Professional Sports

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Ed Carpenter turned the fastest four-lap average speed in Round 1 of qualifications for the Indianapolis 500, but he'll have to make another run Sunday to capture the Verizon P1 Award in the Fast Nine Shootout.

It gets even harder from here on out for California Chrome...

COMMERCE - Alexis DeJoria (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock) both laid down new track records en route to current No. 1 qualifying efforts as they vie to secure the 100th win by a female driver at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at the Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA on Friday.

CONCORD, NC

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Ed Carpenter turned the fastest practice lap since 2003, as rain-shortened "Fast Friday" preparations for the 98th running of the Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Carpenter's lap of 230.522 mph, turned less than 15 minutes into the abbreviated "Fast Friday" session set the tone for a run at a 230 mph four-lap average speed in the May 17-18 qualifications.

Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has started hitting his pitcher in the No. 8 spot in the batting order to try and generate offense.

Mike Smith says he doesn't want his Falcons defense to be predictable or easily labeled...

CONCORD, NC

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves topped the fifth day of preparations for the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 with a lap 227.166 mph (39.6186 seconds), the fastest of the month.

NEWTON, IA - Before you graduated high school, did you ever lead the points standings and rally off two wins in the NASCAR Nationwide Series? Didn