Race car driver dies

July 8, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NELSON TOWNSHIP

The driver of a Van Dieman RF98 race car that crashed about 9 a.m. Monday has died at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

The accident occurred at Nelson Ledges Road Course, in Garrettsville, during a Sports Car Club of America-sanctioned event.

Portage County Sheriff David Doak said two cars were racing for position, passing a slower car, when contact was made between the two cars, causing the victim to lose control and crash into a guardrail.

MedFlight took the driver, John Metzger, 55, of Cross Lane, W.V., to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital with severe injuries.

The crash is currently under investigation by the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office.

Penguins sign D Andrew Hutchinson

PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Andrew Hutchinson to a two-way contract that will pay him $500,000 if he plays in the NHL next season.

The 30-year-old Hutchinson has 135 games of NHL experience with Dallas, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Nashville, getting 12 goals and 26 assists.

He had nine goals and 38 points in 78 games last season for the Dallas Stars’ top minor league affiliate, Texas of the American Hockey League.

World Cup soccer attendance passes 3M

JOHANNESBURG

The World Cup total stadium attendance passed 3 million at the Germany-Spain semifinal match Wednesday.

FIFA says 2,997,000 people have attended the first 61 matches, for an average of 49,134 with three games left to play.

The figures place South Africa third in both categories, behind the 1994 tournament in the United States and the 2006 edition in Germany.

Bay to Breakers race is getting sober

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco’s Bay to Breakers footrace is famous for its lack of rules, but organizers say there’s one that racers will have to follow next year.

Organizers of the bawdy annual run through the city announced Wednesday that they’re banning booze next year and challenging the estimated 92,000 people who descend upon the 71/2-mile course to do so sober.

The race, marking its centennial next May, draws serious runners as well as drunken revelers in risque outfits — or no outfits at all.

Run spokesman Sam Singer says organizers are ending the tradition of drinking after fielding complaints from neighbors, losing a corporate sponsor and transporting 30 intoxicated participants to the hospital this year.

3-horse entry favorite in Yonkers Trot race

YONKERS, N.Y.

The three-horse entry of Hard Livin’, Senor Glide and On The Tab has been made the 6-5 favorite for Saturday’s Yonkers Trot.

A field of eight was entered Wednesday for the first leg of trotting’s Triple Crown.

The three-horse entry is trained by Jimmy Takter.

Senor Glide was the fastest in two elimination heats last week and drew the inside rail. He will be driven by Cat Manzi. Hard Livin’ won the other elimination heat and leaves from the post No. 5 with driver Ron Pierce.

On The Tab will be driven by David Miller from the No. 3 post.

’08 WSofP champ leaving card game

LAS VEGAS

A 24-year-old Danish poker player who won $9.15 million at the World Series of Poker main event in 2008 is taking a break from the game and says he likely won’t return unless he needs money or is doing nothing.

Peter Eastgate told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he decided to stop gambling for high stakes because he is bored of it and doesn’t need the money.

Eastgate told the AP he has no immediate plans and isn’t sure what he will do next.

Eastgate said in a statement issued by tournament sponsor PokerStars on its blog that he needs to focus on himself as a person.

Vindicator staff/wire reports