IN BRIEF

MOTOR SPORTS

Kenseth on Darlington pole; Johnson wrecks

Jeff Gordon left his car with hands shaking and heart pounding after another harrowing experience at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C.

Gordon's teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, three-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, wasn't as lucky qualifying Friday, crashing before he could finish his lap.

"This is a nail-biter, white-knuckle experience qualifying here," said Gordon, who'll start second tonight in the Southern 500.

Matt Kenseth set a track record to win his first pole since 2005, his 179.514 mph eclipsing Greg Biffle's mark from a year ago.

"You've got to push really hard. You've got to be committed," Gordon said. "This track is narrow. It's got a lot of grip, but the edge is right there. It's really easy to break loose."

That's what happened to Johnson, a two-time winner at Darlington. His No. 48 Chevrolet slid in Turn 2, the back end crunching the wall, then the front side bounding into an interior wall and coming to a stop.

Johnson said right before his lap that crew chief Chad Knaus' "final words were, 'Go like hell,' and off I went and didn't make it back."

Johnson qualified on owner's points and will start 42nd, his worst opening spot in 11 career Cup races at Darlington.

Also: Kyle Busch's flat tire with two laps left sent Matt Kenseth to his first Nationwide Series victory of the season -- and capped a record-setting day at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C.

Busch led 143 laps and looked as if he would ease to victory. But a late collision between Scott Legasse Jr. and Joe Nemechek brought out the race's 10th caution and set up a two-lap sprint to the finish.

That's when Busch's spotter noticed his right rear tire was flat, apparently because his car ran over debris.

Busch tested the tire for several laps before rolling into the pits to loud cheers from Darlington fans. HORSE RACING

Ticket prices for Breeders' Cup slashed

The Breeders' Cup is slashing ticket prices for its two-day showcase at Santa Anita because of the battered economy.

Single-day tickets will be available for Nov. 6 and 7.

Seats on Nov. 6 will range from $40 to $235 and from $55 to $335 on Nov. 7. Last year, seats cost $100 each on both days. Single-day prices for premium seating will be reduced by 30 percent.

Tickets go on sale June 5.

Also: Rachel Alexandra could be headed to the Preakness with Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel aboard.

Borel guided Rachel Alexandra to a record-breaking 20-length victory in the Kentucky Oaks on May 1, then guided 50-1 shot Mine That Bird to a stunning win in the Derby.

MISCELLANEOUS

Las Vegas boxer to fight for Golden Gloves title

Las Vegas' Jesus Magdaleno will fight for the National Golden Gloves 119-pound title tonight after defeating Ernesto Garza of Saginaw, Mich., by decision in Friday's semifinals in Salt Lake City.

Magdaleno, a junior at Durango High School will meet Colorado's John Franklin for the championship at 6 p.m.

Bradley Blankenship, the other Las Vegan competing, lost his 165-pound semifinal fight to Naim Terbunja of New York by decision.

Also: San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasburg, the possible No. 1 overall draft pick next month, threw a no-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Air Force in San Diego. Strasburg (11-0) struck out 17 and walked two.

The UNLV baseball team lost to Brigham Young 7-3 in Provo, Utah.

Sean McNaughton hit a grand slam in the Cougars' five-run second inning.

The Rebels (25-26, 9-11 MWC) and Cougars will meet at noon today.

The UNLV women's golf team is 18th after two rounds of play at the NCAA West Regional in Tempe, Ariz.

The UNLV volleyball team leaves Sunday for a 12-day trip to Europe, which will include visits to five countries and five exhibition matches.

The Rebels will travel to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia and Italy. Junior Jessica Walters will chronicle the trip for the Mtn. and UNLVRebels.com.

The College of Southern Nevada baseball team lost to Salt Lake Community College 6-4 and was eliminated from the NJCAA Region 18 tournament in Carson City.

Duncan Blades smacked a three-run, ninth-inning homer to end the Coyotes' season.

The CSN softball team defeated Western Nevada 8-0 and Snow College 7-1 in NJCAA Region 18 tournament play in Salt Lake City. CSN (34-24) will play Southern Idaho (46-16-2) at 10 a.m today.

The Skins Game, a Thanksgiving weekend tradition for nearly three decades, has been postponed because of the economic downturn.