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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
6/28/2008
LENOX Industrial Tools 301
June 29, 2008 (Sunday) - 12:30 pm (ET) - TNT
Predictability is not very predictable
Last weekend's race at Infineon should have been a no brain-er for drivers that usually have success at road courses. Results from Sunday's race proves the opposite of that. The road course ringers finished in the back and a lot of drivers that are usually outside the Top 20 finished in the front. The COT is taking away from the predictability that tracks usually offer. This Sunday, the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers are back on an oval to hopefully show that predictability, was last season's job.
Front Line Finishers
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 5th
Plain and simple for the #48 car. It came in 5th and 6th place last season.
Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 6th
Two 2nd place finishes last season is not going to keep Jeff from trying to take over the first place spot this Sunday at New Hampshire. Jeff may get a run for his money, but he will sure be taking a lot of it to the bank.
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 12th
I bet Matt's Top 10 finish at a road course really gave new life to his driving game this 2008 season. Matt will be able to follow that success up with the addition of another Top 10 this Sunday at NHIS. Matt is ranked 2nd of the active driver roster for the highest finishing average (10.5).
Ryan Newman
Penske Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 16th
New Hampshire International Speedway is a comeback track for Ryan. Ryan's racing record at NHIS is phenomenal. Out of a total of 12 starts (ironically), the #12 car has 4 poles, 2 wins, 5 Top 5's, and 9 Top 10's. Ryan may be having sponsor logo issues, but that is not going to effect his speed racing this Sunday.
Last Lap Challengers
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 10th
Clint did take home the checkered flag for the last race NASCAR hosted at Loudon (September), but with a total of four starts and grabbing that win from out of no where does not make Clint consistent at NHIS. Clint will try hard again this season to finish up front, but putting all of your faith on him this early is slightly risky.
Martin Truex Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 17th
Did I hear a rumor that Martin's future at DEI is questionable? Hang in there Martin because this weekend's performance will show momma Theresa that there is more of you to offer than a shadow to fill. Martin has a 3rd and a 5th place finish last season at New Hampshire, However, just like Clint Bowyer, Martin needs more experience to hang with the big drivers.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Juan Pablo Montoya
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 19th
I could have swore last weekend that NASCAR Nation was going to witness some Columbian fist flying after Juan's run in with a few of the other road course racers. We were denied a back flip from Carl Edwards for his win in the Nationwide Series race Saturday night and we were denied a brawl Sunday afternoon. What happened to the emotion of our NASCAR drivers? Juan made a really good comeback to finish in the Top 10 at Infineon, but with only two races under his belt at NHIS; no such replay.
Elliott Sadler
Gillett Evernham Motorsports - Dodge
Point Standings: 25th
I may be being a little hard on Elliott to place him in such a low rated category. He does actually have 4 Top 10's. Wait, here is the kicker. It is out of 18 starts. No, I am not being too hard on Elliott, he just doesn't drive well in Loudon.
Track Stats
New Hampshire International Speedway (Loudon, N.H.) - NHIS
LENOX Industrial Tools 301
(Sister Flat Tracks - Indianapolis, Phoenix, Las Vegas & Pocono)
Lenox Industrial Tools 301
(July 1, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Jeff Green
7. Jeff Burton
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Matt Kenseth
10. Ryan Newman
Sylvania 300
(September 16, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Clint Bowyer
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Tony Stewart
4. Kyle Busch
5. Martin Truex Jr.
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Matt Kenseth
8. Casey Mears
9. Ryan Newman
10. J.J. Yeley
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">JaMarcus Russell Reports To Work
(3/16 12:38 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on an ongoing story. ... Russell is on site and particpating in the Raiders’ offseason program, the club confirmed without any other comment.
Diehards Line:
The Raiders have no plans to make Russell available to the media, so there won’t be any opportunity to see if the weight loss alluded to be director of player development Willie Brown is obvious to a casual observer. ESPN insider Adam Schefter, however, is comfirming the previously reported weight loss -- and a new throwing motion. ... Stay tuned.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Spencer Havner Dealing With Post-Accident Injuries, Issues
(3/16 12:36 PM PT)
The Facts:
Havner, who scored four touchdowns on only seven catches during the 2009 regular season -- and one touchdown on two catches in a playoff loss at Arizona -- recently was arrested for DUI in California after crashing a motorcycle.
Diehards Line:
According to TheUnion.com, Havner lost control of a motorcycle, fracturing a scapula and suffering cuts to the back of his head and left arm. He was not wearing a helmet. ... As for the legal issues, Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that while Havner was arrested, the prosecutor will have to decide whether to pursue charges. ... More as the story plays out.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">JaMarcus Russell Getting In Shape?
(3/16 9:55 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... Raiders director of squad development Willie Brown said on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area Monday that Russell has undergone a transformation in the offseason and wasn’t present at the first day of the offseason program tending to personal business. "He’ll be back in town today and ready to go (Tuesday),” Brown said.
