Kenseth calls harsh penalties 'grossly unfair'

RICHMOND, Va. | Mild-mannered Matt Kenseth is spitting mad at NASCAR.

Jimmie Johnson gets win at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | No matter the changes to the car, the tires, or the weather, Martinsville Speedway is Jimmie Johnson's kind of place.

Blocking theories like opinions - everyone has 1

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Tony Stewart says never. Joey Logano says late in the race. Jimmie Johnson says to protect a victory in the final laps, except, perhaps, if Stewart is behind him because of the potential consequences.

Duke looking to pull off upset against Notre Dame

NORFOLK, Va. | The best phrase Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie to describe doing the unexpected is "the tingle."

Duke overcomes Nebraska 53-45 to reach Elite 8

NORFOLK, Va. | Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie is growing weary of people expecting the Blue Devils to roll over teams in the NCAA tournament.

Diggins leads Notre Dame past Kansas, 93-63

NORFOLK, Va. | Skylar Diggins was already having such a great day, her coach figured she might as well make it historic.

Diggins, Goodrich in spotlight in Norfolk Regional

NORFOLK, Va. | Point guards are taking center stage at the Norfolk Regional of the women's NCAA tournament.

Johnson wins at Martinsville, takes points lead

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Jimmie Johnson's expectations are high at Martinsville Speedway, and his results keep showing why.

X Games star ready for Nationwide Series debut

RICHMOND, Va. | Travis Pastrana insists he's not in this on a lark.

Vickers returns to Martinsville hoping to continue successful return to Sprint Cup racing

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Brian Vickers' latest comeback got off to a roaring start two weeks ago with a fifth-place finish at Bristol for Michael Waltrip Racing.

Stewart wins at Martinsville; closes in on Edwards

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Tony Stewart passed Jimmie Johnson on a restart with three laps to go Sunday and surged into contention for his third NASCAR Sprint Cup championship with three races remaining.

Virginia returns to CWS expecting to win it all

When Virginia reached the College World Series for the first time two years ago, coach Brian O'Connor gave his players tips on how to manage the "circus" atmosphere in Omaha, Neb.

3-pointer goes away, and VCU comes up short

HOUSTON | VCU started missing from long range, and that was the end of its surprising run to the Final Four.

JuJuan Johnson lifts No. 22 Purdue over Va. Tech in OT

BLACKSBURG, Va. | JuJuan Johnson started fast, and finished even better.

Johnson: Drive for 5 has long way to go

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Jimmie Johnson has won four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles and is leading the way again midway through the 10-race Chase for the championship.

No. 1 UConn routs Temple, 90-36

NORFOLK, Va. | Standing on the sidelines watching his team dominate Temple in every facet of their second round NCAA women's tournament game, Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma turned to a friend seated at the officials table and summarized what he was watching.

No. 1 UConn routs Temple, 90-36

It's mentor vs. pupil when UConn meets Temple

NORFOLK, Va. | In Tonya Cardoza's first season as the head coach at Temple, former boss Geno Auriemma said she constantly sent him text messages about her many struggles.

People's choice, Mark Martin, showing softer side

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Mark Martin senses that this is going to be a good week for him as he continues chasing Jimmie Johnson and the NASCAR season championship he so covets.

Petty's pay visit to paralyzed vets

RICHMOND, Va. | The smiles on the faces of the veterans in wheelchairs were unmistakably broad Thursday as they posed for pictures with NASCAR icon Richard Petty.

Virginia makes 16 3-pointers in 94-52 win over Northwestern

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Diverse interests keep outdoorsman Burton busy all year

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | The changing leaves and nip in the morning air are among the signs that have Ward Burton looking forward to the offseason just ahead.

Purdue grad Ryan Newman gets into the mix

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | With all eyes on Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon and their domination of Martinsville Speedway, suddenly there was Ryan Newman on Sunday, duking it out with both at the end.

Jimmie Johnson continues Martinsville mastery

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Jeff Gordon has passed the torch to Jimmie Johnson at Martinsville Speedway, the track where Gordon has had more success than most anyone.

Hendrick teammates most dominant at tricky Martinsville

AUTO RACING | NEXTEL CUP

Ragan making quite challenge to Montoya in rookie race

AUTO RACING | NEXTEL CUP

Earnhardt misses Chase for second time in 3 years

RICHMOND, Va. | Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s season of turmoil won't end with him competing for a championship, but as NASCAR's 10-race playoff begins next week, at least he'll get to see how his future could look at powerful Hendrick Motorsports.

