In Charlotte, David Scott reported action sports star Travis Pastrana's NASCAR Nationwide Series debut "will be delayed until 2012 due to injuries he suffered" two weeks ago. Scott also reported JR Motorsports' No. 7 Chevy will "promote a new video game" of driver Jimmie Johnson's at Saturday's Nationwide Series Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen Int'l (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/7). Meanwhile, SCENEDAILY.com's Bob Pockrass reported Carl Edwards will not "run the full Nationwide Series schedule beginning in 2012," but will "still run a partial Nationwide schedule." Edwards said that he "wants more time to focus on his" Sprint Cup Series car. The number of Nationwide races Edwards will run in '12 "remains to be determined" (SCENEDAILY.com, 8/6).
ANTE UP: In Boston, Gary Washburn noted there "seems to be some question as to whether" NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter is "willing to play a high-stakes game" with NBA Commissioner David Stern and risk losing the '11-12 NBA season. This is "likely going to be Stern's last collective bargaining agreement" as he "turns 70 next year and doesn't want another unprofitable agreement with the players." Hunter "was intrigued by the NFLPA's unfair labor charge against the league after it decertified but the sides reached an agreement before the decision." Washburn: "With no reference for the NBPA's next move, it will be interesting to see whether the players wait for a New York court to decide whether the league is negotiating in good faith or counter with a lawsuit of their own" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/7).
EURO TRIP? ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki said in an interview Thursday that he "plans to wait until after the European championships before he thinks seriously about playing in a foreign league." Nowitzki said, "I'm going to play the Euros and then see where the lockout is after that. Until then, I'm not going to look at playing anywhere else." He added, "I still can't see this being a long lockout, but if it is, I'm going to find somewhere to play" (ESPN.com, 8/4).
WARMING UP ON THE ICE: In Montreal, Pat Hickey noted the NHL CBA expires next year after several seasons of "growth and labour peace.” While the expiration “is unlikely to have an effect on the 2011-12 season, it's not too early to start worrying about another work stoppage.” The NHL owners “will take their lead” from the NFL and NBA, both of which “have taken a hard line with their players in negotiations this summer.” The NHL negotiations “will be contentious because the current agreement hasn't solved the problem that plagued the league” prior to the lockout in ’04. While total revenues “are up, there are still teams that are struggling, and the gap between rich and poor is growing.” The hiring of NHLPA Exec Dir Don Fehr “is an indication that NHL players are prepared for a battle” (Montreal GAZETTE, 8/6).
