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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
3/27/2008
Goody's Cool Orange 500
March 30, 2008 (Sunday) - 1:30 pm - FOX
Short Track, Big Heart
I am walking aimlessly through the aisle of my local grocery store when I hear a cell phone ring. It is pretty crowed so a lot of patrons are checking to see if it is their phone that has gotten the attention of an entire aisle. I answer my cell phone without even glancing at the caller ID and to my surprise; I am talking with an automated Tony Stewart letting me know that there are still tickets available for the upcoming race at Martinsville Speedway. I don't know of another track that personally calls their patrons to remind them of the race schedule for their track. As a matter of fact, Martinsville Speedway also sends me email cards for holidays and any other event that is coming up. Clay Campbell, who is the owner of the track, really puts his heart and soul into his short oval so that fans of NASCAR and short tracks really feel like they are part of it all. That is the soul of NASCAR.
Just a bit of trivia, Martinsville Speedway is the only track on the NASCAR circuit that has been around from the beginning (1948).
Front Line Finishers
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 1st
Well it goes something like this. Kyle is first in the Sprint Cup and Craftsman Truck Series points and he finished in the Top 5, actually Top 4 of the last two races held at MS last season in 2007.
Ryan Newman
Penske Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 8th
Ryan may have to change his name from Rocket Man to Consistency man. At least for this part of the season anyway. I think Roy McCauley was pretty fed up with the whole pole position thing and decided that maybe they should focus on the Cup thing for awhile. Ryan will always be remembered for his speed during qualify. Ryan took the runner up spot last October at MS and usually runs in the Top 15. With his success this season though, he will not be satisfied unless he is racing for the win.
Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 14th
Do NASCAR fans really think that Hendrick Motorsports hit their peak last season? It seems that it was going in that direction, but don't let their inconsistency fool you. We all know full well that Jeff and teammates Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will all be in the chase this year. Jeff will be making it one more spot closer to the coveted 12th spot this weekend. Jeff has a 2nd and 3rd place finish in the spring and fall race respectively at MS and dang near rings in a Top 5 every time. Jeff also has the most wins (7) at Martinsville Speedway out of the active driver roster.
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 15th
It has only been five races into the season and I was a little worried about Denny being left behind at the Gibbs Garage. Thank goodness that Denny proved me and a few other people wrong with his 5th place finish two weeks ago at Bristol. Denny is definitely going to be a mover this Sunday. He has raced at Martinsville six times and has come home with 2 Top 5's and 4 Top 10's.
Last Lap Challengers
Greg Biffle
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 2nd
Our buddy Greg has finished in the Top 5 his last three races. It really seems like 2008 is the year for break through drivers. All the drivers are in NASCAR for a reason; they can race, but there are a few that shine brighter than others year after year leaving the rest behind. This season however, we should see a lot of drivers making fans take notice of them. Mr. Sixteen is going to be among the top. Greg finished 7th at MS last fall.
Juan Pablo Montoya
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 19th
Got to give this guy a few props. He has raced at Martinsville a total of two times and he finished 16th in the spring race and 8th in the fall race. He divided his finishing position by half and maybe the can do that again this Sunday. Risk factor: 35%.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Martin Truex Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 12th
When I checked the point standings after the race in Bristol, I was surprised to see that Martin was a potential chase contender. His racing this season has been so wishy-washy and not very pretty. Oh so the hand of fate slams down on Martin's weekend again. Martin best finish at MS is 19th out of 4 starts.
Reed Sorenson
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 25th
I said it before that Reed is going to have an up and down season but I was hoping for a few more ups before Reed had all these downs. He showed some skills at Daytona with a 5th place finish, but since then he is usually running in the Top 30. Who wants to be there? Martinsville is going to give Reed another bad finish. He is skimming the bottom and coming up with an average finish of 26th.
Track Stats
Martinsville Speedway (Martinsville, VA) - MS
Subway 500
(Sister Short Tracks - Bristol & Richmond)
Goody's Cool Orange 500
(April 1, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Kyle Busch
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. Jeff Burton
7. Tony Stewart
8. Scott Riggs
9. Jamie McMurray
10. Matt Kenseth
Subway 500
(October 21, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Ryan Newman
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Kyle Busch
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Denny Hamlin
7. Greg Biffle
8. Juan Pablo Montoya
9. Clint Bowyer
10. Kevin Harvick
Reader Board
"What is going on with Kyle Busch in the Nationwide Series? It seems that he can really put on a show for the other series, but comes up very short in this one. "
Jay - New Jersey
Right now, Kyle Busch is currently in the running to be the only driver in history to be the points leader for all three series in NASCAR. He currently is first in points for the Craftsman Truck and Sprint Cup Series, but I think that the pressure of this great feat is wearing on him and it happens to rear its ugly head during the Nationwide Series. If you listen to him after a race for the Nationwide Series where he did not fair well, Kyle will tell you if it was driver error. Kyle is 11th in points for the Nationwide series so he needs to relax and race easy.
-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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