INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Strategy was almost as important as speed Saturday as Scott Dixon won the pole for the Indianapolis 500 with a big gamble by his Target Chip Ganassi Racing team.

Dixon and teammate Dan Wheldon, who took the second spot, both took advantage of Indy’s unique qualifying format, which allows each entry up to three tries on each of the four days of time trials.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Even though he’s only 37 and in good health, Nathan Davis has already made out his will. In it, he bequeaths money to the University of Alabama athletic department and his ashes to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch won the battle of attrition Saturday night as NASCAR’s least popular driver overcame a pit-road penalty and several scrapes with the wall to win at Darlington Raceway.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Rarely spectacular but remarkable for her consistency, Annika Sorenstam shot her third consecutive nearly mistake-free round Saturday, and her 2-under 69 signaled that she may be ready to give Lorena Ochoa a run for No. 1 again.

Local sports events will be announced in the Daily Journal on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday for two weeks preceding the event. Please send an announcement of your upcoming event to the sports department no sooner than three weeks before the event or its registration deadline by either phone 431-2010, FAX 431-7640, or drop it off in person at the Daily Journal office in Park Hills.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jason Isringhausen got his wish.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Eric Gagne no longer wants to be called the Brewers’ closer. He’s pitching his way out of that role, anyway.

PARK HILLS — The Mineral Area Cardinals were able to reach the fifth inning on Saturday against the Maple Woods Monarchs when for the second time in four days their game was again suspended because of rain.

FARMINGTON — The Farmington and De Soto baseball teams squared off in the third of four quarterfinal games scheduled in the Class 3, District 2 tournament at Wilson-Rozier Park on Saturday, but sloppy weather would not permit the contest to be completed.

FARMINGTON — The North County scored three runs with the help of three doubles in the third inning, and received another strong effort from unbeaten pitcher Nick Howlett on Saturday in a 4-2 triumph over Potosi during Class 3, District 2 opening-round action.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Hot blasts of wind on a diabolical course made The Players Championship tough enough to turn someone’s hair gray. Not that the leaders needed any help with that Friday.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Lorena Ochoa started with a birdie, pulling her even with Annika Sorenstam, the playing partner she replaced as the No. 1 female golfer in the world.

EARTH CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chris Long found out early that although he was the St. Louis Rams’ first-round draft choice and the No. 2 selection overall, he is still just a rookie.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored two dazzling goals 5 minutes apart to give Pittsburgh a two-goal lead, after Sidney Crosby tied it, and the Penguins rode their two big stars to a 4-2 victory over cross-state rival Philadelphia in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Friday night.

PARK HILLS — The Mineral Area College Cardinals had a hard time hosting the Region 16 Junior College Tournament on Day One  as the faucet for the day’s rain was turned on and off in recurring cycles Wednesday morning. Finally, after a pair of one-hour delays and a fifth-inning downpour, the officials gave notice that the day’s games were canceled and play was finally resumed on Friday from where they had left off.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rickie Weeks hit a bases loaded, two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give Milwaukee a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night and snap the Brewers’ six-game losing streak.

PIEDMONT, Mo. — Infielder Jake Hime blasted a game-winning, three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning on Friday, lifting host Clearwater past Central 7-6 in the regular season finale for both teams.