Wednesday's sports briefs

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrecked his pole-winning car in practice Wednesday and will have to start at the back of the pack for the Daytona 500.

Earnhardt was pushing Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson in practice when Johnson had to slow for traffic in front of him. Earnhardt plowed into Johnson's back bumper. He'll also start in the rear of his Gatorade Duels qualifying race Thursday.

The accident was a function of the two-car drafting that is the fastest way around Daytona International Speedway this year. Earnhardt said drivers have to watch the closing speed of cars coming up behind them.

"You've got to pay attention out there, man," Earnhardt said. "You want to come out here and race, you've got to pay attention."

Armstrong is retired for good Lance Armstrong is calling this one "Retirement 2.0."

Almost a month after finishing 65th in his last competitive race in Australia, and nearly six years removed from the last of an unprecedented seven consecutive Tour de France titles, the 39-year-old cyclist made clear there is no reset button this time. He's leaving professional racing behind for good.

"I can't say I have any regrets," Armstrong said. "It's been an excellent ride. I really thought I was going to win another tour."

Taurasi not only is free to resume playing in the Turkish basketball league, she also is cleared to participate for the United States at the 2012 London Olympics. Taurasi helped the Americans win gold medals at the past two Olympics.

U strong at Big Ten swim meet The Gophers set a school record in finishing second to Wisconsin in the 200-yard medley relay on the opening day of the Big Ten women's swimming and diving championships on Wednesday in Bloomington, Ind.

Hannah Whitehead, Jillian Tyler, Kaylee Jamison and Meagan Radecke teamed to finish in a Gophers-record 1 minute, 37.37 seconds, an NCAA "A" qualifying time.

Tyler and Jamison swam on the foursome that set the previous record of 1:38.33 in 2009.

The Gophers also placed third in the 800 freestyle relay, posting an NCAA "B" qualifying time of 7:06.52, a season best.

NFL: The Chicago Bears extended offensive line coach Mike Tice's contract by one year through 2012. The announcement came after they made a rare move this week and denied Tennessee permission to interview Tice for offensive coordinator. ... The Oakland Raiders agreed with potential free-agent defensive tackle Richard Seymour on a two-year, $30 million contract that includes $22.5 million in guaranteed money.

Horse racing: Trainer Rick Dutrow was suspended 90 days by New York racing stewards for two infractions. Dutrow was banned 60 days because he had a horse that tested positive for a pain killer and 30 days for having hypodermic needles in his Aqueduct barn. Dutrow trained Big Brown, the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner.

Tennis: Anna Chakvetadze collapsed on court at the Dubai Championships in the United Arab Emirates and had to withdraw from her match against Caroline Wozniacki. Organizers said Chakvetadze, who lost the first set 6-1, had a stomach illness.

WNBA: The Tulsa Shock re-signed former Olympic champion sprinter Marion Jones to a multiyear deal. She played in all 34 regular season games last season, averaging 3.4 points on 52.5 percent shooting and 1.5 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game.