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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
2/21/2008
Auto Club 500 powered by Q Motor Oil
February 24, 2008 (Sunday) - 3:00 pm - FOX
Since NASCAR comes into their season boasting the biggest race of the year at Daytona, what does the rest of the season have to offer? NASCAR wasn't born yesterday, they know full well that to keep your fans hungry for more, start out with a feast. Daytona is just the starting ground for every NASCAR season. Without it, the other 35 races would just be races and not the continuation of racing frenzy. The first race is just chum for the NASCAR sharks. One little taste and guaranteed we will be coming back for more. There is tread on the track and that attracts us all.
Manufacturer's Mode
More than half (6) of the drivers that finished in the Top 10 during the Daytona 500 last weekend were all powered by the newly awakened Dodge engine. For several laps, it look as though Toyota was going to win the biggest race of the season, but access to victory lane was denied by the Alltel #12 Dodge of Ryan Newman. Dodge is going to Grab NASCAR by the horns.
Front Line Finishers
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 35th
Matt is the type of driver at CS that hangs around quietly nursing his ride until he can't take it anymore and just spontaneously comes to life and ends up finishing up front. He is the defending champion for the race here last February and the race before that, he came in 7th.
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 26th
Jimmie has been the Mako of the racing ocean. He was faster on the track at the end of race more times than any other driver in the last two seasons. Jimmie did have a rough time last weekend, but you should not see too many more performances like that out of Jimmie. Jimmie won the September race here last year and is charging in this weekend with 6 Top 5's and 10's out of 11 starts.
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 4th
Kyle can race anywhere on a race track during a race. He covers more distance during a race than any other driver by making his car three wide when a lap calls for it. He doesn't really bully anyone around; he just makes them feel like prey on the NASCAR food chain. Kyle definitely makes watching any race he is driving in interesting. With his success and almost a win last weekend at Daytona, Kyle is going to prove to everyone, including his fan club in the Craftsman Truck Series, that he is in the sport to race and to win.
Kurt Busch
Penske Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 2nd
After last weekend's performance with teammate Ryan Newman, Kurt is the best thing you would want to have as a teammate. I know a lot of fans are giving Kurt some grief about his alleged altercations and run ins with Tony Stewart, but can you count on two hands the number of negative things that have come from the #20. Grab a friend, you will need them. Kurt is a better friend than an enemy; don't point every finger at just one guy. Kurt may not be behind the #12 this weekend, but he will be chasing the checkered flag and finishing in the Top 10 or better because that is where he has finished the last two times at this track.
Last Lap Challengers
Tony Stewart
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 3rd
If you had to correlate the driving styles and attitude of Tony Stewart to a cold blooded fish of the ocean, the first thing that comes to mind is the hammer-head. Not that they are excessively aggressive in the water, but because they butt up against anything to get your attention and make you squirm. Tony is not the most consistent at CA, but he does usually make it into the Top 10 half the time.
Carl Edwards
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 19th
Carl may get a chance to avoid sleeping with the fishes this Sunday at Cali. He is ranked second for best average finish (7th) and out of seven starts. There has been only one time he did not get a Top 10 and two times he did not get at Top 5.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Kevin Harvick
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 14th
Kevin will not be making a splash at California this weekend. He doesn't have the worst record here, but out of top drivers, he is at the bottom of the barrel. Kevin made 11 attempts at this track and only produced 2 Top 10's with his last one being in 2005.
Juan Pablo Montoya
Chip Ganassi/Sabates Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 32nd
Juan reminds me of a driver whose presence can be felt, but once you get him in your sights at California, he is just riding around feeding off of what the others drivers left behind. Juan is no longer a rookie this season, but that doesn't make him drive any better. Juan best finish here out of two tries is 26th.
Track Stats
California Speedway (Fontana, CA) - CS
(Sister Tracks - Lowe's, Texas, Homestead-Miami, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Atlanta)
Auto Club 500
(February 25, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Matt Kenseth
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Jeff Burton
5. Mark Martin
6. Clint Bowyer
7. Kurt Busch
8. Tony Stewart
9. Kyle Busch
10. Brian Vickers
Sharp Aquos 500
(September 2, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Carl Edwards
3. Kyle Busch
4. Jeff Burton
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. Martin Truex Jr.
