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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
LifeLock 400
June 15, 2008 (Sunday) - 2:15 pm (ET) - TNT
Happy Father's Day!
It seems as though only a few drivers are earning their keep this season. Out of the 14 races NASCAR Sprint Cup has hosted this season, three different drivers have won a total of nine of them. With the current momentum of all three, I don't foresee too much of a change the rest of the season. There may be the addition of a driver or two that will win a couple races this season, but the Top three race winners will probably remain the same; Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, and the newest entry Kasey Kahne.
Front Line Finishers
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 3rd
Dale may not be winning any races this season, but his consistency is sure paying off. He is ranked 3rd in the points standings. That has to say something about his performance. Dale may have a chance this Father's day to pay tribute to the Father of NASCAR Dale Earnhardt Sr. Dale Jr's record at MIS shows that he is starting to understand his way around the 2 mile track. Junior placed 5th in the June and 12th in the August races.
Carl Edwards
Roush Fenway Racing Motorsports - Ford
Point Standings: 4th
Oh Carl. Oh how you come so close to winning and than are sadly denied. Carl is the past winner for the June race at Michigan with a follow performance of 7th in the August race. Fear not my flipping friend, for you may grasp that checkered flag yet again this Sunday night.
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 5th
Denny may not have had the performance that he is known for at Pocono, but this weekend at Michigan will give him the opportunity to make up some lost ground from last Sunday. Denny's past history proves that he can bank on a Top 10 finish at MIS. Denny hasn't won at this scenic track his last four starts, but coming in 5th at the June race puts him much closer to finalizing a win.
Tony Stewart
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 12th
Tony is considered a late bloomer for winning races in a NASCAR Sprint season, but if he waits any longer, he will not be in contention for the chase for the cup in September if he doesn't man up. Tony could possibly maintain his points position if he sticks with his recent finishes at MIS. Tony has a whopping 12 Top 10 finishes out of 18 starts at the D-shaped track. Not going around in circles this Sunday.
Last Lap Challengers
Martin Truex Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 16th
Martin, quite frankly, should be ranked in the section above, but I generally stick to a Top 4 format. So, you can consider him the runner up because of his minimal experience at MIS (4 races). Martin did finish 2nd both races last season. Maybe Martin can put the #1 car in the number one spot this time out. If not, see you in August for a re-do.
Casey Mears
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 26th
Haven't seen a lot of the Hendrick boys up front this season, but Casey may be one of the underdogs who will be celebrating a little bit more than his teammates on Sunday. Casey has had almost back to back Top 10 finishes for the 2007 season. He came in 4th for the summer race and 11th for the fall race. If you average the two races out, he actually did have Top 10 finishes.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Juan Pablo Montoya
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 20th
Wow is Juan on fire this season. But you know I don't mean as far as his driving ability. Last weekend at Pocono, marks the 2nd time this season that Juan has had to quickly remove himself from the #42 car because for some strange reason it had caught on fire. This race is another one where he will go up in smoke. Juan showed his rookie strips last season by wrecking in one race and finishing 23rd in the other.
Elliott Sadler
Gillett Evernham Motorsports - Dodge
Point Standings: 28th
Too bad Elliott is not sharing in the winning success of teammate Kasey Kahne. Elliott's running at Michigan is not his best. His best finish in the last three years was 8th and that really was three years ago. I am not saying any of the other Gillett Evernham drivers are going to do great things this weekend, but Elliott is the one who will finish the worst.
Track Stats
Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn, MI) - MIS
LifeLock 400
(Sister Tracks - Lowe's, California, Texas, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Homestead-Miami, Darlington, & Atlanta)
Michigan 400
(June 17, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Carl Edwards
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Tony Stewart
4. Casey Mears
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. Kyle Busch
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Jamie McMurray
9. Jeff Gordon
10. Michael Waltrip
3M Performance 400
(August 21, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Kurt Busch
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Denny Hamlin
6. Dave Blaney
7. Carl Edwards
8. Brian Vickers
9. Bobby Labonte
10. Tony Stewart
Reader Board
"Is Jamie McMurray going to get the boot next season?"
