NASCAR

Toyotas' horsepower cut

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR tried to even out the competition in the Nationwide Series yesterday by ordering all teams using Toyota motors to squeeze down their horsepower before this weekend's race in Indianapolis.

Toyota has won 14 of 21 races this season in the Nationwide Series, and all but one of them came in a Camry fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing. The exception was JGR driver Kyle Busch's victory at Charlotte in May in a car fielded by Braun Racing.

NASCAR ordered all the Toyota motors to use a smaller spacer that will knock down 15 horsepower in the motors.

Toyota President Lee White said he was unhappy with NASCAR's decision but declined further comment.

Technically, the new guidelines aren't directed solely at Toyota -- and the technical bulletin distributed to teams did not even mention the manufacturer. But because the automaker is working with a new engine and has access to the latest technology, Toyota teams have gained an advantage over the manufacturers using older engine models.

If the other manufacturers should reach the stage Toyota is currently at, they would be subject to the horsepower guidelines NASCAR mandated yesterday.

PRO BASKETBALL

Childress moves to Greek club

Josh Childress is leaving the Atlanta Hawks for Greek club Olympiakos, reversing the course of the many international stars who have signed with the NBA.

Heading overseas allows Childress to make more money than he could have as a restricted free agent in the United States. The Hawks had the right to match an offer from another NBA team, but not from an international club.

Agent Jim Tanner said the three-year deal was worth about $20 million after taxes. The money is guaranteed, and Childress can opt out of the contract after each year.

The 6-8, 210-pound guard/forward averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds as the Hawks' top reserve last season.

TRACK AND FIELD

Injured Gay out of London meet

LONDON2 -- Sprinter Tyson Gay withdrew from the London Grand Prix, insisting the hamstring he injured at the U.S. Olympic trials won't rule him out of next month's Beijing Games.

Gay was due to race against Jamaica's former world record-holder Asafa Powell in the 100 meters tomorrow but said he wasn't taking any risks on the left leg.

"I was really looking forward to getting back on the track again, and training has been going well," said Gay, who was undergoing treatment in Germany. "I held out hope to run London, but progress has been steady and with the first round of the Olympic 100 meters just three weeks away, I don't want to risk doing anything to set things back."

HOCKEY

Carlyle signs extension

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle has signed a two-year extension, putting him under contract with the 2007 Stanley Cup champions for the next three years.

Terms were not announced.

The 52-year-old Carlyle, hired Aug. 1, 2005, as the seventh coach in franchise history, has guided the Ducks to a franchise-record three consecutive trips to the postseason. They have won six of their eight playoff series during that time, tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the best in the NHL.

BOXING

Pavlik-Hopkins deal finalized

LAS VEGAS -- Unbeaten middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has finalized a deal to fight longtime titlist Bernard Hopkins on Oct. 18 in Atlantic City, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said.

Arum is ambivalent about making the 170-pound fight between Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs) and Hopkins, the cagey 43-year-old boxer who lost a narrow decision to Joe Calzaghe in April. But after potential matchups with Calzaghe and Arthur Abraham fell through, Arum and Pavlik decided to move up 10 pounds to face a famous opponent who specializes in messy, defensive fights.

Meanwhile, the fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Calzaghe is expected to be rescheduled for early November. Jones said in a statement that it will likely take place Nov. 8 at Madison Square Garden and be televised on HBO pay-per-view. The bout was postponed from Sept. 20 after Calzaghe sprained his right wrist in training Sunday.

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