Stepmother sues suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield, claiming he made defamatory statements

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Jeremy Mayfield’s stepmother has sued the suspended NASCAR driver, claiming he made slanderous, false and defamatory statements.

Bobcats, Hornets complete swap of centers Emeka Okafor, Tyson Chandler

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The New Orleans Hornets finally found a taker for Tyson Chandler. It took a deal with tinkering Charlotte coach Larry Brown, who was willing to jettison the Bobcats’ first draft pick.

Kenseth to get Crown Royal from McMurray as sponsor in 2010

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Matt Kenseth’s sponsorship search lasted less than a week.

Hurricanes reacquire D Aaron Ward from Bruins for Patrick Eaves

RALEIGH, N.C. — Aaron Ward is headed back to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Kenseth losing sponsor Dewalt after 10 seasons with Roush Fenway Racing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth is losing his sponsor after 10 seasons.

Hurricanes sign forward Tuomo Ruutu to 3-year, $11.4-million contract

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have locked up Tuomo Ruutu for three seasons.

Mayfield court filing claims independent test negative for methamphetamines

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The attorney for Jeremy Mayfield says an independent drug test on the NASCAR driver came back negative for methamphetamine.

Carolina Hurricanes agree to deals with D Alberts, pair of prospects

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have added some needed size to their blue line.

Carolina Panthers, Julius Peppers fail to agree on long-term deal before deadline

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The deadline for the Carolina Panthers to reach a long-term deal with franchise defensive end Julius Peppers has passed without an agreement.

Richard Childress Racing expects Harvick to remain with team in 2010

WELCOME, N.C. — Kevin Harvick is under contract with Richard Childress Racing for one more season, and the team expects him to drive the No. 29 in 2010.

Carolina Hurricanes agree to 3-year deal with winger Tom Kostopoulos

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a three-year deal with right wing Tom Kostopoulos (kuh-STAWP-oh-lis).

NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield willing to sell race team after failed sponsorship search

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jeremy Mayfield is considering selling his race team, because he can’t find any funding since his suspension for failing a random drug test.

Western Carolina football player Ja’Quayvin Smalls dies following offseason workout

CULLOWHEE, N.C. — A junior defensive back at Western Carolina has died after participating in a voluntary offseason workout.

Truex joins Michael Waltrip Racing as team owner scales back 2010 schedule

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip will scale back to a partial schedule to make room for Martin Truex Jr. to join the team in 2010.

NASCAR’s 25 nominees for first Hall of Fame class include France, Petty, Earnhardt

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Stock car racing giants ranging from Bill France Sr. and Junior Johnson to Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt are among the 25 nominees for NASCAR’s first Hall of Fame class.

Hurricanes keep LW Chad LaRose with 2-year, $3.4 million contract

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes locked up another of their free agents Thursday, re-signing forward Chad LaRose to a two-year deal.

Erik Cole stays with Hurricanes, agrees to 2-year, $5.8M contract

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping Erik Cole, agreeing Wednesday to a two-year deal with the physical forward.

North Carolina enters 10-year footwear, apparel agreement with Nike

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Tar Heels will wear the swoosh for the next nine years.

NASCAR confirms Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamines

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR confirmed Wednesday that suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield tested positive for methamphetamines.

Bundy’s goal helps Wilmington upset Chicago Fire in third round of US Open Cup, 1-0

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Kenny Bundy’s goal in the first half lifted the Wilmington Hammerheads past the Chicago Fire 1-0 Tuesday night in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip among 25 nominees for first NASCAR Hall of Fame class

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former drivers Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip are two of the 25 nominees for the first NASCAR Hall of Fame induction class.

Hurricanes sign playoff star Jussi Jokinen to 2-year, $3.4 million contract

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes are keeping Jussi Jokinen, agreeing to a two-year deal with one of the stars of their recent playoff run.

Jeremy Mayfield and NASCAR set to go head-to-head in fight over drug suspension

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jeremy Mayfield will go head-to-head with NASCAR this week in what very well may be his last shot at racing again this season.

Michael Jordan interested in putting group together to buy Bobcats from Bob Johnson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Bobcats are for sale and Michael Jordan is interested.

Suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield denies ever taking methamphetamines in affidavit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jeremy Mayfield denied Thursday ever taking methamphetamines, doesn’t know how he failed a random drug test and said his indefinite suspension from NASCAR has ruined his driving career.

Tar Heels’ Hansbrough ready for NBA, ‘known all along’ that he’s more than just a hard worker

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Tyler Hansbrough brushes off the idea that he brings little to the NBA other than relentless determination. He says his predraft workouts proved otherwise.

Panthers sign first of 7 draft picks, inking 7th-round choice Captain Munnerlyn

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have signed the first of their seven draft picks, reaching a deal with seventh-round choice Captain Munnerlyn.

Peppers ends stalemate with Panthers, signs 1-year, $16.7 million deal under franchise tag

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With one signature, Julius Peppers went from a disgruntled star seeking to leave town to a rich man who may stick around in Carolina for awhile.

Guard Elliot Williams to leave Duke after 1 season for family medical reasons

DURHAM, N.C. — Elliot Williams, whose move into the starting lineup provided Duke with a late-season spark, is leaving the Blue Devils after one season because of unspecified family medical reasons.

Davidson to play in Holiday Festival in New York with St. John’s, Cornell, Hofstra

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Davidson coach Bob McKillop will make his homecoming next season when the Wildcats play in the Holiday Festival in New York.

Slowed by a sore Achilles’ tendon, Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart vows to be ready for camp

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart says he’ll be ready for the start of training camp after being sidelined all offseason with pain in his left Achilles’ tendon.

NASCAR files federal motion to discredit expert in Mayfield’s court fight

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has filed a motion in federal court that says an expert witness for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield lied about his credentials.

Panthers undrafted rookie Anthony Scirrotto has baseball backup plan if NFL dream fades

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One of nearly two dozen undrafted rookies with Carolina, Anthony Scirrotto faces long odds to make the Panthers’ regular-season roster.

Deacs lose another: Wake Forest guard Jeff Teague staying in NBA draft as a sophomore

RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake Forest star Jeff Teague is staying in the NBA draft, ending his college career after just two seasons.

Let’s play 2: US Open, Women’s Open in back-to-back weeks at Pinehurst in 2014

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — This might be as close as golf gets to a doubleheader.