NASCAR: Stewart ends losing streak

Tony Stewart broke a 32-race losing streak dating back to last October, winning the rain-delayed opening race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship yesterday in Joliet, Ill. Kevin Harvick held on for second place and took the points lead.

ETC.: Mariners hired McIlvaine

Joe McIlvaine, former general manager of the Mets and Padres, was hired as a special assistant to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik. . . . Agent Scott Boras said slugger Carlos Beltran is happy playing in San Francisco and might consider returning to the Giants beyond this season.

* North Carolina will vacate all 16 football victories from the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and reduce scholarships as part of self-imposed penalties following an NCAA investigation into the program.

* Lothar Matthaeus was fired as Bulgaria’s national soccer coach. Losses to England and Switzerland in European Championship qualifying cost the German soccer great his job.

* The Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators split a NHL preseason doubleheader in Sunrise, Fla. The Predators won the first game 5-3, and the Panthers took the nightcap 4-3.