Clarett Indicted on Charges Stemming From Chase

Former Ohio State tailback Maurice Clarett was indicted yesterday on new charges related to a highway chase and violent struggle with police.

Clarett, found with three semiautomatic handguns and an automatic rifle -- all loaded -- in his sport-utility vehicle, was indicted on five charges that include carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of failure to comply with an order from a police officer.

The 22-year-old was arrested Aug. 9 in Columbus, Ohio, after authorities say he tried to flee a police officer. Police noticed a vehicle driving erratically, beginning a highway chase that ended when police spiked the tires of Clarett's SUV. Officers said their stun guns did not work on Clarett because he was wearing a bulletproof vest. Instead, police used pepper spray to gain control of and handcuff Clarett.

Clarett, who's being held in the Franklin County jail, already is set to go to trial on Sept. 18 on charges that he robbed two people of a cellphone outside a bar on New Year's Day.

· AUTO RACING: NASCAR denies that top officials for the sanctioning body promised a job to a former racing team member who was the victim of a 1999 racial prank.

The denial is part of a court filing by NASCAR on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. The filing was in response to a lawsuit last month by David Scott , a former motorcoach driver for car owners Roger Penske and Michael Kranefuss .

Scott, who is black, was the target of racial slurs and harassment during several run-ins with a handful of white motorcoach drivers during the 1999 season. During a July race at New Hampshire International Speedway, two white motorcoach drivers confronted Scott while one wore a white pillowcase over his head, imitating a Ku Klux Klan member.

Scott's suit stems from a promise he contends was made during NASCAR's investigation into the pillowcase matter. He maintains series officials said they would find him employment with NASCAR.

· PRO BASKETBALL: Latrell Sprewell won't face charges stemming from a woman's accusations that he choked her as they had sex on his boat in August, his attorney said. . . .

Golden State Warriors rookie center Patrick O'Bryant probably will miss the start of training camp after breaking his right foot last month.

· GOLF: In Ancaster, Ontario, Jim Furyk and Justin Rose took advantage of perfect scoring conditions in the first round of the Canadian Open. Furyk and Rose shot the lowest professional rounds ever on the 90-year-old Hamilton Golf and Country Club course, 7-under 63s that left them a stroke ahead of Brandt Jobe , Nathan Green and Frank Lickliter II .

· BOXING: Evander Holyfield , 43, will fight Fres Oquendo on Nov. 10 in San Antonio. In his most recent bout, Holyfield stopped Jeremy Bates in the second round on Aug. 18 in Dallas.

-- From News Services