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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
2/28/2008
UAW-Dodge 400
March 2, 2008 (Sunday) - 3:30 pm - FOX
Semi-Uncharted Terrain
The COT was not debuted until the March Bristol race in 2007, so every race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this season until March 16, 2008 is new news. Of course, the COT has run at tracks similar to the ones that the Cup drivers have raced on already this season, but every track is different in its own way. These COT cars are really changing the racing field that the NASCAR world has been used to. All the stats that have accumulated with the old stock cars are null and void. The COT kept the really "big" one from happening at Daytona, and there were so many lead changes last weekend or last Monday at California that it was hard to keep track. This season is up for the taking by the COT.
Catch him ridin' stingy
Tight-fisted on the wheel, lap-pinching Tony Stewart really gives new meaning to not sharing. I like strong competition, but when you hoard laps in a series (Nationwide) that you are only running part-time, it is a little extreme. Here is the story. One of David Reutimann's crew member paid a visit to Tony's pit to ask every so nicely that if David got close enough to close the gap between he and Tony, if Tony would relinquish the lead so David could lead a lap. When Tony's crew chief relayed the request, Tony didn't even pause a nanosecond without saying a very stern, "no." I don't understand Tony's plan because he did not lead every lap anyways. Morgan Shepherd stayed out during a caution and quietly stole the lead for a lap. By the looks of his physique, I guess that is the way he is at the dinner table; keeps everything to himself. I respect each and every driver in any series, but sometimes some drivers need to be scolded like school children. Tony gets a 20 lap time out.
Front Line Finishers
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 15th
Last season, Matt made his mark in NASCAR as a driver that had to overcome almost any adversary that his ride can give him. That was fine for last year, but this season excuses are only excuses. Matt needs to take his even keeled attitude and take it up about 17 notches. Make some noise Matty. The silent type only gets noticed in the library. I give Matt a 70 - 30 chance of making it into the Top 10 and that is only because he finished 4th the last time he raced at Las Vegas.
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 8th
You know a second place finish at Cali (Jimmie's old stomping ground) does not sit well with Jimmie or Chad Knaus. Well, as fate would have it, the #48 team is returning to a track that they won at last season and holds the top wins (3) out of all active drivers. If you don't see Jimmie in Victory Lane, I guess he will be taking sloppy seconds again.
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 1st
With the success that this guy has had driving in all three NASCAR series thus far, Kyle is position for a lot of success in 2008. I know it has only officially been two Cup races so far this season, but Kyle has already raced six races in only two weeks and finished in the Top 5 for all of them. I know the addition of Dale Earnhardt Jr. was an added bonus for Hendrick Motorsports, but maybe Rick Hendrick should have booted out Casey Mears instead of the new racing prodigy of Joe Gibbs Racing. Sorry Rick, no take backs. Oh, I guess you might need some fantasy info about Kyle. Kyle has 2 Top 5's and 3 Top 10's at LVMS and it's his hometown too.
Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 14th
Jeff may have not been making the grade at Daytona, but he came home last Monday at California with a respectable 3rd place finish and that was with a bonus because his engine blew during the last lap. Talk about the track's pet. Maybe Jeff can get extra credit and turn his last race at LVMS 2nd place finish to a first place win. Jeff runs solidly at LVMS. His last three races at Las Vegas ended up with Top 5 finishes.
Last Lap Challengers
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 31st
When you hear the phrase, "What a difference a year makes", you usually expect to hear how things have positively changed. Not so true for Denny so far this year. Again, two races does not a season make, but to have a 17th and 41st place finish in the last two weeks does not show a lot of promise for the coming 34 races. Luckily for Denny, he can turn around his lack luster performance at LVMS because he has finished his only two races at this track in the Top 10.
Jamie McMurray
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 22nd
Jamie is making his presence known so far this season. He missed out on a Top 10 finish at California because he brushed the wall with a few laps to go and Daytona could have been a better friend to him. That does not mean that fans have not taken notice of his running up front during a race. Jamie pulled a Top 10 finish his last time at Las Vegas. It is Jamie's curse, he runs well until it is time to make it count. Jamie has shown a little bit of that bad luck so far, but I don't foresee it taking over his season this year.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 19th
Clint was a powerhouse for RCR last season, but this season he is in the back of the class. Maybe it takes a couple of races to get his motivation going. Clint, sorry buddy, but Las Vegas is not going to be the track to give you that push. Clint finished outside of the Top 15 his only two starts at LVMS.
Casey Mears
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 42nd
I am glad to see that Casey survived that horrific crash at California, but Las Vegas is not going to be a track that he can regain composure. He has run fairly well before at LVMS, but being the wannabe in the Hendrick click does nothing for his self-esteem or his driving ability. I have faith in his driving ability and his drive to make his mark at Hendrick, but it is going to take at least half of the season for Casey to turn things around.
Track Stats
Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Las Vegas, NV) - LVMS
UAW-Dodge 400
(Sister Flat Tracks - Indianapolis, Phoenix, Pocono, & New Hampshire)
UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400
(March 11, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Mark Martin
6. Carl Edwards
7. Tony Stewart
8. Ryan Newman
9. Kyle Busch
10. Jamie McMurray
Reader Board
"Did Robby Gordon get the short end of the stick when it came to the penalties he and his team got for the wrong Dodge nose at Daytona? Robby is a hometown favorite of a lot of the guys in our Ford shop regardless if he moved to Dodge. "
Joe - California
Unfortunately for Robby Gordon, NASCAR was following very strict guidelines that they have enforced before to penalize other drivers that have committed the same infraction. I agree that the penalties were excessive considering the violation. Robby was changing manufacturers in the span of about three weeks and really did not have the information to afford him the right parts. Also, Robby did not run the Daytona 500 with the wrong nose. He got his 8th place finish all on talent. Robby Gordon is currently in the appeals process and hopefully he will get the penalties reduced.
-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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