Sports in Brief: Kurt Busch joins Phoenix Racing

Driver

Kurt Busch

has a new ride. NASCAR's most polarizing figure said Thursday that he'll drive the No. 51 car for Phoenix Racing and owner

James Finch

for the entire 2012 Sprint Cup season.

"After entertaining a lot of quality offers, there's no better place for me," he said in a statement. Busch has won 24 Sprint Cup races, as well as the 2010 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Finch, who celebrated his 20th year as a NASCAR team owner in 2011, says, "all we want to do is win" and with Busch "we have a shot every week."

Busch, who has previously driven Fords and Dodges, will drive the No. 51 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet Impala in 2012. His first race will be the non-points Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, Fla.

ARENA FOOTBALL: The Soul will hold an open player tryout Jan. 28 (a Saturday) at the Eagles' NovaCare Complex in South Philadelphia. Soul head coach Doug Plank, general manager Tom Goodhines, and the coaching and scouting staff will evaluate all players, including kickers, the team said.

Participants can register before Jan. 27 at www.philadelphiasoul.com. The cost of the tryout is $60 for those who preregister, and $80 at the door, payable in cash, money order, or certified funds only. All fees are nonrefundable. Because testing will take place on field turf, no metal cleats will be allowed.

LOCAL COLLEGES: The Eastern College Athletic Conference has announced its Division III Metro women's soccer all-stars. The College of New Jersey's Brittany McGinley was named the ECAC offensive player of the year in the region, and teammate Allison Foy was selected as the defensive player of the year.

Also on the first team are: Veronica Rhea, Linda Sierra, Leah Carney, and Christie Fink of Rowan; Michelle Marabondo of William Paterson; and Annie McCarthy, Brenna Rubino, Amy Van Dyk, and goalkeeper Lyndsie Bernardini of the College of New Jersey.

SOCCER: Tottenham maintained the edge over Chelsea in the English Premier League, drawing 1-1 with its London rival to retain a two-point cushion in third. Emmanuel Adebayor tallied for the hosts, but Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge hit the leveler.

Barcelona showed visiting Hospitalet no mercy as coach Pep Guardiola fielded a full-strength side that demolished the third-tier team, 9-0, to reach the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

JURISPRUDENCE: A California court has issued a bench warrant for veteran sports agent Leigh Steinberg in a case involving a $1.4 million judgment owed to a landlord. Orange County Superior Court spokeswoman Carole Levitzky said the warrant was issued after Steinberg failed to attend court last week.

Court papers show Steinberg was ordered to pay $1.4 million last year to the Irvine Co. for office space he leased in Newport Beach. In court papers, the company says Steinberg stopped paying under his lease terms in 2009.

Steinberg says he is not hiding and is responsible for his debts. Steinberg has represented NFL stars including Troy Aikman and Ben Roethlisberger and was the inspiration for Tom Cruise's character in Jerry Maguire.

- Staff and wire reports