PRESS BOX.

• Position: SPORTS

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AUTO RACING

Modifieds at Thompson tonight

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to Thompson International Speedway at 8:15 tonight for the Charter Cable Internet & Telephone 150, the second of five events at Thompson this year. James Civali of Meriden, Conn., winner of the Icebreaker, is looking forward to returning to the 5/8-mile high-banked oval. "I really enjoy racing at Thompson," Civali said. "If your car is set up right, it's easy to pass. We had a great setup in April and we'll return with the same car." Civali is second in the Whelen Modified point standings with one win, two top-fives and three top-10s. He trails Jimmy Blewett by just three points. "It's still very early in the season," Civali said. "But obviously this is what we are trying to accomplish for the season. We would like to win the championship. So I'm glad we've had some success early."

HOCKEY

Bruins expected to name coach

The Boston Bruins kept quiet yesterday following a report that Claude Julien would be named their head coach today. The job has been vacant less than a week since Dave Lewis was relieved of his duties and offered another position within the organization. The Bruins called a news conference for this morning, and Canadian Press reported that Julien would be named the head coach. Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, who hired Lewis less than a year ago, did not respond to an e-mail or phone call seeking comment. Team spokesman Matt Chmura also did not return a phone call. On Tuesday, TSN, a Canadian sports television network, reported that Chiarelli had decided on Julien, who was fired as coach of the New Jersey Devils this year with three games left in their regular season. Lewis led the Bruins to a 35-41-6 record in his only season. He was let go after they...