Newton Citizen

Thornton takes checkered flag in Thursday Thunder's Masters Division

HAMPTON - Oxford's Randy Thornton claimed victory in the Masters Division of Thursday Thunder at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the ninth time in his career, while Covington's Kyle Lowry finished fourth in the Charter Communications Pro division.

Thornton's No. 37 car maintained the lead in the early laps, but Jeff Haynie of Zebulon chased closely. Haynie bumped Thornton throughout the final laps, but Thornton fought to retain his first-place position.

Watkinsville's Zach Kittle sat on the pole for the Charter Communications Pro feature, but Casey Roderick of Lawrenceville shot to the front of the field in the race's first corner. By lap five, Roderick, Lowry and Griffin's Doug Stevens proved to be the race's early favorites with a three-way battle for the top position. Roderick maintained his advantage and used the lead to take his 21st-career win.

Dream fall to Sun in overtime 109-101

UNCASVILLE, Conn. - Asjha Jones scored eight of her team-high 30 points in overtime Friday to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 109-101 win over the winless Atlanta Dream.

Tamika Whitmore scored 28 points, including six in OT for Connecticut, which narrowly avoided becoming the first team to lose to the expansion Dream.

Betty Lennox scored a career-high 44 points, adding nine rebounds and seven assists for Atlanta (0-14), which tied a WNBA record for most losses to begin a season. The 44 points tied Cynthia Cooper for third-place on the league's single-game scoring list.