Diehards Line:
Brown went on to say the QB has been in Phoenix getting in shape, a long-running rumor neither the Raiders nor Russell’s agents would confirm. “You’ll be surprised when you see him,” Brown said. “It’s quite a bit of weight that he’s lost. ... I don’t want to pin it down and say how much he lost but it will be a significant difference when you see him compared to last year." Stay tuned.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Bo Scaife Signs Titans Tender Offer
(3/16 9:46 AM PT)
The Facts:
Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted, and PFT has separately confirmed, that Scaife signed his tender, giving him a one-year deal with the team for a guaranteed salary of $4,908,200.
Diehards Line:
As a fifth-year player, Scaife is one of the free agents who would have been unrestricted in a normal year but were instead restricted in the uncapped 2010. That allowed the Titans to tender him at 110 percent of his 2009 salary, rather than the franchise level, which would have been $5.9 million. The Titans franchised Scaife last year, and he signed the tender. ... In 2009 Scaife played in 14 games, starting 10, and caught 45 passes for 440 yards.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Brett Favre Tried To Help Vikings Recruit LT
(3/15 8:26 PM PT)
The Facts:
Favre hasn't announced his intentions about playing in 2010, but we came across what appears to be a gigantic clue that he'll be back. That clue is this: A source familiar with the Vikings situation told Newsday's Bob Glauber that Favre was heavily involved in the recruitment process late last week for RB LaDainian Tomlinson.
Diehards Line:
According to Glauber, it is believed that Favre spoke to Tomlinson by phone and while recruiting effort ultimately came up short, Profootballtalk.com's Michael David Smith correctly suggests if Favre is actively trying to recruit players for the Vikings' 2010 roster, that's a pretty big clue that Favre himself plans to be on the Vikings' 2010 roster. ... Not that we should expect an announcement or official confirmation any time soon.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Marc Bulger Shows Up For Off-Season Workouts
(3/15 8:24 PM PT)
The Facts:
Bulger’s future in St. Louis may be tenuous at best, but he remains under contract with the Rams. As such, he was among the Rams’ players on hand Monday for the start of the team’s off-season conditioning program.
Diehards Line:
Per the Post-Dispatch, the turnout Monday was good. Among the notable absences was running back Steven Jackson, but he was at Rams Park all of last week. ... Getting back to Bulger, all indications are the veteran signal caller will be moving on. But it doesn't look like he's ready to do anything to force management's hand.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Seahawks Sign WR Ruvell Martin
(3/15 8:21 PM PT)
The Facts:
Martin, who has a background with Seahawks general manager John Schneider from three seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 2006-08, signed a one-year deal with the team.
Diehards Line:
Martin, 27, played eight games for the St. Louis Rams in 2009 and caught six passes for 99 yards, including two for 60 yards against the Seahawks in a 27-17 Seattle win on Nov. 29. The 6-4, 220-pounder has 58 career receptions for 848 yards and six touchdowns in his NFL career. Martin's best season for Green Bay came as a rookie in 2006 when he pulled in 21 passes for 358 yards, including seven catches of 20 or more yards.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">JaMarcus Russell Absent As Raiders Get To Work
(3/15 1:48 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Raiders kicked off offseason voluntary workouts today at team headquarters. No visible sign of Russell, though.Several players who have been at the facility for weeks said they have not seen the former No. 1 overall draft pick. When asked if he'll show today, one starter laughed and said "That's a horror show." Another starter said "don't hold your breath."
Diehards Line:
Meanwhile, fellow QBs Charlie Frye showed up, saying he signed his original draft pick tender. Bruce Gradkowski has been there all along, rehabbing his knees and preparing to compete for the starting job. ... For what it's worth, Russell did show up for last year's off-season program a week after it started. And it should also be noted that the workouts are voluntary.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Broncos Release Chris Simms
(3/15 12:47 PM PT)
The Facts:
According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, Simms has been released.
Diehards Line:
With Brady Quinn now under contract at a base salary of only $700,000, the Broncos were able to part ways with Simms, who was last season's primary backup. Simms was due to earn a base salary of $2.54 million in 2010. Last year, he earned $1.96 million. The move leaves the Broncos with three QBs under contract: Kyle Orton, Quinn, and Tom Brandstater. ... For what it's worth, ESPN insider Adam Schefter suggests that Brandstater might be the best long-term prospect of the group.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ben Roethlisberger Absent For Start Of Workouts
(3/15 10:04 AM PT)
The Facts:
The Steelers started offseason workouts today and there is one notable absence. Roethlisberger is not working out with his teammates and is not at the Steelers' practice facility.
Diehards Line:
Roethlisberger has stayed out of sight since getting accused of sexual assault in Milledgeville, Ga. It's not clear if the decision to stay away is exclusively Roethlisberger's. The QB has met with team officials, who are said to be very disappointed with the situations he finds himself in. It would't be terribly surprising to learn all involved are on board with the absence as part of an effort to avoid distraction.
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