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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
10/17/2007
Pocono 500
June 8, 2008 (Sunday) - 2:15 pm (ET) - TNT
Most Likely…
In High School there is a gamut of theoretical awards that every senior wishes to win or avoid for their participation in their education. In NASCAR, it is the same, but the fans pick the winners or the losers.
Most likely to star in a toothpaste commercial: Patrick Carpentier
Most likely to get a date just with a look: Kasey Kahne
Most considerate and respectful: Carl Edwards
Most likely to be hated: Kyle Busch
Most likely to toy with the law: Tony Stewart
Most likely to whine about everything: Jeff Gordon
Most likely to be overshadowed by their parent: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Congratulations to Tony Stewart for winning the 4th annual Prelude to the Dream Race at Eldora Speedway and for donating $1,000,000 to the Victory Junction Game Camp.
Front Line Finishers
Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 6th
Finally, a race this season that Jeff most likely could win. Jeff will be defending his win from last June and trying to finish better than 4th like he did in the August race. Jeff has a lot of "wow" factor at Pocono. Jeff is almost guaranteed to finish in the Top 10 based on his 10th place average finish.
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 9th
Denny is definitely a driver that will most likely win on Sunday. Denny's record at PR speaks for itself. Denny has 4 Top 10's and 2 wins out of 4 starts. Denny didn't come home with a win last season, but he did get 6th and 3rd place finishes out of the summer and fall races.
Tony Stewart
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 11th
What a way to end the week. Tony wins his own charity event and will most likely give chase for the checkered flag at the end of the race on Sunday. Tony boasts an amazing 13 Top 10's out of 18 starts. What did he do for the other 5 races? Well for two of those races he suffered from an accident and an engine problem. That leaves 3 races out of 18 where Tony's worst finish was 27th. Not too bad Smoke.
Mark Martin
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 24th
Mark did not perform as well as I thought he would last weekend at Dover, but he will most likely not repeat that performance this weekend. Mark finished last season at PR with 2 Top 10 finishes and generally is a driver whom will be in the Top 10 at the end of these 500 lap races in Pennsylvania.
Last Lap Challengers
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 8th
If Clint keeps driving at Pocono like he did last season, he will most likely improve his average finish from a desolate 20th spot to perhaps 15th. Clint squeezed into the Top 10 last season for the two races at PR.
Casey Mears
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 25th
Pocono is probably the only track this season that you are going to see Casey driving up front. Don't expect Casey to take the lead at any point of the race but he will most likely end the race in the Top 15 or better. Casey finished 4th and 10th in the summer and fall races last season.
Bottom 35 Feeders
David Ragan
Roush Fenway - Ford
Point Standings: 13th
Rumor has it that Roush Fenway will be shortening the list of drivers by the end of 2009, but it will most likely not be David. Jack Roush has a lot of faith in David's driving ability, but Pocono is not a track where his driver will back up that assurance of skill. David's best finish out of two starts is 26th.
Robby Gordon
Robby Gordon Motorsports - Dodge
Point Standings: 29th
Robby showed that he has a variety of talent by finishing 2nd to Tony Stewart tonight at Smoke's charity event at Eldora Speedway. However, Robby will most likely not be show casing any aptitude at Pocono by ending his day early in the garage. Robby has 13 starts at PR with only 2 Top 10's.
Track Stats
Pocono Raceway (Long Pond, PA) - PR
Pocono 500
(Sister Flat Tracks - Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Phoenix, & New Hampshire
Pocono 500
(June 10, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jeff Gordon
2. Ryan Newman
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Casey Mears
5. Tony Stewart
6. Denny Hamlin
7. Mark Martin
8. Kyle Busch
9. Matt Kenseth
10. Clint Bowyer
Pennsylvania 500
(August 5, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Kurt Busch
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Tony Stewart
7. Ryan Newman
8. Clint Bowyer
9. Mark Martin
10. Casey Mears
Reader Board
"Is Dario Franchitti going to return to the Sprint Series this weekend or should we look for him at a race down the road?"
Leslie - Canada
As a matter of fact, Dario Franchitti is on the entry list for the race this Sunday at Pocono Raceway. Dario is 42nd in owner points, so he will have to qualify on time to race in the Pocono 500 this weekend.
-NASCAR Natalie
Post questions & comments to:
NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com
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The Facts:
Following up on an ongoing story. ... Tomlinson dined Wednesday night with Minnesota officials and at least one player in downtown Minneapolis. Tomlinson also spoke with several media outlets, and told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he understands the role he would have with the Vikings and could "possibly" sign Thursday if all goes well.
Diehards Line:
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The Facts:
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Chiefs signed Urban Wednesday night.
Diehards Line:
Terms were not revealed, but Urban, who used to play for Todd Haley in Arizona, now will do so in Kansas City. The Chiefs have had some luck with other Cardinals castoffs -- specifically FB/RB Tim Castille, WR Lance Long and TE Leonard Pope.
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
Tomlinson met in a private dining room at a downtown Minneapolis steakhouse with HC Brad Childress and OC Darrell Bevell. "I'm sure he wants to know what our vision is for him, and then our sense for him is will he fit?" Childress told reporters on Wednesday. ... For what it's worth, Vikings officials have taken time in recent days to study tape of Tomlinson. All have come to the same conclusion about a soon-to-be 31-year-old running back with plenty of mileage on his tires. "He still has some juice left in the tank," VP of player personnel Rick Spielman said of LT, who is clearly the Vikings choice to replace Chester Taylor as their third-down back. ... Stay tuned.
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The Facts:
The Baltimore Ravens reached a two-year agreement in principle with Mason on Wednesday. "We know exactly what we're getting with Derrick and that's production,” GM Ozzie Newsome said.
Diehards Line:
Newsome went on to explain, "Every Ravens fan knows what Derrick brings to this team. It's reliability, toughness, leadership, the fight to win, the want of the ball in the clutch times. He has a two-year history with Joe [Flacco] that says 'we know how to produce together.' They are on the same page. ..." Raven returns to a revamped receiving corps which will now includes newcomers Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth. How Mason fits in with the new components will be worth watching in coming weeks.
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
Faulk, who has been with New England since 1999, has been one of the Patriots' most reliable veteran receivers. While he's slowed down a bit of late, he remains productive. Faulk averaged 5.4 yards per carry last season, with 335 yards on 62 carries, while tying for fourth on the club with 37 receptions. As ESPN's Mike Reiss notes, Faulk is considered by many to be a third-down running back, but he has led all running backs in playing time in recent years. He had a 38-percent playtime clip in 2009, as his expertise as a blocker and pass-catcher makes him a lead-type option when the Patriots are in spread formations.
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
The admission came during an interview of Roethlisberger conducted at the scene. Per the report, Roethlisberger claims that the woman fell and injured her head after the incident. She then went to a hospital and alleged that she was sexually assaulted. ... Uh oh. Without getting into whether he's guilty of the assault or not, we'll kindly suggest Roethlisberger's judgement looks increasingly poor with each revelation. Stay tuned.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Bengals Agree To Terms With Antonio Bryant
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Seahawks want McNabb Or Kolb
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Browns Shopping Brady Quinn
(3/10 10:38 AM PT)
The Facts:
Browns front office boss Mike Holmgren has already made changes at the QB position, and he's not done yet. Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the Browns have offered Quinn in trade talks with other teams.
Diehards Line:
As PFT's Michael David Smith suggests, it's been apparent for some time that it doesn't look good for Quinn in Cleveland. The Browns, who also released Derek Anderson, traded for Seneca Wallace, who thinks he's going to start, and they've had discussions about signing, trading for or drafting another QB. ... Stay tuned.
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