7. Matt Kenseth
8. Brian Vickers
9. Kurt Busch
10. Kasey Kahne
Reader Board
"I am a big fan of Greg Biffle with Roush Fenway Racing. Since at the end of 2009, they will have to down size a driver, who do you think will be looking for a new ride?"
Rob - Pennsylvania
Roush Fenway Racing will be carry one driver too many at the end of 2009. It is really hard to say at this point since the Roush Fenway drivers have two more seasons to make their mark. I would not worry too much about Greg at this point, he did finish 10th last Sunday at Daytona.
-NASCAR Natalie
Post questions & comments to:
NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Marvin Harrison Denies Involvement In Shooting
(5/13 12:31 AM PT)
The Facts:
Harrison assured the Indianapolis Colts he was not involved in a shooting last month in his hometown of Philadelphia. Owner Jim Irsay said Monday he hopes that's the case. "At this point I'm keeping my fingers crossed," Irsay said. "We've done everything we could do in our diligence to try to discern what happened. He said he was not involved in that shooting and. ... The authorities have said there is nothing imminent."
Diehards Line:
Irsay said the Colts' security department has been in contact with NFL security in Philadelphia as well as with Philadelphia law enforcement. ... To review: A gun that Harrison owned has been linked to the shooting in which a man suffered a gunshot wound to his hand and a small boy was cut on the face by flying glass from a windshield. Six of the bullet casings found at the April 29 shooting near Harrison's car wash were from his gun, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported last week. But Harrison is not considered a suspect at this time.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Terrell Owens Happy With Situation In Dallas
(5/13 12:21 AM PT)
The Facts:
Owens' contract situation has been a backburner subject this offseason, as the team has dealt with the draft, getting Zach Thomas and Pacman Jones in the fold, and working on extensions with unsigned, but protected veterans Marion Barber and Ken Hamlin. So could there be a problem, with the star receiver's deal expiring at the end of the season? Owens says no.
Diehards Line:
"I definitely want to end my career with the Dallas Cowboys, and go into the Hall of Fame as a Dallas Cowboy," Owens, who told DMN staffer Albert Breer that he's got "3-5 years" left in the game, said. He also mentioned that getting a ring is what really matters at this stage of his career. And he believes the group to get it done in 2008 is there. "No doubt," Owens said. "The makeup is there. ... We're a step closer every year. We're ready."
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Patriots Meet With Kevin Jones; Nothing Imminent
(5/13 12:18 AM PT)
The Facts:
Last week, New England very quietly hosted a visit -– and no team can do things as quietly as the Patriots -- with Kevin Jones, whom Detroit released in March.
Diehards Line:
According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, Jones appears to be a couple of months away from recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered late last season, but he is far enough along that the Patriots brought him in for a look. Schefter believes there are teams that think Jones will be able to contribute in training camp, others wonder if he will miss the start of the season due to his knee injury.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Randy McMichael Happy With New OC
(5/13 12:16 AM PT)
The Facts:
No Rams player may be more excited about Al Saunders being OC than McMichael. "As soon as I found what was going on and they had hired coach Saunders, I got really excited," McMichael said. "This is the kind of offense that I have dreamed my whole career of playing in."
Diehards Line:
Saunders has a reputation for making the tight end an integral part of his passing attack. Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez averaged 80 catches per season in his six seasons with Saunders calling the offensive plays. Under Saunders, Washington's Chris Cooley caught 57 passes for 734 yards and two touchdowns in 2006 and 66 passes for 786 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007. "He said the funniest thing to me the first time I met him," McMichael said of Saunders. "He said, 'I've had a Pro Bowl tight end eight straight years."' Now, the pressure is on McMichael to keep that streak going.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Roddy White Skips Final Workout With Sore Hamstring
(5/12 7:24 PM PT)
The Facts:
White was held out of practice Monday after a slight hamstring problem Sunday afternoon. "Roddy tweaked his hamstring," HC Mike Smith said. "It's just precautionary. We don't want to put ourselves in a position with a guy this time of year that may hurt himself more by going out there."
Diehards Line:
White said he's been working hard to stay healthy with the offseason weight program and looks forward to building on his career season from 2007. "I'm getting a lot more comfortable," he said. "I just have to go out there and continue to work hard and continue to get better every day. If you ain't getting better, you're getting worse." We're looking for White to continue getting better, but much of his success will depend on the team's quarterback.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Robbie Gould Signs 5-Year Extension With Bears
(5/12 6:32 PM PT)
The Facts:
Gould on Monday signed a five-year contract extension with the Bears that runs through the 2013 season. Terms were not disclosed.
