WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- AJ Allmendingers journey is almost complete. With a new contract, sponsor extensions and a solid one-car team at JTG Daugherty Racing, Allmendinger became a winner in Sprint Cup for the first time on a sombre Sunday, outdueling Marcos Ambrose in the final two laps at Watkins Glen International. "I dreamed about this moment and Im not going to forget it," said Allmendinger, making his 213th Cup start. "Its just a dream come true." The day began on a solemn note when three-time Cup champion Tony Stewart pulled out of the race 12 hours after he struck and killed 20-year-old sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr. in a race after Ward climbed from his car on a small dirt track in nearby Canandaigua. Allmendinger offered his condolences to the Ward family after he won, saying, "Were a community here, were thinking about you." "Its a tough time for everybody," Allmendinger said. "This NASCAR community, as a whole, were a family. When anything like that happens, its something that you dont get time to erase and forget about. Our thoughts and prayers go to the Ward family and what happened. "And it also goes to Tony. Its not like hes sitting there and forgetting about it." In a statement released during the race by a spokesman, Stewart said: "There arent words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. Its a very emotional time for all involved, and it is the reason Ive decided not to participate in todays race at Watkins Glen. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy." Regan Smith drove Stewarts car and finished 37th after having to start from the back of the 43-car field and getting caught in a late accident. It was the second straight time Stewart missed the race at The Glen, where he has a NASCAR-record five victories. Last year, he broke his leg in a sprint car accident in Iowa days before the Cup race and missed the rest of the season. Allmendingers life changed two years ago in the hours before the July race at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR officials had just kicked him out of the track, suspending Allmendinger indefinitely for failing a random drug test. The failed drug test sidelined him for more than three months and cost him his job with Penske Racing. It also spurred much soul searching, and after a handful of one-off Cup rides he eventually landed a full-time Cup ride last August with JTG Daugherty Racing. To break through the way Allmendinger did only added to the lore of this race, which has been decided four straight times by fender-banging dashes to the checkered flag. Ambrose won two of those and Kyle Busch the other. An expert road racer from his days in open-wheel, Allmendinger beat the best in Ambrose, who has been dominant in NASCARs top two series at The Glen, also winning four straight Nationwide events. Ambrose was going for a weekend sweep after capturing the Zippo 200 on Saturday. "Im thrilled for AJ," said Ambrose, who drove for JTG Daugherty before Allmendinger. The victory made JTG Daugherty Racing eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup title, and Allmendinger isnt planning on stopping there. "Its huge to be in the Chase," he said. "I didnt want to just say, Just be there. We want to make some noise. To be able to say were a Chase team, were working hard and trying to get it back. When it comes to the Chase with the new format, it doesnt mean we cant get hot early. You dont have to be amazing for 10 races." Allmendinger held off Ambrose through the first two turns on the final restart and opened a lead after both cars bumped and won going away. "I try to get better every day. Im still not where I want to be," Allmendinger said. "I wouldnt want to go back and change the process. I wouldnt change a thing about this." There were three restarts in the decisive closing laps. Allmendinger got the jump on Ambrose in the first one with nine laps to go, but Jimmie Johnson was bumped in the first turn and his No. 48 spun around, collecting two other cars and precipitating a caution. The race restarted again with five laps left and both Ambrose and Allmendinger were side-by-side through the esses, banging against each other before Ambrose took the lead in the chicane as hes done so many times in the past, dirt flying as both cars hit the grass. Allmendinger wasnt done, regaining the lead on the next lap as he out-braked the Australian into Turn 1 before a crash involving Denny Hamlin caused another red flag with four laps left. The 90-lap race on the 2.45-mile layout was red-flagged for 1 hour, 21 minutes just past the midpoint after a violent crash involving Ryan Newman and Michael McDowell that involved three other cars. Newmans Chevrolet spun hard into the Armco barrier lining the track, ripping a big hole in the barriers metal. The car then spun around twice and went back across the racing surface, collecting McDowell in his No. 95, which incurred heavy damage in the rear. Newman, McDowell and Alex Bowman were treated in the infield care centre and released. Allmendinger gained the lead on Lap 64 after pit stops, with Kurt Busch and Ambrose close behind. Ambrose outbraked Busch into Turn 1 for second two laps later and set his sights on Allmendinger, who had a 2-second lead that was wiped out by the late stoppages. Jeff Gordon started from the pole and led the first 29 laps, holding Ambrose at bay. But Gordons engine died on lap 50 as he lost all power and couldnt get it refired, spoiling a promising day. Paul Kariya Jersey . The above paragraph could be rewritten, verbatim, with Marcus Stromans name in place of Romeros. After both men had disastrous outings in Tuesdays 18-4 mauling at the hands of the Tigers, its clear that neither is the best option to begin the season in Toronto. Lanny McDonald Jersey . -- Former NHL star Jeremy Roenick shot a second-round 69 to take the lead after 36 holes and former LPGA great Annika Sorenstam and Chad Pfeifer, who lost his left leg above the knee serving in Iraq, are among several players in contention in the American Century Championship tournament on Saturday. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic...alanche-jersey/. Omar Rahou made the discriminatory gesture several times while celebrating scoring a goal against Romania at Antwerp in January, UEFA said. The sanction was double the five-match ban Nicolas Anelka received from an English Football Association independent tribunal last week for the same act. Teemu Selanne Jersey .The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBAs career scoring list Sunday night in a 100-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rene Robert Jersey . Both sides came closest to scoring in the first half, when Roma had a goal from Mattia Destro waved off for offside and Inters Rodrigo Palacio headed high. "A draw was a fair result. Neither squad had many chances," Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic said.BEREA, Ohio -- There were No. 2 jerseys everywhere, ringing the practice fields in various shapes, sizes and colours. On the first day of training camp, Browns fans came out by the thousands, many of them to get their first live look at the popular and polarizing quarterback who electrified college football and who may one day lead Cleveland back to pro football glory. They all came to see Johnny Manziel. Strutting around the field with his usual swagger, Manziel went through his first training camp practice on Saturday, a workout that finally allowed the focus to be on his playing ability after months of his social life making headlines. A day after acknowledging he "made some rookie mistakes" with his off-the-field exploits, Manziel zipped passes and showed some of the elusiveness that earned him his Johnny Football nickname while at Texas A&M. "I have fun playing this game," Manziel said. "I have fun going out on this field playing football. Its what I live for, its what I love to do." On Friday, Manziel, who will battle Brian Hoyer for Clevelands starting job, said he wished he had done some things differently during the off-season, when his wild weekends partying in Las Vegas nightclubs brought both he and the Browns some unwanted publicity. Manziel vowed to be all about football now, and his every move will be dissected over the next few weeks as he and Hoyer compete. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam hopes Manziel sticks to his word and changes his behaviour. "Johnny said it himself, he made some mistakes," said Haslam. "We expect better from him. Im sure hell perform and now were anxious to see what he can do on the field, which is what really counts." Haslam, whose Pilot Flying J truck-stop company has been at the centre of a federal investigation for fraud, rattled off the names of famous athletes like LeBron James, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Derek Jeter as examples of athletes Manziel should try to model himself after. "The really great athletes make their news on the field, not off the field," Haslam said. Hours before the Browns opened the gates of their training complex, fans waited patiently in lines for a chance to get a prime spot to see Manziel. Bracing for huge crowds at camp, the Browns required fans to register online for the first time to reserve a ticket for the practices. At 9:22 a.m., Manziel emerged through the door of Clevelands locker room and made his way onto the field. As Manziel came into view, fans wearing "Johnny Football T-shirts" and No. 2 jerseys, some of them recycled ones they wore when Tim Couch was Clevelands starting quarterback, cheerred as House of Pains "Jump Around" blared through loudspeakers.dddddddddddd Manziel later said he appreciated the support. "Personally, Ive had an incredible fan base thats followed me and really come out of the woodwork here in Cleveland for me," he said. "Its truly incredible. Im truly thankful to have those guys, but more than anything, its not just my number, my name on the back. Its Cleveland. Its the Browns. Its awesome to have the fan base that we have for this team, not just me. Its a great turnout today, and Im sure that wont stop anytime soon." Hoyer had a much smaller following, but there are plenty of Cleveland fans who are pulling for the hometown kid to fend off Manziel. Hoyer opens camp with a sizeable advantage over Manziel, but the 28-year-old knows he cant afford any major slipups or his lead will evaporate. Hoyer put in countless hours rehabbing a surgically repaired right knee to be ready for this season. He knows this could be his last chance at a starting job. "Like Ive said all along, playing for this team was my dream as a child, but also being from here doesnt make me the best quarterback for this team," he said. "I want to earn it out on the field." Even Haslam feels some sentimentality toward Hoyer. "Is there a better story?" he said. "Hes a hometown kid, hes coming off an injury. We all want him to do well." Hoyer took the first reps with Clevelands starting offence, and he completed his first pass to wide receiver Austin Miles. Manziel was behind centre a few plays later, and aket, his throw toward the sideline sailed long, beyond the outstretched hands of receiver Charles Johnson. The incompletion didnt discourage the Manzielmaniacs, who are confident he can make the Browns winners. "I loved watching him play in college," said Sam Wilson of North Canton, Ohio, who came to camp with his girlfriend, Savannah Meadows. "I think hes kind of a football genius and I think hell turn it around. I have faith in him." Not everyone was focused on Manziels throws. "I just think hes really cute," Meadows said. NOTES: Second-year LB Barkevious Mingo made several nice plays, tipping away an early pass by Hoyer. Coach Mike Pettine said Mingo came in heavier this year, but hasnt lost his speed. "Im very pleased. He got into the playbook and showed up ready to work," Pettine said of the No. 6 overall pick in 2013. ... The Browns placed TEs Gary Barnidge and MarQueis Gray, G John Greco and DT Phil Taylor on non-football injury list after they failed their conditioning tests. ' ' '