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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
4/11/2007
Samsung 500
Ah, a little taste of the old, but good
I’m sure drivers are breathing more easily this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) because they are getting back to the car of old, the car before the COT, or whatever the media decides to distinguish between the two since their last two races have been spent learning how to drive all over again. To me, since I am not the one who has to drive the darn thing, have become a little accustomed to the new model. Flying around at over 180 mph, you really can’t focus on the difference. As far as accident issues, nothing really alarming there. However, I am excited about seeing a race this weekend for the Samsung 500 that is all about racing. No worries about how the new car drives, no complaints about the differences in engineering, no funny smells coming from the side molding, just good old last season racing.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jimmie Johnson (3rd) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – It this guy trying to clinch the NASCAR Nextel Champion of 2007 or what? Jimmie made it work last year with a few bumps along the way, but this season he is cruising into the Top 5 almost every race with ease. Don’t think you are not going to see him there again this weekend. Jimmie will definitely move to the top position in point standings after TMS, because he is Jimmie Johnson. If Kasey Kahne doesn’t win this Sunday, Jimmie will.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (11th) Dale Earnhardt Inc. – Chevrolet – I know all the Jr. fans are riding high this season because he has certainly improved his game. If Dale Sr. was alive, he would be very proud of the turn around his son has made. Dale is tied with Mark Martin and Tony Stewart for the most Top 10’s (6), but with Dale’s average Top 10 (10.8) finish at TMS, he will be moving ahead of them and breaking into the Top 10 in point standings.
Mark Martin (15th) Ginn Racing – Chevrolet – This guy misses 2 races and is only 15th in points for the championship. This race, Mark will easily move up 2 or 3 positions in the point standings. Mark is tied with Jeff Gordon for the most Top 5’s (4), but will be increasing it by 1 and leaving the #24 out of the Top 15.
Kasey Kahne (34th) Evernham Motorsports – Dodge – Man is he due. Kasey has gotten nothing but hard breaks this season. Hopefully his confidence will be back up since he is returning to the track that he won at last April. Again, this is Kasey’s bread and butter. If Kasey doesn’t do well here, he is going to have to qualify on time for his next race at Phoenix. Nobody in the active driver roster has a repeat win at TMS, but Kasey has the best chance to break that curse and drive on to victory lane. Anyway, Kasey had a birthday on Tuesday (4/10), so he deserved a late present. Happy belated birthday Kasey!!!
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Jamie McMurray (12th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Jamie must be a little concerned about his ride next year because in the last 2 races he has finished 9th both times. Either that or Jamie really likes change and is embracing the COT. Hopefully this weekend he will succeed with the old model and finish in the Top 15. Jamie has raced at TMS 5 times and has locked in a Top 14 average. That is the way to go for job security Jamie.
Casey Mears (33rd) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – I am going out on a limb here picking Casey to do well this weekend with his new team, but fortunately for me, Casey does do pretty well at TMS. Casey has been to Texas 5 times and has 2 Top 5’s and 3 Top 10’s. If he doesn’t show at Top 15, I will be completely shocked.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Ryan Newman (20th) Penske Motorsports – Chevrolet – Ryan is tied with Bobby Labonte for the most poles at Texas out of the active driver roster, but that is about it. Oh wait, he did win, but that was in 2003. However, he does have Top 5 and Top 10 finishes. Yeah, I agree with you, that’s not very impressive. So, I guess what I am trying to get at is, don’t pick him.
Greg Biffle (21st) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Greg mimics Ryan Newman’s stats expect that Greg has never gotten a pole. Do I really have to take up more space on this website and write it out for you?
Track Stats
Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, TX)
Samsung 500
April 15, 2007 (Sunday) – 1:30 pm - FOX
(Sister Tracks – Lowe’s, California, Homestead-Miami, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Atlanta)
Samsung/Radio Shack 500
(April 9, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Tony Stewart
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Jeff Burton
7. Scott Riggs
8. Martin Truex Jr.
9. Mark Martin
10. Bobby Labonte
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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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