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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
2/20/2008
Toyota/Save Mart 350
June 22, 2008 (Sunday) - 3:30 pm (ET) - TNT
Road Course Specialists - "Ringers"
By definition, road course ringers are invited to a road course race by NASCAR teams to either replace an inexperienced Sprint Cup regular, or to boost the point standings of a Sprint driver that is not particularly keeping up his side of the driver's contract. These replacement drivers can be classified however it is deemed necessary, but road course warriors put their expertise into every turn of every lap and make sure that these few special races are so much more fun.
Some of the selected road course drivers that will be gracing us with their genius this Sunday.
Brandon Ash
Ron Fellows
Terry Labonte
Max Papis
Scott Pruett
Boris Said
Brian Simo
Front Line Finishers
Jeff Burton
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 2nd
This silent wonder will quite possibly be taking over the point standings after this weekend. In the last two seasons, Jeff has finished 7th and 3rd.
Greg Biffle
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 8th
Greg's definitely the Roush driver that has taken centered stage for the Ford team. Yeah, we know Carl Edwards is higher in the point standings, but he should be. Greg is the team member at Roush that has really cranked things up this season. Greg surprisingly runs really well on this particular road course. Two Top 5's in the past two seasons.
Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 9th
You hear a lot of talk about how Hendrick Motorsports is not performing as well as they have in the past few seasons, but if you take a look, you will find that teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff are all contenders for the chase this season. They may not be winning a lot of races, but they sure have been consistent as a whole. Jeff has a great chance to put the #24 in victory lane this Sunday. Jeff has a total of five wins at Infineon and came in 7th last season. Jeff's last win was only in 2006.
Ryan Newman
Penske Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 17th
It is very sad to see the change of events that has taken place for Ryan since his win at Daytona. Ryan is five spots out of the chase, but with his success at IR, he might just be able to pull one more spot out for the chase if he follows up his 2 Top 5's and 4 Top 10's out of his six total starts.
Last Lap Challengers
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 12th
Clint is a driver that has discovered he can run consistently well at certain tracks and believe it or not, they are not cookie cutter tracks. Clint's experience at California is very minimal (two starts), but a Top 5 and a Top 10 is pretty impressive for a newbie.
Juan Pablo Montoya
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 22nd
Juan is the defending race winner for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, but with the animals he will be forced to race this weekend, Juan may not be winning this race a second time his second time out.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Kasey Kahne
Gillett Evernham Motorsports - Dodge
Point Standings: 7th
No matter now much momentum and no matter how much I really would like for Kasey to do well at Infineon this weekend, it is just not going to happen. Kasey will be facing his 5th try at IR and will probably not be breaking out of the Top 35.
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing Motorsports - Ford
Point Standings: 14th
I thought Kasey Kahne had poor performance at Infineon, but Matt's record gives new meaning to not knowing how to drive left and right and left and right. Eight times out and not even a Top 10.
Track Stats
Infineon Raceway (Sonoma, CA) - IR
Toyota/Save Mart 350
(Sister Road Courses - Watkins Glen)
Toyota/Save Mart 350
(June 24, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Juan Pablo Montoya
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Jeff Burton
4. Clint Bowyer
5. Greg Biffle
6. Tony Stewart
7. Jeff Gordon
8. Kyle Busch
9. Boris Said
10. Denny Hamlin
Reader Board
"Is Kyle Busch serious about bailing out of the Nationwide Series?"
Emily - Wisconsin
Unfortunately, I think that is exactly what Kyle Busch is doing. I don't know if Joe Gibbs wants to make sure that new team member Joey Logano gets all the attention in the Nationwide Series or because Kyle is just angered at the fact that he isn't in first place in the Nationwide Series. Lucky for us, he is still participating in the Craftsman Truck Series and the Sprint Cup Series.
-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">Browns, Jake Delhomme Agree To 2-Year Deal
(3/13 2:54 PM PT)
The Facts:
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Cleveland landed its second QB of the week, this time Delhomme.
Diehards Line:
Per Schefter, the two sides agreed to a two-year deal. The next question is what becomes of Brady Quinn? Browns President Mike Holmgren said on Friday that Quinn's future with the club depended on the acquisition of another QB. Now they have one -- although Delhomme won't be handed the starting job. So the bigger question, it seems, is whether Quinn will be in the mix with Delhomme and fellow newcomer Seneca Wallace. ... No matter the final field, Holmgren said he hoped that a starter would be named some time before training camp. "I'm going to kind of set the table, and then it's really Coach (Eric) Mangini's call," Holmgen said.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Seahawks Add Veteran TE Chris Baker
(3/13 1:26 PM PT)
The Facts:
Having lost out on former Patriots TE Benjamin Watson on Friday, the Seahawks reached agreement with another former Patriots TE, Baker on Saturday, a league source said.
Diehards Line:
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Baker will sign a two-year, $4.75 million deal that includes $2.75 million in the first year with the Seahawks, according to the source. Seattle was anxious to upgrade its tight ends behind talented youngster John Carlson. Now that it has, New England doesn't have a proven TE on its roster.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">LT Heading Home To Consider Decision
(3/13 8:21 AM PT)
The Facts:
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, as he mulls his choice between the Jets and Vikings, Tomlinson now is flying back to San Diego where he'll be free to think it through.
