Sports Briefs

Springfield's Bradley commits to Commodores

Vanderbilt football received a verbal commitment from DeMarcus Bradley from Springfield, Tenn., late Wednesday. The 6-2, 261-pound defensive end/tight end visited campus officially for the Georgia Tech game, according to VandySports.com. Bradley has also punted for Springfield High, which was 1-8 heading into Thursday's game against Clarksville Northwest. Bradley joins TE Brad Allen, RB Cassen Jackson, OL Jeremy Gales, OL Hamilton Holliday, LB Jeff Jennings, WR Bryant Anderson and RB David Whittington among Vandy's 2004 verbal commitments.

Fairgrounds Speedway gets new name, series

After a one-year absence, the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series will return to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 2004. The action will take place on the famed .596-mile asphalt oval that has been renamed Music City Motorplex. New track president Joe Mattioli inked the deal with NDWS director Chris Boals Thursday. Drivers in the track's premier Late Model division will be eligible for NASCAR's regional and national championships and compete for a share of $1.7 million in postseason prize money. In addition, drivers in the track's Super Truck division will compete in the NDWS ShorTrack division. The season opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 3.