Names in the game for August 4, 2005

Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005 | 9:53 a.m.

Kurt Busch

Defending Nextel Cup champion and Las Vegas native Kurt Busch promises Indianapolis bar patrons a safe ride home tonight, although it might be a little quicker than usual.

That depends on how well NASCAR's reigning Nextel Cup champion learns the Circle City's street grid before giving free rides home as the designated driver in Crown Royal's Safe Rides Home campaign to promote responsible drinking.

Busch, who turns 27 today but barely looks legal himself, could end up driving someone who lives within 20 miles of downtown home in a replica of his No. 97 Ford.

"I'm definitely going to have fun with this," Busch said, "but I will be relaying the message of responsible drinking and hopefully I'll make an impression. I can't wait to see the surprised looks on their faces."

Most of Crown Royal's 10 purple and gold cars will give rides home to customers age 21 and up from several designated downtown Indianapolis areas.

Andre Agassi

Eight-time Grand Slam tennis tournament winner Andre Agassi has invested in expansion teams in the NBA's minor league.

Agassi is an investor in closely held Southwest Basketball LLC, which owns the four expansion franchises in the NBA Development League, a news release from the company said.

In March, the NBA announced the minor league would expand to 10 teams, with new clubs in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Austin and Fort Worth, Texas.

Southwest Basketball's principal owner is former Indiana Pacers executive David Kahn.

Colin Montgomerie

An injury to his right hand that may jeopardize his chances of playing in next week's U.S. PGA Championsip has prompted Colin Montgomerie to withdraw from golf's Johnnie Walker Championship.

The 42-year-old Scot, the highest-ranked player in today's field at Gleneagles, Scotland, shanked his second shot at the par- 5 18th, where he took a driver from the fairway, and then jarred his hand trying to dig his ball out of knee-high rough.

-- Sun wire services