The Sprint Cup Series hits a road course, the NFL begins its preseason, and the Yankees and Red Sox complete their set.

Battling on the gridiron . . .

The National Football League kicks off its exhibition slate on Sunday with the Bills taking on the Titans in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton. Prized acquisition Terrell Owens will be making his Buffalo debut in that contest, but don’t expect to see the wide receiver on the field for more than a few series. The Titans will likely give a good amount of playing time to backup QB Vince Young on Sunday as he begins his push to take over starting duties from veteran Kerry Collins. The oddsmakers have Tennessee as a 3-point favorite in this game, with a total of 31.

Colliding in the Junior Circuit . . .

Sunday night’s conclusion of the Red Sox/Yankees series at Yankee Stadium will see Jon Lester (9-7, 3.79 ERA) taking on Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.35 ERA). Lefthander Lester took a no-decision against the Rays last time out despite giving up just one earned run over his six innings of work (and fanning 10). Lefthander Pettitte dominated the Blue Jays in his most recent trip to the mound, surrendering just one earned run on four hits over his 6 2-3 innings in that victory.

Elsewhere around the American League on Sunday it’ll be Minnesota at Detroit, Cleveland at the White Sox, Oakland at Kansas City, Texas at the Angels, Tampa Bay at Seattle, and Baltimore at Toronto. The Orioles will give Brian Matusz (1-0, 1.80 ERA) his second Major League start in that contest; the lefthander held the Tigers to one run over five innings in his debut. The Jays counter with righthander Roy Halladay (11-5, 2.75 ERA), who last won on July 19.

Clashing in the Senior Circuit . . .

Josh Johnson (10-2, 2.98 ERA) will counter Jamie Moyer (10-8, 5.55 ERA) on Sunday afternoon as the Marlins continue their series in Philadelphia. Righthander Johnson had his three-game winning streak stopped last time out, surrendering four earned runs over seven innings in a start against the Nationals. Moyer is trying to hold onto his spot in Philly’s rotation; the lefthander was knocked around for six runs in five innings in a loss to the Rockies last time out.

Rounding out the National League slate for Sunday: St. Louis at Pittsburgh, Arizona at Washington, Milwaukee at Houston, the Cubs at Colorado, the Mets at San Diego, Atlanta at the Dodgers, and Cincinnati at San Francisco. Aaron Harang (5-13, 4.52 ERA) will be in tough against Matt Cain (12-3, 2.25 ERA) in that last matchup. Righthander Cain is coming off a rare loss, surrendering four earned runs on eight hits over eight innings of work against the Astros August 3.

Roaring around the track . . .

Tony Stewart is pegged as the 3/1 favorite to win Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series event, the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen at the Watkins Glen International road course. Stewart holds a 197-point lead on Jimmie Johnson in the driver standings heading into this event, with Johnson back at 8/1 odds to get the victory. Defending champion Kyle Busch sits at 4/1 odds for the weekend, Jeff Gordon is at 6/1 odds, while Juan Montoya is tied with Johnson at 8/1 odds.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Finally, there are three games on the WNBA’s schedule for Sunday, with Washington at Connecticut, Chicago at Detroit, and San Antonio at Minnesota. The Silver Stars sit at 9-11 both straight-up and against-the-spread after falling to Atlanta 92-84 in their last contest. Becky Hammon scored 26 points in that defeat.