Sunday's sports briefs

Lance Armstrong wrapped up his Tour de France preparations on a high note, finishing second in the Tour of Luxembourg on Sunday, 12 seconds behind Frank Schleck of Luxembourg.

Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France champion, was seventh overall going into the stage, but surged into contention by placing 11th in the 16.6-mile time trial around Liestal, finishing in 33 minutes, 30 seconds to trail stage winner Tony Martin by 1:09.

Armstrong was pleased with his result heading into the Tour.

"I think if we look at the field here, on all levels, the climbers, the sprinters ... and the speed and compare it to the alternative race, this is what you'll see at the Tour," said Armstrong, who struggled in time trials last year, when he ended a 3 1/2-year retirement. "For whatever reason, this race attracted all sorts of favorites, this is a good indication of what's coming up. I just have to stay healthy and try and find an extra 1 percent."

Following bouts of illness and a crash earlier this season, Armstrong posted a strong performance in Switzerland, showing his 38-year-old legs are still able to compete in high mountains and produce a solid performance in time trials.

Armstrong escaped serious injury when he crashed at the Tour of California in May, but it was a big setback in his preparations for cycling's three-week showcase.

The cancer survivor made up for the race days he lost by competing in the Tour of Luxembourg, where he finished third, before racing in Switzerland.

A former moonshine runner who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Parks was the last living member of the group of men who created NASCAR in 1947 during a meeting in Daytona Beach, Fla. He fielded the car that Red Byron drove to the inaugural Cup Series championship in 1949, NASCAR's first season of competition.

"Raymond is a giant in the history of NASCAR and will always be remembered for his dedication to NASCAR," NASCAR Chairman Brian France said.

His NASCAR career began as owner of the first elite race team, which was built with mechanic Red Vogt and Byron behind the wheel.

College football: Youngstown, Ohio, police said Ohio State recruit Jamel Turner remained in critical condition a day after he was shot multiple times and a teenage girl was killed. Police said they have a suspect but no arrest has been made. Tracy Banks, 17, died in the shooting at a house; a 4-year-old girl found inside the house was unharmed.

College sports: A federal judge is being asked to decide whether cheerleading can be counted as a sport by schools looking for ways to meet gender-equity requirements. The issue is part of a lawsuit filed by five members of the volleyball team at Connecticut's Quinnipiac University and coach Robin Sparks last year after the school decided in a budgetary move to eliminate women's volleyball in favor of a competitive cheer squad. The case goes to trial Monday.

NFL: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning won the Youthlinks Indiana's National Pathfinder Award, joining his mother and father who shared the honor in 2006. The award is given to individuals who show a commitment to improving the lives of America's children.

WNBA: Tina Charles scored 24 points, including the deciding free throws with 1:17 left, and grabbed 12 rebounds to lift Connecticut past host Phoenix 96-94. The Sun blew a 21-point third-quarter lead but rebounded to win. ... Swin Cash had 22 points and nine rebounds and host Seattle beat San Antonio 82-61, improving to 11-2 this season.

Track and field: Russia won the European Team Championships in Bergen, Norway, helped by the fastest time this year in the women's 1,600-meter relay (3 minutes, 23.76 seconds).