The NASCAR Nextel Cup

The NASCAR Nextel Cup series heads to Lowe’s Motor Speedway this weekend for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. The event is the first of two Cup races there this season.

Casey Mears is the defending race winner.

Who Will Win?

Jimmie Johnson: Lowe’s Motor Speedway is and always will be Jimmie’s House, as in Jimmie Johnson. The Lowe’s team will use a win on Sunday to remind everyone that Johnson, Knaus & Co. haven’t forgotten how to win. – Bob Margolis

• Given the kind of success he’s had at Lowe’s Motor Speedway over the years – five wins (including four in a row), eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in 13 career starts (plus two poles) – it’s hard to pick against Jimmie Johnson. Sure, he’s finished 10th and 14th in the last two races at Lowe’s, but if there was ever a time for Johnson to reclaim the title “the house that Jimmie built,” Sunday will be the time. – Jerry Bonkowski

Roddick, Stepanek withdraw from semifinals at Rome Masters

The United States lost 2-0 Thursday to Sweden, which advanced to the World Team Cup final in the Red Group.

James Blake lost 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 to undefeated Robin Soderling and Thomas Johansson stopped Bobby Reynolds 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.