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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
7/05/2008
Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola
July 5, 2008 (Saturday) - 6:30 pm (ET) - TNT
Happy 4th of July!!!
Forty is finished
It's a sad at the Franchitti-Judd house. As of Tuesday, July 2, 2008, Dario Franchitti has lost his NASCAR Sprint Cup ride until Chip Ganassi can get a sponsor to flip the bill for the #40 team. Luckily however, Dario does have the opportunity to run in the Nationwide Series if he so desires. With Dario originally on the entry list for the race this weekend at Daytona, that leaves only 45 drivers scheduled to qualify. Good news for the go or go homers, one more spot could possibly be up for grabs.
For all those Earnhardt family fans, Kerry Earnhardt is expected to make an attempt to qualify for the Nationwide Series race at Daytona. Go Kerry!!! The more Earnhardts the merrier.
Front Line Finishers
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 1st
Kyle seems to follow a certain pattern of racing this season. He just wins a lot. Granted last weekend at New Hampshire wasn't his best work, but we can blame Juan Pablo Montoya for that. Kyle's run at Daytona the last two races have resulted in Top 5's.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 3rd
Even though Dale has been with Hendrick some many months now, I can't help from feeling that whether there is camaraderie at Hendrick Motorsports, there is not so much on the race track. Restrictor plate tracks beg for drafting, but I think Dale is going to have to find friends outside the family this weekend. Dale has the respect and the talent to win at Daytona.
Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 6th
Jeff is and will remain for quite some time the driver on the Sprint Cup series active driver roster that maintains the most wins (6). Jeff has suspension problems during the Daytona 500 this season, which placed him 39th. However, with a working stock car this Saturday night, Jeff will, without much effort, steal the win or get another Top 5 to add to his already accomplished 11 out of 30 races.
Kasey Kahne
Gillett Evernham Motorsports - Dodge
Point Standings: 10th
Normally, I wouldn't even think about Kasey performing well on this restrictor plate track, but that is exactly how he has competed for the last two races at Daytona. Kasey needs a good run this weekend because he is 10th in points and only nine more races to the chase for the Cup.
Kurt Busch
Penske Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 18th
Ryan Newman may be the defending race winner of the Daytona 500, but teammate Kurt Busch is the driver that has had 2 Top 5's in the last two races at the beloved tri-oval. With his momentum from last weekend's win because he played it smart, he is in high gear for this race at DIS.
Last Lap Challengers (The Nostalgic Class)
Terry Labonte
Petty Enterprises - Dodge
Point Standings: 48th
Terry may be a fill in for Kyle Petty while Kyle does his commentating thing, but Terry is the real deal. I am glad to see him come out of retirement to race once again. It may be short lived, but Terry is going to tear it up as far as veteran racers are concerned. Terry has raced Daytona's 2.5 mile track 53 amazing times. Out of all those starts Terry averaged 11 Top 5's and 26 Top 10's. No win to date, but don't give up just yet. I think Terry still has a few Champions provisional to use if he does not qualify on time this Friday.
Sterling Marlin
Phoenix Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 50th
Sterling is another veteran driver that has left a big dent at DIS. I am quite sure he does not have the champion free pass, but if Sterling gets into the show he will do some surprising things. This Saturday marks Sterling's 51st start. He has 12 Top 5's and 21 Top 10's. This man has been around this track quite a few times and still loves it.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Carl Edwards
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 4th
Carl did finally get his first Top 5 last July at Daytona, but that was the first one out of six starts. Looks like to me that since it was a hundred laps shorter than the Daytona 500, Carl happened to luck out in position. If Carl does fair well this weekend, than lady luck sure does like Office Depot.
Denny Hamlin
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 7th
Where has all the love for Denny gone? He is getting singled out for commenting on race conditions and people think that he is just plain whining about everything. Denny, take one for the team and stay in the back of the pack and keep your mouth closed for this weekend's party. A lot of drivers are going to be voicing their feelings about just anything and I don't want Denny to be involved. Denny has enough riding on his shoulders just trying to finish this 400 lap race. Four starts and nothing to show for his effort.
Track Stats
Daytona International Speedway (Daytona Beach, FL) - DIS
Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola
(Sister Restrictor Plate Tracks - Talladega)
Pepsi 400
(July 7, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jamie McMurray
2. Kyle Busch
3. Kurt Busch
4. Carl Edwards
5. Jeff Gordon
6. Greg Biffle
7. Clint Bowyer
8. Matt Kenseth
9. Kasey Kahne
10. Jimmie Johnson
Daytona 500
(February 17, 2008)
Top 10 Results
1. Ryan Newman
2. Kurt Busch
3. Tony Stewart
4. Kyle Busch
5. Reed Sorenson
6. Elliott Sadler
7. Kasey Kahne
8. Robby Gordon
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
10. Greg Biffle
Reader Board
"Tony Stewart and Hendrick Motorsports; is that a possibility?"
Crystal - Ohio
There has been talk about Tony Stewart's new home and talk of Tony maybe teaming up with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to start their own Cup team. All that right now is speculation. Give the rumor mill some time to run its course and you will find out closer to the end of the season what Tony's intentions really are. I really don't think Hendrick Motorsports is in Tony's future though.
Post questions & comments to:
NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com
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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">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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