Johnson wins pole at Richmond; Chase long shot Earnhardt to start 20th

RICHMOND, Va. | Jimmie Johnson looks ready for NASCAR's playoffs.

Busch leads all but 25 laps in Busch Series

RICHMOND, Va. | Kyle Busch led four times and for all but 25 laps and even made overtime look easy at Richmond International Raceway on Friday night, earning his ninth career NASCAR Busch Series victory and second of the season.

Hokies see lessons in the fall of school's favorite son

BLACKSBURG, Va. | The doors that lead to the large auditorium where Virginia Tech's football team meets are kept propped open these days, giving passers-by a clear view to what once appeared to be the Hokies' inner sanctum.

Vick pleads not guilty to dogfighting charges

RICHMOND, Va. | Michael Vick pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal dogfighting charges and was released without bond until a Nov. 26 trial.

Feds detail alleged dogfighting operation at Vick's property

PRO FOOTBALL

Wheldon considering switch?

AUTO RACING | INDYCAR SERIES

Small town, big case: Michael Vick and the dogs

SURRY, Va. | The centerpiece of this Virginia town challenges the definition of "stoplight" -- the lone signal blinks red on two sides, yellow on the others.

Pit Road mishaps costs Harvick a chance at victory

RICHMOND, Va. | Kevin Harvick led four times for 105 laps in Sunday's Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway, and it may have been a mistake by the driver or his crew that cost him a chance at his second Cup victory here.

NASCAR donates $160,000 to Virginia Tech fund

AUTO RACING | NEXTEL CUP

Gordon wins pole; Jarrett goes home for first time since '94

RICHMOND, Va. | Jeff Gordon's rolled to his third consecutive NASCAR Nextel Cup pole position Friday, and former series champion Dale Jarrett was among those headed home as Toyota teams again struggled to compete.

Hamlin's frustration grows at missed opportunities

RICHMOND, Va. | Denny Hamlin is proving that his surprising success last year in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series wasn't a fluke.

Beamer: Hokies will come closer together

BLACKSBURG, Va. | Frank Beamer grew up about an hour from Blacksburg, played football for Virginia Tech and has become the very familiar face of the university as the man who built the Hokies into one of the nation's elite football programs.

Pettys, Rudd favor NASCAR franchising

As a car owner whose teams are struggling to keep up with multicar megateams, seven-time champion Richard Petty has a solution to guarantee those who built NASCAR stick around: franchising.

NASCAR to mandate change before COT returns to track

RICHMOND, Va. | NASCAR will mandate a change in the design of the Car of Tomorrow in an attempt to alleviate the heat that caused foam to melt in several cars last weekend at Martinsville.

Bumper Cars

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Jimmie Johnson withstood teammate Jeff Gordon's bumping and banging for much of the last 53 laps Sunday and held him off by a front bumper to win for the third time in six NASCAR Nextel Cup races this year.

Earnhardt sees hopes fade when something gets in his eye

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Dale Earnhardt Jr. seemed on the verge of a big day Sunday, one that would have ended his 31-race winless streak and allowed him to mark the 28-year anniversary of his father's first win with one of his own.

Officials say Week 2 for new car should be better, safer

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | NASCAR says the exhaust problem in its Car of Tomorrow is a simple fix.

Hamlin wins pole at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Denny Hamlin bounced back from a difficult 14th-place run at Bristol last week by winning the pole at Martinsville Speedway on Friday.

Victory at Wake Forest today would make unranked Virginia ACC champ

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. | They were picked to finish eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference, seen as a team with two good guards and many inconsistent role players.

Virginia knocks off Duke in OT

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. | Sean Singletary tied the game with a jumper late in regulation, then hit a falling, one-handed floater with 1 second left in overtime Thursday night to give Virginia a 68-66 victory over No. 8 Duke.

Ward Burton returns as brother Jeff chases championship

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | With his brother leading the Nextel Cup standings, Ward Burton is a more intent observer of NASCAR's Chase for the Championship.

Points leader views luck as wild card down stretch

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | Points leader Jeff Burton has finished outside the top seven just once in the first five races of the Chase for the championship.

Gordon appreciating titles more and more

MARTINSVILLE, Va. | The fall visit to Martinsville Speedway is one Jeff Gordon always looks forward to, especially when he's contending for NASCAR's big championship.