Diehards Line:
Tomlinson remained in New York a little longer than planned due to flight schedules. He had previously told the Vikings he would be returning to San Diego to consider the decision and news that he would remain in New York last night fueled speculation the Jets were closing in a deal. This after previous reports suggested the Jets would really have to wow Tomlinson, who really liked what he heard in Minnesota. With most observers speculating the Jets won't offer LT more than the 2-year, $5-million Thomas Jones got in Kansas City, Minnesota might have the advantage. ... Either way, stay tuned.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Javon Walker Still Wants To Play
(3/13 7:22 AM PT)
The Facts:
Walker was released by the Raiders earlier this week, but he says he isn’t done with the NFL. “The NFL is all about what have you done for me lately, and you know, I haven’t done anything lately,” Walker admitted. “But (I’m) just (looking for) somebody who’s going to dig down deep and say, ‘Let’s take a look and see what this kid can do.’”
Diehards Line:
Kid? Multiple injuries have kept Walker from regaining the form he demonstrated while catching 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns with the Broncos in 2006. But Walker claimed during a Friday appearance on NFL Network that after several surgeries — including an experimental procedure on his right knee — he’s 100 percent healthy and ready to play for whatever team is willing to give him a chance. It's safe to say Walker's big-money days are a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean he won't get that chance (any more than getting a chance means Walker will take advantage of it).
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Wes Welker Also Recovering From Torn Rotator Cuff
(3/12 11:08 PM PT)
The Facts:
Welker is not only recovering from torn ligaments in his left knee but also had a torn rotator cuff.
Diehards Line:
Welker was already facing the most challenging offseason of his career. A source close to the situation told ESPN's Mike Riess that the star wideout is attacking his rehabilitation as would be expected, with a full head of steam. Of course, the shoulder is the lesser of his worries as some observers believe the reconstructed knee will keep Welker from being a factor in New England's offense until as late as November. ... Stay tuned, however; we will still continue to follow up throughout the offseason.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Browns Release TE Steve Heiden
(3/12 11:07 PM PT)
The Facts:
After an injury plagued 2009 and the signing of Ben Watson, the Browns move on, releasing Heiden on Friday.
Diehards Line:
Heiden thrived as the team’s second tight end behind the oft-injured Kellen Winslow. After appearing in every regular season game in 2002, Heiden continually improved statistically each year through 2005, when he pulled down 43 receptions for 401 yards, his career peak. But his numbers have been in decline since then, hitting a low point last season when he only appeared in seven games, and finished the season on the injured reserve.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">LaDainian Tomlinson Staying In NY Overnight
(3/12 3:33 PM PT)
The Facts:
Tomlinson's meeting with the New York Jets is turning into a sleepover. Tomlinson spent a healthy portion of Friday at the Jets' training facility in Florham Park, N.J. He will dine Friday night with GM Mike Tannenbaum, HC Rex Ryan and other Jets personnel.
Diehards Line:
As ESPN.com's Tim Graham notes, that doesn't necessarily mean a contract for the free-agent running back is in the offing, but the longer he's exposed to the Jets' sales pitch, the better their chances of signing him will be. ... Per Graham, Tomlinson is staying overnight because there were no flights for him to return to the West Coast after dinner. His morning itinerary hasn't been settled, but Graham wouldn't be surprised if the Jets took advantage of the chance for more face time.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Bengals Sign WR Chris Davis
(3/12 3:32 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Cincinnati Bengals have already signed WR Antonio Bryant, and they considered signing Terrell Owens. Today they signed a wide receiver with a slightly lower profile. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bengals have signed Davis, a former Titan.
Diehards Line:
Davis has caught seven passes for 69 yards in his NFL career. He might be most notable for being arrested for DUI last year. Davis was waived by the Titans a few days after the arrest, then brought back in November, then released again.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Larry Johnson Signs With Redskins
(3/12 2:29 PM PT)
The Facts:
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, there's a new RB in Washington. The Redskins reached agreement with Johnson on a three-year deal.
Diehards Line:
Johnson has been visiting Washington the last two days and team officials were pushing hard to keep him there. The team has been seeking a veteran tailback who could complement Clinton Portis. Mission accomplished. "Obviously I've watched him from afar for years," HC Mike Shanahan said of Johnson prior to the signing. "I'm a big fan of his. ..." Johnson, 30, has encountered problems off the field, but on it, he has managed to post two 1,750-yard rushing seasons. The next question will be figuring out how Shanahan plans to split the workload between Portis and Johnson. We'll be watching for more.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Waiting For Word On LT's Visit With Jets
(3/12 2:20 PM PT)
The Facts:
According to Star-Ledger staffer Dave Hutchinson, with the two sides still meeting, he's waiting to hear word on how the Jets courting of Tomlinson went on Friday.
Diehards Line:
Hutchinson added, however, he is hearing that LT was absolutely wowed by the Vikings during his visit on Thursday and the Jets will have to blow him away to lured him to New York -- which seems unlikely. As Hutchinson suggested, believing the Jets might pay Tomlinson big money seems like a reach considering they let Thomas Jones -- an effective back and popular locker room guy -- get away. ... Whatever the case, stay tuned. More undoubtedly to come.
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