on the SIDELINES

\nCHICAGO -- Nomar Garciaparra can become a free agent after the World Series and will consider returning to the Chicago Cubs, his team for the final two months this season.\n"Do I know what's going to happen, what is going on? That I can't foresee," Garciaparra said before Sunday's season finale against Atlanta, one day after the Cubs were eliminated from the wild-card race.\n"I'm going to experience something I never experienced in the offseason. Like I said, this is one of the places I'll consider. No question."\nSince he was acquired by the Cubs from the Red Sox in a four-team trade on July 31, Garciaparra batted .294 with four homers and 19 RBIs in 42 games before Sunday.\nHe said he's enjoyed the city, the team and the fans in Chicago. Whether the Cubs will meet his asking price is something to be determined.\n"I haven't really sat down with my family and the people I talk to a lot to make a decision," Garciaparra said, adding that location and a chance to win will figure into his decision.

Earnhardt wins another Talladega race\nTALLADEGA, Ala. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. charged from 11th place to a victory and the series points lead in the last five laps of Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway.\nAlthough he was at or near the front virtually the entire EA Sports 500, leading a race-high 78 of the 188 laps, Earnhardt fell behind when crew chief Tony Eury Sr. decided to gamble on two fresh right-side tires on his final pit stop.\nOther drivers got ahead of Earnhardt by staying on the track or taking only fuel on their final stops during the last of five caution periods in the race. But it made little difference once the green flag waved for lap 184.\n"Those brand new rights just drove around the corners so much better than those other guys with old tires out there," Earnhardt said. "I wasn't worried. They make the calls in the pits and I just drive the car."\nEarnhardt had a streak of four straight Talladega wins stopped in April when he finished second to Jeff Gordon in a somewhat controversial finish, with NASCAR determining that Gordon was leading when a yellow flag waved and froze the field. The race finished that way under caution to the displeasure of the spectators.\n"I'm just glad to get back on top at Talladega," Earnhardt said. He drew a roar from the partisan crowd when he added, "This is my place"