NASCAR asks appeals court to ban Jeremy Mayfield from racing

NASCAR on Wednesday asked an appeals court to ban Jeremy Mayfield from racing, alleging the participation of “a proven methamphetamine user” could lead to fatal consequences for other competitors and fans.

NASCAR wants the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Charlotte, N.C., to overturn U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen’s decision last week to lift Mayfield’s indefinite suspension after a positive drug test.

Mayfield was suspended May 9 for failing a random drug test eight days earlier. NASCAR has said he tested positive for methamphetamine, but Mayfield has denied using the illegal drug.

Formula One’s fragile peace deal was thrown into doubt when eight leading teams walked out of a meeting with the governing body in London after being told they had not been entered into the 2010 championship and would have no say on finalizing cost-cutting measures.

FOOTBALL

Goodell, Mora reach summit

A group including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Seahawks Coach Jim Mora reached the summit of Mt. Rainier.

The team made it to the summit of the 14,411-foot volcano at 9:15 a.m. and was back at Camp Muir by about 2:30 p.m., said Jered Erlandson, a spokesman for United Way of King County.

The climb is a fundraiser for the Seattle charity.

After taking its fight to change the Bowl Championships Series to Congress, the Mountain West Conference has reluctantly agreed to a BCS television deal.

University of Utah President Michael Young issued a statement on behalf of the conference one day after he testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee. In the statement, Young said the Mountain West felt it had no choice but to sign the agreement with ESPN, which runs through the 2013 season. The Mountain West champion would still not automatically qualify for a spot in one of the top-tier bowls.

BASEBALL

Morneau to skip home-run derby

Minnesota Twins slugger Justin Morneau says he has declined an invitation to defend his title in the home run derby Monday in St. Louis. He says he wants to rest and would prefer to watch.

Michael Weiner has been approved unanimously by the Major League Baseball Players Assn. executive board to succeed Donald Fehr as the union’s head.

JURISPRUDENCE

Two USC players are arrested

USC defensive lineman Everson Griffen and linebacker Jordan Campbell were arrested last weekend in Nantucket, Mass., on suspicion of breach of the peace.

“We’re aware of it and we’re looking into it,” sports information director Tim Tessalone said.

Nantucket police said that they were unable to provide details of the incident.

Neither Griffen, Campbell nor Coach Pete Carroll could be reached for comment.

-- Gary Klein

Former New York Mets outfielder Lenny Dykstra has sought bankruptcy protection in Los Angeles, citing more than $31 million in debts.

Federal court documents show Dykstra filed for Chapter 11 status Tuesday. He listed assets of $50,000 or less and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million.

Former top draft pick and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Matt Bush has pleaded not guilty to drunk driving, resisting arrest and vandalism for an incident last month in which he backed into a parked car in El Cajon, Calif.

ETC.

World Cup workers on strike

South African construction workers went on an indefinite strike at stadiums being built for the 2010 World Cup -- a move that could derail Africa’s historic first World Cup tournament. Thousands of workers at stadiums across the country put down their tools after wage negotiations deadlocked earlier this week. Workers are demanding a 13% pay increase while employers are offering 10.4%.

Backup “B” sample tests came back positive for 1,500-meter gold medalist Rashid Ramzi and four other athletes accused of blood doping at the Beijing Games, an Olympic official with knowledge of the results told the Associated Press.