Sports briefs for March 10, 2004

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 10:34 a.m.

MADD wants action if Wimmer convicted

A Mothers Against Drunk Driving executive says NASCAR should suspend Nextel Cup rookie Scott Wimmer if he is convicted of driving while impaired.

"I realize (racing is) driving on private property. But still, it's sort of saying, 'It's OK to go out there and drink and drive,' " said Cheryl Jones, a MADD vice president.

Wimmer was scheduled to have a preliminary court hearing todday after being arrested in High Point, N.C., on Jan. 31. Jones, who lives in Charlotte, said a first-time offender should expect to receive only a "slap on the wrist" from North Carolina courts if convicted. A multirace suspension, she said, is "just something I think NASCAR needs to look into."

NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter said officials will wait for the courts to rule on Wimmer's case before deciding what additional punishment, if any, he will face.

According to local media reports, Wimmer crashed a pickup truck belonging to his team, Bill Davis Racing. Police apparently found Wimmer hiding behind a bed at his home in High Point and his blood alcohol content reportedly was nearly twice the legal limit.

U.S.-Mexico rematch

The U.S. national women's team, which beat Mexico last week in an Olympic qualifying tournament, will meet the Mexican women again May 9 at the University of New Mexico. It will be televised by ESPN2.

JAB sets first bout

The first match staged by the Joint Association of Boxers -- the new union headed by former light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad -- will match heavyweights Attila Levin and Jeremy Williams in New York on April 15.

UNR's Dahl picked

UNR offensive tackle Harvey Dahl, a 6-5, 309-pound native of Fallon, was one of 54 players named to the 2004 Lombari Award "watch list." The Lombardi is awarded to the nation's top offensive lineman.

Tabasco Cat dies

Tabasco Cat, the winner of the 1994 Preakness and Belmont Stakes, collapsed and died Saturday at a horse farm in northern Japan of a heart attack. The horse was 13.

Lady Rebels move up

The UNLV women's team, off last week's second-place finish in the Spartan Invitational at Salinas, Calif., climbed to 20th in the latest national college rankings.

Zips promote assistant

Akron promoted assistant Keith Dambrot today to replace head coach Dan Hipsher, who was fired Tuesday.