Clukey wins record 8th USA Luge start championship

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — Julia Clukey won her record eighth USA Luge women’s national start championship Friday night.

Clukey edged Summer Britcher in the two-run event at the team’s indoor training facility. Clukey’s time was 3.051 seconds, beating Britcher (3.072) and Olympic bronze medalist Erin Hamlin (3.123).

Tucker West – a World Cup race winner last season – took the men’s race in 2.794 seconds, easily topping Aidan Kelly and Johnny Gustafson for his fourth title.

“Excited to get back to racing, excited for the season,” West said.

In the doubles event, Justin Krewson and Andrew Sherk prevailed over Jake Hyrns and Anthony Espinoza. They were the only two sleds in the race, because the top U.S. doubles team of Matt Mortensen and Jayson Terdiman did not race because of Mortensen’s U.S. Army duties.

Stroman solid as Jays beat Red Sox

TORONTO (AP) — Marcus Stroman pitched seven innings to win his first home start in more than a year, Justin Smoak had two RBIs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox 6-1 on Friday night.

Stroman (2-0), who returned last Saturday after tearing knee ligaments in spring training, started at Rogers Centre for the first time since Sept. 8, 2014, when he tossed a three-hitter against the Chicago Cubs.

Harvick to start Chase on pole after qualifying canceled

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Rain has washed out qualifying for the opening race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Kevin Harvick will start his title defense from the pole Sunday. The reigning Sprint Cup champion was fastest Friday in practice and, when a heavy downpour at Chicagoland Speedway washed out the qualifying session, the field was set by practice speeds.

Joey Logano will start second and Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski will start third.

Martin Truex Jr. will start fourth as four of the 16 Chase drivers were the fourth fastest in practice.

Denny Hamlin had a tough practice session and will start 30th, last of the Chase drivers.