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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
3/28/2007
Goody’s Cool Orange 500
Take 2 – COT is at it again
Martinsville Speedway (MS) is hosting the second race this season for the Car of Today. Many radio hosts (Sirius) are debating on what should be the proper response when referring to what used to be the Car of Tomorrow. I have heard “Super Car”, “COY (Car of Yesterday)”, and just the new NASCAR stock car. No matter what you call it, it is here to stay. NASCAR may even increase the number of races that the new car will be scheduled to race in 2008. Last weekend’s winner even stated that the new car was terrible and actually sucked. Whether the drivers like the new car or not, they are going to have to suck it up and drive it. The drivers may not actually acknowledge it, but the new cars were not that bad. Just like anything in life, new is strange, but give it some time. Eventually, everybody will become accustomed to the car and the newness will go away and everybody will get back to racing. Until then, bring it on.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
#24 – Jeff Gordon (1st) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Jeff might have started out the race at Bristol in a good spot, but it took him a long time to find the right set up and struggled through a lot of grief to end up finishing 3rd. Being the reigning race record winner at MS (7 wins), Jeff again has to defend his good name this weekend. No other active driver even comes close to his success, but will he again come from the back and have another Top 5? The answer is yes.
#48 - Jimmie Johnson (3rd) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – Is it Hendrick and Chevy’s year or what? Jimmie cleans up at MS. He has the best average finish (7.2) and shares the same owner as the current point’s leader (Jeff Gordon). He has only raced at Martinsville about half the time as his successor (10 races), but he has 9 Top 10’s. Do the math and you are looking at a 90% Top 10 finish. I give Jimmie an ‘A’.
#11 – Denny Hamlin (8th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – I can not say enough about this used to be rookie. He impressed us much of the 2006 season and he is going to astonish us in the 2007 season. Denny usually stays below the radar, but ends up sending us a signal by finishing in the Top 10. Denny has only been to MS 4 times and has scored a Top 5 and 2 Top 10’s.
#26 – Jamie McMurray (17th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – If anybody needs a come back from a bad first year with a new team, it is Jamie. If he doesn’t get his act together, he could be looking at being cut in 2010. That is when NASCAR has stated that the maximum number of teams an owner can have is 4. Not to put any pressure on Jamie, but he has just about 2 seasons left to show his worth. Good thing for him, MS is a good track for him. He has 8 starts and a Top 15 average. Wipe your brow on that one Jamie.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
#2 – Kurt Busch (19th) Penske Racing – Dodge – Man did he struggle last weekend at Bristol. I thought for sure he would be taking the checkered again, but finishing in the Top 29? Dude, what happened? If he has issues with the new car, he has 6 other races including this one to blow it. Hopefully it was just a bad day and Kurt can come back with his 2nd win or his 5th Top 10. I mean if his younger brother can make the most of a sucky car, than hopefully Kurt can follow in his little brother’s tread marks.
#88 – Ricky Rudd (32nd) Robert Yates Racing – Ford – It shocked the heck out of me when Ricky came back this season. I have always heard great things about him and so far this season his actions have not backed up his reputation. However, I think Ricky has a good chance of ending the Goody’s 500 with a sweet finish. His record at MS is pretty good with 3 wins out of a whole lot of starts (53), but he finishes normally in the Top 15.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
#16 - Greg Biffle (15th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Coming off an inspection mistake out of Bristol, MS is not looking great for Greg either. Matter of fact, Ameriquest is even looking to drop out of their deal with Roush Fenway Racing 2 years early. Did somebody sail under an unlucky star? Sorry Greg, I have a lot of friends that are pulling for you (Rob), but with 8 starts at Martinsville and not even a Top 10, you need to pray that NASCAR parks the #16 this race because of last weekend’s infraction.
#25 – Casey Mears (25th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – I remember when Casey was the #41 who used to wreck almost every weekend, but made it interesting. Now, Casey is just the driver with a new ride who can’t close the deal. It doesn’t matter if Hendrick, or Ganassi is paying the bills, Casey is going to fail again this Sunday. Only 1 Top 10 out of 8 starts.
Track Stats
Martinsville Speedway (Martinsville, VA)
Goody’s Cool Orange 500
April 1, 2007 (Sunday) – 1:30 pm - FOX
(Sister Short Tracks – Bristol & Richmond)
DirectTV 500
(April 2, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Tony Stewart
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
5. Kyle Busch
6. Elliott Sadler
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Brian Vickers
9. Jamie McMurray
10. Scott Riggs
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Our latest Cheat Sheets updated constantly through September.
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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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