DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. This day would be different. Competitors knew it and felt it. Yet, its significance would not be truly realized until years later. All that was evident on July 4, 1984, was that crew members had to arrive earlier than normal to the garage area for the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. They gathered before the sun began to rise.

A day after self-destructing in the ninth inning and relinquishing a three-run lead in a dispiriting loss, Norfolk produced a near-flawless performance Friday. Chris Tillman allowed no runs and struck out seven before exiting in the eighth inning. He was supported by a three-run rally the Tides generated in their first at bat.

BETHESDA, Md. I knew the answer. I asked Tiger Woods, famous Robo-Golfer, anyway, just to hear it from him:

Oscar Smith quarterback Phillip Sims can't stop pinching himself. It's not often that a high school quarterback gets invited to Hawaii to rub elbows, train and share knowledge with NFL quarterbacks.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. NASCAR Chairman Brian France passionately defended the sport's drug policy Friday, two days after a federal judge granted Jeremy Mayfield an injunction to compete in Sprint Cup events for the first time since his suspension in May for a failed drug test. France raised his voice and was as animated as he has ever been in any meeting with media members.

By Barry Wilner The Associated Press NEW YORK When the United Football League debuts in October, Michael Vick could be one of its players. Michael Huyghue, the commissioner of the new four-team league, says the UFL is willing to give the former Virginia Tech standout a place to play - provided there are no pending legal issues. His rights belong to the Orlando franchise.

By BARRY WILNER

NEW YORK When the United Football League debuts in October, Michael Vick could be one of its players.

Michael Huyghue, the commissioner of the new four-team league, says the UFL is willing to give Vick a place to play — provided there are no pending legal issues. His rights belong to the Orlando franchise.

The Tides received  a strong performance from starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, who controlled the Braves' lineup for seven innings. They scraped together four runs. All they needed to do was keep Gwinnett off the scoreboard for one more inning. They couldn't do it. 3 outs from victory After starting the ninth with a 4-1 lead, reliever Bob McCrory faced five batters.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. A day after a federal judge allowed Jeremy Mayfield to again compete in NASCAR Sprint Cup events, Mayfield and his team were not seen at Daytona International Speedway. Although not on the track, Mayfield was the topic of conversation among drivers Thursday.

VIRGINIA BEACH The University of Virginia coaching staff will have reason to celebrate this holiday weekend after Bayside linebacker Henry Coley committed to the Cavaliers. Coley, 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, informed Virginia head coach Al Groh and assistant coach Latrell Scott on Thursday afternoon that he would be coming their way in 2010.