Judge says Jeremy Mayfield can return to racing

Two months after a positive drug test for methamphetamines Jeremy Mayfield is getting ready to return to NASCAR.

U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen on Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., issued a temporary injunction to allow the driver to get back behind the wheel at Daytona International Speedway this weekend.

“This is huge for us,” Mayfield said. “This means more to me probably than any race I’ve ever won or anything.”

Concluding the “likelihood of a false positive in this case is quite substantial,” Mullen ruled in Mayfield’s favor after about two hours of arguments, including NASCAR’s contention that Mayfield is a danger to the sport after testing positive for high amounts of a dangerous, illegal drug.

But Mullen sided with Mayfield’s attorney, Bill Diehl, who argued the test results would be accurate only if Mayfield were a habitual meth user.

A federal judge in Houston has rejected Roger Clemens’ bid to revive some of his defamation claims against Brian McNamee, clearing the way for the former trainer to file his own suit against the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.

SOCCER

Galaxy acquires Eskandarian

The Galaxy acquired forward Alecko Eskandarian from Chivas USA for allocation money and a conditional pick in the 2010 Major League Soccer draft.

Eskandarian, 26, is a two-time MLS All-Star who scored twice for D.C. United in its 2004 MLS championship game victory over Kansas City.

-- Grahame L. Jones

Lyon agreed to sell France striker Karim Benzema to Real Madrid in a deal worth up to $67 million. . . . The Belgian soccer federation says Dutch coach Dick Advocaat has signed a two-year contract to take charge of Belgium’s national team next year.

HORSE RACING

Borel again off Mine That Bird

Calvin Borel is out as the rider of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird after trainer Chip Woolley, Borel and the jockey’s agent could not agree on a long-term commitment.

Borel possibly could have been aboard the gelding for his next scheduled start at the $750,000 West Virginia Derby on Aug. 1. But Woolley said he wants someone committed to ride Mine That Bird through the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in November.

ETC.

Ticket prices cut for AVP events

Ticket prices have been reduced by up to 50% for the AVP Crocs Slam Manhattan Beach Open and the Hermosa Beach Open, scheduled July 16-19 and Aug. 6-9, respectively.

At Manhattan Beach, only courtside seating is ticketed and the price has been dropped from $50 to $25 on Friday, and to $40 on Saturday and Sunday. At Hermosa Beach, general admission prices were dropped from $20 to $10 on Friday, and to $15 on Saturday and Sunday. Courtside seating has been dropped from $50 to $25 on Friday, and to $35 on Saturday and Sunday. The Hermosa Beach prices apply only to Stadium Court and outer courts 1 and 2. Spectators are granted free access to all other outside courts.

-- Pete Thomas

The AVP Tour says it has received a commitment of up to $1 million in funding from its lead investor to continue broadening its pro beach volleyball tour in the United States. . . . Swimmer Dara Torres, 42, plans to have major surgery on her arthritic left knee at the end of the summer. . . . Spain’s Aschwin Wildeboer Faber set a world record in the 100-meter backstroke with a 52.38-second leg in the 400 medley relay final in the Mediterranean Games at Pescara, Italy. . . . Dutch cyclist Thomas Dekker will not take part in the Tour de France after testing positive for the illegal blood-booster EPO.

PASSINGS

Arguello, boxing champ, was 57

Alexis Arguello, who fought in one of boxing’s classic brawls and reigned supreme at 130 pounds, was found dead at his home in Managua, Nicaragua, with a gunshot wound to the chest in an apparent suicide. He was 57. Page A27.