On Busch, Summitt and Isner's Panthers

Around the sports world on a Wednesday morning after we all survived that "devastating" earthquake:

1) Kyle Busch was penalized in a court of law for his 128-mph-in-a-45-mph-zone transgression Tuesday -- probation and getting his driver's license revoked for 45 days were among the punishments. Busch, though, will continue driving in NASCAR races during that time, because the sanctioning body doesn't require a driver's license to compete in its races. Doesn't that strike you as ridiculous?

2) I am so sorry for Tennessee Vols women's basketball coach Pat Summitt and all those who care for her. Summitt, 59, announced Tuesday that she was suffering from early-onset dementia but would still try to coach this season. I once spent some one-on-one time with Summitt for a story many years ago, and I still remember both her honesty and her graciousness.

3) My column in Thursday's newspaper and online will be about tennis pro John Isner, who grew up in Greensboro and is now ranked in the top 30 in the world. Isner is well-known for his powerful serve and for his 70-68 win in the fifth set a couple of years ago at Wimbledon in the longest tennis match ever.

What's not as well known is his love affair with the Panthers -- Isner is undoubtedly one of the Panthers' most avid celebrity fans. More on this Thursday -- including Isner's prediction for the Panthers' record this season, which will undoubtedly surprise you.