WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Jimmie Johnson can secure a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship this week at Watkins Glen International, and hes not even thinking about it. On a rainy Friday at the storied road course in upstate New York that delayed Cup practice until late afternoon, injured star Tony Stewart was foremost on everybodys mind. Stewart broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg on Monday night in a sprint car race in Iowa, has since undergone two surgeries, and is out indefinitely. Max Papis will drive Stewarts No. 14 Chevrolet on Sunday in the Cheez-It 355 at The Glen, where Stewart has a track-record five Cup wins. It will bring Stewarts streak of 521 consecutive Cup starts to an end, and its his absence that gives Johnson the opportunity to be the first to lock into the Chase on points. "Its not the way I want to clinch, by any means, with him not being here at the race track. Its a big loss for our sport," Johnson said. "I know that Tony is feeling bad about being injured and the effect that it has on his Cup team. Its crazy to think that he wont be a player in the Chase." Stewart was leading with five laps remaining at Southern Iowa Speedway when a lapped car spun in front of him, causing Stewart to hit that car and flip several times. He was taken from the track by ambulance. Like his fellow drivers, Johnson, a five-time Cup champion, said he didnt like some of the comments hes seen in the aftermath of the crash. Specifically, those who questioned Stewart for racing so much. It was his third crash in a month in the powerful open-wheel cars. "Its troubled me to see some people giving him a hard time about his decision to race other vehicles," Johnson said. "We always praise him for his contributions to the motor sports world and his ability to drive and race anything. He has done so much for our sport. "I personally praise him for all that he does for our sport, including driving sprint cars Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday," Johnson said. "Its unfortunate that he got hurt. I hate that hes injured, but Id be bummed if he didnt continue to race all during the week. Thats the Smoke we know and love." Stewart-Haas Racing has not named an interim driver for beyond this weekend, and said no discharge date has been decided for the 42-year-old Stewart. "Its going to be a few weeks before we even look at that," said Greg Zipadelli, competition director at SHR. "For now, it will be a week-to-week diagnosis on him." Among the names that have popped up as candidates is 21-year-old Kyle Larson, a rising star in the Nationwide Series who sits sixth in points entering Saturdays Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen. He might be a bit too young, though. "Hes in a really crucial spot in his career and (it would be good) not getting fed to the wolves too soon," Zipadelli said. "I would prefer from this point on to put one person in that we felt was capable of doing a good, solid job and trying to build some chemistry with the crews and the crew chief. "Theres a lot of those little details that make for a good day on Sundays," Zipadelli said. "The longer you get to work with someone, the better you get to know them, the better chance you have of having some consistent results. But I dont know well honestly be able to do that. The drivers that wed like to put (in the seat) are all racing for a championship, and we need to be respectful of their position." Although Regan Smith is challenging Austin Dillon for the points lead in the Nationwide Series, Smiths boss at JR Motorsports said he wouldnt hesitate giving Smith the chance to drive the No. 14 if the opportunity arose. "Id be the first to put Regans name in the hat for that kind of opportunity," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "I understand that we are racing for a championship. It would be a challenge. It would also give him an opportunity to showcase himself ... and get some guys maybe wanting to put him back in the car full-time on this (Cup) side of the deal. That would be good for him." At least Smith knows what hed face. He was forced to sub for Earnhardt in the No. 88 last October in the Chase when Earnhardt couldnt compete because of the effects of two concussions. "Its going to be a great opportunity for somebody," said Smith, who grew up in Cato, N.Y., a two-hour drive north of Watkins Glen. "Last year it happened so quick there wasnt time to think. There was nothing but a phone call. "I certainly would be open to that. You just cross that bridge and see how things line up. I think its a lot of hypothetical right now. I cant speak to any of that." Red World Cup Portugal Jerseys . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. 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The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. NEW YORK -- For at least two days, a critical piece of the debate over?Serena Williams vs.?Roger Federer?as all-time greats has reached a delightful impasse.Williams 6-2, 6-1 fourth-round victory over Johanna Larsson was her 307th Grand Slam singles match win -- precisely the same number as a certain Swiss superstar. They are now ahead of every other man and woman who has ever played tennis.Previously, Williams was tied with Martina Navratilova at 306.Wow, she said, laughing, when she was informed of this development during her on-court interview. Thats pretty awesome.If Williams can beat Yaroslava Shvedova in the fourth round (shes done it all four times theyve met), the world No. 1 will be alone at the top.A few more takeaways while the six-time US Open champion and her followers contemplate her place in history:Big-bang ending: This was another fairly flawless performance, punctuated by Williams winning the final 14 points of the match. She was somber -- dare we say serene? -- as she approached the net to shake hands with Larsson. That suggests Williams is really dialed in.Another clean Week 1 run: Despite the numerous dramatic turns in her life, Williams has been remarkably consistent early in hard-court majors. This, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Info: Serena has won 57 consecutive matches in the first week of those circumstances and has an overall record off 93-4.dddddddddddd The only time since the turn of the century shes lost one came in 2006, when she fell to Daniela Hantuchova in the third round of the Australian Open. The only time Serena hasnt advanced to the fourth round here at the US Open came in 1998, her first, at the age of 16.The No. 1 ranking is in grave danger: If No. 2 Angelique Kerber wins her Sunday quarterfinal with Petra Kvitova, Williams might well have to beat her in the championship final to stay on top. At the moment, she needs to at least reach the semifinals to have a chance of keeping it. Williams needed an early exit from Kerber -- who is defending only a third-round appearance from a year ago -- in order to breathe a little easier. Kerber, who beat Williams in the Australian Open final back in January, has won all six sets shes played, including one 6-0 bagel earlier in the tournament and a 6-1, 6-1 win over Catherine Bellis in the third round Friday.Yes to this dress: Williams unveiled the day-glo version of her NikeCourt Power dress ($130). The dress is fairly simple: white, cut close the shoulders, with fuchsia pleats. 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