Atlanta, GA
NASCAR admits it should have called a caution at end of Atlanta Xfinity race
HAMPTON, Ga. — NASCAR stated Sunday that it should have thrown the caution flag on the last lap of Saturday night’s Xfinity race and if the situation happens again in today’s Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the caution flag will wave.
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, made the comments during the drivers meeting about an hour before Sunday’s Cup race.
“My last comment will be, based on (Saturday) night’s race, our goal is to finish our races under green conditions,” Sawyer told drivers. “That’s our No. 1 goal. Also, we’re not going to be racing through a debris field. So you can expect cautions to come out based on (Saturday) night. That was on us.
“So a situation that comes up today like (Saturday) night will be a caution.”
As the leaders exited Turn 2 on the last lap of Saturday’s Xfinity race at Atlanta, a few cars in the top 10 crashed. Behind the initial incident, three other cars crashed.
The race stayed green as Austin Hill beat Justin Allgaier for the win. The caution came out shortly after Hill crossed the finish line but at least a couple of cars had to drive through both incidents while the green remained out.
When NASCAR throws a caution flag at the end of a race has been an escalating issue since last week’s races at Daytona.
NASCAR threw a caution in the second qualifying race at Daytona with the leaders in sight of the start/finish line. Jusan Hamilton, a NASCAR race director, said on the NASCAR podcast “Hauler Talk” that the race should have finished under green.
“That’s one when you look back I would say we could do it differently,” he said. “I would say that we could let them get to the start/finish line but that’s looking back now on a Tuesday, going back on all our reviews and having the luxury and time to review the full situation.”
In last week’s Craftsman Truck race, a couple of vehicles spun off the track near Turn 3 and the race remained green. Multiple trucks wrecked in between Turns 3 and 4. The race ended under caution because some trucks would have to drive through the incident.
In last weekend’s Daytona 500, a crash on the backstretch on the last lap did not bring out the caution.
Instead, NASCAR allowed William Byron to race back to the finish line, throwing the caution after he took the checkered flag.
NASCAR stated that with the field bunched and past the incident site — along with no one in immediate need of emergency aid — NASCAR could call for some emergency vehicles to head to the site. Since the incident area was more than a mile from the finish line, drivers would have time to slow before reaching the scene.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta man convicted of abusing minors while stationed abroad
ATLANTA – An Atlanta man faces a potential life sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of terrorizing two young children during his military service abroad.
What we know:
A federal jury found 39-year-old Adam Schlueter guilty on Friday following a four-day trial. He was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Schlueter was stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany, from 2009 until 2013 while enlisted in the Army. During this time, prosecutors say he physically, emotionally, and sexually abused two victims who were under the age of 10.
Both victims testified during the trial that Schlueter beat and choked them. One victim recalled an incident at age 8 where Schlueter pushed him through a second-story window and dangled him above the ground. Evidence also showed Schlueter threatened victims and witnesses who spoke about his crimes.
What they’re saying:
“When he should have been honorably defending our country with the utmost integrity, Schlueter instead spent years terrorizing his young victims through physical and sexual abuse,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said. “Excellent work by the prosecutors and investigators assigned to this case will ensure that Schlueter is suitably punished for his wickedness.”
What’s next:
Schlueter is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. He faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years of imprisonment for each of the aggravated sexual abuse convictions and may be sentenced to life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leanne Marek and Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower are prosecuting the case, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from federal prosecutors with the Northern District of Georgia following the conclusion of a four-day federal trial.
Atlanta, GA
Philadelphia Phillies lose fifth straight game to end homestand, swept by Atlanta Braves
Michael Harris II homered and had three hits as the streaking Atlanta Braves defeated the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on Sunday night to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rivals.
Ozzie Albies hit an RBI double and Austin Riley also drove in a run for the Braves, who have won five in a row and nine of 11. It was Atlanta’s first series sweep of at least three games at Philadelphia in 10 years.
Kyle Schwarber went deep for the Phillies, who have lost five straight and 10 of 13. They were outscored 56-33 on a 2-7 homestand against the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Braves, leaving Philadelphia 6 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division standings.
Raisel Iglesias escaped trouble in the ninth inning for his fifth save. Philadelphia put runners on first and second with one out, but Trea Turner struck out and Schwarber lined out to right field on an excellent running catch by Ronald Acuña Jr.
Tyler Kinley (3-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win.
Schwarber’s two-run shot in the first gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.
Harris homered leading off the third before the Braves went ahead in the fifth with three runs against rookie starter Andrew Painter (1-1) and lefty reliever Tim Mayza.
Painter was lifted after he opened the inning by allowing singles to Harris and Acuña. Mayza loaded the bases with a walk, and the Braves tied the game on Matt Olson’s groundout. Riley’s dribbler to third went for an RBI infield single, and Albies’ double to the left-field wall made it 4-2.
Riley saved at least one run while ending a Philadelphia threat in the bottom of the fifth with a stellar defensive play at third base.
Braves starter Grant Holmes allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings.
On a chilly night, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto sat out after leaving Saturday’s game with lower back tightness.
Up next
Braves: Begin a four-game series Monday night at Washington. RHP Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77 ERA) opposes Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16).
Phillies: Open seven-game trip Monday night with the first of four games against the Cubs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-4, 4.03 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63).
Atlanta, GA
Play Fair ATL kicks off ‘The People’s Cup’ in Candler Park
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