Sports Digest

But that possibility is no longer farfetched as the continuing economic meltdown puts the already struggling automakers in even greater jeopardy.

U.S. auto sales have plummeted in recent months, and Ford and General Motors, along with Chrysler, are fighting for survival amid the crisis. The three Detroit manufacturers -- along with recent addition Toyota -- are the cornerstones of NASCAR.

NASCAR boss Brian France, speaking over the weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, acknowledged that the auto manufacturers "play a very important role in lots of ways with supporting teams, the branding and heritage."

But he also said NASCAR can survive without one or more of them, if it has to.

On Friday, GM and Ford revealed multibillion-dollar losses for the third quarter of 2008, and GM warned it could run out of cash in 2009. It also suspended acquisition talks with Chrysler.

Still for those companies to remain viable, they need to sell cars and trucks -- and NASCAR remains a key marketing tool for each of them.

Terry Dolan, manager of racing for GM's Chevrolet brand, said the sport remains an attractive partner despite the company's struggles.

"We actually operate with three core principals," Dolan said in a telephone interview. "We race to win; we want to make sure the audience that follows racing is relative to the products we sell, and we must get a return on investment. We're working diligently to make sure we've got all three of those balanced.

"The plus is when you look at the NASCAR fan base. It really does align with the Chevy product portfolio and there's some tremendous loyalty to our brand that's helped us to sell vehicles to this audience for many, many years."

DEI, Ganassi to join forces

Teresa Earnhardt and Chip Ganassi will combine their slumping race teams next season, an effort to stabilize their organizations in a tough economic time, The Associated Press has learned.

The combined team will be called Earnhardt Ganassi Racing and will field cars for Martin Truex, Aric Almirola, Juan Pablo Montoya and a driver yet to be named, two people familiar with the decision told the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal has yet to be announced.

Both organizations have struggled to secure sponsorship this season, forcing the teams to pool resources.

Truex and Almirola will come from Dale Earnhardt Incorporated; only Truex's car has full sponsorship for next season.

Montoya has half a season of sponsorship, and Ganassi's flagship No. 41 has full sponsorship but no driver. DEI fields Chevrolets, and Ganassi has a Dodge contract. Details of a manufacturer switch still are being worked out as the team is expected to use General Motors.

UFC champ's wife

restrains business partner

Ultimate Fighting Championship title holder Randy Couture's wife has won a restraining order against a T-shirt business partner, alleging threats and intimidation.

Kim Couture won the order Wednesday against Affliction Inc. clothing company owner Todd Eugene Beard. Kim Couture alleges in court documents that Beard has a violent criminal history and engaged in "threatening" actions.

A court spokeswoman says the order restraining Beard from approaching Kim Couture was issued Wednesday by Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Doug Smith.

Kim Couture also asked the judge to prohibit Beard from attending a UFC bout featuring Randy Couture this Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden arena in Las Vegas.

CSM basketball

The College of San Mateo women's basketball team made its 2008-09 home debut a successful one on Wednesday, whipping Mission 86-50.

Leading the all freshman CSM team contingent were Menlo-Atherton grad Erica Hayes (17 points) and Shakara Haynes (12 points). Rosa Tirado added 11 points, all in the first half, and Sam Correia had 9. CSM took a 50-24 halftime lead and increased the margin to 36 points at the end. All 10 CSM players contributed to the scoring. It was the first Northern California opponent for CSM (1-2), which lost a pair of games to ranked Southern California teams in the Santa Barbara City College tournament over the weekend.

Skyline men's basketball

The Trojans earned their first win of the season, blowing out Marin 107-70. Skyline (1-2) extended a 47-34 halftime lead and converted 47 field goals.

Post Matt Fochtman had a career-high 32 points, Rod Freeman and Shawn Echols finished with 17 points each, Mike Lavelle had 12 and Ron Freeman added 10.

UCLA signs four recruits

UCLA signed four recruits to national letters of intent Wednesday, the same day the fourth-ranked Bruins opened the season in pursuit of a fourth consecutive Final Four berth.

The players who will attend UCLA next fall are Tyler Honeycutt, a 6-foot-8, 190-pound guard-forward from Sylmar High; Brendan Lane, a 6-10, 205-pound forward from Rocklin High; Reeves Nelson, a 6-7, 220-pound forward from Modesto Christian High; and Anthony Stover, a 6-10, 210-pound center from Windward High, all from the state of California.

"We are very excited about this recruiting class," coach Ben Howland said. "I think the four players that we signed help fulfill the needs that we have and as a class, they are all great kids that are going to be great players. They are all outstanding young men."

Honeycutt averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds last season. Lane averaged 20.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 5.2 blocks last season.

Nelson averaged 26 points and 14 rebounds last season. Stover averaged 10.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.4 blocks last season as a junior at Renaissance Academy.