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Keselowski taking over Stemme's ride at Penske Racing

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MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Brad Keselowski will start his new job at Penske Racing a little early.

Keselowski will drive the No. 12 Dodge for the final three NASCAR Sprint Cup races of the season, replacing David Stremme and becoming teammates with Sam Hornish Jr. and Kurt Busch.

Keselowski, who won the Cup race at Talladega in April, signed a deal in September to take over the No. 12 in 2010. Team owner Roger Penske opted to bring Keselowski in ahead of schedule so the driver can get jump start on next season.

"Penske Racing wants to give Brad an opportunity to work with the team and get to know the race car as we prepare for the 2010 season," said Roger Penske on the team's website. "These three races will provide a good base for both Brad and the team as we head into next year. Penske Racing also thanks David Stremme for his contributions to the team this year. We wish David the very best moving forward."

The 25-year-old Keselowski is currently ranked third in the Nationwide Series points race while driving for JR Motorsports. He'll drive the No. 22 Dodge for Penske in the Nationwide Series next year.

"I am very excited to begin working with the Penske Racing team and I look forward to competing in the No. 12 Penske Dodge in the final three Cup Series races of the year," Keselowski said in an official release. "We all have high expectations for next season and beyond and being able to race with the team this year will only help us as we look toward 2010."

Stremme was 31st in points through 33 races this season. Penske announced the change on Monday.

* Football

Rodriguez helps ID drive: Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez helped kick off a drive to distribute 290,000 child ID kits to every kindergarten and first-grade student in the state this fall. He announced the initiative Monday at a news conference joined by local and federal law enforcement officials.

Rodriguez says his goal is for every student in Michigan to have the FBI-approved kits.

Schembechler sues: The son of legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler sued his stepmother in federal court Monday over concerns about a trust her late husband created.

Glenn Schembechler III filed the lawsuit against Kathryn Schembechler, his father's third wife, in U.S. District Court in Columbus. The lawsuit alleges that Kathryn Schembechler, of Boca Grande, Fla., is not providing Glenn Schembechler with quarterly statements about the trust that he's entitled to.

Planning announcement: Former Michigan State University football coach George Perles says he intends to announce after New Year's Day if he'll run for governor. The third winningest coach in Spartan history (68-67-4) told The Associated Press on Monday that at the moment, he's "just looking into it."

* Basketball

Walton won't return: Hall of Famer Bill Walton won't return as an analyst for ESPN's NBA coverage.

Walton said in a statement Monday that "it is time to dedicate the rest of my life to service." He missed most of last season while recovering from back surgery. Walton calls his battle with back problems a "life-changing ordeal."

West stays on the bench: Delonte West sat under the basket after practice on Monday chatting with teammates. Cleveland's troubled star was expected to face reporters for the first time since taking two leaves of absence during training camp and missing the Cavaliers' first three games. Instead, he quietly slipped through the door and out of the building. He wasn't ready yet. West has already shown he's good to go on the court, and coach Mike Brown isn't placing restrictions on him, although Brown won't start West on Tuesday night against Washington.

* Elsewhere

Apologizes for mistake: A Philadelphia newspaper has apologized to readers for mistakenly running an ad congratulating the Philadelphia Phillies on winning back-to-back World Series titles. The Yankees held a commanding 3-1 lead in the championship as of Monday, the day the ad was printed in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

MLS finalists: Landon Donovan is a finalist for Major League Soccer's MVP award and Kasey Keller is up for three postseason honors.

Donovan, the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, FC Dallas' Jeff Cunningham and New England's Shalrie Joseph were the top three in voting by league players, general managers, coaches, referees and media.