Daytona Beach, Fla. ? No. 3 was No. 1 again at Daytona.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., making his return to the Busch Series in a No. 3 car prepared by Richard Childress Racing, held off Michael Waltrip and Matt Kenseth on Saturday to win the rain-delayed EAS/GNC Live Well 300.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. who won a record 34 races at Daytona International Speedway died in a last-lap crash during last year’s Daytona 500 in the black No. 3 he drove for longtime friend Childress. The car owner put a two-race Busch deal together this year for Dale Jr.

The finish was reminiscent of last July, when the driver dubbed Little E returned to Daytona for the first time since his father’s death and won the Winston Cup Pepsi 400 over Waltrip.

And just like last year, Earnhardt spun doughnuts through the infield grass after the checkered flag as cheers rained down from the grandstand. But this time, instead of celebrating the victory by climbing on top of his car and hugging Waltrip, Earnhardt drove his car to the winner’s circle.

“No. 3 is back in Victory Lane,” Little E said after he got out of his car. “I know my daddy would be happy.”

Teresa Earnhardt, the widow of the late seven-time Winston Cup champion, also was in Victory Lane, along with Childress.

“I’m just proud of this young man and what he has been able to do,” Childress said.

Jason Keller finished fourth, in front of rookies Shane Hmiel, Scott Riggs and Ricky Hendrick. Kevin Lepage was eighth, and Andy Houston and Kenny Wallace rounded out the top 10. The race was delayed nearly 21*2 hours by rain, but finished under mostly sunny skies. Waltrip and Kenseth rallied from way behind to finish right on Earnhardt’s rear bumper.

AUTO RACING

Two die in helicopter crash

New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Two people died in a helicopter crash Saturday while on the way to pick up NASCAR team owner and former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs. Volusia County Sheriff officials tentatively identified the victims as pilot Michael McNellis of Tampa and Robin Leedom of Las Vegas.

BOXING

Moorer defeats Davis

Uncasville, Conn. Former world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer scored two knockdowns in the first round and went on to win a unanimous decision over Robert Davis on Saturday night in a 10-round bout.

BASEBALL

Perez loses arbitration

Tampa, Fla. The Kansas City Royals defeated shortstop Neifi Perez in salary arbitration, giving owners a 2-0 lead over players. Perez was given a raise from $3.55 million to $4.1 million, arbitrators Dan Brent, Elisabeth Neumeier and I.B. Helburn ruled Saturday, a day after listening to arguments. Perez had asked for $5 million. Kansas City acquired Perez from the Colorado Rockies on July 25 as part of a three-way trade that sent Jermaine Dye from the Royals to Oakland. Perez, 26, hit .241 with one homer and 12 RBIs for Kansas City after batting .298 with seven homers and 47 RBIs for the Rockies.

Pitcher Tapani retires

Escanaba, Mich. For Kevin Tapani, 13 years in the big leagues was long enough. The 37-year-old pitcher, who got off to a great start with the Chicago Cubs last season before fading down the stretch, is retiring.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Blocks record broken

Monroe, La. Louisiana-Monroe center Wojciech Myrda broke the NCAA record career blocked shots Saturday night. Myrda, a 7-foot-2 senior, had 11 blocks in a 90-73 victory over Nicholls State, raising his career to 502 blocked shots. Myrda surpassed the previous record of 492 blocks by Colgate’s Adonal Foyle, set in 87 games from 1995-97.

GOLF

McCarron leads Nissan

Los Angeles Scott McCarron holed a 50-foot eagle putt from just off the 17th green for a 6-under 65 Saturday, giving him a one-stroke lead over Toru Taniguchi in the Nissan Open.

McCarron swept his 50-foot putt toward the hole and it banged off the back of the cup for an eagle, allowing him to go from a one-stroke deficit to a one-stroke lead over Taniguchi. McCarron was at 14-under 199, the best 54-hole score at Riviera since Fred Couples’ 197 in 1990.

Taniguchi continued his steady play with a bogey-free 67, while Len Mattiace holed birdie putts of 20 and 30 feet on the final two holes for a 67 to finish at 201.

Fleisher tops in Verizon

Lutz, Fla. Bruce Fleisher shot a 6-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Tom Kite in the Verizon Classic. Fleisher had an 11-under 131 total, matching the tournament 36-hole record he set in his 2000 victory on the TPC of Tampa Bay. He has 14 victories in four seasons on the senior tour. Kite, the MasterCard Championship winner, had a 66.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Miami linebacker killed

Coral Gables, Fla. Miami linebacker Chris Campbell, a starter on the Hurricanes’ national championship team, was killed in a car accident early Saturday. He was 21.

NBA

Shooting probe continues

Trenton, N.J. Authorities have no immediate plans to arrest anyone in the fatal shooting of a man at ex-basketball player Jayson Williams’ estate, but might file charges in the future, a prosecutor said Saturday. Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Steven C. Lember would not say who prosecutors believe was the shooter. He has said Williams, his brother Vincent and about 10 guests were in the house at the time. The Star-Ledger of Newark, The Record of Hackensack and several broadcast stations said unidentified law enforcement sources told them Williams accidentally fired the gun. Williams retired in 1999 and now works for NBC Sports as an NBA studio analyst.

TENNIS

Williams to face Henin

Antwerp, Belgium Top-seeded Venus Williams advanced to the final of the WTA Diamond Games on Saturday, downing Amelie Mauresmo 7-6 (7), 6-0. Williams will face second-seeded Belgian Justine Henin, who beat a surprisingly strong Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in today’s final.

Seles, Tanasugarn advance

Doha, Qatar Top-seeded Monica Seles needed three sets Saturday to beat Alicia Molik to advance to the final of the Qatar Open. No. 4 Tamarine Tanasugarn easily advanced to today’s final, defeating Janette Husorava 6-0, 7-6 (7-2). Seles reached her second final of the year with a 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4 win in 1 hour, 55 minutes.

Enqvist tops Kafelnikov

Marseille, France Thomas Enqvist survived two match points before beating defending champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-7 (1), 7-6 (10), 6-4 Saturday to advance to the final of the Open 13 tournament. Enqvist will face unseeded Nicolas Escude in today’s championship match. Escude earlier beat Cedric Pioline 6-3, 7-5.

OLYMPICS

Gardner in fair condition

Idaho Falls, Idaho Olympic wrestling champion Rulon Gardner was listed in fair condition Saturday after surviving a frigid night in Wyoming’s backcountry. Family members said Gardner was being treated for frostbite. It was unclear how long he would remain hospitalized. Temperatures Thursday night dipped to 20 degrees below zero in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, where Gardner got stuck in deep snow while snowmobiling with three friends.