night. "Theres no doubt Melvin ran the entire fight and wa

SAO PAULO - The IndyCar Series opener scheduled for March in Brazils capital was cancelled on Thursday.The television network promoting the event released a brief statement saying the decision was made unilaterally by the local government in Brasilia.Band TV did not provide any additional details, calling it a hasty decision by the government.Brasilia officials did not immediately announce their reasons for the cancellation, but local media said the government determined that the event did not make sense financially. Local prosecutors and government watchdog groups had already warned about the financial challenges of the contract that had been signed by the previous administration.Band will inform in the next few days how those who have bought tickets will be reimbursed. The network laments this hasty decision, the statement said.IndyCar said two-thirds of the tickets and all hospitality packages for the March 8 race at the Nelson Piquet Autodromo had already been sold. A deal with a title sponsor had been announced on Wednesday.After what it called an unexpected decision, IndyCar officials said they had every indication that the race was already a success.This comes as a great disappointment, IndyCar said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. We will have further comment when we have had the opportunity to talk with all of our partners and the authorities in Brazil.The series said it was waiting for formal confirmation from our partners in Brazil regarding the cancellation.Economically IndyCar is protected and the paddock is protected from such action, IndyCar said.The government agency organizing the event in Brasilia could not be immediately reached for comment.Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves said he was caught by surprise by the announcement.To my knowledge, everything was OK, the Brazilian said in a statement. Its a shame that the race has been cancelled. I hope that a solution to this problem can be found in the future. Im sorry for the fans, but things like these are beyond the control of teams and drivers.On Tuesday, fellow driver Tony Kanaan said he had high expectations for his home race.To me, it means a lot, the 2013 Indy 500 champion said. All my friends are there, its a dream come true again.Band was the Brazilian organizer and promoter of the race in Sao Paulo from 2010-2013. The network was not able to secure the event in 2014 because of financial problems, but it reached a partnership with the government in Brasilia to secure the series return this year.The now-defunct CART series was in Brazil from 1996-2000, with a race on an oval track in Rio de Janeiro. The race in Sao Paulo was held on a street course, and the one in Brasilia was going to take place on a permanent circuit. Work at the track was almost finalized, according to organizers.The contract for the race in Brasilia was to run until 2019.Motorsport is popular in Brazil, and IndyCar and Formula One attract good crowds. The F1 race takes place at the Interlagos track in Sao Paulo.Brasilia also was scheduled to host a MotoGP race in 2015 but the event was cancelled.___AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer in North Carolina contributed to this report.___Follow Tales Azzoni at http://twitter.com/tazzoni Drue Tranquill Womens Jersey . -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wanted to keep Logan Mankins with the team for a long time. Easton Stick Womens Jersey . A top pitching prospect, one who the ball club is pinning some of its future hopes, takes the spot of a veteran who once was viewed as a future ace but who, to this point, hasnt realized his potential and may never. http://www.prochargersteamstore.com/Youth-Junior-Seau-Elite-Jersey/ . - The Green Bay Packers got back to work on Friday without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Kellen Winslow Youth Jersey . So what happens? Stevenson lands a huge left to Dawsons temple only 76 seconds into the opening round and walks away with the championship belt. "I said Id knock him out," said Stevenson (21-1). Junior Seau Youth Jersey . -- Jonathan Vilmas season is over and his future on the football field is in doubt.UFC veteran lightweight Melvin Guillard has been released by the organization. "The Young Assassin" is mired in a 2-5 skid with one no contest that was capped off by a disappointing unanimous decision loss to Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night 38 in London on March 8. His manager Malki Kawa announced his release Thursday night. "Theres no doubt Melvin ran the entire fight and was incredibly passive, the complete opposite of how he used to fight," UFC president Dana White said of Guillards last performance. "There was a lot of smack talk leading up to that fight, and those are the fights that everybody gets excited about, and nine times out of 10 they end up like tonight. Those drive me crazy. "I was excited for that fight. I thoughtt (they were) both really explosive athletes who can mix it up really well, and it just didnt happen tonight.dddddddddddd" The loss was a last straw of sorts for the inconsistent Guillard. Despite being awarded Knockout of the Night on three spearate occasions, the New Orleans native never established himself among the lightweight divisions elite. Guillard debuted in the octagon during the second season of "The Ultimate Fighter" in 2005. From 2008 to late 2011, Guillard put together his finest run, scoring eight wins in nine fights but failed to defeat household lightweight names like Nate Diaz, Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller. Guillard leaves the UFC with the third most wins, most knockdowns and most knockouts in lightweight history. ' ' '