NASCAR Drivers Allowed to Display Va. Tech Logo

NASCAR will allow racecars to display the Virginia Tech logo for the next three weeks in tribute to the victims of this week's shootings at the school.

The logo will be displayed against a black background on the area just to the right of the driver's side window net on cars in both the Nextel Cup and Busch series at Phoenix International Raceway tomorrow and Saturday, Talladega Superspeedway (April 28-29) and Richmond International Raceway (May 4-5).

Also, entries in the Craftsman Truck Series event April 28 at Kansas Speedway will display the logo.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their family members, their friends -- and the entire Virginia Tech community," NASCAR Chairman Brian France said. "We wanted to make a simple, but strong, gesture of remembrance. We are grateful the university gave us clearance to display their logo."

Meantime, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has teamed up with the United Way and donated $10,000 to assist families affected by the rampage at Virginia Tech, his foundation announced.

"When tragic things like this happen, families have enough to deal with, and if I can help in some small way, that's the least I can do," said Vick, who played football at Virginia Tech before joining the Falcons in 2001 as the top overall pick of the NFL draft.

Also, the Houston Dynamo of MLS will wear uniforms with the school's colors in an April 29 game. The maroon jerseys will then be auctioned off, and the funds will be donated to the school's Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.

The Washington Nationals wore Virginia Tech baseball caps in their game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.

· TENNIS: Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak on clay to 63 matches by defeating Juan Ignacio Chela, 6-3, 6-1, in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco.

Nadal, the two-time defending French Open champion, is seeking his third straight Monte Carlo title. He has not lost on clay since Igor Andreev of Russia beat him in the quarterfinals of the Valencia Open in April 2005.