Adrian - Washington DC
Well, as you know, Roush Fenway Racing does have to lighten their load of drivers by one by the end of the 2009 NASCAR season. At this point in the season and without foreseeing the performance of the five teams next year, it is hard to determine who will go. Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle and possibly Matt Kenseth are drivers that will be hanging around for awhile. As for the rest of the bunch, your guess is as good as mine about who will be homeless next season.
-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">Ben Roethlisberger Won't Request Further Reduction
(9/3 12:41 AM PT)
The Facts:
Roethlisberger and team president Art Rooney II will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Friday morning in New York, but they will not be politicking to have his suspension reduced beyond two games, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.
Diehards Line:
Reports have suggested that Rooney is accompanying Roethlisberger to the meeting to have his suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy reduced from six games to three games. But that is not the case. "That door is not open," a source who is familiar with the meeting told Post-Gazette Gerry Dulac. ... This news comes after a number of observers suggested that such a request might not go over well with Goodell -- the sole arbiter of Roethlisberger's fate.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Michael Bush Could Miss Up To Six Weeks
(9/2 8:00 PM PT)
The Facts:
Based on what information is available regarding the fractured thumb of RB Michael Bush, Tribune staffer Jerry McDonald reports it’s highly unlikely Bush will be ready to play in the opener and could miss up to a quarter of the season or more.
Diehards Line:
HC Tom Cable confirmed the thumbe was fractured and said on Monday “he’ll need a procedure on it, and whether that keeps him out or not remains to be seen.” Cable has since declined to discuss the injury and wouldn’t confirm the surgery had taken place. McDonald, however, consulted with an othepedic surgeon familiar with the procedure who suggested a 4-to-6 week recovery period. If Bush were to be out four weeks from the time of surgery, he would be available to practice for the in the days preceding the Houston Texans game on Oct. 3 in Week 4. Six weeks would mean Bush could be ready to face the 49ers on On Oct. 6 in Week 6. ... Stay tuned. We'll continue to watch for more on this one.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Big Ben To Request 3-Game Suspension
(9/1 3:55 PM PT)
The Facts:
In their meeting scheduled for Friday, Roethlisberger's representatives plan to ask commissioner Roger Goodell to reduce the six-game suspension by at least three games, bringing along team president Arthur J. Rooney II to the New York meeting to support the QB's case.
Diehards Line:
Goodell has made it clear he would consider reducing the length of the suspension if Roethlisberger complied with a number of league imposed conditions, including a comprehensive behavioral evaluation, and stayed clear of any other off field problems. As ESPN's Sal Paolantonio notes, most observers believe Goodell has had in his mind all along to reduce the suspension by two games to four. But Roethlisberger's attorney, David Cornwell, is expected to ask for a greater reduction in the suspension. ... Stay tuned. Some reduction seems all but certain. It'll be interesting to see how Roethlisberger's request is met by the commissioner.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Redskins Place Malcolm Kelly On IR
(8/31 11:54 AM PT)
The Facts:
HC Mike Shanahan said the team will place injury-plagued WR Malcolm Kelly on injured reserve Tuesday, ending the third-year player's season because of a recurring hamstring problem.
Diehards Line:
Kelly, who practiced just three times during training camp and the preseason, suffered a setback during Monday's workout, his first since July 30. Further evaluation showed that he would likely miss six weeks, Shanahan said. The Redskins could have released Kelly Tuesday, reaching an injury settlement. By putting him on injured reserve, they retain his rights for the future. Shanahan, though, made it clear that Kelly is guaranteed nothing with the Redskins -- even after his hamstring heals.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Buccaneers Release Derrick Ward
(8/31 11:03 AM PT)
The Facts:
The Buccaneers have cut Ward and WR Terrence Nunn. HC Raheem Morris announced the roster moves after Tuesday's practice.
