NASCAR will use the Car of Tomorrow exclusively in 2008, a year earlier than planned. The COT was scheduled to run 16 races this season and be phased into competition during the next two years. But costs skyrocketed while car owners tried to maintain two programs. The COT has been used in five events this season, all won by drivers for Hendrick Motorsports. The next COT race is June 3 in Dover, Del. … Dale Earnhardt Inc. dropped its appeal of penalties levied against Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his crew chief for illegal modifications made to the COT. Earnhardt was docked 100 points and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. was fined $100,000 and suspended six races after NASCAR discovered illegal brackets on the rear wing of the No. 8 Chevrolet at Darlington on May 13.
*Five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros withdrew from this week’s Senior PGA Championship for personal reasons. He will be replaced by Mike Donald. … European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo picked Jose Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley as his assistants for the 2008 event.
*The Fire has agreed come to terms with forward Jerson Monteiro, the No. 8 pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft.
