulled into a first-place tie in the Western Conference with a win over the Connecticut Sun.