Diehards Line:
Morris said that Ward, who signed to a lucrative, four-year, $17 million deal in 2009, didn't fit the long-term plan for the Buccaneers. Second-year pro Kareem Huggins, a 2009 undrafted free agent out of Hofstra, beat out Ward for the backup spot to starter Carnell "Cadillac" Williams. In three presesaon games Huggins has run for 97 yards on 19 carries (5.1 average) with two receptions for 16 yards. Huggins brings more speed and big-play ability to the Buccaneers backup running back position.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Owen Daniels Officially Off The PUP List
(8/30 8:14 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Texans announced Monday that Daniels has passed a physical and has been removed from the active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Diehards Line:
This allows Daniels to resume practicing with the team less than two weeks before the regular-season opener against Indianapolis. While that's good news, we'll remind you that HC Gary Kubiak said on Sunday the best-case scenario for Daniels, coming off a torn ACL, is probably that he plays 15-20 snaps against the Colts in Week 1. Those who are able might want to watch his progress this week before investing on draft day.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Michael Bush To Have Surgery; Could Play Week 1
(8/29 7:10 PM PT)
The Facts:
Bush will undergo surgery on his broken left thumb Monday and could be back in time for the season opener.Bush broke the thumb when he was hit on the hand by a helmet on his final carry Saturday night against San Francisco.
Diehards Line:
HC Tom Cable said Sunday there was a "good chance" Bush would be ready to play Sept. 12 in Tennessee and that he would likely not need a cast on the finger. ... Bush led the team with 589 yards rushing last season and was expected to do even more this season now that Justin Fargas has been released. Bush and Darren McFadden will share the bulk of the running load this season, although both have now been hampered by injuries in the preseason.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jason Campbell's Wrist Injury Of More Concern Than Shoulder
(8/29 7:09 PM PT)
The Facts:
Campbell's stinger that knocked him out of the exhibition loss to the 49ers does not appear to be serious, HC Tom Cable said. But Campbell hurt his right wrist on the previous series in the game, which is more of an immediate concern. He underwent an MRI on Sunday and will be evaluated again later this week.
Diehards Line:
"Usually I recover pretty fast," Campbell said after the game. "Right now there's no timetable. The thing is just to improve and continue to keep getting better. We don't know the timetable or anything, but at the same time, I haven't really missed any time before. ..." Campbell led Oakland to a touchdown on the opening drive for the second straight week, completing all four of his passes for 67 yards. But the Raiders did not get another first down with Campbell in the game.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ben Roethlisberger To Meet With Goodell Next Week
(8/29 5:45 PM PT)
The Facts:
According to FOXSports insider Jay Glazer, Roethlisberger will meet with commissioner Roger Goodell following next Thursday's pre-season game. Goodell will make a final determination on Roethlisberger's suspension, which currently stands at six games. It could be reduced to four.
Diehards Line:
The report indicates that Goodell will inform Roethlisberger and the Steelers of his decision in advance of the regular-season opener. There have been indications -- including comments by Goodell suggesting that Roethlisberger has gone above and beyond in his efforts to meet the requirements necessary -- the suspension will indeed be reduced. ... Stay tuned. We'll be obviously be watching for the official announcement.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Rams Place Donnie Avery On IR
(8/29 5:44 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Rams announced that Avery, who suffered a torn ACL in last Thursday's win over the Patriots, has been placed on the injured reserve list.
Diehards Line:
The move, which officially ends Avery's season, comes as no real surprise. HC Steve Spagnuolo made no secret of the fact it was a season-ending injury on Friday. The only real question remains unanswered, however: Who replaces Avery as the starter opposite Laurent Robinson? Danny Amendola and Mardy Gilyard were the first candidates mentioned by the coach, who also suggested Keenan Burton as a possibility. Others on the roster included Brandon Gibson, Danario Alexander, Dominique Curry, Jordan Kent and Brandon McRae.
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