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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
7/10/2008
LifeLock.com 400
July 12, 2008 (Saturday) - 6:30 pm (ET) - TNT
Sonnet of Speed
Forty three drivers are ready to race,
All chancing their luck trying to finish first,
Only one has the pole to set the pace,
If they come in last, they finish the worst.
Lap by lap cars operate at top speed,
Steering clear of the walls through every turn,
Passing and passing to try for the lead,
Maintaining every position they earn.
Who will take the checkered flag at the end,
And celebrate in victory lane?
The driver who is first at the last bend,
That has shown he/she is the driver to reign.
If you win in NASCAR, you've beat the best,
Take your trophy for defeating the rest.
Front Line Finishers
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 5th
Jimmie statistics at CS are averaging one race short than most of his peers, but that has not hindered his impressive performance. Jimmie has 6 starts with a remarkable 4 Top 5's and 5 Top 10's. Oh, and a pole. The only thing left for Jimmie to complete his circle of achievement is a win.
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 9th
Um, someone clear this one up for me. What great feats got Matt into 9th in points for the chase? I thought Jeff Burton was sneaky with his under toned success, but Matt nearly scared the stuff out of me. I don't know how Matt does it, but it looks like he will be making the chase again this year. Matt's record at CS is normal, but definitely not average. Out of 7 starts he has 2 Top 5's and 3 Top 10's. Maybe Matt could also be looking for his first win at Chicago.
Tony Stewart
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 12th
Good-bye to you. Tony is making his way towards the owner/driver arena next season with Haas CNC Racing. I say good luck and hope you can get some good drivers for your new team. Will it be Stewart Haas Racing or CNC Stewart Motorsports? Tony ditched his ride last weekend at Daytona, but hopefully he is feeling up to the challenge this Saturday at Chicago because he runs pretty well there. Tony has 7 starts with a whopping 5 Top 5's and 10's with 2 wins.
Kevin Harvick
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 13th
Kevin is ranked number one for the best average finish at CS (8th). His success at this track may be what he needs to put him into the chase for the Sprint Cup. Kevin is tied with Tony Stewart for the most wins (2) with 7 starts as well.
Last Lap Challengers
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 10th
Clint runs positively well at Chicagoland Speedway for having only two starts. In 2006 he finished 9th and in 2007 he finished 10th.
Reed Sorenson
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 32nd
Reed in another driver like Clint Bowyer who has only had two starts at Chicago's 1.5 mile track with absolute success. Reed finished 7th in 2006 and 12th in 2007.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Kasey Kahne
Gillett Evernham Motorsports - Dodge
Point Standings: 8th
I really pray that I am wrong about Kasey's expected performance at Chicago. Kasey is only 33 points away from being 13th in the points and being out of contention for the Sprint Cup. Kasey if you pull out a Top 10 this weekend, I will not write another negative thing about you the rest of the season. Kasey's record at CS right now is 4 starts with a best finish of 23rd.
Martin Truex Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet
Standings: 18th
Poor unfortunate driver. Martin got docked 150 driver points and his crew chief is suspended. Are teams really cheating or are they just alternating who gets to suck at matching a stock car to a template. At minimal, most teams has 36 races, 2 cars per race, which equals 72 chances to make a mistake. I guess penalties will just have to cycle through the garage until everybody gets hit. Martin your chances for the Cup were nearly depleted with your recent penalty and now with your lack luster performance at CS (2 starts with both finishes outside the Top 15), all I have to say is, "Better luck next year."
Track Stats
Chicagoland Speedway (Joliet, IL) - CS
LifeLock.com 400
(Sister Intermediate Tracks - Atlanta, Lowe's, California, Homestead-Miami, Kansas Dover, Darlington, Michigan & Texas)
USG Sheetrock 400
(July 15, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Tony Stewart
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Carl Edwards
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Casey Mears
6. Kurt Busch
7. Jeff Burton
8. Ryan Newman
9. Jeff Gordon
10. Clint Bowyer
Reader Board
"Is Joe Gibbs Racing actually thinking about putting Joey Logano in the #20 once Tony Stewart abandons it in 2008?"
Matt - Pennsylvania
If Joe Gibbs put Joey Logano into the #20 Home Depot car full-time next year, I think he is making a huge mistake. Joe Gibbs needs to fill that ride with a seasoned driver and give Joey an opportunity to race in the Cup Series for a very few and specially selected tracks. Anymore than that and JGR is looking at disaster.
Post questions & comments to:
NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
The Redskins signed Johnson last week to a three-year contract. Portis, who missed the final eight games last season after suffering a season-ending concussion, returns for his ninth NFL season. He's been the Redskins' starter since joining the team in 2004. Though he's two years older than Portis, Johnson has 755 fewer carries. While the two might begin training camp sharing the workload, Vermeil expects Johnson to open eyes at practice. He says Johnson helped push Priest Holmes, the Chiefs' incumbent running back in Kansas City seven years ago, and Vermeil says he'll push Portis now -- until he surpasses him.
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
Because the Saints tendered Bell, a restricted free agent, at the lowest level, they have only a right to match the offer -- and they'll get no compensation if they don't. Either way, Bell will be under contract for one year. The question is whether it will be the Eagles or the Saints.
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Bo Scaife Signs Titans Tender Offer
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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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">Marc Bulger Shows Up For Off-Season Workouts
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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