Diehards Line:
Gould is the most accurate field goal kicker in Bears history among those with at least 50 attempts, having connected on 84 of 99 tries (84.8 percent) in three seasons. In 2007, Gould made 31 of 36 field goals (86.1), including 17 of 18 (94.4) over the final seven games. His only miss during that stretch, a 48-yard attempt, was blocked. Gould also owns Bears records with 26 straight field goals from Dec. 25, 2005-Nov. 19, 2006 and 22 straight games with a field goal from Oct. 23, 2005-Nov. 6, 2006.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Joe Horn Would Prefer Trade To Reserve Role
(5/12 1:34 PM PT)
The Facts:
Horn said Monday that he would like to be traded instead of remaining with the team as a "just-in-case guy." Horn said he had not approached the team yet about his desire to be dealt but that him and/or his agent would in the near future. When told of Horn's remarks, general manager Thomas Dimitroff said: "He is still part of our team and we still see a future for him here."
Diehards Line:
Horn said that he would be professional for as long as he remains with the Falcons. He said he hopes the Falcons will push to deal him to a team who values him as a contributor. ... During five, just-completed mini-camp workouts -- and during a pre-draft minicamp in April -- Laurent Robinson replaced Horn in the starting lineup alongside Roddy White. Michael Jenkins and rookie Harry Douglas also took reps this weekend, which could have prompted Horn to feel as if he was being pushed down the depth chart. Brian Finneran, Eric Weems and Adam Jennings are also vying to be among the five-to-six wide receivers retained.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ravens Mulling Use Of 3-WR Set As Base Formation
(5/12 11:31 AM PT)
The Facts:
One of the questions heading into Ravens mini-camp was the pecking order of the WRs. But Derrick Mason, Demetrius Williams and Mark Clayton aren't battling against each other. They are teaming up in pursuit of a common goal. If this unit plays up to expectations, there is a possibility the Ravens could use three wide receivers as their primary formation. "It's not a possibility. It will happen," Mason said. "Using three wides is not far-fetched with the three guys that we have."
Diehards Line:
Whether it was injuries or just former HC Brian Billick's scheme last season, the Ravens rarely spread out defenses. Of the Ravens' 557 passes thrown last season, only 39 percent came in a three-wide alignment. New OC coordinator Cam Cameron wants to be unpredictable and will change up the formations as well as the personnel groupings. "If we had to start a game today, three wide receivers might be our starting group," Cameron said.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Steven Jackson Setting Modest Goals, Looking For More
(5/12 12:21 AM PT)
The Facts:
Last June, Jackson announced he was shooting for 2,500 total yards from scrimmage. He wound up with about half that, rushing for 1,002 yards and adding 271 receiving yards in 12 games. He missed four games with injuries, and the Rams tumbled to 3-13 and last place in the NFC West. "My goal right now until (training camp in) July is to (learn) this offense, so I can play fast," Jackson said. "When I'm playing fast, I know what I'm doing."
Diehards Line:
Assuming he -- and his offensive line -- avoid the injuries that caused so many problems last year, Jackson, heading into the final year of his rookie contract, figures he can rebuild his stats and enhance his bargaining power at the same time. A monster season would push Jackson, 24, even further up the potential-earnings chart, and he's counting on putting up big numbers. "Well, we all know what happens in a contract year: you ball out," he said with a laugh. "So, I expect to."
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Michael Turner Among Falcons On The Mend
(5/11 12:24 PM PT)
The Facts:
Several veteran players recovering from injuries took part in the Falcons' first mandatory mini-camp on Saturday. Turner (shoulder) participated in most drills after being medically withheld from a voluntary mini-camp in April.
Diehards Line:
Turner had surgery on the shoulder earlier this year and is expected to be fully recovered before training camp. ... Meanwhile, QB D.J. Shockley and WR Brian Finneran, both trying to make comebacks from season-ending knee injuries, went through the majority of the dual practice sessions. For Finneran, who wore a heavy brace on his right knee, just going through a non-contact practice is a huge step. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in consecutive years during practice. He last played in 2005.
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